March 5, 2024

Safety and Security Features in Your Condo

By: Melecio Martin G. Arranz IV

Choosing your dream condo is an exciting journey. However, it demands careful consideration. After all, it’s not just a home; it’s an investment for your future. 

When selecting the perfect condo, one factor you shouldn’t overlook is the property’s safety and security features. These non-negotiables ensure your and your loved ones’ safety against fires, earthquakes, and break-ins. 

Here’s an infographic that discusses different condo safety features and why they are safer than other properties.

Are Condos Safe?

Condos generally have security features like controlled access points, 24/7 security personnel, and surveillance systems. You can find CCTV cameras in the lobby, elevator, hallways, parking lots, and other amenities. This level of security makes it difficult, if not impossible, for criminals to sneak into your property. Meanwhile, the condo’s security teams can more easily spot culprits.

Building codes in condos are also more stringent than those in houses. Condos house many residents in a city lot, necessitating stricter safety measures to ensure everyone can evacuate safely in emergencies. Shared spaces such as stairwells, elevators, and utility rooms also require rigorous safety standards to prevent accidents and maintain smooth usage.

Safety and Security Features That Make a Condo Safe

Since buying a condo is a hefty investment, it’s only fitting to get your money’s worth, especially regarding safety and security. Here’s a checklist of features you should check before placing a down payment on your home-to-be.

Safety Features

The following condo safety features create a secure and protected living environment.

Fire detection and alarm system (FDAS)

This mechanism is one of the basic safety systems that condos typically have. FDAS is a network of sensors that trigger audible and visual alarms upon detecting smoke and heat. It notifies your condo’s security personnel so they can respond swiftly to the situation and call for evacuations when necessary.

Automatic fire suppression system (AFSS)

This system consists of sprinklers placed in fire-prone areas in a condo. Once they detect fire, they automatically release a controlled flow of water to extinguish or contain the flames and minimize fire damage.

Well-lit fire exits

Emergencies can happen at any time. For this reason, well-lit fire exits can help you evacuate your building safely. Adequate lighting is crucial, especially during high-stress situations requiring clear visibility and guidance.

Pressurized fire escape stairs

Unlike traditional fire escape stairs, pressurized fire escape stairs prevent smoke infiltration and create a safer evacuation passage. This innovative feature enhances visibility, minimizes respiratory risks, and ensures a more effective and secure evacuation process.

Emergency power generators

Emergency power generators are crucial for uninterrupted safety in case of power outages. They kick in during power cuts and keep essential safety systems like the FDAS and elevators functioning.

Besides powering condo amenities, an emergency power generator can transform your home office. With more people preferring to work remotely, having a constant source of electricity can help you work seamlessly and live comfortably.

Water harvesting systems

You may think water harvesting is only possible in single-family houses with a gutter and downspout. In reality, it’s possible in condos as well.

A readily available water reservoir enhances a condo’s capacity to manage fire emergencies effectively, providing an extra layer of safety and preparedness. It also reuses rainwater to clean amenities and water gardens.

Security Features

Investing in a condo means enjoying the following security features that can give you peace of mind every day.

Private and secure drop-off areas

Condos typically have controlled access points, providing exclusive entry for residents like yourself. These private drop-off areas offer a secure way for you to load and unload from your vehicle without strangers on the premises.

Quantum Residences along Taft Avenue offers this feature. Private drop-offs are especially important in the area because they cater to a dynamic community of students and young professionals.

24/7 security personnel and concierge

A round-the-clock presence of security personnel and a concierge is fundamental in any condo. Security personnel monitor the property, conduct regular patrols, and respond to security concerns or emergencies. Meanwhile, the concierge manages visitor access and maintains a log of individuals entering and exiting the building.

These two services can protect you from unwanted guests since visitors typically need to go through security before entering your unit.

CCTV cameras

In modern condos, CCTV cameras are standard features in strategic places to observe and document activities in shared spaces. 

Property managers use CCTVs to deter potential intruders and secure vital evidence in case of security incidents. This feature sets condos apart from apartments or houses that typically lack this level of comprehensive surveillance.

Ultimately, CCTV systems significantly enhance your overall feeling of security. The assurance that every nook of your building is under continuous monitoring fosters peace of mind and reassurance.

Access control systems

Access control refers to electronic systems that regulate and monitor entry into your condo. They typically use key cards, key fobs, or biometric identification for residents and authorized personnel to access the building. This system ensures that only authorized individuals can enter the premises.

Parking lot security

If you own a car, motorcycle, or bike, the parking lot is your first entry point in your condo. That’s why choosing a condo with a well-secured and regularly patrolled parking lot is important. It minimizes the risk of vehicle theft and vandalism and prevents unauthorized access to your property.

Electronic bike locks

With the growing popularity of e-biking, electronic bike locks or racks are now an essential security feature in modern condos like The Grand Midori Ortigas. They provide a secure place to store your e-bike, preventing theft and ensuring the safety of your valuable transportation assets.

Structural Safety Features

Beyond its utilities, a condo’s structural integrity can also define its safety and security.

Flexible foundation

Since the Philippines is prone to earthquakes, look for a condo that uses the base isolation method. It involves creating a foundation on top of flexible steel, rubber, and lead pads. These isolators allow the building’s base to move during an earthquake while stabilizing the structure.

This strategic design absorbs seismic waves and prevents them from transmitting through the building. 

Earthquake dampers

These devices absorb and dissipate seismic energy. They effectively reduce the sway and vibration of a condo during an earthquake, promoting structural integrity and safety. This feature is a critical safeguard in earthquake-prone areas.

Federal Land’s The Seasons Residences utilizes viscoelastic coupling dampers, an advanced earthquake vibration control system that supports the building’s structure to keep you safe and comfortable indoors.

Double-glazed windows

This type of window comprises two glass panels sandwiching a layer of air or gas. It enhances insulation, reduces noise in a condo, and acts as a safety feature.

Double-glazed windows are more resistant to shattering, making it more difficult for intruders to break in. They also offer better protection against extreme weather conditions.

Federal Land equips its projects with this type of window to prevent water from leaking into your room during typhoons and reduce the impact and noise of storm winds. It also includes an “opening-limiter” to control window openings while allowing proper ventilation for better indoor quality.

Storm-resistant louvers

These specialized louvers can withstand strong winds, heavy rainfall, and debris. Louvers in buildings are a resilient shield that minimizes potential damage and enhances your condo’s structural durability.

Use of quality materials

At the end of the day, a condo’s safety lies in its foundation. High-quality construction materials enhance your building’s structural integrity and make it strong enough to withstand various environmental challenges. They also contribute to your condo’s longevity, reducing the risk of constant maintenance issues and safety concerns.

Proactive property management

While not a structural feature per se, proactive property management is a safety-enhancing aspect. The right condo has property managers who maintain it and conduct regular inspections to promptly identify and address potential safety hazards.

Proactive property management can be as simple as replacing a busted light bulb or as major as repairing elevators.

Invest in Safety and Security

Choosing the right condo goes beyond aesthetics and amenities; you should also prioritize its safety and security features. From controlled access to CCTV surveillance, a well-secured condo protects you from intrusions and provides a haven for you and your loved ones. 

Fortunately, Federal Land constantly has your well-being in mind. Federal Property Management Corp, a real estate Philippines company subsidiary, focuses on daily property management services such as building administration, commercial areas maintenance, and technical assistance to help you live comfortably and securely.

Plus, Federal Land’s well-built and thoughtfully designed RFO and pre-selling condominiums in prime spots have high investment potential in the Philippines.

Send a message to learn more about the safety and security features of Federal Land properties