Multi-Housing News - November 2008 - (Page 32)

just as, if “ It iscontrol whonot more, important to has access to the residential sections of the building than it is to provide monitored security systems in each apartment home. ” and report an upcoming visitor, providing all vital information and sparing guests any potential embarrassment. JPI’s Pye reminds management companies that the priority of any security system should be code compliance with the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council. For new developments, Pye recommends incorporating security applications as early as possible. “When you don’t do it early, it might result in a number of change orders—electrical, for example—so it’s more cost effective to do it early,” says Pye. “For existing buildings, it is not too expensive to retrofit depending on the building. For example, reinforced steel is harder to retrofit than a wood frame. If you mess up a code, you‘re playing with life safety.” New technologies make retrofitting easier too. “There are power levers that do not require any wires and regenerate their own power when the lever is turned,” Pye explains. Text messaging technology is also allowing security companies to contact residents when an emer- gency exists by simply talking to their cell phones. “Similar to campuses, some apartment communities are beginning to utilize text message-based reverse 911 programs to broadcast emergency messages to residents’ cell phones,” says Holtz. The best advice when designing an access control or security plan is, according to Selland, for buildings to look at their security system in a holistic way. “Don’t think about each area as its own island—parking, video surveillance, etc. Instead, think about how the whole system fits together and is smoothly integrated.” Once you look at your building and make sure each system works together, regardless of the new trends in technology, your security systems will run more smoothly, especially in times of crisis. MHN To comment, e-mail dmosher@multi-housingnews.com For more features, visit www.multi-housingnews.com NOW AVAILABLE AS A DIGITAL EDITION Multi-Housing News, direct to your laptop or desktop in state-of-the-art format • Easy, reader-friendly navigation – page by page or click directly to the speciﬁc feature you want to read ﬁrst • Sharpest reproduction, zoom features and more • Additional photos and content not available in print • Direct links to advertisers’ web sites • Environmentally sensitive • Easy to store and reference Go to Multi-HousingNews.com and click on SUBSCRIBE at upper right. 32 November 2008 | Multi-Housing News | Producer of Multi-Housing World http://www.multi-housingnews.com http://www.Multi-HousingNews.com http://www.Multi-HousingNews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - November 2008

Multi-Housing News - November 2008
Contents
From the Editor
Perspective: The Economy
Market Pulse
Special Report: People to Watch
Market Report: Southwest
Executive Roundtable: Dealing with the Crisis
Development & Design: TOD
Finance: Workforce Housing
Green Awards/Perspective
Sell Me: Renters Insurance
Products: Recycled Content
Solutions: Security
Property Showcase: Chelsea Modern

Multi-Housing News - November 2008