The TAPA FSR requires a duress or panic alarm button be installed in a covert position in visitor entry points and tested weekly.
Where should the covert panic button be installed?
The panic button should be installed at every visitor entrance. Common visitor entrances is the reception area in the administrative building and the dispatch office in the warehouse.
What does covert mean?
Covert means hidden, concealed, secret, or disguised. A covert panic button needs to be installed in a place easy to reach, but normally out of sight.
Covert panic buttons are ideally installed under the desk within easy reach with the fingers, knee or foot.
Who should the panic button alert?
There are a number of panic button scenarios.
Some companies have a panic button that automatically alerts the police. If the panic button is pushed, the police arrive as soon as possible. The police will normally charge the company if there is a false alarm.
Other companies have a panic button that will alert the 3rd party security company. The security company will either review the live CCTV system feed or place a phone call to the company. A control word can be used to cancel further action.
Still other companies may alert their own work force in another area of the facility. If the panic button is pushed, a light will flash in another office or warehouse. A designated person can then telephone the receptionist or otherwise determine if there is an emergency. If there is an emergency, the police may be called.
Bad Ideas
A covert panic button should not be a fob in the pocket of a receptionist or guard. This will result in many false alarms.
The panic button should not hang on the wall of the office out of reach in case of emergency. The panic button will be out of reach in the event of an actual robbery.
The panic button should not be an obvious button on the keyboard or a button on a telephone. A big red button will only draw the attention to itself.
Do not have a local audible alarm in the area where the panic button is installed. If the intruder hears the alarm, it could endanger the person that pushed the panic button.
Do not have local flashing lights activated in the area where the panic button is installed. Again, this could endanger the person that pushed the button.
Do not only train part of the employees regarding security awareness and robbery response. Some companies only training warehouse workers and drivers. All office personnel should get the security awareness and robbery response training.
Good Ideas
If the panic button is pushed, the alarm should notify the external security company if a 3rd party security company is used. The 3rd party security company will have the necessary experience to handle the possible problem without over reacting.
If the panic button is pushed, both an alarm and / or flashing light could notify warehouse personnel of a possible problem. This is especially important if there is no 3rd party security partner. Warehouse personnel can follow the procedure for verifying the emergency. It might also be possible for warehouse workers to evacuate the building if necessary.
The panic button should be tested on a weekly basis and the results of the test documented as evidence of compliance.
All personnel (administrative, warehouse, and drivers) should have security awareness and robbery response training as part of the company’s security program. TAPA requires such training within 60 days of employment with refresher training every two years.