INNOVATION STIMULATION IN COMPANIES CONTRIBUTING
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Problem definition Statistics indicate a mounting wave of break-ins, ram-raiding,
etc., thereby obliging better In most cases, property developers or building managers only think of using techniques that protect against break-ins after a crime has been committed in the building concerned, nearby, or at the homes of family or friends. Nevertheless, in return for a token additional outlay major improvements can be made to windows and doors, or fitted in existing buildings. Even more generally, it is reasonable to assert that, alongside property developers, building professionals do not always pay sufficient attention to anti-intruder protection aspect of a building, new or renovated. The weak points of a home are often its windows, doors, garage doors, glassed areas and cellar hatches -- far and away the most sensitive points in a building. From that angle, it is clear that the joinery work contractor will play an important and central role in events surrounding break-in protection, primarily in the area of mechanical break-in protection alongside electronic break-in deterrence. An integrated construction approach to the problem should also be aspired to, combining the advantages of mechanical and electronic break-in prevention. Police experiences reveal that most residential break-ins are the work of opportunists, and that the intruders have only rudimentary tools at their disposal. Even so, the mechanical impact of these on joinery work can be very considerable. In the Netherlands, based on the “Safe Home Certificate” issued under the Dutch police’s Veilig Wonen® trademark, the risk of break-in has been cut by roughly 95%. Measures are designed primarily to deter opportunists (who commit roughly 85% of all break-ins). Available techniques and materials In the area of break-in prevention, an array of products and techniques is available. Even during the construction phase, a building may already be fitted with simple cable ducts along which the necessary cables for alarm systems or home-automation applications can be run later on. General contractors and turnkey companies need information about these techniques and their impact on the building product, the production process, the building process, commercial aspects and, lastly, building design. Property developers, designers, contracting authorities and public administrations need to take a multidisciplinary approach to break-in protection. Often, the information they have to hand -- obtained either via the government, suppliers or the contractor -- is fragmentary. Solutions designed to improve a building’s break-in resistance should be considered or implemented. TIS will help provide a state-of-the-art report on techniques regarding
mechanical and electronic break-in protection, primarily on the
basis of contacts with contractor companies, crime-prevention services
and manufacturers. For this, both the available technical and commercial
information will be consulted along with websites and other sources.
Once these assorted techniques have been evaluated, they will be
implemented in the companies of the described target group so that
specialised companies, capable of offering the property developer
an integrated approach involving Project aims The project’s major technological aims are to:
By bringing together the different actors in the building process,
initiating and encouraging Project execution The working groups involved in the project’s execution comprise representatives of joinery workers, general contractors, fitters and architects. In addition, and in accordance with the needs of each working group, outside parties are being invited to take part, such as crime-prevention services, the ‘Permanent Secretariat for Crime-Prevention Policy’ (VSP), equipment and system manufacturers, turnkey companies, the ‘Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities’ (VVSG), insurance companies, etc. Users working group
Mechanical break-in protection working group
Integrated break-in protection working group
In June 2003, three briefing sessions were scheduled (Antwerp, Bruges, Hasselt). Not only were joiners invited along to these evening sessions, but also the suppliers of locks, suppliers of door/window furniture, and crime-prevention services from right across Flanders. Those attending these info-evenings had the chance to sign up and become part of one of the various working groups. These enrolments, along with other notifications (e.g. reactions to the press release published in Schrijnwerk, De Vlaamse Schrijnwerker, Nacebo Nieuws and Bouwkroniek), provided the basis for the first two working groups already constituted: “Users”, and “Mechanical Break-in Protection”. These groups may always be expanded further. The first meetings of the “Users” working group has already taken place, on 18 September. The majority of those in attendance came from crime-prevention services. A small delegation of joinery workers and lock specialists also attended. A representative is still being sought from turnkey contractors, as is an architect, in order to complete the working group. There appears to be an urgent need to have a checklist for users and a standard specification for architects and contractors involved in break-in protection. Work on this will be conducted during the months ahead. During phase one, all possible information about break-in statistics will be requested via, for example, the central police agencies. Databases will play a key role within the TIS project, for instance
by featuring the addresses of lock specialists, door/window furniture
manufacturers, glaziers, etc. where these are likely to interest
companies from the target group. The first meeting of the “Mechanical Break-in Protection” working group has also taken place already, on 8 October. Those in attendance came primarily from the crime-prevention services of the police, and the suppliers and manufacturers of profile systems for locks and door/window furniture. Database design was an important issue, with agreement on its design in consultation with companies. This design will be combined with visits to companies from the different sectors. For further contacts and information: Confederatie Bouw – Vlaamse Schrijnwerkers (CB-VS) NACEBO Schrijnwerkers & Interieurbouwers vzw (NACEBO) Belgian Building Research Institute (BBRI) |