Theft, fire, vandalism, weather damage, and occupation by squatters – they\u2019re all associated risks. Left unoccupied, the premises is exceptionally defenceless, becoming more so as the weeks pass. Equally, several vacant properties in one area can bring security concerns and, if poorly managed, can lead to reputational damage \u2013 and even environmental decline.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Property-Risk-Assessment.webp\")
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Reducing Your Risk<\/h2>\n
Clearway can mitigate your safety and security risks.<\/p>\n
We provide a full range of services and products to safeguard unused commercial properties, however long they remain vacant. We aim to reduce the building\u2019s exposure, protect your valuable assets, and help you fully comply with your insurance policy.<\/p>\n
If you are a landlord, property investor or otherwise involved in managing an unused building, read on.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve put together this article to explain how Clearway would engage with you in the early stages of our working relationship \u2013 with a comprehensive security risk assessment<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ll outline how a risk assessment works in practice, what \u201cgaps\u201d our consultants look for, and why meticulous initial appraisals like these are so critical.<\/p>\n The Clearway team offers a wealth of in-depth industry knowledge; from large multi-site businesses, public sector organisations and SMEs \u2013 and even for events. They know what to look for. Through a customised assessment, their unbiased recommendations will help you make an informed decision to help you look after your property portfolio.<\/p>\n Security consultants have specialist skills: an excellent understanding of how businesses operate, a sharp awareness of health and safety, and full technical knowledge of the materials and equipment they may find on site. Likewise, they recognise the fabric and structure of a building and how this may affect safety.<\/p>\n Important note:<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s worth mentioning that this\u00a0isn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0a sales process. Instead, it\u2019s an\u00a0independent<\/em>\u00a0review of findings and your current security provision \u2013 with resolutions you\u00a0could<\/em>\u00a0or should take to mitigate threats.<\/p>\n In brief, it\u2019s a thorough, formal analysis of your commercial property to identify any safety and security hazards and determine whether the controls that you have in place are strong enough.<\/p>\n The outcome will be an in-depth yet jargon-free written analysis and a list of actions to manage the uncovered risks.<\/p>\n Every property is different, so it\u2019s a fundamental first step. Your consultant will factor in the location, the building\u2019s use and function, its contents, condition, layout, the area\u2019s crime profile, vulnerabilities, and much more.<\/p>\n Ultimately, a risk assessment can help you develop the best security strategy to help look after your investment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Within this point, consider the following:<\/p>\n Insurance<\/strong>\u00a0is vital here. We\u2019ve written an article about compliance, which you can read\u00a0here<\/strong>. In brief, vacant commercial property cover is not easy to get; moreover, it\u2019s expensive due to risk. It will come as no surprise that your insurance company will set the bar high and have exacting standards.<\/p>\n Clearway has developed an outstanding range of solutions to help you become and remain compliant. We work across the entire process:<\/p>\n Is your property going to be vacant for the\u00a0first time<\/strong>? Then prevention will be better than cure with an assessment\u00a0before<\/em>\u00a0deciding on security measures. However, they apply equally to annual or six-monthly checks so that your steps are still \u201cworking\u201d – not only for protection.<\/p>\n Also, you may need a risk assessment to show that you\u2019re eligible for certain quality\u00a0accreditations<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0certifications\u00a0<\/strong>or to meet industry-specific requirements.<\/p>\n Importantly, did you know you have a duty of care to everyone entering your building? And yes, this applies whether they\u2019re authorised or not.<\/p>\n For example, as well as your obligation to estate agents, surveyors, potential tenants, and tradespeople, you are also responsible for the safety of unwitting children using the site as a playground. Likewise \u2013 and we know how unjust this\u00a0may<\/em>\u00a0seem: trespassers, squatters and those who access the premises with harmful intent.<\/p>\n All in all, a risk assessment will examine every part of your security; not just the \u201cobvious\u201d measures such as locks and high-functioning steel doors, but also your monitoring systems, safety responses and alarms.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look in a little more detail at a few of the key checks and balances for empty commercial propertie<\/a>s:<\/p>\n The damage caused by fire and smoke is nothing short of dreadful.<\/p>\n Simply put, it poses a grave risk. And, interrupts business continuity. If your vacant site is home to industrial vehicles, various hazardous materials or piles of uncollected cardboard boxes and paper, you could be playing a dangerous game of chance.<\/p>\n And, you may lose.<\/p>\n Of particular note is the life-threatening danger of smoke. An appraisal will analyse how effective your smoke detector is, and if it\u2019s built into your fire safety system. If not, a combined approach could be critical to protect life and property equally.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll look at your fire safety hardware, systems, and detection equipment. Also, what you have in place to put out or suppress fires<\/a>. If you\u2019re not up to par, they\u2019ll recommend the measures you must take.<\/p>\n Equally, it’s important to know key information such as how many fire extinguishers you need<\/a> or where to place fire alarms.<\/p>\n Are your alarms fit for purpose? Do they suit the size, location and function of the site?<\/p>\n A Clearway expert will know whether they provide adequate coverage and are reliable enough immediately to alert you or a remote monitoring centre (such as our\u00a0NSI Gold Standard<\/strong>\u00a0centre).<\/p>\n Should there be issues, you will be advised on the\u00a0right tools for the job<\/em>: alarms for development or construction sites, higher-risk businesses, open areas of land or empty retail units. Many of the options available are super-sophisticated and will meet your needs precisely.<\/p>\n Surveillance plays a critical role in preventing access but is also brilliant at identifying intrusion and enabling immediate action \u2013 either by the emergency services or by your authorised staff.<\/p>\n An experienced security consultant is your secret super-power here:<\/p>\n They\u2019ll notice blind spots, assess whether what you have in place now could be tampered with, and assess its functionality. Contemporary commercial CCTV systems<\/a> are high-tech; they can detect number plates (ANPR<\/a>) and body temperature, have night vision, and even recognise faces. This is cutting-edge stuff that could make all the difference.<\/p>\nWhat is a Risk Assessment?<\/h2>\n
The Importance of a Risk Assessment<\/h2>\n
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What\u2019s Involved in a Security Risk Assessment?<\/h2>\n
Fire Safety<\/h3>\n
![\"commercial](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/commercial-fire-extinguishers-installed-in-an-office.webp\")
\nAlarms<\/h3>\n
![\"intruder](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/intruder-alarm-system-maintenance.webp\")
\nCCTV<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/cctv-camera.webp\")
\n![\"escape](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/escape-of-water.jpg\")
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