Building Security Control Room
The Building Security Control Room contains all security control operations for the courthouse. From this centralized area, all security zones and safety alarm systems are monitored and assistance dispatched. The security control room must be staffed constantly during regular work hours.
The building security control room serves as headquarters during any emergency. From here personnel would be dispatched in response to emergencies and external agencies would be summoned or notified.
The size of the security control room will vary with the size of the court facility. A minimum of 100 square feet should be provided, with larger units being 400 to 500 square feet. Any satellite stations located on court floors may be 60 to 80 square feet.
The security control room should have proper thermostatic and ventilation conditions, as this improves the concentration of the officers on duty. High-density lighting should be used, but not so high that it creates a glare on the television monitors. All power and lighting for this room should be from the building’s emergency electrical service. All equipment should be on an uninterruptible power supply and all electricity should be conditioned.
The central control room should have an equipment room and toilets for staff.
The control units and toilets should be accessible to persons with disabilities.
The security control room should be centrally located near the main public entrance, or it may be located near or in the central holding area close to secure circulation. In larger courthouses, additional security stations should be located on the court floors, near the public circulation areas.
In larger facilities, an alternative arrangement would be to decentralize security access by locating a security station on each court-floor.
No unauthorized persons should have access to the security control room. Access to the life safety equipment panel should be limited to building management. Also located with the central security control room is the protective equipment such as security and duress alarms, fire alarm, emergency elevator control, public address system, fire alarm enunciator panel, etc.
The security control room shall contain a combination desk and control panel, a lockable file cabinet, and a storage locker. The security stations are open workstations consisting of a desk and chair.
Appropriate power and cabling should be provided for the security equipment and monitors. Multiple phone lines should include those dedicated to internal courthouse use and dedicated external lines to supporting agencies.