The consultancy and trainers SGW Safety & Security Ltd (SGW) report that they have become one of the first companies to be granted a SABRE Company Licence by BRE Global Ltd.
SGW’s UK and United Arab Emirates offices are included in the scope of SGW’s Licence number SLC-004, from where SGW are able to offer SABRE Assessment Services internationally, per the scope and geographical reach of the company’s professional indemnity insurance provisions.
SGW are licenced to provide the SABRE certification scheme to new and existing customers to recognise best practice; and can now offer SABRE assessments to those involved in a range of infrastructure operations and construction.
What is SABRE?
Briefly, it’s a security risk assessment and certification scheme for new and existing buildings and built infrastructure assets. SABRE is owned by BRE Global Ltd (part of the BRE group), the UK-based provider of independent, third party certification of fire, security, and environmental products. SABRE is the result of scientific research funded by the BRE Trust. The SABRE scheme incorporates nine technical stages and 70 assessment issues. To meet the criteria for SABRE certification, each stage has an aim accompanied by metrics to demonstrate compliance.
To determine the approach to security of any new or existing building or infrastructure asset there are, as SGW says, long-established principles of international management and risk management. These include:
– Establishing facility security requirements
– Managing security risks
– Planning and designing an appropriate security system; and
– Implementation of plans and, for existing facilities, managing change at a facility.
Ratings
It is not possible to guarantee that all of a facility will be secure all the time. Hence SABRE rates facilities on a sliding scale between ‘acceptable’ (one star) and ‘outstanding’ (five stars). The higher the rating, the more closely the SABRE framework was followed and the greater the level of assurance one can have in the approach to security risk management at a facility.
It is important to note that not all facilities need strive for the highest possible SABRE Rating. In some cases, ‘acceptable’ may be good enough. Applicants are encouraged to seek advice from a SABRE Registered Assessor when determining a target SABRE Rating.
Comment
Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director of SGW said: ‘I am delighted that SGW has become one of the first companies to be granted a SABRE Licence by BRE Global Limited. I firmly believe that the SABRE scheme will prove to be a highly-recognised means of ensuring that the security design and assessment process for built infrastructure assets is fit for purpose, commensurate with risk and third party certified to robust standards. Furthermore, I believe the recent launch of SABRE by BRE Global Limited is suitably timely given the content of the recent letter sent to all Local Authority chief planners in the UK by Stave Quartermain, CBE, Chief Planner at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Mr Quartermain’s letter reminded local planning authorities of the important role which the planning system has in ensuring appropriate measures are in place in relation to counter-terrorist and crime prevention security. I also believe SABRE will eventually be a key component in the future of how the planning system will be used to create safe and secure urban environments.’
Visit www.sgw-consulting.co.uk.
