Energy Security

ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE • MAY 2020 21 LOOK FOR LPCB CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT THAT WILL ADAPT TO EVOLVING NEEDS

High security doors, enclosures, cabinets, access covers and associated physical protection are the backbone to operational continuity, often standing as the last line of defence shielding a critical asset or restricted area. But equipment must come with a robust assurance it will perform as required if subject to the assessed risk of criminal attack or infiltration by unauthorised personnel.

LPCB certified security systems are becoming a staple across many sectors in managing the three Rs – resilience, risk and reputation.

LPCB third party approval provides a rigorously tested standard of security performance for a full range of risk levels including terrorist. Testing is updated to Home Office edicts on security risk, and certification is underpinned by ongoing audits of production quality. LPCB products are widely approved by insurers, underlining their integrity in reducing commercial risk.

As the basis for long-term resilience, partner with an LPCB specialist with the design expertise and product scope to expand and adapt your physical security as regulations and site operations evolve. Technocover’s leading capability includes modular, secure enclosures that can be scaled up and remodelled with panel extensions, retrofit roof systems, and new access gates - all within their LPCB certification. As the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us, energy resilience is crucial in maintaining power supply to hospitals, essential services and a locked-down population during a national emergency. A robust standard of physical security has a role to play not just during a crisis but in the day-to-day protection of storage and supply infrastructure associated with renewable energy systems. IS THERE SCOPE TO CUSTOMISE TO ENHANCE OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY?

A versatile choice of options and accessories will add significant functionality to security equipment, with benefits for safety management and site efficiency.

Make sure that available locking and hardware are compatible with your adopted house security. Technocover can tailor its systems to existing security protocols by supplying the preferred access control system (eg key, card reader, fob, swipe) and hardware that supports CCTV and alarm networks while adhering to LPCB criteria.

Other options, such as emergency panic bar exit, vision panels and internal override handles on security roof hatches, will help support the effective control of site access and emergency exit for authorised personnel.

Access cover applications may require an assisted lift mechanism, safety stays and fall protection to comply with regulations on manual handling and falls from height. ACHIEVE BEST VALUE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX NEEDS THROUGH ‘TOTAL SERVICE’

Careful design and planning will be necessary for more complex applications, for example, large access cover assemblies over plant, secure access for woodchip bunkers, or the integration of mesh enclosures and kiosks around existing assets.

As an experienced design-to-install LPCB specialist of 27 years, Technocover works closely with clients on bespoke applications to identify and resolve operational, safety and installation issues and ‘build in’ maximum functionality within LPCB parameters. This reduces the risk of reactive maintenance and unplanned interventions, achieving best ‘whole life’ value from your security investment.

Technocover’s Total Service ranges from technical innovations, such as solar power modules on cabinets and hydraulic sliding gates on security enclosures, to a full construction service, from site preparation, concrete work and CDM compliant project management to life-time maintenance.

Where site access is constrained or downtime is an issue, Technocover provides offsite assembly of its modular buildings with prefitted M&E services, including heaters, along with optional racking systems, aesthetic interior wall panels, and different floor finishes such as anti-slip. These can be craned in and connected within hours for minimal impact on operational continuity. FINISHING TOUCHES – DOES IT MEET AESTHETIC AND DURABILITY CONSIDERATIONS?

Premature ageing of operational assets and their vulnerability to the effects of climate change are of increasing concern.

Security equipment that is not sufficiently ‘climate-proof’ will be a drain on maintenance budgets while risking service disruption if it succumbs to water, heat or wind damage from extreme weather.

Technocover uses high quality steel, galvanising and paint processes to provide 25- year service life. This assures a maintenancefree security system and extended time to replacement, to assist with reliable cost forecasting and resilience planning.

Other features for weather resilience include domed, water-shedding access covers and roofs, raised thresholds on walk-in kiosks, and water sealing systems. Doors, kiosks and louvre windows can be made to blend with contemporary or traditional architecture, using features such as arch headers and colour finishes including wood effects. Technocover is a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of LPCB certificated UltraSecure physical security solutions, proven for critical infrastructure and government sites and backed by a Total Service design-to-install capability. www.technocover.co.uk Tel: 01938 555511 FOUR ESSENTIALS TO SPECIFYING RELIABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE PHYSICAL SECURITY FOR LONGTERM OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE The right choice of physical security will not only safeguard renewable energy installations from criminal attack and unauthorised entry, it can also add significant value to site safety, efficiency and service continuity. Terry Batten of Technocover outlines four key considerations.