How to secure my construction site equipment effectively?

A well-equipped construction site is also a safely equipped construction site at the same time. Efficiency and safety go hand in hand. Storing valuable materials and tools in the right place makes it possible to work efficiently and prevent theft or vandalism.

What is site layout?

Setting out a building site even before construction begins is called site layout. The perimeter of the site is measured, utilities are requested, proper access roads are constructed and site safety is ensured. Site safety is perhaps the most important factor. Because safety for people and materials ensures a trouble-free project without annoying and costly delays. 

Measures for a safe construction site

Of course, there are a number of measures you should take to make your construction site safe for your employees, suppliers, guests and your equipment. These are as follows:

• Place construction fences around your site to keep out unauthorized persons
• Make sure the construction site is well lit at nightfall.
•  Arrange extra security at risk locations such as construction pits, lanes with heavy freight traffic or around cranes
• Make sure all tools and materials are always securely stored to prevent theft
  
  

Mobile camera security

These aspects ensure a safe construction site during working hours. But how do you regulate the security of your site when everyone has gone home? With criminals lurking around, this is definitely something to think carefully about. Mobile camera surveillance can help. Kooi's Unit For Observation (UFO) is a high-performance portable camera system that instantly detects any intruder and deters them with a built-in siren and speaker. The Kooi Alarm Center monitors the images 24/7 and directs follow-up at no cost if required. 

Security check

As project manager at Kooi, Tom Frölich visits many construction sites. Construction site security therefore holds no secrets for him. ‘The ideally designed and secured building site is a compact site surrounded by solid fences, with a good access gate and where everything is in detection of our camera. And (small) equipment is stored in a container as much as possible.’

Slowing down

Tom often visits sites to double-check the position of cameras after the sales manager has had them installed. ‘Inhibition of intruders is the key word,’ Tom says. Slowing down intruders in their efforts to break in or to discourage them has first prioritiy. ‘For example, there should be enough space between construction fences and the equipment to deter thieves. There are known examples where thieves have stolen tens of thousands worth of equipment within a few minutes. Actually, you then want to catch them before they reach the fence. You have to have room to detect them then.’

Tips for safe building site layout

A construction site next to a road where equipment is set up right up against the fence is clearly asking for trouble. And so Tom has several more tips for safe construction site layout:

• Security cameras in plain sight deter from the outset
• Place equipment and tools clearly in view of the camera
• Keep enough space between fences and equipment
• Do not allow foreign vehicles to approach equipment and tools
• Use natural obstacles: ditches or ponds, hills, nearby houses
• Make escape routes impossible

Secure more efficiently

It is therefore important to create space on your construction site if you are going to set it up. Here, project manager Tom also sees an important role for mobile camera security, provided it is called on in good time. ‘In more than 90% of cases, it's ‘ordered today is secured tomorrow,’’ he says. ‘However, it is ideal if we are involved as part of the project preparations. The earlier we are involved in the site design, the more efficiently we can secure the project and the safer it is in the end. Regular customers of ours are already used to this and it works best.’

Get in touch today:
info@247kooi.com 
+31 88 247 5615

Direct contact with our expert: 
Tom Frölich | International Project Manager
Email: t.frölich@247kooi.com 
Phone: +31 6 42 92 25 53