Securing Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners Home for ABC Consulting

ABC Consulting appointed Safer Group to deliver a comprehensive security and risk mitigation solution at Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners Home, a vacant former residential care home in Greenock.

The vacant care home was adjoined to 20 occupied retirement flats in a complex known as the ‘Court’.

Due to this, the project required a sensitive deployment that would both secure the vacant property while protecting shared utilities and maintaining a positive relationship with remaining residents.

On top of this, strict insurance and compliance standards further had to be met.

The objectives on this project prioritised the complete risk mitigation of the vacant Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners Home building, without causing disruption to residents in a conjoined residential complex.

Specifically, the project looked to:

• Protect a large, vacant Grade 1 listed building.

• Safeguard shared utilities serving 20 occupied retirement flats.

• Prevent unauthorised access, vandalism, and water damage.

• Maintain uninterrupted heat, water, and power supply to residents.

• Log zero false alarm activations to save time and cost of service delivery while eliminating site disruption.

• Engage and support our local Greenock community involved in the deployment.

• Achieve full insurance compliance.

This site presented a highly unique risk profile, including:

• Grade 1 restrictions which prevented equipment installation on the front elevation.

• Shared utilities with the residential apartments, which made full drain-down and shut-off impossible.

• Large windows and doors alongside accessibility issues caused by low walls, low-level roofs and skylights, all increase vulnerability.

• Proximity to occupied retirement flats, requiring careful communication and minimal disturbance.

• Insurance stipulations, including weekly inspections and documented compliance.

Due to the complex nature of this vast property, a bespoke vacant property solution was required that incorporated layered protection and thoughtful execution.

Our fully integrated, technology-led solution was designed specifically around the building’s constraints and community setting.

As with all vacant property deployments, we first considered the perimeter, then external boundary of the building, before considering internal detection and monitoring.

• 2 x Smart CCTV Towers deployed to protect the open front elevation.

• A static 4K CCTV system utilising 16x 4K analytic cameras installed on non-listed rear roof sections.

• 96m of temporary Heras fencing with 2x pedestrian access gates securing vulnerable rear areas.

• Full steel security screening on external ground floor, first floor, and skylight openings with a steel security across doors installed to control managed access.

• Highly visible insurance compliant warning signage throughout.

The internal detection and monitoring solution within the main property protected both against intrusion and one of the biggest void property risks - escape of water.

Across the internal building we utilised:

Wireless EN50131 Grade 2 internal alarm system – the maximum grading any wireless intruder alarm can achieve.

• 36x internal detection devices covering access points, corridors, and high-risk zones.

• 3x flood detection sensors within the boiler room, kitchen, and laundry areas.

• 6x sounders across the ground floor for active deterrence.

• 3x keypads were positioned across the rear entrance, boiler room, and gardeners store to enable the alarm system to be alarmed/disarmed upon authorised access to the site.

• App-based remote arming/disarming for authorised stakeholders.

As a result of these integrations, risks of intrusion, flooding, and system tampering, could be identified immediately.

All systems were connected to our accredited 24/7 monitoring centre, which carried live audio challenge capability and an integrated SIA ACS approved monitoring and response coordination.

Furthermore, our arrangement included weekly internal and external inspection visits with photographic reporting for insurance compliance.

This deployment was successful as it effectively carried out the layered defence model recommended for use in vacant or void properties. Visual deterrence is achieved through the usage of CCTV towers and fencing at the perimeter level while steel screens on the structure itself offered a final physical barrier to entry.

Detection technology utilised across the external and internal spaces allowed us to identify any risk threats as they happened, which would trigger the response protocol and send instant alarm verification via our monitoring centre.

We had an ability to send live audio challenges or deploy a response dispatch when required, which would remove individuals engaging in intrusion behaviours.

Weekly physical inspections maintained both insurer compliance and system integrity.

All deployed technology communicates continuously with our monitoring station, enabling proactive maintenance and system resilience.

Updates and communications shared with the community throughout the process allowed us to reduce friction and strengthen security on site through collective awareness.

Our deployment at Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners has delivered full risk mitigation for the vacant former residential care home while also minimising disruption caused to the retirement flats in the ‘court’.

Reporting no successful intrusion events, and zero unnecessary alarm responses through intelligent filtering, we have further managed to maintain uninterrupted utility services to retirement residents.

With regular inspections and the right solutions in place, full insurance compliance has been achieved and documented.

Positive engagement with residents has also led to no reported friction. The property is secure, protected from further risk, and compliant.