ABSTRACT
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) has been effective in reducing crime and creating safer buildings when applied appropriately. CPTED has significant benefits to improving fire safety as well, multiplying benefits received. Fires vary depending on a number of factors; however, the ability to easily mount an attack is important in saving lives and limiting losses. Property that is poorly maintained with broken windows, lack of lighting, and so on, may also have similar interior safety or fire hazards such as broken smoke detectors, electrical system problems, and so on. CPTED philosophies that focus on proper design and effective use of the environment are providing operational value during a fire or other emergency incident. Use of CPTED strategies to influence a criminal's decisions before an incident is also effective at reducing risk from other types of emergencies.
