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Overview


The current security program at Columbia Square is broken down into two main components: Security Officers, and Building Access Control System. These two components working inconcert together, are the means by which the Hines Property Management Office provides access control to the base building. Security and access control within the individual tenant's leased areas is the responsibility of the tenant. The type and level of internal security a tenant has is an individual choice and is dependent on the tenant's needs as determined by the tenant.

Personnel

Security Officers 

The building is staffed with security 24/7, with at least two security officers on site at all times, including a lobby attendant for visitor processing. There is also an account manager on-site Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. 

The primary function of the contracted security officer service is to process approved visitors and monitor and respond to building alarms as appropriate. Typical responsibilities include monitoring and responding to base building alarms, conducting exterior and interior patrols, controlling the movement of material and personnel in the  and other common areas of the building, and to act as a general deterrent for unwanted activities at the property.

Building Access Control Systems
  • Tenant / Employee Access
      Passenger elevators will be secured at all times and access to individual floors will be throughthe use of a Kastle access card/fob. Readers are installed in each elevator, excluding the three elevators servicing the parking garage. Tenants use their Kastle access cards/fobs in order to access their authorized floor(s). As passenger elevators are secured at all times onmost floors, inter-floor traffic requires the use of the Kastle access card/fob within the elevator.

      Each entrance to the building is secured after hours by means of a Kastle reader. In addition to the pedestrian entrances and the parking garage, both the East and West tower passenger elevators are equipped with secured turnstiles in the main lobby. After-hours perimeter building access is through the use of the Kastle reader at both the 13th Street and F Street entrances.

  • Visitor Access
      A Visitor Processing System, "Kastle Front Office", connected to the base building monitoring company is an integral part of the access control system. Kastle Front Office permits the on-site security officers to process visitors at the main lobby desk by viewing information and customized instructions maintained in a central database. Tenants are able to pre-authorize designated visitors in order to facilitate the visitor's appointment with the tenant. This system also creates a log of visitors to the building that have been processed.

      Upon entry to Columbia Square, visitors are required to check in with the lobby security desk where they will be asked to present photo identification. Once the visitor is confirmed, either through Kastle Front Office or a phone call to the tenant, they are provided access based on the tenant’s preferences. The tenant can either provide security with a visitor Kastle access card/fob for the visitor to access the tenant floor, or the tenant can allow security to provide access. All visitor Kastle access cards/fobs should be returned to the tenant reception or the lobby security desk.

      Visitors or individuals without a Kastle access card/fob who require access into the building after-hours will need to utilize the intercom located at both the 13th Street and F Street building entrances, which rings to the lobby security desk. Once inside the building, after-hours access to the tenant space will again require the use of the Kastle access card/fob. Visitors will be required to check in at the lobby security desk.

      If a tenant employee uses their own access card/fob to let a visitor through the secured turnstiles, it is the responsibility of that tenant to also assist the visitor in exiting the buildingby physically escorting the visitor to the main lobby.

  • Access to Secured Building Areas
      Occasionally, it will be necessary for various people to gain access to secured areas of the building, i.e., telephone closets, air handling rooms, etc. Please notify the Hines Property Management Office via email or call (202-383-8888) in order to gain access to these areas. Please be aware that any work may require a security officer and should be scheduled in advance. A driver’s license or company ID is required to gain access.

How to Report a Problem

If you have a security problem, see a suspicious person, see a suspicious event, or have a safety concern, call the Hines Property Management Office immediately (202-383-8888). The phone will be answered during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) by the Hines Property Management staff and after hours by a security officer.

REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT, CALL.

Suspicious Persons 

If you see suspicious or offensive persons in the building, please call the Hines Property Management Office immediately. If possible, make note of appearance, clothing, etc. in order to assist building security in locating them.

Please be aware of strangers in your tenant areas and halls. Quite often a question such as "May I help you locate someone?” will be enough to deter a potential thief. Suspicious encounters of this type should be reported to the Hines Property Management Office immediately.

Lost and Found 

Please contact the Hines Property Management Office at (202) 383-8888 to claim items that have been lost or found in the building. 

Columbia Square shall not be responsible for lost or stolen property, money, or jewelry from the leased premises or public areas regardless of whether such loss occurs when the area is locked against entry. Columbia Square only provides access control to the common areas of this building and does not assume any responsibility for the security of tenant spaces.

Solicitation

Canvassing, soliciting, and peddling in the building is strictly prohibited. If you becomeaware of any such person, please notify the Hines Property Management Office immediately.

Incidents 

Please notify the Hines Property Management Office in case of an incident in the leased premises or the building such as a slip and fall, a medical emergency, etc.