FORS Gold & ISO 9001 Certified How to Maintain Site Security on New Build Estates
Why New Build Sites Should Be Secured
The security of a construction site is of utmost importance. New build sites are particularly full of valuable materials that come with high resale prices, hence why they are prime targets for criminals, especially when the site is not manned.
Allianz Cornhill’s recent revelations show that the multi-million-pound construction industry loses roughly £800 million annually to theft and vandalism. This is why many construction firms are investing in solutions such as equipment and tool tracking (which has seen a 278% increase in industry-wide use) and, on a broader scale, improving the security of their building sites.
The last thing that any builder, property developer or contractor wants is to have equipment, machinery or valuables go missing, either accidentally or deliberately. With material costs soaring over the last couple of years and expected to reach all-time highs in 2023, losing and replacing materials is one thing that many builders can ill afford to do. Therefore, security measures must be taken to prevent trespassers, vandals, and thieves from gaining access to any site.
Below are seven top tips to protect your site.
7 Ways to Ensure Optimum Building Site Security
- Conduct a Security Risk Assessment
Whether working on a short-term or long-term new build project, it’s worth getting a building security expert to conduct a risk assessment. This will allow them to identify all weak points, vulnerabilities and potential access areas that you may not have considered. The security assessor will be able to make detailed recommendations for you to improve the security of your site.
- Secure the Perimeters with Barriers or Fencing
One of the best ways to secure a construction site is to use premium-quality fencing and barriers. This won’t necessarily be permanent, but products like closeboard fencing and concrete barriers can work wonders at keeping intruders at bay.
Security will be significantly enhanced if there are designated access points between any barriers, where entrances and exits are monitored. This can prevent unauthorised access and allows real-time monitoring of what personnel and equipment are on-site.
- Ensure there is Clear and Sufficient Signage
Warning signs indicating nearby dangers, threats or hazards can be a deterrent to potential trespassers. You may also benefit from adding posters that suggest the site is under constant surveillance.
Setting out clear instructions and warnings such as this might dissuade intruders from attempting to access the site.
- Establish Lock-Down Areas
Tools, remote devices and small valuables are easy to misplace and fall into the wrong hands. The same can be said for machinery, materials, vehicles, equipment and other products. It’s crucial to ensure that all valuables can be safely stored and locked away while people are off site and the site is empty.
Clear areas with secure lockers or containers can be ideal for storing multiple belongings. Ideally aim for storage products that are hard-wearing and made from tough and robust materials, coupled with some steel security doors to make unauthorised access virtually impossible.
- Install Monitored CCTV Cameras and Alarms
CCTV camera systems are crucial to help ensure efficient security across the estate, prevent loss of valuables, and provide long-term financial benefits to any company. CCTV systems can be accessed and controlled remotely, and all cameras should be visible to deter potential trespassers.
Alongside these high-quality building site CCTV systems, integrating a smart security alarm will add even more protection to the site. Most security alarms feature sensors that trigger when movement or body heat is detected, which then sends alerts to designated site management and the police. Some alarms can be loud while others can be silent, both of which have advantages for alerting you of break-ins.
- Make Sure the Site Has Sufficient Lighting
Most thefts happen when it’s dark, so it’s essential to provide as much light on the construction site as possible. If a site is well-lit even when vacant, and when workers and equipment are not visible, it can provide trespassers with a false sense of who is present on site. As such, many will be less inclined to try their luck.
- Consider Security Patrol Personnel and Dogs
It’s a smart idea to hire specialist security personnel to stand guard on site, especially during periods of high downtime and also for overnight watches. Security guards and specially-trained guard dogs will act as an added layer of protection against thieves that are potentially waiting for opportune moments to strike.
This might seem like an unnecessary precaution but you cannot put a price on a lost or stolen valuable possession. Periodic patrolling of sites at night and over long stretches where the site will be vacant will go a long way.
It’s clear to see that all seven of these security measures have their own risks and benefits. However, the most important takeaway for you would be to combine these measures to create a bespoke setup for your construction sites, giving you complete real-time visibility at all times. Furthermore, should the unexpected happen, you will benefit greatly from having the ability to take affirmative action wherever you are.
Construction Site Security From Maltaward
Maltaward has a broad range of professional, reputable and cost-effective solutions to help protect your properties, vacant premises and industrial units from undue access, damage, or criminal activity.
From enterprise-grade CCTV systems and robust security fencing to fixed concrete bollards and flexible security patrol services, Maltaward can implement beneficial solutions to secure your estate.
With over 30 years of experience in the trade, Maltaward knows the right strategy to take to suit your requirements, budget, and project complexity. Why not read about what our clients have said to give you more food for thought?
