Security Survey
Facilities Check List
Practical, step-by-step guides for the busy FM
May 2002
A security survey is a thorough on-site examination and analysis of a facility to
determine what assets are present and their value; to evaluate the existing security
program; to identify differences or excesses; to determine the protection needed; and
to support recommendations to improve overall security.
When conducting a security survey, a team approach will yield a more
comprehensive assessment of vulnerability to specific risks. Occupant participation
in the security survey is essential, especially when ascertaining the presence of assets.
The security survey, in conjunction with a thorough risk analysis, can assist a
business enterprise in developing policies and procedures to do the following:
Protect against external and internal theft, burglary, robbery, arson, violent
crimes, malicious damage, and other threats.
Provide security systems, which may incorporate both access control and
internal burglar alarm components.
Establish lock-and-key control procedures.
Provide control over the movement and identification of employees,
customers, and visitors on company property.
Identify the resources available and necessary for the establishment of an
effective security program.
The security survey must be tailored to the type of business operation that takes
place within the facility. Before making the survey, the team should prepare
worksheets or checklists to gather specific information on-site. A facility manager
can use the following checklist of questions in gathering information during the
security survey phase of implementing a comprehensive security program.
Security Survey Checklist
Perimeter Security
Where are the main entrances to the building, and how are they currently
protected? For example, by guards, by ordinary mechanical locks, with a
keypad, or with other technology?
What are the requirements for screening or controlling access at the perimeter
of the building? Perimeter screening and control are vitally important because
they are often the first and perhaps only line of defense before unauthorized
persons attempt to access occupant areas. Perimeter screening, even if it is
passive, gives occupants some assurance that access to their space, business
operations, and information is controlled. If the perimeter screening and
control are manual, are people required to sign in or out in a logbook, or to
identify themselves with a company badge?
Does the crime rate in the community warrant screening access at all entrance
points?
Do building occupants want all access screened at all times, or just after
certain hours on certain days? Bear in mind that, as a representative of the
owner(s), you may have some obligation to demonstrate to non-occupants
that the facility is private; therefore, access should probably be controlled in
some fashion.
Where are the secondary building access points, and how are they protected?
For purposes of this chapter, the secondary building access points are entry
points from the exterior to the interior of the building that are not ordinarily
used except in an emergency or special situation.
Are the secondary entrances and exits secure from the outside but capable of
being opened from the inside in an emergency?
Do the secondary entrances have alarms? If so, where are the alarms
annunciated? Are these exits also monitored by video cameras tied to time-
lapse recorder devices to help pinpoint the cause of the alarm?
Are all deliveries and shipments from the building logged and/or controlled in
some way? Is there a secure holding area in which access to materials shipped
to the building is controlled or monitored before these materials are shipped
to tenants?
Office Security
Where are offices located? What assets are contained therein?
Are the offices locked? At what time are they locked? Are the doors and
windows of the offices checked by security personnel after business hours?
Are the company records stored within the office? Are file cabinets locked?
Are any central station or local alarms installed to protect the office?
Cafeteria
What security is provided for the proceeds from sales?
How are foodstuffs protected?
Where are vending machines located? Have the machines been vandalized
during the past 12 months?
Parking Areas
If there are underground parking garages, is admittance currently restricted
by physical means? If a multistory parking garage exists, how is access
screened?
If there are parking lots, is entrance to the lots screened by physical means?
Does the facility design feature a visitor parking area that is segregated from
the tenant parking area?
Are vehicles entering the facility parking lots screened? Do the crime rate in
the community and vehicle screening measures conducted at nearby
occupancies warrant vehicle screening at the driveway entrance to the
building? Does the screening occur at the driveway entrance to the building?
Does the screening occur only during specific hours and days, or at all times?
This installment of FM Check List is adapted from BOMI Institute’s newly
updated Technologies for Facilities Management,(www.bomi-edu.org/13041.html) a
course in the Institute’s Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation
program.
