Rooftop doors and hatches are often overlooked in building security, yet they pose serious risks if not properly secured. Whether in commercial, industrial, or multi-family buildings, these entry points can be exploited by intruders, vandals, or tenants/residents that can create a liability issue for you. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial to protecting your property.
Common Security Risks & solutions
- Vulnerable to Break In: If a latch can be accessed from the inside it is easy to pry open the door. Cover exposed door latches with a full-length interlocking guard.
- Unsecured Access Points – Many rooftop doors don’t latch properly or have outdated locking mechanisms, making them easy targets for unauthorized access. Install high-security locks which are pick, bump and drill resistant or an electronic access control system that is cloud based and lets you manage access 24/7 remotely using a mobile device. Align latches and strikes to ensure the door is closing securely.
- Poor Visibility & Surveillance – Rooftops are typically out of view from the ground or security staff, allowing intruders to work undetected. Install cameras with motion detectors to ensure surveillance coverage includes these rooftop access points.
- Lack of Alarm Integration – Rooftop doors and hatches often aren’t connected to a building’s main alarm system, meaning breaches may go unnoticed. Be sure to connect rooftop doors to the building’s alarm and monitoring systems.
- Weak Structural Integrity – Old or weather-damaged doors can be forced open with minimal effort. Conduct regular checks on the condition and status of all rooftop entries by looking for damage, sagging or rust that is preventing the door from shutting properly. Repair or replace these access areas with steel doors and frames.
- Contractor Negligence – Temporary access granted to maintenance workers or contractors can become a permanent vulnerability if keys or codes aren’t changed. Only authorized personnel should have access and log every entry and exit using mobile management tools.
REAL WORLD INCIDENT
In December 2024, people who did not live in a multi-family building were gaining access to the stairwell and breaking on to the rooftop by prying open a standard latch guard. This caused safety concerns, as well as property damage, within the building.
We replaced the door that had been damaged and installed an in-swing full length interlocking latch guard to prevent the door from being pried open in the future.
After we installed the full-length interlocking latch guard, another break in was attempted. The lever was removed and the latch guard pried at, as seen by the scratches on the wall, but the break-in was unsuccessful due to the full-length interlocking latch guard
Rooftop doors may seem like a distant concern—but in security, the weakest point is the most likely to be targeted. Make sure your rooftop access is as secure as your front door.
Contact our team of security experts to learn more about how we can secure your rooftop doors.
