High­Tech Security and Safety Measures

Today there are a wide range of solutions that make it possible to increase a building’s security ­ from window and door sensors to comprehensive systems that are capable of monitoring and reacting to all the processing taking place within the building. «It is considered to be in good taste to equip buildings with modern safety and security systems that may even exceed the state requirements (SNiP),” says Oleg Smirnov, deputy managing director of Sawatzky Property Management. “These include automated fire­prevention systems, alarm systems, access control (barriers, tourniquets, etc.), video surveillance systems, etc. There are systems available for the most refined tastes, and its difficult find a building on the market that’s not equipped with the abovementioned systems.”

Comprehensive security systems
Modern technical capabilities make it possible to create an integrated safety and security system for one or multiple buildings. Such a system entails several engineering and building life­support systems, including access control, fire protection, fire alarms and the video surveillance. All the systems operate under an integrated control system. The data coming from the video cameras and the security and fire sensors is analyzed, and in the case of an emergency the system can independently respond to the situation as appropriate.

Video surveillance
It is not possible to put a commercial building up for sale or lease today without a video surveillance system. This is one of the simplest and most effective methods of providing safety. “The video surveillance system checks the building’s facades and perimeters, common areas, zones of limited access and so forth,” says Viktor Ilin, Chief Engineer at M+W Zander Facility Management CIS. Digital surveillance technologies are in demand for high­end properties, as they can be incorporated into an integrated computerized security system, which is not the case for analog technology. The technical characteristics and assembly of digital systems depend on the security requirements of the building. “As a rule, the minimum configuration of this system includes a video camera, the video signal processor, recording equipment and display units,” says Elena Kurgasheva, an expert at Armo Engineering.

Access control systems
Access control systems – electromagnetic and electromechanical locks, tourniquets, barriers, metal­detectors, etc., are set up, as a rule, at the entrances of commercial buildings. All these devices make it possible for security services to govern the flows of visitors, monitor the personnel access and prevent uninvited guests from entering off­limit areas. As a rule, high­class buildings have access control systems that are integrated with the other the building life­support systems, such as alarm systems, video surveillance and automated fire alarms.
Access control systems often work on the basis of a personal card system. Each employee is given a card that contains his or her own personal information. The employee (or visitor) applies the card to the scanner, which reads the card’s information and makes a decision on whether to allow access based on the system’s parameters and the individual’s access rights. Such systems are convenient in that they allow the access to be regulated via a computerized system.
There are a number of other access control systems used as well. One of these solutions is the electronic “proximity identifier.” Simply put, a proximity identifier is an electronic pass in the form of a plastic card or key ring. Proximity identifiers recognize its owner by the personal code recorded on the identifier. The doorway or point of access is fitted with a reading mechanism and electro­mechanical locks. The door unlocks automatically when the employee approaches with the proximity identifier. Such mechanism can be programmed to work only during certain hours in order to avoid unauthorized access during predetermined hours, for example, during the night.
Electro­mechanical locks are another mechanism that is often used. Such mechanisms, according to specialists, are more reliable than ordinary mechanical locks. “In the case of special needs and emergencies, the electro­mechanical locks, on the controller’s signal, go into a special operating mode,” says Elena Kurgasheva. “For example, if a fire is detected within the building then the electro­mechanical locks automatically unlock, while in the case of an unauthorized intrusion all the doors are blocked.”

Turnstiles
Turnstiles also can be integrated into a comprehensive access control system. With such systems the information from the electronic pass is registered by the central controlling device that makes a decision regarding access. If desired, such turnstiles can be manually controlled by a security guard.
There are several varieties of the turnstiles: the tripod (a three­rod turnstile), the swing gate, the rotary turnstile, half profile rotary and the optical turnstile. The security needs of the building in question dictate which option is most appropriate.
The selection of these devices depends on the requirements, which are proposed for the safety features of the real estate units. Rotary half­profile turnstiles are made with three or four rods or blades, fixed on a vertical, revolving axis. Other half­profile turnstiles are made three or four «revolving doors», which sometime can be converted into full­height turnstiles. Specialist say that the full­height turnstiles are the most reliable in terms of guaranteeing against unauthorized access.
Optical turnstiles are devices that do not provide any physical barrier. “An optical turnstile consists of two vertical columns with a space between them that is crisscrossed with infrared sensors. In the case of an unauthorized entrance, these sensors send an alarm signal to the guard post,” says Elena Kurgasheva.
Also there are biometric identification systems that recognize individuals’ unique biological characteristics. Access and information protection systems based on such technologies are the most reliable, but at the same time the most expensive. The most affordable biometric systems are several times of more expensive than other access control systems.

Fire Protection and Prevention
Fire protection and alarm systems also play a key role in integrated safety and security systems. The components of the fire protection and alarm system ­ sensors (alarms), commutation equipment, control boards ­ immediately notify the security service of any unsanctioned penetration onto the guarded territory. The fire­alarm system, with the help of sensors, makes it possible to reveal the center of a fire. The alarm signal is sent to both the information desk and the automatic fire­extinguishing system.
There are technologies other technologies that are often include in such systems that have no direct bearing on the threat of terrorism but that can be important to the overall security and safety system. «These include special sensors that tests the conditions of the walls, the building’s frameworks, and so on. These instruments automatically record various vibrations and any changes in a buildings structure,” explains Viktor Ilin.

Extras
Additional equipping with that incorporate modern technologies make it possible to create an integrated security and safety system that unites the access control systems, video surveillance, fire alarms, security alarms and fire­extinguishing systems.
Such systems practically all function according to the “transformer” principle. In other words, it is possible to add and subtract components in accordance with the needs and desires of the user. “Most equipment producers through the world create their products in such a way as to make it possible to add components ad infinitum,” says Elena Kurgasheva.
Furthermore, contemporary technologies make it possible to combine the safety and security systems of several remote units. There are the even systems that unite the functions of several offices located in different countries.
It is worth noting that many leaseholders interested in additional security measures at their facilities prefer some options to be left to their own discretion. Thus, for example, a pharmaceutical company leasing a warehouse space can establish its own security system that controls access to the specific zones. “Today, as a rule, safety systems are established in the general zones, for which the managing companies bears responsibility,” says Viktor Ilin. “As far as the premises of tenants are concerned, each company, handles its security concerns at its own discretion, and the systems of tenants are, as a rule, autonomous of the facilities centralized system. The exception is fire­alarm system, which must be part of the buildings centralized system.”

Choosing a System
As a rule, the selection of a security system is influenced by a wide variety of factors. “One of the factors is the type of building,” Oleg Smirnov. “The specific character of a commercial, office, warehouse or banking facilities undoubtedly plays a key role in determining which system is selected. Also important are the class status, location, architectural features (i.e., number of entrances and exits), work hours, the features of the surrounding territories, parking areas, etc. In places where there is a need for heightened security, stationary metal detectors as well as hand held metal detectors are commonly used. X­ray handbag inspection equipment can also be installed. However, such invasive device create an unfriendly atmosphere at the entrance and thus influence the image of the center.”
Ideally, all issues concerning a building’s security are considered during the design stage or when the concept of the commercial building is being determined. It is during this period that the main principles are established: Where will the security posts be? How many entryways will there be and how will they be controlled? How will employees, visitors and service personnel be situated in the building? These are the factors that determine the selection of engineering equipment.
To illustrate the security technologies in action, we can take a look at specific examples. The integrated security system Courtyard by Marriott includes a fire alarm and extinguishing system, an access control system and alarm, video surveillance and an internal communication system. The integrated fire prevention system includes a fire alarm, sprinkler system and public announcement system. On the whole the small hotel’s system includes more than 800 fire detector­alarms, 600 loudspeakers even 500 sprinklers. A large quantity of stroboscopes makes it possible to create an evacuation route for the people who have problems with hearing.
The hotel also has a video surveillance system that includes cameras monitoring all the corridors, the lobby and the entryway. The access control system involves an electronic key system that allows access to the room and certain areas of the hotel. This system, however, is not integrated into the general security system.
The headquarters of TNK­BP is equipped with an access control system that functions as follows. Personnel have to put their “electronic pass” up to the scanner, this then opens the gate and allows the cardholder to pass the onto the territory of office complex. Visitors use another entrance and are given a temporary pass at the access control desk. The temporary pass gives the visitor access to certain areas for a limited time.
A number of nuances should been taken into consideration in the implementation of the integrated system. “An important criterion for the selection of the producer and company­installer is the operational costs after a system is implemented,” says Oleg Smirnov. “The cost of maintenance and the time of the replacement of malfunctioned equipment for high­end systems can be unjustifiably high.”
“In the implementation of the integrated safety system it is always necessary to consider relationship between price and quality; as well as the cost of expansion, modernization and the servicing,” says Elena Kurgasheva. “For example, if a powerful fire safety system of a specific producer proves to be too expensive for the customer, then another solution is developed using the products of other producers, if, of course, the building’s design allows.”
The costs of a security system depend on a number of factors. According to Oleg Smirnov, the cost range of servicing an access control and video surveillance system is around $10,000 – $15,000 per year (w/o VAT) for a 30,000­sqm building and $25,000 –$30,000 per year (w/o VAT) for a complex of buildings with a total a area about 60,000 sqm.
We can conclude this overview by saying that the time when builders pondered over whether to install a security system has passed. Builders are now well aware of the fact that it’s impossible to create a viable commercial building without such a system.