Perimeter security is designed to protect building and construction sites from the unauthorised access of people. Perimeters can be built of different materials depending on the kind of construction expected to take place among other determining factors. To improve the security of this perimeter, constructors select materials that are difficult to climb. That is done with the aim of deterring invaders, including children who would want to access the site. In this case, it is important that the construction site is secluded from the existing building and seawall with a perimeter fence. The functionality of this is especially important in the case where the adjacent building is still in use. The following is a perimeter protection plan that is intended to help management of the PBMC complex building.
The state has laws and regulations that govern construction sites in different locations, including those near an existing building. Recommendations are made based on these existing regulations. During this construction, the vertical load of the nearby building should be supported using means like underpinning (New York City Building Code, 2008). The constructors are also expected to support the nearby seawall in case the construction activities damage or affect it. To know the structural integrity of this wall, a design professional should check its stability and identify the exact practices to protect it. Also, it might be necessary to underpin the existing building. In this case, it involves the construction of an underground foundation intended to support the existing building. To ensure this foundation does not alter the water level of the existing building, it is important that it is checked by a construction professional.
It is important to build perimeters, which isolate the construction site from the adjacent building and from the public as well. Certain issues should be considered when creating this perimeter; the form the perimeter will take, its provision, and its maintenance. Such issues should be considered at an early stage to ensure the contractors take them into consideration when budgeting for the building. Also, the type of perimeter to be constructed depends on certain factors. For instance, the site characteristics, the type and nature of construction work, and the adjacent properties including the people accessing the site. Furthermore, it is important to consider the delivery of materials to the site (Health and Safety Executive, 2009). As such, such deliveries should not be scheduled when large numbers of people are outside. For instance, in this case, it can be scheduled at night. The perimeter will depend on the layout and characteristics of the site. In this case, it is important to build a perimeter wall that secludes the construction site from the existing property and the place accessed by people in that property. The fence should be at least 2 meters high and should use materials that make it difficult to climb. The perimeter should also have access points that are secured and of the same size as the perimeter. It can also be a requirement to always keep these access points closed whether or not construction is in progress (Health and Safety Executive, 2009). Also, the use of risk machines like cranes should be limited to the side of the perimeter where most people in the adjacent building do not access. Also, it may be necessary to build pedestrian tunnels or false ceilings in the adjacent building to protect people from falling materials during work.
It is also important to ensure the perimeter is secure after its constructions. This may include the use of outside lighting, gates, and intrusion detectors. Gates create a break in the perimeter and they allow access to the construction site (United States Geological Survey, 2013). They can be protected using locks to limit the people entering the site, ensuring only the necessary people have access. The gates should also be well lit, especially in cases where construction occurs even at night. Technical measures can be deployed to safeguard the perimeter and reinforce its function in the construction site. Lighting is also a key feature in the support of security operations. The lighting should focus on the construction site and the perimeter and less on the existing building. An integration of Access control system controls the people accessing the site and ensures there is a record of the access times and personnel at the site. The intrusion detection system can also be used, but in this case, they may be too expensive and unnecessary. Guarding activities can also help with the reinforcement of the perimeter fence. The management can have one or two guards patrolling the area to ensure that unauthorised people do not access the site. The access by unauthorised people can not only lead to loss of expensive items, but also accidents that can cause legal problems for the management.
Overall, there exist public hazard guidelines that every construction must and should meet. The lighting on the perimeter ensures that all surfaces are well illuminated. The perimeter should also ensure that the welding and other lighting activities do not cause problems for the people in the adjacent building. Falling objects are also of great concern in a construction site. Such objects should be prevented from hurting or falling on the people using the adjacent building. Also, the construction materials should be within the perimeter and should be well contained and secured. It could be useful to inform occupants of the adjacent building that they should expect loud noises and heavy machinery or trucks in the vicinity (International Code Council, 2015).
Firstly, it is important to note that the construction site is next to an already existing building. Also that this building has 10 stories. As such, any construction activities next to this building must be well thought out since it could lead to the destruction of the existing building or cause it to collapse. With this in mind, the matters of underpinning and the support of the vertical load are justified. This ensures that the existing building’s foundation and materials do not weaken to a point where they can collapse. Also, the site is near a seawall that should be supported as well to avoid its damage. The perimeter wall separates the construction site from the existing building. This reduces the number of people accessing this area and also makes people aware of the ongoing construction. As explained, the perimeter created depends on the characteristics of the site. In this case, the existing buildings or structures must be considered. Therefore, the perimeter wall can pass near the seawall and can protect the entire adjacent property. Also, the need for this perimeter is to ensure that the building materials are well stored and are secure as well. In addition, the machines and heavy duty vehicles involved in the transportation of these materials are restricted on the construction side. Furthermore, the access points of this perimeter wall should be on a different side of the existing building. As such, it limits the number of people from the adjacent property accessing the site. It also caters for the restriction of machines and construction cars on a side where there is less human traffic. It is important that these access points are guarded to ensure that authorised access is maintained at all times.
During construction, the contractors are mostly the people who estimate the budget of the construction project and in some cases, it is difficult to come up with accurate estimations. For this perimeter wall, I recommend the use of close metal mesh since it is difficult to climb. Additionally, the perimeter will have at least two access points that can fit even trucks carrying building materials. Also, the perimeter will integrate other technical measures that will reinforce its security. An access control system is ideal for such an environment so as to keep track of people going in and the time they do. The budget of this plan is approximately 5,000 dollars.
As explained, the perimeter protection plan is of great use, especially in this case. As such, it is important to follow the laws and regulations given by the state as well as follow the standards of other engineers and contractors. The perimeter wall, in this case, will seclude the construction site from the existing building and the seawall. The constructors must be careful to ensure that their construction activities do not weaken the already existing complex, especially because it is a high building. To do so, certain measures are taken such as underpinning and the support of the building’s vertical load. On the other hand, to reinforce the security of the perimeter wall other measures should be incorporated such as guarding or other technical measures like access control systems. It is my hope that the management finds this perimeter development plan useful to their upcoming project.
References
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (2009). Protecting the public: Your next move (2nd ed.). HSE Books. Retrieved from http://www.hseni.gov.uk/hsg151_protecting_the_public.pdf
International Code Council (ICC). (2015). International Building Code: Chapter 33 Safeguards during construction. Retrieved from http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/2015-I-Codes/2015%20IBC%20HTML/Chapter%2033.html
New York City Building Code. (2008). Safeguarding During Construction or Demolition. Retrieved from http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/newyorkcity/building/pdfs/chapter%2033_safeguards%20during%20construction%20or%20demolition.pdf
United States Geological Survey (USGS). (2013). Chapter 4: Exterior Protection. Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/440-2-h/440-2-h-ch4.html
