DE FACTO STANDARDS

HEADNOTE

Although codes don't govern BUILDING SECURITY SYSTEMS, these high-rise systems have been upgraded across the board

Designing and maintaining high-rise security following 9/11 represents a multifaceted challenge

to building owners. Absent a report like the one the National Institute of Standards and Technology produced with its list of recommendations for fire safety, evacuation procedures and technologies, high-rise building owners are largely on their own to determine how best to protect people and property at their buildings.

The need for particular high-rise security measures depends on a building's location, proximity to other types of buildings, tenants, purpose and visibility, among other things. However, access control is one area of security that building owners have ramped up in high-rises nearly across the board since 9/11.

In the past, standard operating procedure had been to control access in many high-rises only after business hours, says Carlos Villarreal, vice president, national security and life safety for Trizek. Many high-rises had a single card reader in the elevator vestibule that wasn't turned on until the close of the business day. While some access control was usually in place at the building's main entrance, once a visitor or occupant made it through the first point, the person was free to wander.