Your building site security will depend on multiple factors such as hours of work, points of entry, the storage and location of valuable assets, and the flow of traffic around your site.
Generally, we advise the following, broken down into three categories: deterrents, detection and response.
Intruder Deterrents:
There should be a number of construction site security measures in place to make opportunistic thieves think twice about attempting a breach. These should include products such as unclimbable perimeter security fencing as well as electronic security features such as CCTV. Consider the following:
- Visible security presence and signage.
- Robust perimeter fencing and security access points.
- CCTV monitoring and maintenance.
- Manned guarding and construction site access control.
- Concrete barrier hire to prevent unauthorised vehicular access.
- Security lighting, alarms and sensors.
You may also want to consider:
- Restricting the number of vehicles on site and having a sign-in / sign-out authorisation process in place. This would help to identify non-scheduled deliveries or unmarked vehicles with malicious intent.
- Preventing vehicle access altogether – by implementing turnstiles and restricting access points, you can get a clear picture of who is on the site and when, whilst granting access to authorised personnel only.
- Full and wide-reaching lighting – having floodlights or timed lighting not only ensures that staff can work safely, but also prevents vandalism and break-ins.
Efficient Detection Systems:
Should your first line of construction site security not deter the offender, there should be a number of detection systems in place to identify a threat as quickly as possible and to provide evidence if needed, if a police investigation ensues.
Detection systems are often broken down into operational solutions (those that require human response) and physical detection systems (usually electronic, such as CCTV). Whilst operational activities such as manned guarding and patrols increase the level of deterrence, they can be expensive. Physical detection systems, such as the solutions outlined below, often come at a reduced ongoing cost and prevent any threat to human life. Physical detection systems include:
- CCTV solutions, infra-red monitoring and wireless sensors to immediately detect activity.
- Remote monitoring services – this activity is then fed directly to an alarm receiving centre. Those manning the system will immediately review the intrusion and alert those on site (or deploy a rapid response security team to investigate).
- Construction site access control to vet and approve each visitor.
- Advanced alarm systems to detect breaches, smoke, or fire.
Response systems
Whilst detecting a threat is the first step in dealing with a security breach on a building site, the response is critical to limiting the amount of damage incurred. By utilising a remote monitoring system, operators can very quickly respond to security breaches, alerting emergency services if needed. Your response solutions should include:
- Instant intruder alerts with appropriate personnel informed.
- Intruder detection warning systems.
- Automatic lock and unlock facilities.
- Keyholding services to respond to alarm activations and callouts.
- Live CCTV imaging, monitoring, and high-quality video retention.
