Pro Vigil

Your temporary chain link fence can and should be your first line of defense in your construction site security program. Not only does it aid in keeping your tools and materials in, but it keeps potential lawsuits from curious trespassers out.

Of course it’s important to remember that, according to the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute, “a fence system will only delay or reduce intrusion.” That said, here are a few questions you can ask your fence company or the person in charge of security for your construction site that will help you determine just how effectively your fencing will delay or reduce intrusion.

1) How high is your fence?
The higher the fence the harder it is to climb. Further, high fences can serve as a psychological deterrent as well. Temporary fencing typically comes in 6 and 8 foot heights. You’re more secure going with the 8 foot heights in most situations, if only because it’s better deterrent for the “impulse” vandals and trespassers.

2) Does your fence have barbed wire?
Barbed wire at the top of a chain link fence makes climbing much more difficult and uncomfortable. It’s even more effective when attached to a bracket tilted at 45 degrees, but this is not common on temporary fencing we’ve seen. Barbed wire is another excellent psychological deterrent, though it won’t stop determined thieves.

3) How big is the mesh on your fence?
The smaller the mesh the harder it is to climb or cut. 2 inch mesh is common on temporary security fencing but you’d be better with 1 inch mesh or even 3/8″ if available.

4) How wide is your clear zone?
Have you cleared brush, trash and storage away from the fence? Ideally you’ve got at least 5 clear feet on both sides of the fence to aid outside observers and reduce the ability to break through the fence undetected or even climb over by standing on debris.

5) How many gates in your fence?
The more gates you have the easier your perimeter is to breach. Minimize the number of gates through the perimeter if possible.

6) How big are your gates?
Narrower gates are better, but make sure they’re at least 20′ wide to allow access for emergency vehicles. Further, gates should be operational by one person.

7) How high is your fence above grade?
Does the bottom of your fence touch the ground? How high above grade is it? 2 inches is about the highest you can get and still make it hard enough to simply lift the fencing and crawl beneath it. Ideally you can sink the bottom of the fence into the ground.

8) How is your fencing secured to the ground?
Ideally your temporary fence is set in a concrete footing. Other acceptable methods of securing your fence include driving support poles into the ground, anchored base plates and insertion into precast concrete blocks that are set into the ground.

9) Does your fence have color or colored fabric?
Colored fences - fences coated in a polymer - increase the ability of outside observers to detect motion. It also helps to better outline the perimeter of the secured area, especially at night.

10) Do employees park inside or outside the fence?
You may notice an decrease in equipment and material loss if you enforce a “park outside the fence” policy. If this is not practical for your site, then develop a designated parking area that restricts access from site to vehicle for your employees.

11) Do you have adequate fence signage?
How many bright yellow NO TRESPASSING signs have you hung on your perimeter? Did you hang signs to warn thieves of your theft-reduction policy and equipment-retrieval practices?

Here’s a good rule of thumb from the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute regarding the gauge and mesh size of your fencing in relation to the security it provides:

A. Extremely high security: 3/8″mesh 11 gauge
B. Very high security: 1″ mesh 9 gauge
C. High security: 1″ mesh 11 gauge
D. Greater security: 2″ mesh 6 gauge
E. Normal Industrial security: 2″ mesh 9 gauge

As the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute states, “a fence system will only delay or reduce intrusion.” Pro-Vigil stops job site intrusion with 24/7 security personnel who monitor live digital video of your site and chase intruders off with sirens and strobes. Contact Pro-Vigil at 866.616.1318 today for a free security consultation today.

Resources:
Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute Security Fencing Recommendations

Construction Site Crime Prevention (PDF)

TEMPORARY FENCING CONSTRUCTION STANDARD SPECIFICATION (PDF)

Protecting your tool and material investment is a crucial cost-saving investment for contractors. Secure job site boxes are one way to keep your tools safe, dry and accessible on your job site, but there are a few things you should look for so that you’re buying the most secure box for your job site.

1) Deadbolt-Style Locks are Strongest
If your potential security box requires the use of a padlock then you should steer well clear of it. Padlocks are quite simple to snip with bolt cutters. Ideally the lock compartment is recessed too, further preventing easy tampering.

2) Hemmed Edges Prevent Pry Bar Access
Hemmed or folded edges prevent thieves from simply wedging a pry bar between the lid and the bottom edges of your box. When looking over your next potential job site security box think about its vulnerabilities to a pry bar.

3) Staked and Welded Hinges
Is it easy for thieves to knock the hinge pins out of the door or is the door staked and welded? If the pin is easy to get to then you should move on to the next potential box.

4) Heavy-Duty Steel
What gauge is the steel in your box? The lower the gauge the thicker the steel. The steel around the lock and door are the most critical areas to watch for strength. Further, check for reinforcing channels in the steel itself.

Some times job boxes aren’t enough though - we’ve seen cases where thieves used forklifts to tear the fronts off of conex boxes. If you want maximum security for your job site then you need Pro-Vigil’s live construction security monitoring service.

Other Resources:
Types of Locks
Pick The Right Tool Storage Option For The Job

About Pro-Vigil:
Pro-Vigil stops job site theft with 24/7 live monitor personnel who watch digital video of your site and chase intruders off with sirens and strobes. Contact Pro-Vigil at 866.616.1318 today for a free security consultation.

Lighting reduces construction site crime because it not only discourages prowlers but offers any neighbors or passers by and your monitoring service to see any suspicious activity.

1) Intruders Take Advantage of Glare
There are numerous reports of intruders knowingly taking advantage of the glare thrown by poorly positioned security lights. Direct light onto the areas you’re trying to protect rather than out into the eyes of potential observers.

2) Bright White Light is Best
Bright white light provides good color differentiation making people easier to identify and license plates easier to read. Bright white lights are also more expensive to keep lit. The difference in visibility is worth the money though. As a general rule of thumb observers should be able to easily identify a face at 30 feet.

3) Protect Your Power Source
Thieves can and will cut power lines. Ideally power lines stay at a height of 24 feet or higher. Further, electric meter boxes can be targets as well so if your site has one, be sure to protect it well or find some other power source. Ideally you’ll have a generator or some other independent source of power for your construction security lighting.

4) Maintain and Protect Your Lighting
Have a regular light maintenance program in which someone checks them and cleans or replaces lights that have gone bad. Further, lights should be enclosed in wire mesh or other shield that prevents tampering or shattering by vandals or potential intruders.

5) Position Lights to Prevent Blind Areas
A nighttime job site drive by is crucial! You have to know if you’re setting yourself up for intrusion and theft with any potential blind areas in your lighting. A well thought out set up could still have blind spots…

And finally I’d like to reiterate the importance of visiting your job site at night! That’s the only time you’ll be able to accurately gauge the effectiveness of your lighting. Contact Pro-Vigil today for

First off, the NER reports these two vehicles as recently stolen in Texas:

Terex TX-55-19 Telescopic Forklift TX551911789
Caterpillar 420-D Backhoe Loader FDP27111

So if someone offered you a good deal on either, be sure to contact your local authorities and call NER’s 24-hour, national tip line at 1-866 NER TIPS (866-637-8477).

And here are 5 “red flags” to remember the next time you’re buying heavy machinery:

1) The deal is too good to be true - this is the first and most important red flag, especially in Texas. The NER reported that Texas was #1 for stolen equipment in 2004.

2) The seller’s name doesn’t match the vehicle records, the seller doesn’t have a fixed address, a place of employment or a phone number. Further, there seller can offer no information about past financing on the vehicle.

3) The VIN plate is missing or scratched… OR does not match the number as listed in the owner manual or other locations on the machine.

4) Loose ignition and/or chisel or other tamper marks around the vehicle ignition switch.

5) Non-manufacturer keys for a relatively new vehicle.

Resources:
National Equipment Register

Daytime security is an often-overlooked aspect of construction security. To keep unauthorized “visitors” off your site some security experts recommend that everyone be required to wear a standard uniform. This is good to some extent, but nothing - and I mean nothing - beats the good old QUESTION as a line of defense.

Training your on-site staff to ask good questions the instant they get suspicious will ward off daytime theft by unauthorized “visitors.”

A strong line of questioning:
The question “Do you work here?” is too easy, and it’s a yes/no question. Train your on-site staff to get a little bit more invasive with people they don’t recognize.

Further, it’s important that they move from the general to the more specific. This helps to root out those who have invaded your job site “under cover.”

So instead of “Do you work here?” Train your crew to ask a series of questions along these lines:

1) “Who do you work for here?
2) “What do you do for that sub contractor?”
3) “When did you and your sub come on the site?”

The third question could - and should - be even more specific than that. But be sure to ask questions that only that subcontractor’s crew would know, as it’s likely that the person posing as an authorized visitor will know a thing or two about the profession he claims.

If the person you’re questioning hesitates, tries to change the subject, provides bizarre answers or gets overly defensive the questioner may have reason to contact authorities. If the person provides quick, simple and assured answers then this person belongs on the site.

Questions can be one of your most powerful forms of security on your job site, especially during the day time. If you’d like to read more about security questioning then read The Most Powerful Weapon – Asking a Good Question at Security Info Watch.

Come and see Pro-Vigil out at the Jerry Smith, Sr. Golf Tournament and BUILD-PAC reception!

Registration and Lunch: 11am
Shotgun Start Tee Time: 1pm
BUILD-PAC Reception: immediately following

Where: Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club

We look forward to seeing you out on the course, folks - this is a fundraiser for BUILD-PAC, in support of politicians who support the building industry.

If you have any questions contact Kimberlyn Kalmus at the Greater San Antonio Builders Association: (210)696-3800 or check out the event listing on their calendar by clicking here >>

Come and meet Pro-Vigil along with your friends from ABC South Texas at the October 25th Fall Mixer and Barbecue Cook-Off!

Time: 10am - 8pm
Judging: 5pm
Venue: Luxello Hall
8640 E. Evans Road
San Antonio, TX 78266
Cost: $10
Register Online by Clicking Here >>
Contact: Carol Wiatrek, Programs Coordinator, carol@abcsouthtexas.org
Directions: Click Here >>

Beer, Barbecue, Builders and Contractors - that’s the 4 B’s of Texas if you ask us. Come and see us at the cook off and see if you can take the heat!

Meet Pro-Vigil on the green - we’re sponsoring a hole at the 2007 “The Bridges at Preston Crossings Builders Cup Golf Championship!”

When: Monday, Oct. 15

Where: WestRidge Golf Club in McKinney

How much: The player fee includes lunch and dinner during the awards ceremony. $90.00/player $360/foursome.

Registration: begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 1:30 p.m. tee time.

Contact: For more information contact Caroline of the Dallas Builders Association at ext. 101 or caroline.langton@dallasbuilders.com.

We look forward to seeing you out there! And you can be sure that if you step onto our green… WE WILL SEE YOU!

Keeping your job site secure starts long before you install your fence and other security measures. This checklist will help you reduce job site loss for your next project and give you an increased peace of mind.

1) Identify who will be responsible for security on your site
Determine who will be held accountable for job loss on your site. Discuss with them their experience in job site security in the past and what measures they’ve found success with. Show them that you’re taking an active interest in reducing loss on this next project and help them to implement concepts from this list.

2) Create and implement your loss reduction plan
This includes stuff like an inventory management system, badges and uniforms for all employees and a mandatory sign-in form when anyone steps foot on your job site. Consider things like a gift certificate reward for the best security tip of the month. Work this out with your security manager and be sure he understands what your expectations are for the next project.

3) Gather contacts - police, fire and neighbors
Dig out the phone book or search online to find the numbers of the local police and fire departments, as well as the local neighborhood association if there is one. You’re going to want good working relationships with these folks for the duration of your project so it’s a good idea to make contact early and ask if there are any special security precautions you should make. Be sure to drop off your business card with any and all folks you visit with, along with the business card of the person in charge of security.

4) Changes in equipment, vehicles, tools and materials on site mean changes in security
As you’re planning the job remember that your security needs may change as different types of equipment, vehicles, tools and materials enter your site. Consider finding ways to visibly increase security when you have known shipments of valuable materials coming onto your site - this will keep any potential “inside” thieves from thinking they have an easy target.

5) Line up off-site storage facilities for especially valuable materials, equipment, tools or vehicles
Certain circumstances may necessitate a secure off-site storage facility for certain items from your job site. Find one if you’ll be on-site through a known three day holiday weekend, or when you have especially valuable building materials or new appliances on site. Having a place lined up saves you the hassle of finding a facility on Friday afternoon before a three day weekend.

6) Take time to enforce your mandatory drug screening
Do whatever it takes to make sure that you’ve got a mandatory drug screening program in place. It’s widely reported that 85% of job site thefts are inside jobs. Reducing the number of heavy drug users on your site can contribute to a reduction in loss, plus your site will be safer.

7) Review your employee dismissal procedures
Vandalism is especially high with employees who are fired. It’s even higher when they’re fired in the middle of a loud argument in front of the whole work crew. Make sure that you’ve spoken with all your managers about proper dismissal procedures and reduce the chances of costly vandalism by angry former employees.

8) Analyze the site for security requirements
I’ve written extensively on pre-job site analysis. Here are a few quick tips from my previous article: research any controversy surrounding the particular job, ask the police about crime rates, visit the site at night to determine vulnerabilities, layout the site to maintain high-visibility zones, add high-visibility security devices like cameras and strobe lights mounted on poles.

Working through this pre-job security checklist will help you to minimize loss due to vandalism and theft on your job site, and keep you from contributing to the nearly one billion dollars of loss that happens every year. If you have any questions about increasing job site security please send them in an email to info@pro-vigil.com.

Resources:
Theft and Vandalism on Construction Sites

In an ideal world, planning for job site security happens long before the job starts. Pre-job site analysis for theft and vandalism risks helps you minimize the chance that your site will be a target. This article offers a number of suggestions to help you assess risk and prepare the defense of your next job site.

1) Is the job controversial?
If your job has political implications then you may consider heightened security for your project. Whether you’re working on a non-union project in union territory or building on previously-protected or significant land, your project could be the target of attacks by vandalism. Talk to the folks funding the project and do some web searches on the group’s name. Consider chatting with locals to get a feel for their opinion if you’re suspicious. Controversy could require increased security, and budgeting for it now could save you a bundle down the road.

2) Is there a history of crime in the area?
Talking to neighbors and police about crime in the area gives you more insight into how many layers of security you’ll need. Maybe a fence will be enough. Maybe you’ll need a fence and live monitoring. Run some checks through search engines too, using terms like [crime in YOUR LOCATION] or [theft in YOUR LOCATION]. Industry experts think that 85% of job site theft is an inside job. Make sure you’re able to keep the other %15 out!

3) Visit the site at night
A quick visit to the site one night after dark can speak volumes about potential vulnerabilities that you’d never see in the day time. Get out of your truck and walk the site and consider it from all angles. You’ll start to see where you’re going to need lights and where fences could be compromised easily by thieves in the shadows.

4) Identify site safety zones based on visibility from the road
While on that night visit you can work to identifying “safety zones” that are highly visible from the road. If you’re careful in laying out your job site you’ll may be able to concentrate vehicles, equipment, materials and tools in these areas so that everything remains well lit and highly visible from the road.

5) Is the site residential, urban or rural?
The type of area where you will work plays a large part in your security needs too. Residential areas could be more prone to vandalism by packs of roving teen agers - be sure to have lots of DANGER KEEP OUT signs posted to keep them out and reduce your liability should they hurt themselves. Rural areas are prone to major and repeated thefts because thieves often have more time to work and it takes law enforcement longer to arrive. Urban areas have more access by road, making them more visible but also more potentially vulnerable. Each comes with its own increased dangers, so plan your security approach accordingly.

6) Identify locations for visible security indicators
Visible security indicators include things like guard posts or camera and light towers used by your live remote monitoring service. If you go to your security service provider with pre-planned high-visibility locations for them to protect your site you’ve just made your site that much more secure.

7) Invite your security company to visit the site before the job starts
You’ll increase your security enormously if you offer your security service provider the opportunity to scout your site before you lay it out. Let them offer you suggestions regarding the physical defensibility of your site and optimize their service with your efforts long before you break ground on the first day at the site.

The best time to start analyzing your job site for its defensibility is before work begins. I hope that this guide offers you some useful suggestions that will help you to improve the quality of your job site security and reduce theft and vandalism on your job site. If you have any questions about increasing job site security please send them in an email to info@pro-vigil.com.

Resources:
Theft and Vandalism on Construction Sites