Site Security

SDS manages standalone detached Record Centres. The buildings are windowless but well ventilated. The perimeters are illuminated during the hours of darkness and security-gated and fenced.

The Record Centres are existing, solid structures with good floor-loading capability. They do not have flat roofs, damp penetration, or water or waste pipes passing through the storage areas. The Record Centres have 7 tiers of purpose-built racking and are:

• Situated away from, and protected against, hazards of fire, flood, subsidence, atmospheric pollution, noise and vandalism.
• Free standing, single occupancy buildings.
• Fully accessible for the purposes of the emergency services.
• Easily accessible and in close/communicable proximity to the Head Office.
• Easily accessible for deliveries and parking.
• Oriented to minimise direct sunlight.

An appropriate intruder alarm system with Red Care signalling is installed across the SDS site and is backed up by CCTV and web cam. All visitors are accompanied onsite and all contractors are subject to the SDS contractor management system. It is therefore the case that SDS Record Centres are secure, as far as is possible, against theft, burglary, vandalism, terrorism and other criminal acts. There have been no security breaches to date.

In August 2006 SDS upgraded its fire detection system, working in conjunction with a Fire Safety Consultant and buildings insurer. A local supplier was chosen for the provision and installation of the new system and SDS guarantees its new fire alarm system to BS5839 with detection and Red Care signalling. There have been no incidences of fire to date.

Please note that the Record Centres are within short attendance time of all emergency services.

SDS has been reassessed by its insurer to ensure that all insurance is appropriate to business.

All personnel and SDS vehicles have security passes and codes and personnel are vetted to BS7858.

In addition to this SDS would like to add that authorised entry to operational areas by visitors is carefully controlled. Electronic gates and an intercom system are soon to be installed. All visitors are required to enter via the main reception and record their visit in the visitor’s book. First time visitors will be required to complete an information sheet and sign up to visitor arrangements for Health and Safety.