Clients, contractors and design teams can all benefit from the enhanced security measures offered by the new Security Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work
The Security Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work aims to provide guidance on implementing security focussed design through each RIBA Plan of Work Stage to enable informed decision making at the right time and order, to enable practical guidance on the best ways to embrace security.
Designed by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), the overlay looks to support better long term security outcomes for everyone involved in the lifecycle of a building.
How will different members of a project benefit from the Security Overlay?
The key benefits go beyond ensuring that a building is safer for its occupant.
Project teams
This overlay considers the threats and determines the project-specific security risks from the outset using the security risk assessment, leveraging security as an enabler for better outcomes on a wide range of topics, from operations to user safety.
Clients
Ensuring the security risk assessment is undertaken in advance of, or as part of, the briefing process informs the security requirements- driving confidence that effective measures are in place before the building is occupied, and mitigate against expensive retrofitting.
Architects and design teams
For architects and design teams integrating security measures into the design as early as possible, including physical and technological features, the Security Overlay leverages the expertise of the wider security landscape and key stakeholder concerns to deliver a robust security strategy.
Contractors
For contractors delivering the project in line with the security strategy, this brings a clearer understanding of why these measures are proposed and provides transparency of any risks for consideration during the construction phase.
Operators
They receive a building that is aligned with the security plan for effective day-to-day management that keeps occupants and visitors safe and avoids the need for any additional specialists, unsightly security measures, and associated costs.
The overlay will reduce inefficiencies across the entire design and building lifecycle
Alfie Hosker, Technical Manager at Police CPI said: “This document can provide assistance and direction in how to deliver relevant security within a build project. It highlights the importance of planning a strategy, collaboration, and partnership with all those involved, be it the emergency services, security specialist, architects, and engineers for example, to support and advise in a structured method, so that the design of the build and surrounding environment is via coordinated approach. This process will help in identifying and reducing security risks for its intended operational use and life cycle.
“Adopting a plan of works will assist in identifying any potential conflicting requirements at the earliest opportunity and / or the need for a specialist consultant, to ensure that the process runs smoother and can potentially reduce financial costs of the build because considerations are identified earlier, and delays reduced”.
The Security Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work can be downloaded here.
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