Stairs are fun.

Stairs can take me around your security controls.

There are fire plans and maps around most large buildings. They’re on the walls and give a lovely overview of the place. The time they save a potential attacker is phenomenal.

Taking a photo of these maps, then combining it with a simple recon where I just look at your readers, which handily show green for open and red for secured doors, means I can map out the areas you’re protecting. Put on a high vis, carry an iPad and nobody will stop me if I stick to the low security areas.

When I get back to my hotel room, with all the photos and maps pinned up, I’ll mark on these controls and look for your staircases. Can I go to the third floor via your north staircase, scoot across to the south staircase and then back up to the fourth floor, bypassing the controls that would otherwise be in my way?

You’d be amazed how often this happens. It’s often to allow emergency egress via specific routes.

I’ve even seen a door with full access control, protecting a staircase, but with a doorless opening to the same staircase just around the corner. Why?

It led to the fire escape.

I love fire regulations.