Issued by door locking specialist ABLOY UK the recommendation follows the launch of a counter-terror initiative aimed at retailers and other businesses operating in crowded places.
Launched in November by counter-terror police the Protect and Prepare campaign urged businesses to develop emergency contingency plans for the year’s busiest shopping period.
The recent terror attack on Christmas markets in Strasbourg is the latest in a number of terror attacks around Europe in recent years to strike busy shopping areas during December.
Counter-terror police are providing stores with a security checklist that can be implemented in 60 seconds to prevent panic spreading during terror attacks or other emergency situations. Staff should know who is in charge of emergency plans, when to evacuate a store, when to order a lockdown and the best places to hide in the event of an attack.
Dynamic lockdown procedures compartmentalise buildings and sites by controlling the flow of people
Dynamic lockdown procedures compartmentalise buildings and sites by controlling the flow of people. Access to unauthorised intruders is blocked without barring exit for those within the site or building. This both prevents threats from entering a building while permitting people to leave the building if necessary.
Abloy UK has developed solutions, such as compliant electric locks and the Escape Door System, that facilitate dynamic lockdown for a range of environments. Systems tailored to retailers secure doors between public and non-public areas and exits from main staff areas.
Electric locks – such as the Abloy EL560 solenoid lock and EL520 motorised lock – control either the latch or handle, or by motorising the bolt back once a proximity card is presented or a request to exit device is used.
The Escape Door System combines three components required for BS EN 13637 (electronically controlled escape door systems for doors along escape routes) when read-in and read-out access control is specified.
This includes blocking, where a fail-unlocked locking element requires no mechanical input to operate; intelligent control, permitting connection to building control systems that allow escape during an emergency; and a trigger unit, which incorporates a key-switch and push button that tells the controller to release the locking mechanism to allow safe escape.
“This is a superb initiative by counter-terror police as it will make retailers more proactive and able to respond faster to potentially life-threatening events,” said Pat Jefferies, commercial director at Abloy UK.
“Egress from a building can be a matter of life and death, so here at Abloy we continuously promote the importance of emergency escape systems with free training on standards and compliance via our academy.”
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