Building owners x-ray vision of tomorrow's security needs.

Molecular spectrometer. Weapons detection capabilities. Optical recognition technology. Welcome to the brave new world of buildings security.

After a quiet period that lasted from the end of the Cold War to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the security industry has gone into overdrive with billions of dollars being invested every year in the development of technologies that can be applied to virtually every sector of our daily life.

According to the most recent figures available from BOMA (Building Officers and Managers Association) the average class A building in New York City spends 93 cents per square foot on security while class B & C buildings spend 71 cents. Although there was a major spike in spending post 9/11, the Association said that has now levelled off.

According to the experts, security costs are site specific and buildings viewed as 'high target'--landmarks such as the Empire State Building, financial headquarters or government buildings--spend more on the latest security measures available on the market.

Among the very newest devices is the Optosecurity XMS and screener device that the makers say could revolutionize lobby security.

Developed by Canadian firm, Optosecurity, from World War II technology to detect enemy tanks and fighter jets, the system can pinpoint not only weapons and their components, but also liquid explosives. What makes it even more attractive is the fact that the device can simply be bolted onto existing screening systems, requires minimal training and demands no physical change to checkpoint security.

The gadget can detect firearms, gun parts, knives, explosives, components in baggage, parcels and even people, and it can spot any liquid--from toxins to maple syrup to explosive--without ever opening a container.

In an era when building owners are focused on the controlled deployment of both technology and personnel, the system is viewed as a second pair of eyes for security guards. Testing in US airports is already underway and the manufacturers are eagerly eyeing the commercial office market where the system would completely automate the detection process and eliminate the risk of human error in an environment where the list of threat objects is continuously growing.

"There is great interest in improving the safety of people who are visiting or renting space in commercial buildings where public safety is critical," said Mark Scott, senior advisor for Optosecurity, whose chairman is former deputy Canadian prime minister, John Manley, a member of his nation's first cabinet committee on public security and antiterrorism. "Whoever owns the building does not want to be associated with any type of incident that would compromise safety, hurt the asset or sully the brand."

The fact that the new machine is an extension to existing systems means it would also make the improvement cost effective, according to Scott. "A small upgrade of checkpoint systems can dramatically improve the efficiency of that system to identify threats," he said. While there is no doubt many building owners will be intrigued by this newest device, John McGinley, vice president and director of management services at Grubb & Ellis doubts there will be a sudden rush of buyers, even in the city that suffered the worst ever terrorist attack on American soil.

"Higher end buildings will always look at the possibility of utilizing the next new solutions, but what it comes down to is the overall cost versus the effectiveness in deterring the wrong people from coming into the building," said McGinely, who pointed out that only a small percentage of Manhattan buildings currently use x-ray technology.

"What has to be weighed is the possibility of something untoward taking place in a specific building. Higher profile buildings tend to be identified as a target and, if you're planning to spend, say $l million, you have to know whether there's a real possibility that someone will try to come into your building with the wrong intentions."

It's acknowledged that the iconic Empire State Building is just such a target and, as a result, the tower is one of the most heavily protected in the city. It's among the handful that does employ not only x-ray equipment, but also magnotrometers (metal detectors) and explosive-sniffing dogs. The core of the building's security management team is former senior NYPD officers and the contract security guards receive up to 10 times more hours of training than the eight hours mandated by the state.

"We are one of the most secure buildings in the city," said Larry Mannion, head of security at the ESB.

"We have a very highly integrated system, from the equipment we use to the personnel we employ to protect the security of both visitors and tenants of the building."

Mannion said the owners--a partnership of Peter Malkin and Leona Helmsely--are constantly appraising new technologies that would improve security even further at the site, adding, "We are constantly evaluating new technologies as they become available and would certainly look at any new device that could help us improve security even further."

According to Jon Ecker, founder and CEO of high-tech surveillance provider, Peace of Mind Technologies, LLC, the Empire State Building continues to be the exception rather than the rule in New York City, although he admits the day will come when such security super-systems as the Optosecurity scanner will be as common as doormen in office buildings.

"At this point, most building owners are comfortable with the security they have in place technology-wise, although that upper echelon of buildings will gravitate towards these new technologies and the rest will ultimately follow as it becomes more cost effective and the need presents itself further," said Ecker, whose firm works with residential and commercial properties owners as well as restaurants and clubs, hotels, healthcare facilities and private schools and even religious organizations and high-end car dealerships.

According to Ecker, the most common security devices employed right now in city buildings are surveillance cameras, closely followed by access control devices, such as key cards. Optical turnstyles which scan swipe cards and restrict access for certain floors and offices, are also popular.

"Some buildings are starting to go one step further with biometric devices [fingerprint and retina scanners], but in general surveillance and access control technologies have resulted in such a major improvement to security in the last five years that most buildings have been slow to go much further with capital expenditures."