Fear of a robbery, a blackout, a catastrophe…?
I don’t think you’ll be surprised if I tell you that in recent months new luxury housing projects have arrived on my office desk that include panic rooms
It seems that the calm and confident West is getting nervous. And the first ones to get their beards wet are those who can afford to pay the barber…
In all these projects, most of them for families from northern and eastern European countries (in my case), the need to feel safe in a country they don’t know takes precedence, but which they know is comfortable, fairly calm (for now), far from conflicts, well connected and with an enviable climate.
The added value to the property that these types of security installations provide is the least of it. Although it is also. Depending on the client portfolio of the “buyer and seller”, having or not having a panic room can be decisive in closing the deal.
But what installations are sought when we talk about panic rooms? Well, I think you can imagine some of them, if you are a little restless and curious.
Others are more sophisticated.
Others are whims of saying “Ok, no problem. We’ll do that too.”
Next, I’ll tell you a few…
The first one that is always mentioned, without a doubt, is the control with cameras around the entire perimeter, with monitors, video recorder and dedicated and protected internet network installed in the panic room.
This also works as a direct and anti-sabotage communication system with emergency services, with an international prepaid card if necessary.
A power source parallel to the electrical grid (with batteries or even a gas generator in an adjoining room).
Autonomous and filtered climate and air renewal systems.
Advanced electronic locks, automatic latches, hidden anti-sabotage peephole…
The thing about the armoured door and walls is obvious. What is not so obvious is the quality and thickness of the armour. Here, as with many other things, there is a range of possibilities…
What is never there are windows (I have never been asked for them). As far as I know, they are not even considered. Because the discreet location of the panic room (usually near the master bedroom) and its access is usually a real construction and camouflage challenge. And a window is a weak point par excellence.
From here on, whatever you can imagine: panel with full control of the lighting, shutters and access doors, motorized and managed from within, fire extinguishers, refrigerator, safe…
