Open Up The Dialogue

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Building contractors and specifiers have unique perspectives and valuable positions in building design and in selecting a security system. Working with architects and engineers to plan a building's design and internal components prior to execution, specifiers have an opportunity to lay the foundation for effective security provisions even before breaking ground.

However, the responsibility of opening up the dialogue among the groups often falls on a qualified security consultant or the security director of the new facility. For insight into how important stakeholders, specifiers and contractors can effectively communicate and work together, we turn to Sean Ahrens, a project manager with Schirmer Engineering, a provider of security consulting and design, fire protection, code consulting and risk control services, to shed light on the process.

Q: What should specifiers and contractors consider about security when constructing a building?

AHRENS: Security is comprised of three primary controls - operational, physical and technical security. A technical specifier must realize that the systems they specify will need to work in conjunction with physical and operational controls. For instance, a specifier needs to identify how the security systems will be monitored and what the security operators of the system are looking for in terms of functionality.

A specifier also must engage architects in the design process and identify opportunities for architectural enhancements to improve and coordinate security with architecture. As an example, as it relates to life safety code, a path of egress that requires access through a secure area can impact the ability to implement and manage security after an architectural design has been completed. Specifiers should not utilize technical controls to manage, mitigate or detect a specific and single type of security occurrence. Whenever possible, security should attempt to deter, delay or detect a broad array of security risks rather than specific security risk. That's an approach that adds value and reduces change orders and, ultimately, costs.

Finally, just because security is not contemplated for a building when it is being built does not mean that it won't be needed in the future. Specifiers and architects need to think about being proactive and providing opportunities for open public buildings to be cost effectively secured if necessary.

Q: How should the security professional in charge be proactive in getting his or her input and security needs heard by the contractor/specifier?

AHRENS: It happens through communication. In some instances security professionals (security directors) are cut out of the loop on larger projects. Security directors need to be proactive about getting in front of their respective projects and design teams. The security specifier may not always be a qualified security consultant who will proactively enlist the involvement of security professionals, and thereby, miss a valuable stakeholder in the project.

Q: What message does security need to send to specifiers/contractors that would help get everyone on the same page during the design/building process?

AHRENS: Again, communication is instrumental. Specifiers need to ascertain, identify and involve all disciplines and stakeholders in the design process. By gathering critical information, specifiers are more likely to avoid circumstances such as lack of coordination between life safety and security.

In some instances the lack of communication between interdisciplinary design parties can actually limit security. As an example, without accessibility and communication to the door hardware supplier or designer; the door hardware specifier/supplier won't realize the need for a latch guard that should be required for doors with an electrified strike. This error actually minimizes security for the door by exposing the throw of the lock. Depending on the number of doors with this condition, it could be an expensive change order.

Frequent communication with stakeholders and designers of interdisciplinary design functions will limit change orders and ensure a cost-effective and coordinated deployment technical security.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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