This article gives a brief overview of the Standards Australia (SA) Handbook (HB) 188: 2021 (Physical Protective Security). The handbook was prepared by a Standards Australia Consultative Committee. Agilient was proud to be a member of the Committee.
HB 188 provides guidance on identifying and assessing relevant sources of risk (particularly terrorism, civil commotion and malicious damage) and implementing suitable controls to mitigate the likelihood and consequences related to these threat sources. The handbook is structured with the following sections:
- Identification of physical threats
- Security risk assessment
- Risk treatment
- Testing, evaluation, monitoring and review
What does HB 188 provide?
HB 188 provides guidance on identifying and assessing relevant sources of building risk associated with threat sources (especially terrorism, civil commotion, and malicious damage) and implementing suitable controls to mitigate the likelihood and consequences related to these threat sources. The focus is on reducing physical damage potential to buildings that may result from such acts. The adoption of HB 188 seeks to reduce the costs and business interruption associated with extreme and violent events, primarily through the targeted design of building infrastructure and other physical controls. The following threat sources associated with extreme violence and/or terrorism are addressed in the handbook:
- Arson
- Hostile vehicle attacks
- Explosive attacks
- Chemical, biological, radiological (CBR) attacks
- Sabotage
- Cyber-attacks
- Armed attacks
- Violent protests
These events generally involve considerable premeditation and planning and are regarded as deliberate attacks. In the handbook, deliberate attacks are distinguished from opportunistic attacks (such as unplanned assaults or thefts). Perpetrators of deliberate attacks are referred to as ‘offenders’ throughout the handbook. For security risks that are not addressed by HB 188, refer to SA HB 167 (Security Risk Management).
HB 188 applies to public, private and not-for-profit organizations of any size that have a need for physical protective security services for buildings. The handbook is particularly relevant to commercial, industrial, retail and large residential strata properties.
Intended for use by base-building owners, operators and managers responsible for the process of risk mitigation, the handbook encourages a proactive approach to risk management through the advance identification and assessment of threats. The term ‘building owner’ is used throughout HB 188 to collectively describe all intended users. Ideally, the guidance in the handbook should be applied at the early stages of building conceptualization, embedding risk controls into the building’s core design. However, the concepts raised remain highly applicable throughout the lifecycle of building management and should inform periodic testing and security reviews.
In what situations can HB 188 be used?
The handbook can be used for the following building, assessment and inspection purposes:
- Building design phase
- Assessments and inspections prior to the sale or acquisition of buildings
- Retrofitting, redesign, repurpose or renovation of buildings
- During regular risk reviews, involving the assessment of existing risk mitigation and identification of areas for corrective action
- As part of a larger risk management framework and to support the process of business decision making and analysis
- Planning of special events on premises
- As part of a larger reporting program for building security and safety
- As part of targeted risk and security culture and awareness programs, or larger resiliency programs
- To assess the relevance of emerging, newly identified or recently highlighted risks such as terrorism or acts of extreme violence
Once it’s published you will be able to purchase HB 188 from Standards Australia. For more information on the standards and their implementation, contact Agilient today.
Author: Mark Bezzina, Agilient Managing Director