Article

Evaluating the physical protection afforded by a building

Unauthorized entry into buildings can be gained by breaking through walls, floors and roofs, as well as through doors and window openings. Factors that should be considered in evaluating the vulnerabilities of walls, floors, roofs and accessible openings to unauthorized entry include the following:

Walls

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Exterior walls are of construction that would be difficult to penetrate?      
There are no structures, building alcoves or overgrown foliage that could provide cover for an intruder?      
Required burglar alarm protection has been installed?      
There is adequate outside lighting to serve as a deterrent to burglary?      
Exterior lighting fixtures are protected against breakage?      

Floors

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Building is constructed so that the floor is not readily accessible from underneath?      
The floor is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
The floor is inaccessible from underneath through sewers and utility passages?      
Basement doors are of substantial construction and protected with ironwork, such as gates or bars, installed on the inside behind the door?      
Basement windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
Padlocks used to secure sidewalk openings are of substantial construction, and have hardened shackles to resist sawing and cutting?      
Padlock hasps have hardened staples and are solidly mounted?      

Roof

Yes

No

Action to be taken
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access the roof?      
The roof is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
Skylights, air vents and other roof openings are protected by grilles or burglar bars, or otherwise secured?      

Accessible openings

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Side and rear doors are of solid wood or steel construction, and installed in reinforced steel frames?      
Glass panels on side and rear doors are of burglary resisting glazing material listed by Underwriters Laboratories, or are backed up by such materials?      
All exterior doors are provided with deadbolt locks that have at least one inch throw?      
Side and rear doors are provided with supplemental protection, such as a gate, police bar or four point locking device?      
Outward swinging doors are provided with hinges that have non-removable pins?      
The front of the business (entrance and show windows) is provided with a roll-down grille or gate (if aesthetics are of concern, the grille or grate can be installed on the inside of the premises behind the glass surface)?      
Side and rear windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access an upper story window?      

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC MAR 2019 14-104
171-0850 (3/14)

Related resources

Evaluating the physical protection afforded by a building

Unauthorized entry into buildings can be gained by breaking through walls, floors and roofs, as well as through doors and window openings. Factors that should be considered in evaluating the vulnerabilities of walls, floors, roofs and accessible openings to unauthorized entry include the following:

Walls

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Exterior walls are of construction that would be difficult to penetrate?      
There are no structures, building alcoves or overgrown foliage that could provide cover for an intruder?      
Required burglar alarm protection has been installed?      
There is adequate outside lighting to serve as a deterrent to burglary?      
Exterior lighting fixtures are protected against breakage?      

Floors

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Building is constructed so that the floor is not readily accessible from underneath?      
The floor is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
The floor is inaccessible from underneath through sewers and utility passages?      
Basement doors are of substantial construction and protected with ironwork, such as gates or bars, installed on the inside behind the door?      
Basement windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
Padlocks used to secure sidewalk openings are of substantial construction, and have hardened shackles to resist sawing and cutting?      
Padlock hasps have hardened staples and are solidly mounted?      

Roof

Yes

No

Action to be taken
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access the roof?      
The roof is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
Skylights, air vents and other roof openings are protected by grilles or burglar bars, or otherwise secured?      

Accessible openings

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Side and rear doors are of solid wood or steel construction, and installed in reinforced steel frames?      
Glass panels on side and rear doors are of burglary resisting glazing material listed by Underwriters Laboratories, or are backed up by such materials?      
All exterior doors are provided with deadbolt locks that have at least one inch throw?      
Side and rear doors are provided with supplemental protection, such as a gate, police bar or four point locking device?      
Outward swinging doors are provided with hinges that have non-removable pins?      
The front of the business (entrance and show windows) is provided with a roll-down grille or gate (if aesthetics are of concern, the grille or grate can be installed on the inside of the premises behind the glass surface)?      
Side and rear windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access an upper story window?      

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC MAR 2019 14-104
171-0850 (3/14)

Related resources

Evaluating the physical protection afforded by a building

Unauthorized entry into buildings can be gained by breaking through walls, floors and roofs, as well as through doors and window openings. Factors that should be considered in evaluating the vulnerabilities of walls, floors, roofs and accessible openings to unauthorized entry include the following:

Walls

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Exterior walls are of construction that would be difficult to penetrate?      
There are no structures, building alcoves or overgrown foliage that could provide cover for an intruder?      
Required burglar alarm protection has been installed?      
There is adequate outside lighting to serve as a deterrent to burglary?      
Exterior lighting fixtures are protected against breakage?      

Floors

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Building is constructed so that the floor is not readily accessible from underneath?      
The floor is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
The floor is inaccessible from underneath through sewers and utility passages?      
Basement doors are of substantial construction and protected with ironwork, such as gates or bars, installed on the inside behind the door?      
Basement windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
Padlocks used to secure sidewalk openings are of substantial construction, and have hardened shackles to resist sawing and cutting?      
Padlock hasps have hardened staples and are solidly mounted?      

Roof

Yes

No

Action to be taken
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access the roof?      
The roof is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
Skylights, air vents and other roof openings are protected by grilles or burglar bars, or otherwise secured?      

Accessible openings

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Side and rear doors are of solid wood or steel construction, and installed in reinforced steel frames?      
Glass panels on side and rear doors are of burglary resisting glazing material listed by Underwriters Laboratories, or are backed up by such materials?      
All exterior doors are provided with deadbolt locks that have at least one inch throw?      
Side and rear doors are provided with supplemental protection, such as a gate, police bar or four point locking device?      
Outward swinging doors are provided with hinges that have non-removable pins?      
The front of the business (entrance and show windows) is provided with a roll-down grille or gate (if aesthetics are of concern, the grille or grate can be installed on the inside of the premises behind the glass surface)?      
Side and rear windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access an upper story window?      

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC MAR 2019 14-104
171-0850 (3/14)

Related resources

Evaluating the physical protection afforded by a building

Unauthorized entry into buildings can be gained by breaking through walls, floors and roofs, as well as through doors and window openings. Factors that should be considered in evaluating the vulnerabilities of walls, floors, roofs and accessible openings to unauthorized entry include the following:

Walls

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Exterior walls are of construction that would be difficult to penetrate?      
There are no structures, building alcoves or overgrown foliage that could provide cover for an intruder?      
Required burglar alarm protection has been installed?      
There is adequate outside lighting to serve as a deterrent to burglary?      
Exterior lighting fixtures are protected against breakage?      

Floors

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Building is constructed so that the floor is not readily accessible from underneath?      
The floor is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
The floor is inaccessible from underneath through sewers and utility passages?      
Basement doors are of substantial construction and protected with ironwork, such as gates or bars, installed on the inside behind the door?      
Basement windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
Padlocks used to secure sidewalk openings are of substantial construction, and have hardened shackles to resist sawing and cutting?      
Padlock hasps have hardened staples and are solidly mounted?      

Roof

Yes

No

Action to be taken
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access the roof?      
The roof is of such construction that it cannot be easily penetrated?      
Skylights, air vents and other roof openings are protected by grilles or burglar bars, or otherwise secured?      

Accessible openings

Yes

No

Action to be taken
Side and rear doors are of solid wood or steel construction, and installed in reinforced steel frames?      
Glass panels on side and rear doors are of burglary resisting glazing material listed by Underwriters Laboratories, or are backed up by such materials?      
All exterior doors are provided with deadbolt locks that have at least one inch throw?      
Side and rear doors are provided with supplemental protection, such as a gate, police bar or four point locking device?      
Outward swinging doors are provided with hinges that have non-removable pins?      
The front of the business (entrance and show windows) is provided with a roll-down grille or gate (if aesthetics are of concern, the grille or grate can be installed on the inside of the premises behind the glass surface)?      
Side and rear windows are protected with ironwork, such as burglar screens or bars?      
There is no equipment or structure, such as a ladder or fire escape, which could be used by a burglar to access an upper story window?      

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC MAR 2019 14-104
171-0850 (3/14)