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Security Codes and Standards
NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security - Related News
The National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) addresses more than just fire and electrical hazards. They also address security. Security is addressed in two primary documents, NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security, and NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and the practical application of CPTED principles are addressed in NFPA 730. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is the concept of crime prevention and neighborhood safety accomplished through natural elements and structural design. CPTED utilizes four strategies that contribute to “the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life” within a community. The CPTED strategies are natural surveillance, natural access control,territorial reinforcement, and maintenance.
How is this addressed in NFPA 730?
Chapter 8 of NFPA 730 is entitled, “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design”. It provides some general requirements for the application of CPTED principles and states that these principles should be applied when specifically referenced in the occupancy specific sections of the document. This chapter, and the specific occupancy types, divide CPTED requirements into the following sections:
Crime and loss prevention
Human behavior
Lighting
Landscaping
Aesthetics
There are seven specific occupancy types and chapters that contain CPTED requirements and reference back to Chapter 8.
Educational Facilities, Colleges, and Universities (Ch. 11)
Lodging (Ch. 14)
Multi-Dwelling Unit Buildings (Ch. 15)
Restaurants (Ch. 16)
Shopping Centers (Ch. 17)
Retail Establishments (Ch. 18)
Office Buildings (Ch. 19)
These chapters each contain a varied amount of CPTED guidance. Some just refer back to Chapter 8, others have more specific guidance. A common requirement in all is the requirements for adequate and effective lighting.
CPTED for Educational Facilities
Human behavior, lighting, and landscape elements are addressed for CPTED in educational facilities, colleges, and universities. Human behavior can be addressed by having a code of conduct that clearly describes the expectations, regulations, and enforcement for infractions.
Lighting should be adequate and clearly illuminate corridors, stairwells, and elevators. Lighting of exterior areas and parking lots is important, as well.
Landscaping should be trimmed and well maintained. The CPTED “2’-6’ rule” for landscaping recommends that plants be no more than 2’ high and tree canopies to be no lower than 6’. Annex information in NFPA 730 allows plants to be 36” high and tree canopies trimmed up to 7’ high.
CPTED for Residential Buildings
There are two types of residential properties addressed in NFPA 730, lodging and multi-dwelling units. Lodging facilities are those properties that provide housing on a transient basis, such as hotels and resorts. Multi-dwelling units are buildings that contain more than three living units.
Priority for these occupancies is on crime and loss prevention and lighting. Crime and loss prevention starts with research and assessment of historical crime data in the area. From this research and data a plan can be implemented to prevent further occurrences on the property. Another key component of crime and loss prevention is frequent and open interaction with law enforcement and the community.
Lighting should be adequate and clearly illuminate corridors, stairwells, elevators, and access routes to common areas. Light switches in common areas should be tamper proof or controlled remotely.
CPTED for Restaurants
Crime and loss prevention, lighting, and aesthetics are essential components for crime prevention in restaurants. Crime and loss prevention can be accomplished by keeping as little cash as possible available and on hand. Though not traditional CPTED elements, NFPA 730 also recommends the use of electronic security applications such as safes, intrusion detection systems, and physical security devices.
Lighting must be adequate and efficient. The celebrated entrance and interior should be well lit. Also, the public parking lot and surrounding outside areas should be lit to prevent crime incidents outside of the establishment.
Aesthetic components should not be installed in a way that would block visibility from the street to inside of the building. Signs, posters, and product displays should not obscure windows.
CPTED for Retail
Crime prevention methods for shopping centers and retail environments are comprised of crime and loss prevention, lighting, landscaping, and aesthetics. Each of these components are similar to methods previously discussed for similar occupancy types.
Crime and loss prevention can be accomplished by keeping as little cash as possible available and on hand, and through the use of electronic security applications such as safes, intrusion detection systems, and physical security devices. After hours, cash should be secured in a safe or vault.
Lighting must be adequate and efficient. The celebrated entrance and interior should be well lit. Also, the public parking lot and surrounding outside areas should be lit to prevent crime incidents outside of the establishment.
Landscaping should be trimmed and well maintained. The CPTED “2’-6’ rule” for landscaping recommends that plants be no more than 2’ high and tree canopies to be no lower than 6’. Thorny bushes or briars, and thick patches of shrubbery can be used as an intrusion deterrent.
Aesthetic components should not be installed in a way that would block visibility from the street to inside of the building. Signs, posters, and product displays should not obscure windows.
CPTED for Offices
The only recommendation for crime prevention for office buildings offered by NFPA 730 is lighting. Lighting must be adequate and efficient. Corridors, stairwells, and elevators should be well lighted. Lighting of exterior areas and parking lots is important, as well.
Next Steps for a Secure Environment
When considering new facilities and premises protection CPTED principles should be vigorously applied. NFPA 730 states, “The best time to implement CPTED principles is during the planning stages of the construction project. With properly designed facilities, potential opportunities for crime can be eliminated. It is also during the planning stage that security systems and equipment are most cost effectively applied. CPTED can also be implemented in existing structures. An analysis using CPTED concepts can pinpoint complex as well as simple solutions that might have been overlooked.”
NFPA 730 does not provide conclusive or exhaustive CPTED guidance. Using the guidelines and annex information within the document does start architects, designers, and security professionals down the right path for premises protection, security, and life safety.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is the concept of crime prevention and neighborhood safety accomplished through natural elements and structural design. CPTED utilizes four strategies that contribute to “the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life” within a community. The CPTED strategies are natural surveillance, natural access control,territorial reinforcement, and maintenance.
Natural Surveillance. This utilizes the placement of physical features, activities, and people in a way that maximizes visibility. This is accomplished through landscape design, lighting, and elimination of ambush points. These elements all promote more eyes on the street, and within the buildings where necessary.
Natural Access Control. This means controlling access to a site by its inherent design. This is accomplished through strategic design of streets, sidewalks, building entrances, and landscaping. These design elements can ensure that entrances are visible and clearly defined, well lighted, and take full advantage of natural surveillance.
Territorial Reinforcement. This strategy appeals to peoples’ sense of ownership. This is the use of physical attributes that express ownership such as, fencing, pavement design, walking paths, signage, landscaping, and public art. Territorial reinforcement encompasses the principles of natural surveillance and access control.
Maintenance. This allows for continued use of the space, and is a critical component of CPTED. If the other strategies of CPTED are utilized, but never maintained, then CPTED will fail. Maintenance serves as an expression of territorial reinforcement by showing property ownership, it prevents reduced visibility from overgrown landscape, and obstructed or inoperative lighting.
CPTED and CRR
CPTED is a largely unheard of concept to the fire service. However, it is a concept that the fire service should fully embrace. In recent years the fire department concept of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) has prevailed. This is the concept of reducing risk of all types, not just fire, within a community. CPTED ties directly into the goals and objectives of a CRR program and benefits the community, first responders, and designers.
Understanding CPTED principles and strategies can be advantageous to the community and the fire service in a multitude of ways. Reduced crime means lower number of emergency responses. More eyes on the street and people out, means faster response when emergencies do occur. CPTED as part of a CRR strategy contributes to safety of fire department personnel and first responders. Maintenance of property, natural surveillance, access control, can eliminate ambush points and make areas and structures safer for first responders.
CPTED should also be applied for the fire protection and emergency management planning and building design. A holistic approach to building design and occupant safety is not complete without taking into account the risks, and perceived risks, of crime or potential threats. Applying CPTED principles can completely change, in the best way, the fire protection design and emergency response plan.
Codes and Standards
CPTED is in the codes and standards. NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security, has a chapter dedicated to “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design”. This chapter outlines requirements for lighting and landscape, and is referenced from other chapters within NFPA 730. Chapters 11-20 of this document cover specific occupancy types such as educational facilities, health care facilities, restaurants, shopping centers, retail, and more. Within each of these chapters is a section on CPTED as it directly relates to the occupancy type. Though NFPA 730 is only a guide, it can be utilized and implemented into a fire department's CRR and plans review process.
NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, will have its first draft meeting on January 18. At this meeting Public Input #188 will be voted on for inclusion in the document. The goal of this public input is to insert a reference to CPTED principles. The proposed language and substantiation is, as follows:
New section, 4.9 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. In new construction and when a building undergoes renovation or rehabilitation, the principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) shall be implemented for the occupancies as described in NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security, Chapter 8.
Statement of Problem and Substantiation for Public Input:
The intent of NFPA 101 is for Life Safety, as stated in the A1.1.8,”Life safety in buildings includes more than safety from fire...its technical requirements respond to a wider range of concerns...Code requirements...might also assist in responding to many other hazards…” Furthermore, Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.4 emphasize the objectives of occupant protection, and physical violence mitigation. The principles of CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) contribute to life safety through a systematic approach to facility lighting, design, landscaping, and human factors planning. These contribute to the safety of the buildings occupants and to first responders. Application of CPTED principles can give the first responder an advance notice of unsafe conditions that may pertain to the facility or people around it. These principles are already a part of NFPA 730, the goal of this public comment is to put a pointer to these requirements for the user of NFPA 101.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is a strategy that can completely change a community. Employing these strategies as a component of the Community Risk Reduction program can reduce crime, reduce call volume, contribute to responder safety, and provide for a holistic design approach for buildings and community spaces.
