contingency planning: Greater vigilance urged after terrorist attacks

Facilities managers have been urged to work closely with landlords on safety contingency plans following heightened security awareness in the wake of the terrorist atrocities in America.

Michael Baker, director of asset management at property owner Hammerson said: 'We are asking occupiers to work with landlords on contingency planning processes.'

Baker said the company has spoken with building managers following the terrorist attacks in US and increased security at all its offices and retail locations across the UK.

Hammerson's security consultant Bill Hucklesby offered some general security advice to facilities managers.

'Precautions should include monitoring the perimeter of an estate with CCTV, backed up with personal patrols. Access to the property should be controlled, and once inside, there should be a system of good housekeeping. Everyone should know what is in the office and common parts, so in the event of an alert, anything that is out of place can be quickly identified.'

Hucklesby added that occupiers should already have a written contingency plan in place and have arranged relocation offices.

Other building managers confirmed they have reviewed contingency procedures. At London's Tower 42 general manager Terry Welsh said: 'We have revised our security and disaster recovery plans.'

The British Security Industry Association's spokeperson on the issue, Ian Johnson of security consultants Ian Johnson Associates, said firms need to check security and revise business continuity plans.

Inspections he has undertaken had found broken access control panels, CCTV cameras not working, and too few guards on duty. He urged facilities managers to carry out security performance audits.

Companies should also reassess potential threat,' said Johnson.

Since the attacks in the US, interest in continuity plans has soared, said Richard Pursey, chief executive of business continuity firm Global Continuity said the hit-rate at his company's website, had increased 500 per cent since the US attacks.He said businesses should prepare, predict and plan.

It is essential for every business to mirror computer information at an offsite location. Businesses should also ensure they can get disaster information to all staff. New software allows one recorded message to be relayed by phone, fax and email to all parties, Pursey said.