Two options for enhanced security: Sketches

OVER THE PAST MONTH, in seeking to enhance our synagogue’s security along our Main Street frontage, I have engaged with several fence/gate companies and metal fabricators. Last week, I met on site with a rep from each of two companies that do fabrication and custom work. We looked at what’s possible to achieve within the budget.

With pinions you will be covered;
you will find refuge under God’s wings. 
(Psalm 91; RJPS transl.)

Below the jump, I describe the resulting plans, which exist only in rough form so far. Before proceeding further, I am seeking feedback from members of the congregation. Feel free to call me, to discuss. For me, design is an iterative process, so I expect that there will be considerable improvement before the final product.

Project Goals 

• Increase the protection of staff and of property, especially after hours
• Project pride of ownership
• Project openness/welcoming whenever practical
• Improve the overall look of the frontage without calling undue attention to security measures
• Preserve the distinctive façade; and
• Enhance a security guard’s ability to monitor the vicinity during periods of heightened concern.

Thus I have asked vendors to explore the approach of maxi­mum flexibility—namely, the ability to appear welcoming when the building was open for activities, or to be open to passersby during the day, yet also to protect the building from vandalism and trespassing when the building was closed, without looking like a prison. At the same time, I wished to honor the integrity of the original architecture and façade.

Planned Operation

• The gate(s) would be regularly opened every morning on weekdays and Shabbat, and then closed again at the end of each workday, or at the end of Shabbat activity.
• The opened gates during the day would enable our synagogue to continue to offer a valued civic asset, namely, our front steps and patio — as a place of repose for passersby who often stop to rest, chat, and/or eat lunch, especially in the shade of the largest street tree for blocks around. This open stance would continue to generate good will for our synagogue in the local community. That good will is a vital aspect of our ongoing security.
• The closed gates after hours would presumably reduce the frequency of the trespassing, urination, defecation, and littering that our staff has been dealing with; and it would reduce the risk of vandalism.

Property Boundary

In the image below, the dotted red line shows the approximate perimeter boundary. Although we are legally entitled to close off the area just inside that boundary, it’s an awkward place to do so, in terms of breaking up the flagstoned patio area. Closer to the base of the steps seems to be a more natural (i.e., architecturally suitable) place to position a gate-and-fence assembly.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Plan 1

According to Plan 1, a series of 6′-high gates and fences would be installed along a line in between the perimeter and the steps. 

The elements are illustrated and described below, proceeding from left to right, as viewed when facing the building from the street.

(The sketches that follow do not show individual fence pickets or decorative elements. For those, you need to use your imagination. And ignore the red marks, which are rough notes made by the vendor.)

• Fixed pedes­trian gate with panic bar, to allow for emer­gency exit when the basement is occupied but the main sanctuary is not. 

• Two-panel folding gate on wheels. 

When opened up, this gate would fold behind the pedestrian gate, leav­ing a 6′-wide opening on the patio.

• Fixed fence panel, in front of the planter.

• Folding swing gate on wheels (3 or 4 panels). 

When opened up, this gate would leave a 17′-wide opening in front of the steps, to the left of the stairs’ center handrails.

• Fixed fence panel, in front of the center handrails.

• Folding swing gate on wheels (2 or 3 panels).

• Fixed fence panel, in front of the marquee sign and planter.

Gates closed up

Gates opened up

Materials

All of the above elements would be constructed of steel. The frame members would be 2x2′′ 14-gauge square tubing—

with 3/8′′ square tubing for the pickets, and 3x3′′ 14-gauge square tubing for the gates’ receiver posts. The choice of hollow tubing seems optimal because its relatively light weight would make our moving the gate panels easier than solid steel would.

Plan 2

This approach features a folding Bostwick-style (scissors) gate that would extend across the portico, in front of the columns, when the building is closed. Such a gate looks something like this:

It would be 34′ across and 7′ high. Here is a rough sketch:

When the gate is opened, it would fold up into an 8′–9′ wide section on the right side, meaning that it would not extend past the second column from the right. That is, it would be largely hidden behind the southern planter and the marquee sign. 

Thus the most visible portico sections on the left and in the center would be wide open. The gate’s top and bottom tracks would fold up as the gate is opened, leaving no trace in between the closing anchor on the far left, and the folded-up unit on the far right side.

This Plan 2 has not yet worked out how best to protect the street-level double doors.

Next Steps

Our president plans to have these two basic plans discussed at the board meeting on April 19. The board would be asked which one should be pursued.

Then the B&G Committee would work to refine the chosen plan, taking into account considerations such as: Ensuring that gates open without interfering with passersby • Aesthetics and decorative possi­bilities • Climb resistance • Ease of use • Ease of maintenance • Durability • Resistance to defacement • Emergencies.

If we can come up with an adequate and workable design that fits the budget, we will contract the job. Installation work must start by 7/7 in order to qualify for grant funding.