Physical security on buildings
With changing patterns in crime the type of physical security to the exterior of your buildings which you have relied upon in the past may not be sufficient in the future to provide the desired level of deterrent to vandals, and intruders. As it is believed that the majority of fires in or outside commercial premises may now be started by children or vandals good security will go a long way towards not only reducing the risk of a burglary, but also a fire.

Choosing suitable security products can seem daunting. One of the common fears is that providing strong physical security will compromise fire safety and means of escape. This need not be so, provided the right choices are made, suitable products and any changes properly considered i.e. as part of a review of your fire safety risk assessment, before they are implemented. This is particularly important where an electrical or electronically controlled access control system is being considered which will be connected to either internal or external doors. If a fire and/or power failure should occur it is vital that the system provided is of a type which will still permit persons inside the building to escape.

Sometimes it is just a question of knowing where to find a suitable product – so if you need our help, please ask!

Where your buildings have vulnerable external glazing at basement, ground floor or at other easily accessible points consider whether they might safely be protected by suitable substantial means such as lockable security grilles or shutters. Ideally these would be of a type tested and approved under the LPCB LPS 1175 scheme (see the “Red Book” at www.redbooklive.com).

Don’t forget that some grilles or shutters will require planning permission before being fitted (particularly externally fitted ones).

You should not fit a grille or shutter which would prevent means of escape in the event of a fire. Review your fire safety risk assessment, before making such a change or placing an order.

Intruder alarms
An intruder alarm is not a substitute for good physical security, but is one way of reducing your risk. Apart from its deterrent value, it is useful for limiting the amount of time that intruders will feel ‘comfortable’ inside your premises. In addition, along with other precautions, an intruder alarm may, because so many fires are started deliberately, also help to reduce your chances of suffering a fire.

In order to qualify for police response, the alarm must be installed to certain standards and be maintained by an alarm company who meet the policy requirements of the local police force. Although there are differences, they are generally based upon the Association of Chief Police Officers(ACPO) and Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) policies.

To be acceptable, the alarm company usually has to be approved by a UKAS-accredited inspection body (i.e. NSI or SSAIB), and the alarm installed in accordance with European Standard EN 50131-1 (according to the scheme described in PD 6662:2004).

EN 50131-1 requires the alarm installer to carry out a theft risk assessment before recommending to you one of several grades of system. The security features increase with the grade, so the equipment permitted for, say, a Grade 2 system will not all be the same as for Grade 3 or 4. It is important to have the quoting companies explain the differences and for you to obtain your insurer’s agreement to the scheme of alarm protection and grade of system proposed, prior to signing any contract. Note: Remote signalling is not a feature of all grades.

To get a police response an intruder alarm needs to be provided with equipment designed to send a signal to an alarm receiving centre (ARC). There are various signalling systems available for alarm companies to use. Most of these use telephone lines, and a few the internet, some in conjunction with radio signals or text messages for added security.

Where the alarm system has two different means of sending out an alarm signal to the ARC you will often see this referred to as “dual path signalling”(recommended). The security afforded by different signalling systems vary e.g. not all have signals that are constantly monitored from your premises to the ARC; some are not monitored at all. Some have single signalling paths, others dual paths, etc.

There are now a number of different ways in which you can turn an intruder alarm on and off. It is important to have the quoting alarm companies explain the differences to you. Not all of the options will be acceptable so it is important to have your insurance broker confirm which are, before placing an order.

For the older type of alarms which are turned on, or off, by means on a code number, the aim should be for each authorised user to have his/her own unique user code number. Ideally these numbers should changed periodically, but especially when a member of staff leaves.

Even if you decide to have an audio or visually confirmed system, ensure that the company will also configure the alarm to operate as a sequentially confirmed type, as well. The police will require you to provide to the ARC (and, for some police forces, to themselves) details of a number of key holders who can attend the premises within a prescribed period of time. Consider carefully who you trust with this responsibility. You will also need to complete a health and safety risk assessment for this contingency, e.g. for the risk of violence to these employees and also lone working.

If you decide that you do not wish one of your own employees to be the first keyholder but prefer instead a professional keyholding security company check with your insurance broker that the firm is Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed and NSI or SSAIB-approved.

Before ordering your alarm, provide copies of the system design proposal to your insurance broker so that they can obtain the go-ahead from all the relevant insurance companies.

Security smoke systems
If you have a premises where it is not possible to provide substantial physical protections e.g. due to extensive glazing and you wish to provide additional deterrent then consider a security smoke system linked to your remotely monitored intruder alarm. Such systems rapidly produce dense white theatrical type “smoke” inside the protected room, making theft of goods extremely difficult. There is a relevant British Standard i.e. BS EN 50131-8 Security Fog Device / System. If you are interested in such a system and would like details of systems which are acceptable to Allianz, so that you can consider it further, please let us know. Please note that smoke systems are generally harmless to people and goods but may not be suitable for all types of trades or premises.

Security cabinets
If within your business you have small high value stock items or other small portable theft attractive items such as power tools that are too big to keep in a safe, you should try and keep these within a suitable strong secure room. Where this is not possible consider keeping them within a fixed proprietary lockable steel security cabinet. If you would like us to send you details of typical products please let us know.

For the very large hand tool cabinets often found in garage workshops consider chaining and padlocking these to a suitable fixed point on the wall or floor. Use a padlock designed to meet BS EN 12320 CEN security grade 4 or higher and chain approved to ‘Sold Secure’ Gold (see internet web site www.soldsecure.com).

Physical security for computer servers
High value electronic equipment is often targeted by thieves. Losing an item you rely upon for your business, such as a computer server unit, can be very disruptive. If your server is a free-standing one and is not otherwise substantially secured in place, consider enclosing it within a proprietary entrapment device which is fixed to the wall, floor or other substantial part of the building. Ensure that any keys to the device are also secured e.g. within a safe, or taken home at the close of business. Ideally you should use a product which has been tested

and approved under the Loss Prevention Certification Board LPS 1214 scheme. Details of approved products can be found on the LPCB internet web site www.redbooklive.com

Laptop computers
Where possible don’t allow portable “laptop” type computers to be left out on desks etc at the close of business. Ensure instead that they are, at the very least, locked away in a secure cupboard, cabinet, or safe. There are a number of security cabinets available which you can consider providing for this purpose, some of which have been independently tested (see the “Red Book” at www.redbooklive.com) for LPCB approved products.

Security marking
Permanently marking portable equipment with your business name, post code etc may deter its theft and aid the police. There are a number of security marking products available ranging from obvious etching ones to concealed markers (some unique). If you would like details of some of these please let us know.

Key security
Don’t leave keys where they are easy for someone to steal or copy. If there are keys which you cannot keep on your person keep them in locked security safe or proprietary metal key cabinet. Restrict who has access to these and locate them in a concealed position. Certain makes of door locks use key types which are harder to copy. If you would like information on these or safes and security cabinets please let us know.

CCTV
When combined with other appropriate security measures, having a suitable closed circuit television (CCTV)security system installed is one possible way of reducing the chances of your business becoming a victim of crime. If you do not already have a CCTV system but are considering one and would like advice, then please let us know. We will be happy to explain some of the considerations you will need to take into account before deciding. Before placing an order, provide your insurance broker with full details of the system proposed, so that they can check that it will be acceptable. Further guidance can be found in our Risk Control Notes “Thinking about installing a CCTV security system?” and “External security lighting” which Allianz policyholders can download from our Risk Director website www.riskdirector.co.uk

External security lighting
All businesses can be affected by crime. When combined with other appropriate security measures, installing a suitable scheme of security lighting is one possible way of reducing the chances of your business becoming a victim of crime. As we have already mentioned, the majority of fires at commercial premises may now be started by children or vandals, so providing good security should also help to reduce your chances of suffering a fire.

Need a review on your business insurances? Why not give one of our experts a call. Call us today on 02920 626 226 where one of our team will be happy to help.