February 13, 2009—Tall buildings, including high-rises, are exposed to all the no rmal security risks—crime, disorder and emergencies—that threaten any street-level or campus-style building. However, the physical nature of these increasingly common tall buildings (also known as “tower blocks” in Britain and some European countries) calls for different security emphases, according to a new Connecting Research in Security to Practice (CRISP) Report.
The latest CRISP Report, “From the Ground Up: Security for Tall Buildings” by Dennis Challinger, was commissioned by the ASIS Foundation. The report focuses on commercial and residential buildings, and states that tall buildings often house many people and much property in an environment where movement is restricted by elevators and stairways.
These areas, along with lobbies and corridors, constitute considerable sections of the building where ownership is at best ambiguous. Moreover, the anonymous masses of people that move through these common areas allow offenders a fertile setting in which to operate, notes the report.
Current security approaches include access control, physical security (locks, alarms, perimeter fences), CCTV, lighting, security officers, emergency plans, documented procedures, and security-awareness efforts. Still, the author states, the research suggests that crime, disorder, and emergencies are continuing issues for security providers in tall buildings.
Challinger discusses how research points to specific responses that may be most useful in developing security plans for tall buildings. These include situational security approaches, both physical and procedural; promotion of a sense of community within the building; and ensuring that the building is well maintained.
