ABSTRACT
To design safe infrastructure, it is crucial to understand the relationship between architects and engineers and how the security designer needs to interface with them.
Most of the time, architects and engineers develop construction documents and coordinate their efforts without a security designer as part of their team. This is not uncommon, as we find that the electrical engineer, and not an electronics specialist, generally designs fire alarms and building automation systems. However, with the onset of advanced technologies and the associated complexities, fire safety and security systems have become disciplines unto themselves. The design profession used to be of the mind set that security was much like the telephone company, in that you construct the building and then request that the security contractor come and install their equipment. Today’s facilities require far more planning and design. Architecture is a complex and creative discipline that requires specific skills, years of education, and a long track record of project experience to master. Architects, engineers, and security professionals must all communicate with each other and coordinate their specific requirements, but they do not need to do each other’s jobs. Clearly we must appreciate what each one has to offer to the design process.
