10 ways to secure a building
Building security is necessary for many different reasons. It may be that you’re looking to ensure your home is secure for any period of absence. Or maybe your office building is empty every evening and you’d like night patrols to help with this. Whatever the reason there are steps you can take to ensure your building is safe and secure.
We’ve listed 10 ways you can ensure your building is safe and secure.
· Understand your risks
Document the risks that you have around the property, keep this documentation and update it regularly with any changes you have made. Think about any potential risk, whether it is due to people, location or even a risk due to weather impacts. Once you have these risks documented draw up a plan of action to put security measures in place.
· Secure the perimeter
Ensure the area surrounding your building protects the building itself. The surrounding perimeter may be a fence or a wall. This outer perimeter can be used to ensure there is less access directly to your building. Fence or wall toppers or anti climb paint could be used. Also ensure there is no easy access to any flat roofs on your property. Installing external lighting or even leaving lighting on in the building can help with security measures too.
· Signage
Signs are a fantastic way to deter any unwanted visitors. It is important to ensure these signs are strategically located around the property to cover as much of the area as possible and to give no doubt as to how effective the security of the premises is.
· Access Control
Check on the entry points to your building, keep these entry points to a minimum so you can control who is accessing your property. Using an enhanced access control system can ensure only certain people have access to particular areas in your building. This may be something to consider if you have many visitors. Access control also isn’t limited to tech – sometimes having effective and robust procedures is enough to highlight when someone is there when they shouldn’t be
· Key Control
If you don’t have the ability to use an enhanced digital access control system, managing those who do have keys to your property is essential. Allowing a minimal volume of people to hold a key is necessary, with these being the most trusted people who require access. An audit of keys should be completed regularly to ensure keys are still held and by the correct people.
· On Site Guards
From a legal position there is no greater protection from crime than a person being present on the premises. Not only do security guards deter and actively prevent intrusion, they offer a far quicker response to attempts made, and lastly in the event that entry is gained to a building then they are able to give greater volumes of evidence to the police to secure a more rapid and effective outcome.
· Alarm systems
An alarm system or motion detector can trigger an alarm when either there has been motion or when access has been gained to the building without justified reason. These alarms could be triggered manually, when someone enters a restricted area or when a door or window has been accessed when the alarm is set. Cameras linked to the alarm system can be used to alert a security patrol company or the police
· The Local Community
Know who your neighbours are. Speak to your neighbours and build relationships with them so you know they will be keeping an eye on your building in your absence. Encourage them to report any suspicious activity taking place in or around your building and supply them with the relevant contact details to report this behaviour. In our experience, the majority of intrusion discoveries are made by people living or working nearby
· Employee Training
Ensure employees are aware of the internal standards of practice regarding building security. This can ensure they avoid any security breaches due to carelessness, human error or even malicious behaviour.
· Security Patrols
Security patrols can be a vital way of ensuring your building is protected. Security patrols can be used if the property is vacant or overnight. If there are employees leaving the building late these patrols can also ensure these employees are safe when leaving.
At Blue Light Group we are on hand to support you through any security needs your business or home may have. We can offer consultations to review your buildings and document what is required to ensure your buildings and employees remain safe throughout.
If you are interested in advice, security patrols or guarding then we’re on hand to help. When you’re not there, we are.