What a Security Needs Assessment involves.

What an SNA is

A Security Needs Assessment (SNA) is a site-specific assessment of the security risk to a development, with proportionate recommendations for the design. It is produced by a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist (SQSS). It is the basis of the standard security credit under both current UK manuals (Hea 08 criteria 1 to 3 under New Construction V7.1, Rsl 04 criteria 5 to 7 under Refurbishment V7): the credit is awarded where the SNA has been carried out by an SQSS and the recommendations incorporated into the design.

What it covers

A good SNA establishes the context of the site and the threats relevant to it and its intended use, assesses the security risks that follow, and sets out a security strategy with proportionate recommendations the design team can act on. It is specific to the site and the scheme: a generic assessment, or one written for a different building, does not satisfy the criteria.

Who can write one

For the standard credit, any consultancy with an SQSS can produce the SNA; the BREEAM manual defines the competency requirements for the specialist. Proctor is in its pilot phase, and during the pilot Toren Consulting Ltd assesses only SNAs it has written itself; SNA Authors from other practices will be trained before their SNAs can be assessed. The detail for consultants is on the SNA Authors page.

When it needs to happen

BREEAM requires the SNA to be carried out during or before Concept Design (RIBA Stage 2). Where the specialist is consulted after that point, the credit remains achievable, provided they confirm that nothing which could have been recommended has been restricted or made impossible by the delay (Hea 08 M1.2, Rsl 04 M3.2). Proctor's cut-off is the end of RIBA Stage 3. The earlier the SNA is commissioned, the more its recommendations can shape the design, and the more credit routes stay open, including the exemplary credit's deemed-met route, which requires the scheme process to commence during Concept Design or earlier.

What you need to provide

The SNA Author needs the project brief, the design information available at the time, and access to the people who understand how the building will be used and secured. For most projects that is a modest ask, and the work runs alongside the design programme.

The SNA and the two credits

The standard security credit requires only the SNA: once the report is issued and its recommendations are incorporated, that credit's work is done. The exemplary credit looks at what happens next. It rewards a security risk management process that continues through design and construction, independently validated against a recognised scheme; under Proctor, that means the specialist's coordination with the design team and the implementation of the measures are assessed and validated alongside the report. How that works is covered in the exemplary security credit, explained.

Related guides

The BREEAM exemplary security credit, explained

Hea 08 and the security credits

Rsl 04 and the security credits