How to enhance security controls for your building

One of the most contentious issues for existing and potential apartment residents is security. As more workers are beginning to telecommute from home, there is increase in the demand for security amenities, especially on upscale properties. When security controls are correctly implemented, they can enhance the amenity for all residents.

Apartment security involves a range of physical measures, technology and management controls that need to be incorporated to provide an adequate overall system. Some of the most important apartment security features include security guards, access control, CCTV and carpark controls – just to name a few.

Hiring security or concierge service

Building managers and the strata committee should consider whether to use uniformed security guards or concierge service. While concierge staff may not have professional security training, they can act as a caretaker for your building complex.

Concierge staff also controls the building’s entry and exit points and can help prevent any unwanted entries to the building. This makes the building highly desirable from a security point of view, as residents often want the building that they live in to be as secure as possible.

Oftentimes, concierge staff can be an additional selling point because it adds an element of luxury to the building complex. This can help justify a higher asking price and helps a building stand out in a range of competition. Aside from ensuring residents’ needs are attended to, concierge staff are also responsible for making sure the entire building is operating efficiently.

On the other hand, security guards require certification and licensing from the relevant state authorities and having the presence of security acts as an extra layer of protection for residents. However, both are an added cost that will need to be factored into building management fees.

Implementing access control

Access control can be described as any technique that controls the passage of personnel and has both a convenience and a security aspect. It is the most visible form of apartment security and includes fences, gates, windows, doors, locks and common area lighting. Access control technology can be applied to major building elements such as external entries, lifts and carparking. For convenience, management can control access to these areas through access control proximity cards.

Implementing access control cards has a range of benefits:

• Creating an audit trail. You can see who has used the access control card, and when they’ve used it.
• Convenient to manage. The administrator can disable the card for residents that move out or have misplaced the card.

Installing CCTV

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is generally used in larger complexes, in addition to full time security or concierge staff. Cameras are strategically located throughout the building area and the perimeter with pictures also relayed to a central monitoring room. While having a visible CCTV installed within public view can be an effective deterrent for crime or malicious damage, there are some factors you should still consider, such as whether your use of CCTV is consistent with the various state, territory and federal laws that apply to the use of surveillance devices. 

References

• https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/serving-on-a-committee/safety
• https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/home_safety/holiday_safety_and_security/residential
• https://www.police.vic.gov.au/home-and-property
• https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/keeping-the-property-safe/locks-and-security
• https://www.police.qld.gov.au/safety-and-preventing-crime/home-and-multi-residential-security