Feature


Is Funding Harming Public Safety and Security?


Karen Trigg When restricted by budget, safety and security standards can waver. Karen Trigg, business


development manager at Allegion UK, discusses how to overcome financial challenges, and why large budgets shouldn’t legitimise complacency.


Addressing budgetary restrictions in public, government-owned buildings has become a challenge. When stories hit the news about failing


fire safety standards or poor security, the root of the cause is almost never linked to financial restrictions. Granted, however, a lot of the time there are other, louder contributing factors. These may include lack of sufficient knowledge, training, emergency preparedness and so on. Addressing budgetary restrictions is one


thing. Breaking it down, and forming practical, legitimate and effective solutions and answers is another. How do facility managers and safety and security teams improve their current protocols if they don’t have sufficient budgets?


The answer starts with proactivity. A rock and a hard place


Last year, a study at Allegion UK found that more than 40% of healthcare facilities that felt their current security measures were compromised say this was because of underfunding or budgetary constraints. Budget cuts within the healthcare sector in


particular have left many NHS practices and hospitals stuck between “a rock and a hard place,” where the lack of funding has resulted


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in a number of issues beyond just safety and security concerns. It’s becoming clearer that these types of


facilities may be struggling when it comes to certain fire safety measures. Recently, East Sussex Healthcare Trust requested to be granted a bulk of capital funding to improve its fire safety measures following a “recommendation” from its fire service. The Trust initially planned to invest a significantly less amount (£750k a year) on its fire safety measures but decided to take action after the fire service expressed concern over the pace of work. Therefore, with many of these types


of facilities left grasping at straws, it’s necessary to start thinking about what to do if funding falls short. The circumstances above indicate that, whilst the desire to better current protocols may be present, budget or other constraining factors may be limiting progress. Therefore, if this is the case for most, is


it time we started raising greater awareness of the issues that come with budgeting pressures? Or perhaps it’s time to shift the focus entirely, and bring the industry back to basics. That way, we can be sure complacency won’t creep in no matter the budget size and proactivity will pave the way to productivity.


Everyday actions


Even the biggest safety and security budgets won’t succeed in removing all risk. In fact, technology isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to heightening security. It’s actually the intangible measures which help to tie up the loose ends and glue the entire system together. A full comprehensive approach is key. Jerry


Irvine, CIO of US IT-outsourcer company Prescient Solutions, said that improving protocols has become more about implementing effective “security policies as opposed to simply buying security tools.” Whilst he speaks within the context of internet technology, this statement rings true across safety and security within the construction industry, too. This can include assessing current


protocols so you can work out what needs altering or improving. One aspect that’s often overlooked is how all occupants within a building are integral to the success of safety and security. This is the one area which doesn’t require large budgets, but is perhaps one of the most effective and important aspects.


Emergency preparedness A clear, effective emergency evacuation


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