General Security Enhancements
Section Contents____________________________________________________
1. Vegetation
2. Parking Lots
3. Lighting Guidelines
Objectives for outside security
Standards for lighting levels
Operational issues
4. Signage
5. Windows
6. Doors
7. Access Control
Lock and key control
Card Access
Identification / Access Badges
8. Money Handling
General Money Handling Guidelines
Money Handling Locations
ATM and Automated Payment Stations
Higher Security Areas
Safes
1. Vegetation________________________________________________________________
Positive crime prevention techniques suggest that an institution’s property be landscaped and
well maintained. Proper selection and maintenance of landscaping and vegetation provides
two major benefits. It gives the perception that the facility has a quality security program
and is concerned about activities that might take place at the campus. Secondly, proper
landscape maintenance opens up the area to visual inspection and casual surveillance by
campus administrators, security officers, law enforcement, and any other person who might
have an interest in the safety and well-being of persons on the campus.
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Over time, trees or other vegetation can grow over campus lighting fixtures,
dramatically reducing the level of lighting needed for safe operations. Assign clear
responsibility for maintenance of vegetation. Security patrols should identify
plantings which are interfering with lighting and request suitable pruning.
Choosing plantings for new projects. Consider the impact of the vegetation on the
ability to view areas. Preferably, establish a clear sight path beginning at 30” from
the ground and extending to 84” above the ground. Most attention should be given
to bushes located near doors as well as pedestrian sidewalks, pathways, and steps.
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The objective is to eliminate any potential concealment areas for criminals and to
establish sight paths for security and safety observation.
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Choose bushes that can be expected to grow to no more than 30” in height with only
annual or bi-annual pruning.
Use ground cover vegetation next to pedestrian sidewalks, steps, or pathways.
Choose trees that can be limbed up 84” from the ground to provide clear sight
patterns.
Evaluate new plantings in light of growth ten years in the future. For example, plant
trees so that their eventual growth will not obscure parking lot lights.
2. Parking Lots_____________________________________________________________
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Parking lots should be clearly marked with signage, penalties, etc.
A manageable method of identifying legal parkers should be developed in order to
determine authorized vehicles (e.g. stickers, tags, etc.).
Ramps and lots should be equipped with emergency call stations or some type of
communication devices for emergency situations.
All stairwells for parking ramps should be open and, if possible, viewable from
outside vantage points.
Provide video surveillance on all parking lots ..
Paint ramp ceilings for better lighting conditions.
3. Lighting guidelines_______________________________________________________
Outdoor lighting is an essential and economical tool for protecting people and property from
all types of crime and undesired social events. Crime statistics indicate that lighting is the
least expensive and yet one of the most effective methods of reducing crime or maintaining a
low incidence of crime. In addition, many common accidents can be prevented by the
provision of adequate lighting. Proper lighting may also reduce the level of liability that an
educational institution might face in the case of a campus crime. Adequate lighting enhances
nighttime safety and security on campus while creating an attractive and productive space for
students and staff.
Objectives for outside security lighting
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To illuminate a person, object, place or condition so as to permit observation and
identification.
To be a psychological deterrent to the potential criminal by leading him to believe
that he will be discovered and observed in his criminal act.
To be a physical deterrent to the potential criminal through the use of glare effect due
to direct incident lighting.
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Standards for lighting levels
Both informational and command signs should be adequately illuminated to enable an
individual to read them at a reasonable distance. Lighting level is generally measured in
units known as “foot-candles:”
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General lighting in parking lots, along pedestrian sidewalks, along pedestrian
pathways, in courtyards, and in any other area where pedestrians might be normally
found during hours of darkness, should be at a uniform 0.5 foot-candles.
Lighting at building entrances should be at a uniform level of 10 foot-candles.
Adequate lighting levels should exist to identify and reveal anyone who might be in
an area where pedestrians can be expected. The identification and chance of
discovery factors help to discourage loitering for the purpose of committing crimes
such as vandalism, assault, robbery, rape, and burglary.
Generally, photocells are more reliable rather than timers.
Operational issues
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4.
Security patrols or campus administrators should check lighting operation at least
once per week.
Replacement of burned out bulbs should be a high priority.
Gas discharge lighting produces less light as it ages. In areas such as parking decks,
the level of lighting may be adequate when bulbs are new but inadequate when bulbs
are near the end of their lives. Preventive maintenance requires that bulbs are
replaced within the same area on a staggered basis so that all are not nearing the end
of their lives at the same time.
Areas near pedestrian walk paths which have inadequate lighting should have lighting
upgrades. Wall packs, lights mounted on the sides of existing buildings, are an
economical choice.
Signage__________________________________________________________________
The two types of signs predominantly used in educational campus applications are the
informational sign and the command sign. Informational signs are those that inform but do
not advise of required behavior. Command signs tell people what to do or what not to do.
Both are important in a campus setting and can significantly add to the safety and security of
the campus.
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Transitions between areas such as streets and sidewalks from open public space to
campus space should be clearly marked with signs identifying the campus being entered.
This establishes the perimeter and indicates to the reader that certain behaviors may be
required.
Directional signs should be utilized at any point necessary to adequately direct
pedestrians and vehicles to buildings, assemblies, athletic facilities and other points of
probable destination. Visitors should be directed to the proper locations at points of
entry.
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Signs indicating desired or prohibited behaviors should be posted in adequate numbers to
ensure that they are clearly seen. It may be necessary to utilize graphics or several
languages to ensure that clear communication exists.
Clear and concise signage should be utilized at building entrances where access control
might change according to the time of day or day of week informing the reader of the
nature of such changes.
5. Windows________________________________________________________________
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Any window within 96” of grade should have fixed panes.
If horizontal sliding windows are included, they should be equipped with auxiliary
locking devices.
In renovations, if access control devices are to be added to doorways, non-fixed windows
within 96” of grade should also be protected.
6. Doors___________________________________________________________________
Traffic flow should be carefully reviewed with the goal of reducing the number of normal
entrances to the building to the lowest possible practical number. All other exits should be
labeled and equipped as emergency exit only
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All exterior wood doors should be of solid core construction.
All exterior doors should have at least three hinges, at least one of which shall be a nonremovable pin (NRP) hinge that has the hinge pin equipped with a set-screw securing the
hinge pin or some other design which prevents the removal of the hinge pin when the
door is closed.
All exterior doors should be equipped with a self-closing device.
Roll-up doors which are to be manually operated should be equipped with an auxiliary
locking device sufficient to prevent the door being forced open from the bottom.
Doors that are used to control access should be equipped with “propped door” alarms
with at least 120 decibel audible sounders and remote monitoring.
Propped door alarms should be set for duration not to exceed 30 seconds.
Door locking hardware: Most applications will be well served by a storeroom function
lock. The inside handle will always open the door while opening from the outside
requires either a key or coordination with electronic hardware.
Classrooms should utilize either a storeroom or classroom function lock. A classroom
function lock will allow the lock to function without a key from the outside if the toggle
on the bolt side of the lock has been placed in the proper position.
Doors with sidelights for ease of viewing in and out
Use security doors at high value asset locations.
Use exit device hardware for emergency exits.
Use strike plates on high value asset areas.
Removable combination and key locks should be secured when not in use or temporarily
removed from gate.
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7. Access Control ___________________________________________________________
The control of the movement of people, products, data, and other materials is vital to any
organization. The application of access control concepts will provide the first line of defense
in protecting people, information, and property assets.
If a proper access control system is in place, the overall efficiency of the security operation is
greatly enhanced. Controlled access not only assists in deterring potential problems, but it
can also be used as a possible investigative tool in the event of some action or behavior.
Knowing who can go where and when helps to answer two of the major questions of any
investigation.
While proper access control is considered a layer of security, there should be layers of access
control within a facility. The degree and type of access control within a facility should be
determined by the type of facility, the use of the facility and the assets to be protected.
All protection systems use locked doors to preserve the integrity of a given room or area.
Likewise, all efficient organizations must provide a system to grant access to these areas
under special circumstances. The term special circumstance underscores the need to control
special areas and to provide service to people who require legitimate access to a specific area.
That service takes the form of an accurate and reliable method of tracking keys, access cards
and other devices or codes used to gain access to locked areas. It should be policy that doors
leading into and inside a facility be locked unless there is a need to have them unlocked. An
example would be the main entrance doors to many buildings, which should remain unlocked
during normal business hours and be locked after normal business hours.
Lock and key control. Lock and key control is integral to any well-rounded security
program. It is unlikely in any application that protection of assets will be achieved
without relying heavily upon various locking devices. Inasmuch as that is the case, when
securing a given set of assets, most security experts are aware that there are trade-offs
among risk, cost, and convenience. Those risks include security of property, physical
security, security of information, and the safety of students, faculty and visitors to a
campus.
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Metal key locks. The most basic form of lock is one that utilizes a metal key.
While this is adequate for low level security areas, it will not suffice for areas
requiring mid- to high level security. Keys are relatively easy to duplicate making
it difficult to track who has authorized access to this type of lock. Key locks
should only be used in low level security applications.
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Combination locks. These locks are vulnerable because codes can be easily
broken or compromised.
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Standalone card access lock (non-networked). This method provides a higher
level of security compared to both keys and combination locks because there is
nothing that can be duplicated like a key and there are no combinations to be
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compromised. This lock is also capable of reporting a minimum of 1000 previous
transactions recorded on the lock. The disadvantages of this lock are it has to be
programmed by a type of handheld device connected directly to the lock. This
lock is also not capable of providing an alarm if the door that it is on is
compromised.
Lock function. The two common types of locks allow exit from the inside of a room,
but differ in how access is allowed from the outside.
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Opening a “storeroom function” lock from the outside requires either a key or
coordination with electronic hardware.
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A door with a “classroom function” lock may be opened from the outside
without a key if the toggle on the bolt side of the lock has been placed in the
proper position. Most applications will be well served by a storeroom function
lock. Classrooms should utilize either a storeroom or classroom function lock.
Desirable features for doors
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Doors with sidelights that enable looking in and out of the room with the door
closed
Security doors at high value asset locations
Exit device hardware for emergency exits
Classroom function on some doors
Strike plates on high value asset areas
Removable combination and key locks should be secured when not in use or
temporarily removed from gate
Card Access. Electronic card access is more secure than lock and key control. This
method of securing rooms and areas is the general standard with most companies for
securing mid- to high-level areas. This form of access is relatively secure, especially
when used in combination with CCTV monitoring and archiving. This lock should be
used on most exterior doors, and some internal doors, especially executive office areas,
computer rooms, telecommunication rooms, high-value equipment and tool rooms,
research laboratories, and residence halls.
Identification/Access Badges. An integral part of access control takes the form of
identification/access badges. Wearing identification badges in plain sight by all faculty
and staff, as well as contractors and visitors, is an essential part of any security
philosophy and program. Identification badges can help identify who belongs in certain
areas and who does not. On most campuses, it is impossible to know everyone. Should
an unauthorized person gain access to a restricted area or be wandering around the
campus, it is imperative that authorized personnel be able to clearly identify the person
and challenge his or her right to be in that area.
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A clearly written policy and procedure on issuance and wearing of badges is necessary as
well as an ongoing educational security campaign to help employees understand the
critical importance of not only wearing their own identification badge in plain sight, but
also challenging potentially unauthorized personnel.
6.
Money Handling_________________________________________________________
General Money Handling Guidelines
Employees should be trained in money handling, even if they have been doing so for
many years. Training should include the following points:
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Daily deposits should be compiled in a private area out of public sight. Large
amounts of cash should never be counted or otherwise displayed in view of
persons who are not part of the cash handling operation.
Transportation should be monitored by security and/or escorted. This
includes any distance – across the hall, within the facility, or outside the
facility. Pick-up and movement should also be randomized daily, even if only
by minutes, to avoid setting an observable pattern. Cash being picked up by
student assistants or other non-security escorted personnel requires re-evaluation.
This may be an unnecessary risk that can be avoided.
Staff in cash rooms or other higher security areas should practice a higher
level of access control. Make it a rule to restrict access to only those persons
who require it.
Campus administration should evaluate the need for duress buttons at larger cash
handling positions.
Money Handling Locations
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Cash handling positions should be within view of closed circuit TV cameras with
the images archived for at least 30 days.
A duress alarm should be installed at each teller, cashier, or business transaction
desk in an area where cash is handled. The duress alarm should report to a 24
hour monitoring station whether it is on or off campus.
Money drops, points at which a bag or envelope containing money can be
dropped at a cash handling point after hours, should be of approved burglar
resistant construction. Use of mail drops for money drops is not acceptable.
The window through which transactions take place can be an attractive target for
a “snatch and run” criminal. All such windows should include metal doors which
can be rolled down at the end of the day or in case of emergency.
ATM and Automated Payment Stations
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ATMs and automated payment stations for student debit cards can contain very
large sums of money and present attractive targets for criminals. Commission of
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criminal acts upon these devices as well a potential robbery of users can present a
significant threat of harm to students or staff.
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All of these devices should be bolted to the floor or wall if they do not exceed a
weight of 750 pounds. All of these devices should have alarm systems to monitor
tampering and signs should advise users of this fact. All of these devices should
be under the obvious view of CCTV cameras. All of these devices should be lit to
a level of 10 foot-candles. None of these devices should be located within 50’ of
any area that might conceal a potential aggressor.
Higher Security Areas
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Building areas in which cash or other negotiable instruments are kept in quantities
exceeding $1000 should have provisions for a safe. Standards for such safes are
found in a separate section below.
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Areas in which the total of the cash or negotiable documents will, at any time,
exceed $20,000 should have a high security room in which the required safe is
located. Standards for those rooms are below. These rooms are not designed to be
vaults but simply higher security than normal construction:
 Exterior walls of rooms designed to contain high security items
should be constructed with ¾” plywood under the outer sheetrock
layer.
 Doors should be steel with steel door frames.
 All hinges should be security hinges.
 The door should be equipped with a peephole.
 The door should have a self closer.
 The door should be equipped with a deadbolt locking device.
 The ceiling should be a “hard ceiling” with a layer of plywood
under the sheetrock.
 The floor should be of poured concrete construction.
 HVAC wall and ceiling openings should be no larger than 4” by
12.”
 If the valuables are easily marketed, such as cash, the room should be
equipped with a separate alarm system including door contacts and motion
detection.
 These rooms should not open into a general employee or public area.
 Doors to these rooms should be within the view of a CCTV camera.
 A duress alarm should be installed at each teller, cashier, or business
transaction desk in these areas. The duress alarm should report to a 24 hour
monitoring station whether it is on or off campus.
 Cash handling positions should be within the view of CCTV cameras with the
images archived for at least 30 days.
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Money drops, points at which a bag or envelope containing money can be
dropped at a cash handling point after hours, should be of approved burglarresistant construction. Use of mail drops for money drops is not acceptable.
The window through which transactions take place can be an attractive target
for a “snatch and run” criminal. All cash transaction windows should include
metal doors which can be rolled down at the end of the day or in case of
emergency.
Safes
Fire-resistant enclosures should never be confused with money safes; safes are more
secure. Use safes where money is stored overnight. The following guidelines address the
security-related aspects of safes:
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Any safe that weighs less than 750 pounds should be securely bolted to the
floor to prevent unauthorized removal.
Safes that are to be used for the storage of cash or other negotiable
instruments in an amount that will, at any time, exceed $1000 shall be
Underwriters Laboratories listed and carry the UL label.
Safes used for storage of $1000 to $10,000 should carry the UL rating of
TL15.
Safes used for the storage of $10,000 to $20,000 should carry the rating of
TL30. Safes used for the storage of over $20,000 in cash and negotiable
instruments should carry the UL rating of TRTL30 .
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