SECURITY
THE KEY TO AVOIDING COMMON MISTAKES
Providing a safe and secure environment for staff and visitors is a top priority for FMs, but there is a lot to consider. Dr Steffan George,
Development Director of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) offers ten top tips for eradicating simple errors.
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Always establish who is the “responsible person” (as per the Regulatory Reform Order 2005), i.e. the
person responsible for making sure that all escape routes are fit for purpose, all hardware on emergency exit doors is correct, and who should be performing and maintaining the fire risk assessment. This is often an issue of confusion; not only is it a legal requirement, but being clear on who is responsible for each aspect of safety and security also means overall safety management can be addressed in a systematic and logical manner.
Think about who needs access to which areas of the buildings and introduce Master key systems or
electronic access control. Master Key systems mean specific keys access specific locks, with others allowing access to all areas, meaning heads of security can restrict where employees and the public have access to.
Windows and doors on the ground floor and at the back of the building need extra attention. Install
solid, high-quality locks, in particular thick, laminated glass. Consider using steel doors, but if wooden doors are used on the building, ensure they are a minimum of 44mm in depth – the thicker the better, or get a steel skin added. For easily accessible windows consider fitting grilles or bars. For those who don’t want their facility to look like Fort Knox, then collapsible grilles can be installed, which need only be put in place when the building is unoccupied.
Ensure expensive equipment is concealed from passers-by. Blinds can solve this issue, while a
professionally specified and installed safe can also help. Lock away valuables overnight.
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Pay attention to the exterior – invest in perimeter fencing and gates to secure access to parking areas,
ensure shrubs and trees are cut back so they cannot be used as hiding places for potential criminals. Invest in good lighting, visible CCTV and alarms.
All security equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained, particularly in the event of
vandalism and misuse by occupants attempting to force entry. Observance of obstacles such as piles of rubbish in front of emergency exit doors, must also be monitored and prevented.
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It’s vital to review safety, as well as security, on a weekly basis. Most importantly, ensure there are
detailed and all-encompassing fire procedures in place, with clear signage for directing customers to evacuation and assembly points.
The number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits must be adequate
with regard to the use, equipment and dimensions of the premises and the maximum number of people who may be present there at any one time. There are also different standards the panic hardware need to adhere to depending on whether the building is “public” or “commercial”. Use your local MLA Licensed Locksmith to assist in this area.
In accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, emergency doors must not
be locked or fastened so that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may need to use them in an emergency. These doors are massively important and can result in life or death situations. If they are bolted, deadlocked or chained and there is a tragedy, the person responsible for these doors could be prosecuted.
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Ask a professional MLA-approved locksmith to carry out a security and safety assessment to
advise on suitable fittings, as well as providing input from a safety point of view. Ensure all locks are correctly fitted and functioning to provide a good level of security and meet safety and insurance requirements.
www.locksmiths.co.uk.
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