What a GC Should Require From a Security Subcontractor

Security scope is small on the schedule and large in the deficiency list. Most of the trouble is predictable: interfaces with doors, electrical, and IT that nobody owned on paper. A general contractor can prevent most of it by requiring the same discipline from the security sub as from any other trade.

Submittals that commit to specifics

Require device data sheets, a door-by-door hardware schedule, controller and power-supply locations, riser or pathway intent, and any life-safety interface details. A sub that cannot produce a door schedule before rough-in is planning to resolve it during rough-in—on site time.

Coordination touchpoints, named early

• Door hardware supplier. Electrified hardware, frame preparation, and keying decisions must match the access-control design before doors are ordered.
• Electrical. Circuit locations for power supplies, conduit responsibility, and any line-voltage boundaries need an assigned owner in writing.
• Fire alarm. Where locking hardware ties into egress or fire-alarm release, the interface, testing, and verification responsibility must be explicit.
• IT and network. Switch ports, VLAN or addressing decisions, and head-end room readiness have long lead times when discovered late.

Rough-in at the right moment

Security rough-in belongs with the wall schedule, not after it. Boxes, sleeves, and pathways installed before close-in cost a fraction of the same work done through finished surfaces. The sub should tell the GC what must be in the walls, by when, and should walk the rough-in before drywall.

Testing and deficiencies, not just power-on

Require functional testing per opening—lock, release, request-to-exit, door position, and alarm behaviour—plus a written deficiency list with owners and dates. "Devices are installed" and "the system works as specified" are different milestones, and only the second one closes the scope.

Turnover the owner can operate

The GC should hand the owner labelled devices, as-built records, test results, administrative credentials transferred securely, warranty terms, and enough orientation that the property team can run the system without calling the installer for routine changes. Ask for the turnover package contents at bid time; the subs who can list them are the subs who deliver them.