Introduction
Natural Access Control is one of the four principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED principles are based on anticipating a criminal's thought processes and creating an environment that discourages follow-through. When CPTED is put into practice, the resulting environment - including the building and its surroundings - will discourage or impede criminal behavior, and at the same time encourage honest citizens to keep a watchful eye. Although these principles were developed for the design and construction of new buildings, the concepts can be applied to existing businesses as well.
Natural Access Control
Criminals like to feel that they are in control as they enter and exit an area. When they are in control, they have a low perception of risk, since they believe they are able to move about unnoticed. However, this sense of control can be denied by limiting and clearly marking the approaches to buildings and properties, thereby channeling visitors into a defined area. Natural Access Control is the use of building and landscaping features to guide people as they enter and exit a space. When applying Natural Access Control, both entrances and exits should be taken into consideration. Not only do you want to discourage intruders, but you also want to close of any potential escape routes.
Clearly Defined Entrances
The first thing to consider in natural access control is the approach to your area. Can vehicles drive onto your property without being noticed? If so, consider using gates, barriers and curbing to direct vehicle traffic to a single controlled area. If this controlled entrance leads to a guard station, all the better. Once a vehicle has entered your area, the driver should be directed to well-defined public parking area. This will help prevent a getaway car from being hidden.
Once you are comfortable with the vehicle approach to your area, examine the flow of foot traffic. Can unauthorized pedestrians walk into your building and simply blend in? If so, try to create one public entrance. Ideally, this entrance should lead to a guard or receptionist's desk where visitors will be greeted.
Roof access is another trouble area. Be sure to eliminate any features that provide direct access to a roof top.
Clearly Defined Exits
Perhaps even more than slipping in unnoticed, criminals like to escape quickly. However, restricting exits is more difficult than restricting entrances because of life safety concerns. Fire regulations will not permit you to lock building exits, even if those exits are in a remote area of your warehouse. But you can counteract this problem by keeping the areas around exits as open and visible as possible. And, while not a direct application of Natural Access Control, you can also have delayed exit hardware installed on fire exits. This hardware will sound an alarm and keep the door locked for around 15 seconds after someone pushes on the door to open it. The sound draws attention to someone who is trying to slip out unnoticed and also gives you a brief period of time to respond. Delayed egress doors should be clearly marked so that anyone who attempts to open the door will know that an alarm will sound.
As with entrances, an ideal building or property exit should guide pedestrians and motorists past guards or receptionists.
Summary
Natural Access Control uses design elements such as curbs, sidewalks and doors to guide vehicle and pedestrian traffic on your property. The goal of Natural Access Control is to create a perception of risk in the minds of potential offenders by making taking away their sense of control.
A Checklist
Here is a quick checklist that you can use when implementing Natural Access Control:
- Is vehicle traffic limited to a controlled entrance or entrances?
- Can pedestrians enter my building without being noticed or greeted by an employee?
- Is my rooftop accessible from outside?
- Can a criminal leave my building or property unnoticed?
