Suitably Qualified Security Specialist

In September 2017, BRE Global introduced the first registration scheme for security professionals wanting to demonstrate their ability to act as a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist (SQSS). This is as referenced in the BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) UK New Construction scheme.

The security of buildings and surrounding spaces are important in creating places which are sustainable and will stand the test of time. For this reason, security has been an integrated component of the BREEAM UK New Construction scheme for some time.

To earn the credits for security contained in section HEA06 of BREEAM UK New Construction, the project team must involve a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist (SQSS) to evaluate the likely threats and associated risks posed towards a building, and offer strategic recommendations to the project team as to what design and technical measures may be deployed to protect it.

An SQSS must have specific knowledge and skills (relevant to the complexity of the project) to enable the project team to arrive at appropriate, proportionate and effective security solutions. Those skills are demonstrated by a minimum level of experience, an academic qualification in the field, and a membership to a relevant professional body.

To assist project teams in finding an SQSS, BREEAM now recognises SABRE Registered Professionals as being able to offer this service. A SABRE Registered Professional must possess the SQSS designation, which signifies their experience in the areas of threat assessment, risk assessment, and in preparing strategic security recommendations.

In addition, SABRE Registered Professionals, along with a SABRE Registered Assessor, can assist the project team in achieving SABRE certification for their project, which in turn earns the security credits available in the BREEAM UK New Construction scheme.

SABRE (Security Assurance by BRE) is an international security assessment and certification scheme for new and existing buildings and built infrastructure assets. The scheme recognises and rewards good practice and inspires those involved in the construction and operation of buildings to measure their performance so they can make informed investment decisions, communicate their security credentials to interested parties and benefit from greater transparency.

This article was originally published here by BRE Buzz on 19 Sept 2017. It was written by Gareth Hulmes.

--BRE Buzz

According to the Home Quality Mark One, a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist (SQSS) is:

An individual achieving any of the following can be considered to be 'suitably qualified' for the purposes of compliance with HQM:

1. Crime Prevention Design Advisors (CPDA), Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCO) or Architectural Liaison Officers (ALO), or
2. A specialist registered with a HQM-recognised third party accreditation scheme for security specialists, or
3. A practising security consultant who meets the following requirements:

• a. Minimum of three years relevant experience within the last five years. This experience must clearly demonstrate a practical understanding of factors affecting security in relation to construction and the built environment, relevant to the type and scale of the project being undertaken.
• b. Holds a suitable qualification relevant to security.
• c. Maintains (full) membership to a relevant professional body or accreditation scheme that meets the following: (i) Has a professional code of conduct, to which members must adhere; and (ii) Ongoing membership is subject to peer review.

When appointing the suitably qualified security specialist, consideration should be given to the appropriateness of the individual to carry out the security needs assessment, based on the size, scope and security needs of the development.

Organisations, associations or scheme operators who wish to have their membership recognised as a ‘third party accreditation scheme for security specialists', should review their current status (and therefore their members) against the requirements above and, where they feel they are compliant, contact BRE Global with the relevant information or evidence.

Ref Home Quality Mark One, Technical Manual SD239, England, Scotland & Wales, published by BRE in 2018. http://www.homequalitymark.com/standard

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