Securing building entrances

As we return to offices post COVID lock-down and previously crowded places become busier the level of risk will start to increase. Whilst these type of attacks are thankfully fairly rare in the UK, organisations still have a duty of care to protect their employees and members of the public. With forced attacks generally planned in advance the implementation of robust security measures can act as a strong deterrent for those wishing to carry them out.

Here, Iain Entwistle, Product Marketing Manager at Secured by Design member company Meesons A.I. Ltd, looks at how attractive and secure entrance security are now both possible to achieve:

“The point of entrance is often viewed as the most vulnerable part of a building when it comes to an attack. As intruders become more willing to use force, specifiers are looking for more robust ways of protecting people and assets, whilst still retaining architectural appeal.

“An effective way of making sure the building façade is hardened against such attack is to specify security that has been approved by Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175: Issue 8. Whilst there are a number of independently approved products on the market, with attractive designs to complement building aesthetics, these often don’t provide any form of tailgating prevention. Tailgating, following authorised personnel in to a building, can be a very simple way for an intruder to enter a building without the need for force or attracting attention. Tailgating can sometimes be over looked when implementing new entrance security.

“Our LPS 1175 Rev190 Revolving Door and C190 Security Portal have both achieved Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175: Issue 8 up to C5 (SR3). The C190 was the first product to achieve the LPS 1175 standard and be accredited by Secured by Design, whilst the Rev190 is the only Revolving Door to achieve LPS 1175 Issue 8 and be accredited by SBD. Having been certified by LPCB to LPS 1175 the Rev 190 is compliant with the design of secure doorsets as set out in The Building Regulations Approved Document Q. This makes the Rev 190 the only Revolving Door to be fully complaint in accordance with Document Q. 

“Due to their proven ability to withstand a forced attack, they are a good choice where 24/7 unmanned access control is required or can be used in conjunction with a security team and here anti-tailgating detection can help by triggering an alarm if anyone attempts to make an unauthorised entry. For sites where access control is not required the Rev190 Revolving Door or C190 Security Portal can be configured with free-flow entry/ exit during the day and locked down mode during out of hours or when required with the option to enable only authorised single person transits.

“LPCB’s Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175 Certification provides independent verification that products will deliver the significant levels of resistance to forced entry by hostile actors, be they burglars, terrorists or protestors. The LPS 1175 standard reflects a broad range of threat scenarios including tool attacks by intruders acting without fear of attracting attention to their actions by using tools and entry techniques likely to generate sustained levels of noise.

“In the event of an attack, and as part of a wider site security strategy, the ability to act quickly and implement a lockdown of entrances can help to reduce delay and save lives. Entrance security that can be locked down by receptionists or concierges, without having to put themselves at risk to instigate the lockdown, can minimise the impact of an attack. With the Rev190 and C190 being in a permanent state of attack-readiness, which is not the case with all products, it ensures no user intervention is required and avoids any delay in activating a secondary layer of defence such as a night security shutter or additional locking mechanisms.

“Until relatively recently there were no Revolving Doors or Security Portals available to LPS 1175. This meant compromises had to be made between security, aesthetics and accessibility resulting in some buildings ending up looking fortress-like with little architectural appeal or buildings settling for a less secure solution in order to retain building aesthetics and incorporate an accessible entrance. However, that has now changed with LPS 1175 approved Rev190 Revolving Door and C190 Security Portal removing the need for multiple or secondary security barriers and which are aesthetically pleasing.

“Due to their same exterior design and footprint the Rev190 and C190 complement each other and can sit side-by-side as the main entrance to a building, to provide an attractive yet inclusive entrance for wheelchair users and the transit of larger items. The designs incorporate large glazed areas with minimal framework with high aesthetic appeal, avoiding looking intimidating for legitimate building users, with optional bullet resistant glazing a further level of security can be added.

“Our extended range of LPS 1175 certified products, such as the FPJ140 2HP are available which provide LPCB certified levels of security provision whilst enabling those using wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs equal access to facilities.”

The Rev 190 Revolving Door, C190 Security Portal and FPJ140 2HP Security Portal form part of the extensive range of LPS 1175 certified products that are recognised by SBD, which includes 12 models. You can find out more about Meesons and their extensive range of SBD accredited products here: https://www.securedbydesign.com/member-companies/sbd-members?view=companydetail&account=0011i00000Jpw4IAAR

SBD Development Officer Lyn Poole said: “Meesons have come up trumps with the tested and third party certificated revolving door. This has filled a gap in the market where there were previously no products tested in this area. Specifiers now know that a secure product can be installed, which is great for towns and city office or residential blocks.”