2018recapViolence
2018recapViolence
2018recapViolence
2018recapViolence
2018recapViolence

BUILDINGS’ Year in Review: 2018 Security Trends

Dec. 10, 2018
A look back at security trends in 2018, including active shooter incidents, the aftermath of the Mandalay Bay shooting, access control technology and fire hazards.

2018 was a tumultuous year in many ways, from acts of violence in the news to startling legal developments stemming from last year’s mass shooting at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Yet these same developments also allowed us to explore opportunities for BUILDINGS readers to protect their own occupants with safer facilities.

Everyone wants to be safe at home, at work, at school and at play, but the ways to accomplish that aren’t always immediately obvious.

Help BUILDINGS Shape 2019!

Hostile Event - NFPA 3000

In May, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released NFPA 3000, its landmark provisional standard for planning for, responding to and recovering from hostile events, including shootings.

Active Shooter Drills - An Eye-Opening Encounter

My personal most memorable security coverage came in November, when I participated in active shooter training. It’s one thing to write about what to do during incidents – it’s another thing entirely to practice escaping from your own workplace.

Mandalay Bay: One Year Later

Security in Vegas a Year Later

Jeff Heilman, a longtime contributor to BUILDINGS’ sister publication Meetings Today, also examined how security practices in Las Vegas have changed in the year since the Harvest Festival shooting.

Access Control Evolves

Security has always been a core value for facilities managers, but the ways facilities professionals keep their tenants safe evolves alongside technology, staff writer Sarah Kloepple wrote in September. She was referring to smartphone credentials for access control, a solution that eliminates the expense of re-keying and managing physical credentials.

Innovative solutions like these are a win-win for building occupants and facilities managers alike. Users love that the readers detect their credentials inside their purse or pocket as they approach.

Facilities teams are able to create and revoke access permissions instantly without the time, expense and hassle of printing badges or cutting keys.

It’s hard to guess what new safety and security developments 2019 will bring, but we’re committed to staying on top of it. Our resolution for the new year is to help you keep your occupants and your facility safe no matter what the future holds.

We also looked at six ways to strengthen access control systems, from figuring out levels of access to specifying the right features.

It’s easy to become complacent if what you have seems to be working, but if there’s one thing the events of 2018 have shown us, it’s that staying vigilant is crucial. Periodically revisiting your access control system and other security measures is a key part of keeping people safe.

Buildings Bulletin features exclusive content, case studies, our new podcasts, spotlighted products and Buildings Education opportunities.

You’ll stay informed on key management systems, expert tips and best practices in the industry.

Sign up today.

Fire Hazards

Codes and standards for fire safety systems and materials that deter fire spread have existed for years, but that doesn’t mean they’re always followed. This year delivered a pair of surprising fire safety standard violations.

Fire Code Violations at University Dorms

We examined how the University of North Carolina Asheville had to pay $2,500 per day to post firefighters in its newest dorms after an inspection revealed that the buildings fall short of fire safety standards. Not long after that, fire code violations were in the news again, this time at an assisted living center in Virginia with a malfunctioning dry sprinkler system, an extinguisher in need of maintenance and an emergency escape light that didn’t work.

Ways Your Fire Safety System Could Be Failing

Code guru Rob Neale, principal of Integra Code Consultants, shared some of the most egregious violations he’s spotted in his more than 40 years in municipal fire protection, training, consulting and investigating.
All of the photos were disturbing in their own way, but the one I personally found most jarring was the pile of cardboard and other combustibles stacked right next to the heater at a fire station – in other words, somewhere you’d expect everyone to know better.

It’s hard to guess what new safety and security developments 2019 will bring, but we’re committed to staying on top of it. Our resolution for the new year is to help you keep your occupants and your facility safe no matter what the future holds.

We have a digital edition of each magazine we produce each month. 

If you prefer to hold it in your hands or put it out in your building for your occupants to read, you can subscribe for free.

(We even have digital vintage editions of BUILDINGS magazine from as far back as 1913.)

More year-in-review articles:

About the Author

Janelle Penny | Editor-in-Chief at BUILDINGS

Janelle Penny has more than a decade of experience in journalism, with a special emphasis on covering facilities management. She aims to deliver practical, actionable content for facilities professionals.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

INFOGRAPHIC: Unlocking the Value of a Smart Building

How do you make a smart building even smarter? Download the Infographic below to discover what happened when one customer used AI-enabled building technology to achieve their ...

Streamline & Enhance Inspection Process in Order to Save Money & Expedite Repairs

Download the case study to learn how to streamline inspections, save money, and expedite repairs.

Building Security & Technology Month

This special collaborative series will consist of the four one-hour events below, as well as an Executive Summary Digital eBook distributed to all readers that will be available...

Elevator Emergency Communication Code Compliance: Must-Knows

You probably know that elevator code is anything but straightforward, which isn't ideal when noncompliance can result in massive liabilities. What's more? Recent code updates ...