5 things you didn’t know about security and life safety

1-      Life Safety is more important than security.  It’s more important that people be able to get out in an emergency than to not let people in.

DO THIS: Look at your business.  If there was a fire between where you (or an employee) is and the front door, would you would be able to get out safely?  What about your customers?

2-        Glass counts as a wall.  Storefront aluminum doors that have key cylinders on the inside typically don’t meet building code.  Same principle: If there was a fire near the BACK door and the front door is locked with a key, people could get trapped.

DO THIS: look at your glass: even if it’s insulated or wired, it can still be broken.  Have a quote done to install window film.

3-      If you’re broken into, your customers still want to be able to get at your business.  This is the true cost of a break in: the lost money from customers who can’t get to you.

DO THIS: Plan for the worst: assume you’ll be broken into.  How will you carry on business?

4-      Criminals are lazy.  If you make it hard for them to get in, they’ll go elsewhere.  Make them work really hard to get in by having good quality doors and hardware.

DO THIS: put yourself in the criminal mindset, how would you get in? Do you know where all your keys are?

5-      No one thing is ‘THE’ answer.  Locks, alarms, cameras and people-processes all work together to make a building safe.  Each field needs a specialist.

DO THIS: Invest the time and money in a plan.  Do the upgrades before they become VERY expensive.  Your competition won’t be sad to see you close.  

His experience knows no bounds, and his knowledge is beyond refute.  I respect and regularly ask for, his opinions about safety and security.
This is worth the read.

The Top Three Essential Security Devices that No Homeowner Should Be Without

Author:

The Security Sensei

In a recent home invasion in Atlanta, Georgia, four men and two women were pistol-whipped by their intruders after they were forced to hand over their money. A gunshot was also heard by one of the victims after they escaped through a nearby window. Luckily, the bullet did not hit anyone.

In another story, however, the victims were not as fortunate. According to the news report posted by STLToday.com, two men and a woman invaded a home in St. Louis, Missouri during the evening hours. Police reported that the motivation for the home invasion was robbery. During the crime, however, one of the male intruders shot and killed one of the victims. While the other two victims survived, they were shot when they attempted to run away.

As a security professional, what\’s unsettling about these stories is that many of the popular security devices that residents place their trust in—alarm systems, motion-activated outdoor security lights, ‘Beware of Dog’ signs, and surveillance cameras—serve as psychological deterrents only. They don\’t offer any advanced warning and they can\’t physically stop a determined criminal that\’s unaffected by these deterrents.

For instance, when an alarm sounds, it typically means the intruder is about to and/or has already entered the premises. At that point, your only hope is that the perpetrator will flee the scene. But between the adrenaline rush and the mind-altering drugs that run through the veins of many of today\’s heartless criminals, they can turn your worst fears into a living nightmare in the time it takes the police to arrive to your home.

Does that mean you should do away with your home alarm system? Absolutely not. A home alarm system is an important layer of any home security plan. However, understanding the true purpose of the device is critical—which is to alert you when someone breaches your home\’s security through a window or a door. An alarm can\’t physically prevent an intruder from entering your home, especially if that home invader is dead-set on finishing what he started.

To keep your family safe and secure, you must equip your home with more than psychological deterrents. In addition to an ear-piercing home alarm system and bright, motion-activated security lights, you need a reliable early-warning device that can alert you the moment someone sets foot on your property. You also need security devices that can hold up to the brute force of a would-be intruder and prevent or at least delay their entry into your residence.

During my 15-year security career, I\’ve always recommended the following three home security devices to be potential lifesavers. In my opinion, no home should be without them.

Driveway / Property Trespasser Announcer

A driveway / trespasser announcer is an early detection device that alerts you when a person or car enters specific areas of your property. Such a device usually includes several battery-operated outdoor motion sensors and a home AC-powered base station. The base station emits an audible tone each time a person or car enters the monitored area.

A quality driveway / trespasser announcer is one that offers multiple sensors and a different tone for each sensor. This allows you to know which area of your property the person or vehicle is in, whether it is your driveway, side gate area, or backyard. Just as helpful are announcer devices that can be programmed to activate other electronic security devices, such as lights, alarms, and/or video surveillance cameras.

The advantages of having an early detection device such as a trespasser announcer is that it offers the extra time you need to think and respond to a threatening situation. Having that extra time to call the police, arm yourself, or retreat to a safe room can literally save your life and your family.

Security Door Brace

A relatively small device that you can easily install yourself, a security door brace combines the strength of the door, its door frame, and the surrounding floor.

A quality door brace is one that can withstand a minimum of 1700 pounds of force, as well as withstand multiple blows of a sledgehammer, body slams, and powerful kicks by a sturdy man weighing no less than 250 pounds.

Today\’s crime reports prove that standard locks and deadbolts aren\’t enough. Many intruders enter homes by kicking in a locked door. With a solid-core door and a security door brace in place, you can prevent or at least delay a would-be intruder from forcing his way into your home. That will give you the precious moments you need to call 911 and protect your family.

Security Glass Protection Film

Windows are one of the most vulnerable areas of your home, as it doesn\’t take much force for a criminal to shatter the glass. With a quality glass protection film reinforcing the interior surface of your windowpanes, you can make the glass significantly difficult to break.

Applied directly to the interior side of the windowpane, glass protection film works like an invisible coat of armor. The protective coating makes it a challenge to penetrate in comparison to standard or tempered glass. The best on the market can withstand strikes from a large rock, brick, hammer, and even a baseball bat.

Defeating a window fortified with security glass protection film requires more effort, time, and noise than many criminals are willing to risk. Even if a potential intruder chooses to proceed, window security film can afford you the time you need to call for help and seek safety.

Summary

Home alarm systems, motion-activated outdoor lights, and other devices that act as psychological deterrents are vital in reducing your risk of a residential crime. Just don\’t make the mistake of allowing such devices to lull you into a false sense of security. Protecting your family requires gaining the advantage over the bad guys by having an early warning system and security devices that can keep them out of your home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/the-top-three-essential-security-devices-that-no-homeowner-should-be-without-5744932.html

About the Author

Jordan Frankel, commonly known as the Security Sensei develops revolutionary security products and solutions that protect both lives & property. Countless agencies and corporations such as NASDAQ, the US Military, and law enforcement entrust Mr. Frankel with their security and safety.

Jordan Frankel is also frequent media guest addressing the personal and financial consequences associated with home invasions, burglaries and other serious threats. In addition, Mr. Frankel`s security products & inventions have been featured on Oprah, FOX news and in countless publications. Jordan`s ability to outsmart the proverbial bad guys – coupled with his commitment to making security an affordable reality for everyone is the key to Global Security Experts Inc success.

Mr. Frankel is a proud member of:

The American Society for Industrial Security.

The International Association for Counter Terrorism & Security.

The Society of Professional Locksmiths.

that’s why they’re criminals.  They look for easy targets, with high gain.  Don’t give them that.

Do This:

Look at your home through the eyes of a criminal. if YOU were going to break in, how would you do it?  Take away the access.

Criminals are sneaky

They don’t wear black and white striped prison suits, have bandanas with eye holes cut out, or carry crowbars.  There are exceptions, but generally, a burglar looks like a normal person, with a sneaky habit.

To keep a low profile, most criminals don’t drive around in vans full of break in tools.  Criminals would rather use your own tools to break in to your house.

Do This:

Keep your tools locked up. If you have a garage or shed, make sure it’s locked.  If you keep tools inside your garage or shed, lock them up too.  If you have a ladder at home, keep it securely locked- an open second floor window is an easy target if there’s a way up.

Criminals are ruthless

They don’t care that your jewelry belonged to your great-grandma, or that the money stuffed in your mattress is your life savings.  They care about serving themselves, and will stop at nothing to do so.  They’ll happily drive off in your car with your stuff.  They don’t care how long you worked to buy that TV, XBOX or blu-ray player, they want it to sell it.

Do This:

Make it as hard as possible for criminals to sell your stuff.  Engrave your driver’s licence number or social insurance number on your valuables/electronics (don’t use your address, in case you move).  An engraver is cheap, and makes stolen property easier to recover.

In London, the Police Community Services Unit will lend you an engraver to mark your property.

Lock up your keys, especially your spare keys, to prevent your car from becoming the ‘getaway’ car, or the burglars returning in the night to take your car too.  If they know where you live, and take your keys, there’s a good chance they’ll come back and take your car.

Be sure to use the home security checklist, found on this very website.

Don’t be a victim. Take a pro-active stance to prevent your home from being robbed, and make it easier to recover your property if you are.

If the hinges don’t work right, the door won’t close right.  If it doesn’t close right, it’s not secure.

Hinges are the hardest working part of your door.

Just like your car’s engine, the parts of your door are metal on metal.  If they aren’t properly maintained, they will eventually seize.  Before then, they’ll make the door hard to operate.

Do This:

- lubricate your hinges with a silicone based lubricant.  Twice a year is usually enough, but if you hear a squeak, do it more often.  If the squeak doesn’t go away, replace the hinges.

Hinges make your lock work.

If the door sags because the hinges are weak, the door won’t close right, and the lock won’t line up with the latch, and it your home won’t be secure.  A mis-aligned door will also be less energy efficient.

Do This:

- check the screws in your hinges.  If they’re loose, tighten them.  If they won’t tighten, replace them with longer/larger screws.  If using larger screws, remember to countersink the holes a little more to allow for bigger screw heads.

- if the door still sags, it’s time to replace the hinges.

Hinges deserve respect.

The hinges on your average door have knuckles- the round/cylindrical parts that the pin goes into that does the moving.  If stuff gets into those knuckle,s it causes problems.  A big source of that is paint.  If your hinges are painted, it’s probably time to replace them.  Paint gets into the parts that move and gums them up.

Do This:

- when painting doors/frames/trim, tape off the hinges so they don’t get painted.  Remove the tape after paining so the tape doesn’t get in the way.

Replace hinges with the same number, of the same size and shape.  If a door is machined for three hinges, use three hinges.  If a door is machined for square corner hinge, don’t use rounded hinges.  The right hinges create a functional, aesthetically pleasing opening that will last longer and be safer.

Your Family

The MOST important things in your home are the people.  Keeping them safe is always job #1, and that happens with a proper security plan, a safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and alarms, and having a safety plan in place, and rehearsed.

Your Information

The next most important thing you have is your information.  This is the paper of your life.  The deed to your house (or lease agreement), your insurance papers, all your personally identifying documents, bank records, family photos etc etc etc.

THINGS can be replaced.  If someone breaks into your home and takes your TV, you have insurance to cover that.  If someone takes your insurance policy, then what?

Keep your information safe.  Here’s a three-part plan to do that:

Step One: Make copies.  My favorite method is to scan everything, so that you have digital copy as well as hard copy.  Make two hard copies of everything, keep one at a trusted relative’s house, and one in your safe deposit box.  Put all the papers in a ziplock bag, and add a couple of dessicant gel packs (the kind you get in shoes and electronics) to keep the papers from getting damp.  Now that you have all your documents backed up, e-mail yourself a copy to a web-based e-mail address (such as g-mail or hotmail), so you have a digital copy everywhere there’s a computer, and put a copy on a USB key that you keep with you all the time (put it on your keyring).

Step Two:  Keep your documents at home safe.  There’s no substitute for a good quality fire safe in your house.  Keep your documents, and other valuables in it, and keep it locked!

Get a safe that is fire and burglary rated.  This is difficult to break into, and will protect your documents from harm.  The best place for your safe is in a basement.  Bolt it to the floor.  Keep the combination safe, and change the combination regularly.  Learn how to do this on your own (that’s a service any locksmith should provide, as well as the tools and instruction manual for changing when you purchase the safe).

A few notes about that:

- a safe you buy at a big box store is usually not BURGLARY rated, and the fire rating can be suspect.

- If your big-box store safe breaks, who do you call?  The store’s not going to fix it, and a locksmith may or may not know anything about that safe.  A locksmith that sells a safe usually knows how to service it.

Identity theft is a pain to deal with.  Not having your insurance documents is a MAJOR problem.  Don’t be a victim, take control of your safety from the outset, and keep yourself safe.

that’s right!  You know the feeling: it’s a comfortable temperature inside, someone knocks at the door, you open it and BAM!! You’re with a harsh blast of the outdoors.  Whether it’s egg-cooking-on-the-asphalt hot or tongue-on-the-lamp-post cold, it’s outside, and you want to KEEP it there.

The harsh reality is that any time there’s a hole in your building, whether it’s a window or door, there’s air coming through there.  Try as we might, there’s no such thing as a perfect seal.  But we can get close.  Does your door close properly?  Does the latch fall into the frame and hold your door shut?  Does the door move and bang in the wind?  These are signs that your weather-stripping isn’t doing it’s job.

Do this:

Close and lock your door.  Light a candle, hold it still near the edges of the door.  If the smoke gets blown about, it’s time to replace your weather-stripLook at the bottom seal of your door too: if it’s letting in cold air, it’s also letting in water and snow.

Air exchange makes your furnace/AC work harder, which costs you money.  A simple upgrade will pay for itself in just a few months, or even weeks depending on the outside temperature.

Do This:

Check your windows, same way as the doors.  Seal them up the way the manufacturer recommends- usually  mohair or silicone strip.  Keep that in good condition and save yourself money.

Your Door is a Safety Risk

If  it doesn’t have a deadbolt, or if you don’t use it.  When having deadbolts installed, make sure they go at the door manufacturer’s recommended locations- that’s where the reinforcing is.

Deadbolts are built to make money, not keep you safe.

The strike- the metal part that sits on the frame the bolt throws into- isn’t terribly helpful.  It’s small, thin, and uses short screws that attach it to the frame and look nice.

Your latching hardware needs to keep the door shut.

A knob, lever or handle-set that keeps the door closed when you shut it is a critical part of your door.  This is what lets the weather-strip do its job, and lets the deadbolt throw easily.

The chain or bolt on your door may not be effective.

If it was installed with the ‘stock’ screws, it, like your deadbolt strike, doesn’t get into the framing of the house, and won’t keep out someone with an enthusiastic kick.  Chains are the worst, hotel-style fold over latches aren’t much better, the Door Guardian is a better choice, but the best choice of all is the OnGard door brace for break-in prevention.

Do This:

Replace stock deadbolt strikes with extended strikes that are thicker, longer and use long screws that anchor into the stud behind the jamb, not the jamb itself.  Buy good-quality deadbolts, not the big-box cheapies that are designed to make you feel better and not much else. Adjust latch strikes to keep the door shut without having to slam it.  Make it as hard as possible for someone to break in.  Add an extra support for your door.

No one cares as much about your safety as you do.  Don’t trust it to someone else, be informed, be proactive, and keep yourself, and your family, safe.

A door closer is a big spring inside a hydraulic cylinder that pulls a door shut.  A properly installed and adjusted closer closes the door firmly, engaging the latch, without slamming.

There are a few adjustments in a closer.  The first is spring tension.  It can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of force the closer applies.  ADA and AODA regulations set out maximums for how much force can be used to open a door.  There are adjustment valves for the hydraulic fluid that regulate how fast or slow a door closes.  There are three main adjustments: main speed, or ‘fully open to almost closed’; latch speed, or ‘almost closed to fully closed’; and back-check or ‘almost open to fully open’.  The back check is important- it keeps the door from slamming open.  The other two regulate the speed at which a door closes.

If your door slams shut, or doesn’t close on its own, it’s due for an adjustment.  If you have the tools and can positively identify which screw does what, you may be able to do this on your own.  If you’re not sure, it might be time to call in a pro.

If your closer is leaking oil, it needs to be replaced.  If it leaks, it’s not going to hold the same hydraulic pressure, and so it’s going to start slamming erratically.  The dripping oil is also a hazard as it drips onto the floor.

I hope this has been informative.  If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a note!

Alan

I recently came across the Norton (owned by ASSA Abloy, one of the largest door hardware manufacturers in the world) 7100SZ series door closer.

This is pretty cool: its a fire-door compliant door closer, with a bit of a twist.  The SZ stands for Safe Zone.  It has an ‘eye’ that watches the door opening, and holds the door open until there’s nothing in the way.

Every door that has regular cart-traffic, like shipping/receiving areas, food handling areas, etc, needs one of these.

While this won’t take the place of an automatic door operator (it doesn’t OPEN the door, just holds it open), it does make an opening safer for anyone with mobility issues, since it won’t close on them as long as they’re in the swing path of the door.

This is also a great option for shift-work buildings, where people come and go en-masse, since the door will be held open, and there will be less wear on the door and hardware.

This series of posts will address specific points for anyone to ‘target harden’ their home or business.

Starts with the windows:
There are generally more windows than doors in the average office/home.

Ground level windows: most susceptible to breakage, these windows need to be locked securely from the inside, a key lock is the best way. locks that pin into the window frame are best, as they don’t rely on the ‘other half’ of the window to be secure.

Window films that resist breakage and keep glass pieces intact are essential on ground floors.

Second and higher story windows should still be key-locked from the inside, and anything that can be accessed from a standing point such as a balcony or dormer should have window film as well. Keep ladders well secured to limit access to second floor windows.

The only thing to consider when securing windows is fire escape: Most basements only have one set of stairs. To be legal, most ROOMS in the basement must have two ways out, or means of egress. If this is the case for you (ask your local building/fire inspector), key locks aren’t usually allowed, but the rest of the rules apply: non-locking window pins are still a great idea.

Next up: doors!

Within a ‘system’ however, there are master keys that will open an entire building, or group of buildings. First, a few key (no pun intended) terms so you know what I’m talking about:
Master Key: a key that open a group of locks, with separate keys for some or each of those locks.
Change Key: Part of a Master Key system, these open one (or multiple) locks, and are the ‘lowest’ point of the system.

A Master Key system makes a big facility easy to get around in. Think of an apartment building, where hundreds of locks might need to be opened at any time, It would be incredibly inconvenient for a maintenance person or firefighter to have to carry, look for and use, or a school, same situation.

A Master key can take multiple forms- a basic master key opens all the locks in a building. The next level up, a GRAND master, opens the whole building, while the Master key opens only part of a building (say one department, or wing), which the change keys opening individual locks.

It can get more complicated than that, but for the most part, doesn’t need to.

Next chapter: high security keys, why they SAVE you money.