Security
and Safety
Excerpted from "Parking
Structures"
Chapter by Mary S. Smith
Safety
Considerations
Design
hazards can create as great (if not greater) liability
problems as attacks by a third party. The
increasing
tedency to sue for damages over what used to be
accepted as an accident has begun to change some
design philosophies. In many cases, the patron's
own actions, such as drinking alcohol, substantially
contribute to an accident in a design that meets
all codes and standard practices in the industry.
Even so, a jury may hold a facility owner liable
because of the perception of the insurance company's
"deep pockets." Insurance companies,
however, pass these costs on to policy-holders
in the form of increased premiums.
At
the same time, it is important to weigh the possibility
of an accident occurring with other important
life-saving considerations, such as dudrability,
structural integrity, and fire safety. Some features
that enhance security also enhance safety, such
as lighting, visibility, and openness. Also good
maintenance is critical - it will return sustained
yields on the investment in good design.
| Ice
(in snow belt areas) is one of the most frequent
causes of falls in a parking facility. Good
drainage design is the first line of defense.
Some areas of icing may not be preventable.
The most common one occurs at covered/uncovered
ramp junctures. Floor drains can help, but
the water tends to run in a sheet across the
floor, so that it freezes before it gets to
the drain. The owner must be vigilant and
monitor and |
sand
all icing spots as they occur. A slick floor is
another potential hazard, especially in a sloping
ramp facility. A broom or swirl finish provides
both good traction and a durable floor surface.
A
roughened surface should be carried into the stair/elevator
tower, because snow and rain are often tracked
in and may cause slippery spots, especially in
unheated towers. Rubber stud flooring can be applied
to lobbies to correct this problem. Abrasive nosings
are also desirable on stair treads.
Expansion
joints must be carefully designed, and installation
coordinated with temperature conditions, if possible,
to minimize bubbling, buckling, and other tripping
hazards. Good maintenance of expansion joints,
and replacement of broken or missing drain grates
are equally important.
Liability
concerns have made it important to eliminate curbs
and wheel stops in areas where pedestrians are
likely to be present. When adjacent bays are "level"
(sloped for drainage, of course), pedestrians
are likely to cut across the structure between
cars. The cars necessarily create shadows, and
a curb or wheel stop then becomes a potential
tripping hazard.
As
evidenced by the interest and attendance in security
sessions at the conventions of various parking
groups, security is one of the biggest problems
in the industry today. Security is an ongoing
process that good design along will not achieve.
(NOTE:
Robotic Parking systems are classified as low-risk
facilities and offer maximum security. At no time
are patrons actually inside the area where vehicles
are stored.) |
888-ROBOPARK