Security Management in Residential Buildings

Security Management is an integral part of Facility Management (FM) services as not only is it responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for the residents and other key stakeholders, but also for the protection of the entire premises. Maintaining the security of gated communities or large residential buildings involves a series of actions but it first begins with a security audit. A security audit is a mandatory requirement -  it includes a review of the security system and processes with the help of a security consultant. It is a series of inspections and reviews to cross verify that all the security standards and guidelines are adhered to, as stated by the crime prevention policy. A security audit includes:

• Premises security
• Internal security
• System management
• Risk management
• Emergency management

Post the audit, the next step is to ensure that systems are functional and that everything can be monitored. This includes the appended guideline that a Facility Manager follows in order to maintain security which also involves premises and internal security:

• There should be external lighting on all entry and exit points as well as the parking lots
• All the security doors should have dead bolts and quality locks especially in the areas of the building that are not used frequently
• Security alarm systems should be installed which include door and window alarms, motion sensors and detectors for glass breakages
• Alarm systems must be installed individually in all the houses and in the entire complex as well. They should have I.R., seismic, microwave and siren effects
• Security cameras should be connected to a centralized video recording and viewing system which should be monitored by a security staff 24/7. CCTV cameras should have a static, pan, tilt, zoom and record effects
• There should be a security guard physically appointed at the entrance and exit points as well as the blind spots in the premises round the clock
• A biometric device should be a mandatory part of all residential buildings, this will keep a track on number of visitors entering and exiting the building and also help avoid trespassing
• Secure storage areas with locks

Residential buildings are usually more secure than single houses, the areas of exposure that need to be secured and monitoredhere are - balconies, rooftops, entries and exits, fire escapes, gardens, and basements.   Every Facility Manager should also have an emergency management plan in place which outlines the key responsibilities of every member in the team and the evacuation routes in the premises. Besides that, an emergency management plan also includes:

• Building safety measures with an emergency contact list
• Stages of evacuation procedures
• Clear signage and procedures for building users
• Display of evacuation plan on every floor
• Maintenance records for fire safety measures in place
• Availability of an updated version of the annual fire safety statement
• Conducting periodic fire and safety drills with all residents and staff of the building

The above acts as a preventive measure in case of fire or any other threat towards the security of a resident. Let’s look at guidelines that the residents can follow as a security measure and it can be monitored by the Facility Manager through periodic trainings and drills:

• Always lock doors and windows when not in use and especially when you are going out even for few minutes
• Keep the lower floor balcony doors locked as well
• Keep the fire exit doors locked
• Do not share the copies of your building or house keys/access cards with your friends or relatives that are non-residents
• While driving into the garage areas, ensure that you are not followed
• Install a home security system that coversremote monitoring and detection of intruders through alarms
• Install sensors that cover gas leakages, unauthorised movement and smoke detection
• Ensure your security system is linked to the security network platform of the building, however, the resident needs to use passwords to prevent cyber-crime or loss of personal data