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Secure Your Building Against Theft
The museum perimeters and its building should offer the first line of defence against intruders. Here are some practical suggestions as to how to make your buidlings as secure as possible.
- The structure of the museum building should be such that penetration through the walls and roof is both difficult and time consuming. The material used should be in at least 9' (230mm) cement mortar/clay brickwork or material of the equivalent penetration resistance. Even relatively weak buildings, for example those of wooden construction, can be improved to meet this requirement.
- The number of windows should be reduced to the essential minimum. Windows not required for use should be bricked up using clay bricks or equivalent and cement mortar fully keyed into the existing walling, or by other methods agreed with the National Security Adviser. Windows in use should be protected by means agreed with the National Security Adviser.
- Doors to the outside should be reduced to the minimum, leaving only those required for entry or as emergency exits. Unused doors should be bricked up in the same way as windows, or blocked by other methods agreed with the National Security Adviser. Remaining doors should be of at least 2' (50mm) thick solid construction, and should be fitted with security standard mortice deadlocks conforming to BS 3621. European standards provide for a range of security levels including barrel locks that allow key suiting, which is strongly recommended.
- If doors of lesser quality are to be retained, they should be protected by internal roller shutters or folding metal gates. Emergency exit doors should be fitted with modern quick-release door furniture and must be capable of being deadlocked when the building is unoccupied. Exterior doors should, whenever possible, have no external furniture.
- Pitched roofs of slate or tile should be fitted over close-boarded timber. The National Security Adviser can advise on the use of other materials. Unauthorized access to the roof should be limited by physical barriers such as fencing, anti-climb paint or anti-vandal barriers.
- The risk to collections will vary enormously, depending on the value of the objects, type of visitor, neighbourhood, and so on. The risk should be assessed with MLA's Security Adviser and the local Crime Prevention officer and appropriate measures agreed and implemented. Display of replicas may sometimes be the best option.
- Modification of historic buildings may require Listed Building or other consent. Where the museum shares a building with another user it is important to ensure that strict security arrangements are agreed and adhered to by all parties. In shared buildings, the internal perimeter of the museum premises should be treated and strengthened in the same way as the external perimeter.
- Most buildings, if protected in accordance with MLA advice, can be left unattended. Even when a night guard is employed, current practice is to monitor the building electronically and with closed-circuit television, in addition to regular patrol. Museums with high value property that do not have CCTV could be at increased risk. CCTV allows invigilators to be more effective, acts as a deterrent, makes recordings to assist with post-incident investigation, assists with entry control arrangements, provides general information to assist in the management of the premises, and where the premises are guarded out of hours to assist with site monitoring.
Based on original work by Dr Patricia Andrew for the Museums and Galleries Commission (now Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) series ‘Standards in the museum care of collections'.
