This article was taken from the September 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
An Englishman's home may be his castle, but in the 21st century no oligarch or A-lister's property is complete without a panic room. Security expert Chris McGoey reveals how you can build your own.
PRIME LOCATION
The simplest method is to transform a room that has no windows and only one door. If you don't have a spare room, fear not, says McGoey: "I have some clients who have picked a solid, heavy closet." Position within the home is also crucial: "Ask yourself what room can you get to quickly, and does it have a doorway that is a significant barrier that could keep somebody out, even just to delay them?"
DOOR POLICY
Reinforcement is essential. First, replace the existing door with a solid-core version. Hang it so that it opens outwards, making it more difficult to break down. Most important of all, says McGoey, are the doorjamb and doorframe. "You could have a very strong metal door, but if your strike plate or doorjamb is weak then it will just break right away." As for the locks, use deadbolts rather than keys.
UP THE WALL
If you're adapting a closet, or you know your home has a flimsy construction, you will need to reinforce the walls. Steel, Kevlar and bulletproof fibreglass are the best options. However, McGoey advises against soundproofing: "Let the intruder know that the police have been called, and that they're en route," he says. The aim of a panic room is to provide a line of defence until police or backup arrive.
STAY CONNECTED "You have to have communication from inside the room," says McGoey. "A mobile phone should be the first choice, then a
[burglar] alarm keypad." Although a landline would ensure there's a permanent connection in the panic room, it can be cut easily, so keep a separate mobile phone and charger in the room. As for surveillance cameras, McGoey dismisses them as, generally, Hollywood fantasy.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
