Best Practices for Building Security

 

Facilities Management is actively concerned for the safety of all students, staff, faculty, and visitors on campus, as well as the security of University-owned assets.  Safety and security are best achieved when all members of the campus community work together to promote a safe and secure environment; therefore, Facilities Management recommends the following Best Practices for Interior Door Security.

GENERAL

  • Each individual is responsible for the security of his or her own department, building, office, class, lab, or shop.  These areas are to be secured before leaving each area.  Personnel should use all precautions in maintaining the highest level of security to protect University property.
  • Notify Facilities Management (x6331) immediately if you find any doors that are not operating or latching correctly.
  • Keys and access cards are to be used for official University business only.  If you do not have a business purpose to be in a certain area, you should not enter it, regardless of whether or not you have access to a key to that area.
  • Report deliberate violations of policies and procedures related to building access immediately.
  • Report any suspicious activities immediately.

DOORS

  • Ensure that doors latch (and lock, if applicable) behind you when you go through them, especially after hours.
    • Professors and instructors should ensure that their classrooms are secured at the end of each class period.  This includes closing and securing windows and ensuring that the door is latched and locked.
    • It is the responsibility of all personnel using buildings after regular hours to see that the lights are turned off in the rooms they are vacating and that interior and exterior doors are secured.
  • Do not prop doors open.
  • Do not admit anyone to spaces if you do not know who they are and that they have a business need to be in that space.
  • If you come across an open door that you suspect should be closed, please close and ensure the door is latched or report it to University Police (x6460).

KEYS AND ACCESS CARDS

  • You have been entrusted with key(s) and/or an access card.  Please take personal responsibility for the access you have been granted.
    • Do not share your keys or access cards with anyone else.  They are assigned to you solely for your use.
    • Keep them in a secure location at all times.
    • If your key or access card is used inappropriately, you are held responsible.  Many access points log entries and this information is stored in a secured database.  Further, many areas have video cameras.
    • Do not grant access to people you do not know.
    • Do not allow people you don't know to "tailgate" behind you.  Each person should present their own key or credentials for access.
  • Keys and access cards remain the property of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
  • Lost keys and/or access cards must be reported to Facilities Management and University Police immediately.  Access cards can be deactivated easily (and can also be reactivated if your card is located).  Quickly disabling access levels on a lost card can prevent unauthorized access to secure locations on campus.
  • Keys no longer needed shall be returned to Facilities Management.  Do not transfer them to anyone else.
  • Do not try to duplicated or alter any University keys as such behavior is illegal (Utah Code Ann. §63A-5-501, et. seq.).
  • Avoid keeping keys on a key ring that has identifying information as to the location for which the key is used.  This way, if the keys are lost, it would be difficult for someone to know where on campus it might be used.
  • Do not hide keys outside the areas to be accessed.
  • If you find keys on campus, please take them to Facilities Management, University Police, or University Lost and Found.  If you cannot deliver the keys to one of those locations, please call Facilities Management (x6331) and we will arrange to pick them up.

LOCKS WITH NUMERICAL COMBINATIONS

  • The combination should be routinely changed, including each time a department employee leaves and at the end of each semester.

WINDOWS

  • Ensure that windows are closed and locked when you leave a room.