By Leon Harris CPP
Published in INsite,
June/July 2001
 A
large amount of capital and time is injected into a new development,
unfortunately often without input by specialist security consultants
as part of the design team.
Whenever security is developed in relation to planned aged care
facilities, there is the inevitable tension between over-securing
and under-securing a site. It is important to ensure that all legitimate
users of the site feel safe and that non legitimate users - particularly
those intent on committing crime - are deterred from access.
A 'designing out crime' strategy challenges architectural design
to eliminate structural, lighting and landscaping characteristics
that attract crime, elevate the fear of crime by legitimate users,
whilst reducing the costly over-dependence on technology. Crime prevention
for new facilities should be incorporated in every phase of the development
and include internal as well as external locations.
A few of the more common issues are provided here for consideration.
Fencing
Fencing, when required, should be capable of providing unrestricted
viewing from either side. It should be difficult to climb and not
attract graffiti. It is essential that the fence permits ease of
access to legitimate users and that the design permits the sighting
of movement both inside and outside the site.
Landscaping
All landscaping should minimise the opportunity for concealment
of criminals and maximise the opportunity for observation (natural
surveillance) by all legitimate stakeholder/users of a facility.
Shrubs should be carefully selected. Only small shrubs not exceeding
in 1 metre in height should be planted near walled or recessed areas,
pathways, doorways or verandahs. This will reduce the potential for
an intruder to hide at night. Well designed flower beds signal a "cared-for" precinct.
Trees should not be located near buildings and should normally begin
canopy coverage at around 1.5 metres (assuming a full height of between
4 to 8+ metres).
Lighting
External lighting should accentuate pedestrian corridors and all
pedestrian precincts should be pattern lit - either as white or yellow
flood with an emphasis on eliminating building, fixture or landscaping
shadows.
Avoid lighting imbalances, inappropriate white and yellow mixes
and reflection clashes between internal and external light sources.
Staff or residents should be able to identify externally lit areas
from resident or office windows without reflected or beamed light
causing uncertainty or irritation. Lux and lumen standards for all
pedestrian and associated precinct lighting should be followed as
per the Australian Standards 1158.3.1 of 1999 (Road lighting, Pedestrian
area lighting, Performance and installation design requirements)
and 4485.1. of 1997 (Security for Health Care Facilities).
These issues are just a few areas that relate to grounds of facilities.
The internal building design will be discussed in the next issue.
Leon Harris CPP, is the principal consultant for Harris Crime Prevention
Services.
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