The Four Strategies of CPTED

Guidelines For Offices

The 1993 bombing of Manhattan's World Trade Center sent a clear message to the planners and designers of office buildings; as structures grow in size and pedestrian and vehicle traffic increases, safety becomes an extremely important issue.

For Years the World Trade Center served as a model for safe and secure office building construction regardless of the size of the structure being built. All tenants were required to show photo identification upon entering. Metal grilles with letter sized slits covered mail slots. Garage and loading areas were secured by steel, anti-ram barricades. No one could have foreseen the tragic events of September 11, 2001 nor could it have been prevented by traditional security measures. With these types of measures, there is a fine line between a safe office building and a fortress.

• Public entrances should be clearly defined by walkways and signage
  
  
• Building entrances should be accentuated through architectural elements, lighting, landscaping and/or paving stones

• Restrooms should be observable from nearby offices
  
  
• All exterior doors should be well lit
  
  
• Hallways should be well lit
  
  
• Windows and exterior doors should be visible from the street or by neighbors
  
  
• Parking spaces should be assigned to each employee and visitor
  
  
• Parking areas should be visible from windows and doors; side parking areas should be visible from the street
  
  
• Parking areas and pedestrian walkways should be well lit
  
  
• Parking and entrances should be observable by as many people as possible
  
  
• Dumpsters should not create blind spots or hiding areas
  
  
• Elevators and stairwells should be clearly visible from windows and doors
  
  
• Shrubbery should be no more than three feet high for clear visibility
  
  
• The lower branches of existing trees should be kept at least ten feet off the ground
  
  
• Stairwells should be well lit and open to view; not behind solid walls

• Perimeters should be defined by landscaping or fencing
  
  
• Fences should be designed to maintain visibility from street
  
  
• Exterior private areas should be easily distinguishable from public areas
  
  
• Security and/or reception area should be positioned to screen all entrances

• Case hardened dead bolt locks should be installed on all exterior doors with a minimum of one-inch throw
  
  
• Door hinges should be located on the interior side of the door or tamper proof hinges used
  
  
• Exterior door knobs should be a minimum of 40 inches from adjacent windows