Security Compliance with Operational and Health and Safety Benefits
Government legislation advises that the design and performance of physical and electronic security protection measures must meet appropriate recognised guidelines, e.g. UK Water security guideline documents, however, undertaking security enhancement projects can also provide the perfect opportunity to ascertain and implement improvements to operational efficiency while ensuring health and safety issues are addressed.
Additional Challenges Identified on a Recent Building Hardening Project
During a site survey visit to assess the physical hardening requirements of a reservoir control building, a further operational difficultly was identified – the safe removal and replacement of equipment within the building due to split floor levels and restricted access predominantly caused by a large and imposing central control panel.
The Solution … As well as a new door in the Western aspect of the building for general access, a new purpose made twin door complete with a sealed threshold doorsill and integral twin locking safety gate was introduced in the Southern aspect providing additional access to the rear of the control panel, considerably improving accessibility and working conditions for the maintenance teams.
Full upgrade work consisted of the following:
On the Northern aspect of the building Technocover were required to brick up an existing window. No work was required on the Eastern aspect.
On the Western aspect a new twin door was required to permit general access. This needed to be of a sufficient size to permit removal/reinstatement of the main control panel unit if ever required.
On the Southern aspect, new work was required – Due to the size and positioning of the main control panel it was difficult to remove pipes, pumps and valves from the building. The solution was to remove an existing window and extend down the aperture to allow the fitting of a new purpose made twin door complete with a sealed threshold doorsill and integral twin locking safety gate, the latter being required due to a floor level drop. When open, the security doors provided a vast improvement in working conditions and when unlocked and opened the safety gates provided the required aperture for removal of plant.
Early involvement with Technocover was key to getting this project right first time, providing security enhancements and compliance while at the same time providing improvements in operational efficiency and health and safety.
ENDS
For further information on the full range of Technocover physical security solutions please telephone 01938 555511 or E-mail our Business Development Department.
