Security Equipment
Security Equipment tests what each aid does, how to operate it, and how to keep it serviceable.
Common equipment
- HHMD (hand-held metal detector): sweep close to the body at a steady speed; it detects metal mass, not 'weapons'; test it with a known object at the start of every shift; it will alarm on keys, belt buckles and medical implants.
- DFMD (door frame metal detector): walk-through, one person at a time, empty pockets into a tray, keep sensitivity as calibrated; do not lean through the frame.
- Baggage X-ray scanner: the operator reads shape, density and organic/inorganic colour coding; lead curtains must stay closed; no food or living beings through the machine.
- Turnstile and boom barrier: anti-tailgating function, with a manual release for emergencies.
- Access control: cards, PIN, biometrics; never share a card or PIN; report a lost card immediately.
- Communication: radio with spare battery and charger log.
- Others: torch, baton, whistle, body-worn camera, fire extinguisher, first-aid box, and keys held under signature.
- Fault handling: tag out, report and log; a defective detector or camera is a security gap, not a small inconvenience.
Worked example
The HHMD alarms continuously on a visitor with nothing visible on him. Reasoning: it could be a large belt buckle, a medical implant, or a concealed item - you cannot assume innocence or guilt. Correct action: ask him to place metal items in a tray, re-scan, and if it still alarms, conduct a same-sex pat-down or use a second detector, explaining the reason politely.
Traps that cost marks
- Not testing equipment at the start of the shift.
- Changing scanner settings or wiping camera logs without authorisation.