Emergency & SafetyQuestion 180 of 200
During an extended commercial-property power outage, the security officer's priorities include:
a.Continuing routine patrols only on lit floors, ignoring dark ones
b.Activating backup lighting, verifying that fire alarm/sprinkler systems remain functional, checking on stuck-elevator occupants, monitoring access points (electronic locks may fail open or closed), and maintaining a visible presence to deter opportunistic crime
c.Closing the building immediately and sending everyone home without coordination
d.Letting tenants self-manage — no security role applies
Explanation
Power outages create predictable security failures: electronic locks may fail open (security risk) or closed (egress risk — fire code requires fail-safe egress); elevators trap occupants; surveillance and alarm systems may degrade; opportunistic theft increases. The officer activates backup lighting and radios, walks all areas (including dark ones with a flashlight), checks elevator phones for trapped occupants, monitors entry points, communicates with the client, and documents. Routine patrols (a) cannot be limited to lit floors; uncoordinated closure (c) creates liability; passive disengagement (d) breaches contract.
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