As a commercial property owner, it is of utmost importance to protect your commercial property from intruders and other disasters. In fact, this should be your first priority. Vandalism can really soil the image of your business and you do not want that to happen. Disaster strikes when least expected and there is property that is prone to destruction. Therefore, you must take the necessary precautions to lower risks and protect your property. Having said that, the following are the top 15 ways to effectively safeguard your commercial property. Resources: www.tempelocksmithpros.com homedepot.com adt.com
Ensure there is proper lighting
Lighting serves a vital purpose of providing maximum visibility especially at night. To prevent vandalism, all lighting fixtures should have vandal-proof covers. The perimeter wall should be properly lit so as to scare off robbers. All entry points such as doors, windows should be well lit as well.
Install solid doors
All doors in your commercial property should be solidly constructed and lined with heavy metal crossbars.
Install secure windows
Windows offer better security when fitted with secure locks and burglar-resistant glass. For improved security, install polyester security films with break sensor alarms. The rear windows are more vulnerable hence should be fitted with heavy metal grates.
Install alarm systems
Installing alarm systems in your commercial property helps to deter burglar activities. For guaranteed safety, it’s good to ensure the process is done by a licensed alarm company. The alarm company must have a central monitoring station. Besides, it should be checked regularly to ensure it functions optimally.
Care for the cash register
The cash register should be kept at a point where it’s not easily seen from outside the building. Ensure its open whenever it’s empty or not being used for easy monitoring.
Strong safes
To offer better protection, the safe must be burglar -resistant and fireproof. While it should be visible, it’s good to ensure it’s securely anchored. Keep the safe open when it’s empty and lock in all valuables at the end of the day. For the sake of your security , change the safe’s combination whenever you sack or release employees who have details regarding the safe.
Inspect the building’s exterior
Inspect your building’s exterior regularly to ensure all the openings are secured. Maintain proper landscaping to achieve better visibility. It’s also a good security measure to remove things like vehicle equipment , boxes , cans and trash bins away from the building to avoid burglars accessing the rooftop.
Perimeter fences
An ideal perimeter fence should be erected at heights which an intruder cannot be able to access your property. For a fence to serve its purpose, it should be vertically erected with 0.3 vinyl coated vertical iron bars.
Key controls
All commercial property keys should be handled responsibly. Ensure all the keys are coded and locked somewhere safely when they are not being used.
Install surveillance cameras in your commercial property
While they might cost you a significant amount of money, surveillance cameras play an important role of deterring burglars. Moreover, with these cameras installed in your commercial premises, it is possible to get the burglars after a break-in.
Use of Anti-climb fences
If your commercial property is of substantial size, consider putting an anti-limb fence or a wall around the perimeter.
Using Key-card access systems
The security of your commercial property should be taken seriously at all times. When security is at its topmost, your customers and employees will feel safe hence giving you more business. Introducing key-card access systems on exterior doors will ensure than unauthorized people do not access the premises.
Taking an Insurance cover
Taking an insurance cover can help you protect your property from unpredictable disasters such as fire breaks and burglary. Do enough research to find the reliable insurance company to offer you protection?
Conduct risk assessment
Do thorough investigations in order to evaluate the areas that require attention. It might happen that your commercial property is located in a crime-prone area or your fence needs repair and overlooking such things puts you in a risky situation.
Various disasters including fires, floods, break-ins and many more are a major concern for commercial property owners. There are many ways you can protect commercial properties. Meanwhile, criminals are becoming even smarter so it’s imperative to keep yourself updated with newer methods of protecting your commercial property.
Exit devices are commonly installed on aluminum and hollow metal doors in commercial buildings, including schools, retail stores, hospitals and office buildings. Most people are familiar with both types of equipment – the crossbar rim device and the push pad rim device. The crossbar rim device has classic styling while the push pad rim device has a more modern appearance. Regardless of which style is preferred, there are some design factors to consider when purchasing exit devices. Resources: kentlocksmith.net homedepot.com lowes.com
Exit devices are essential bits of equipment on business entryways. Exit gadgets, otherwise called alarm bars or crash bars, are instruments utilized for opening entryways rapidly. Crash bars supplement or supplant standard entryway handles or handles/levers. They make a without hands exit from inside conceivable while permitting the way to remain bolted all things considered. They take into consideration speedy departure in crises (subsequently the name alarm bars.) When the main Von Duprin exit gadget appeared in the mid 1900’s, nobody could have anticipated the broad effect it would have on an industry for quite a long time to come.
Exit devices/crash bars are required on certain doors in commercial buildings. The building codes in most municipalities/states mandate which doors must have crash bars installed. They save precious seconds during an emergency, such as a fire, allowing crowds to escape quickly to safety.
While they mainly function as a security device, crash bars have other advantages. They are often easier for people in wheelchairs to reach and execute than handles. Children can also operate them easily.
The first consideration is security and safety. When choosing an exit device, make sure it conforms to ANSI Grade 1 specifications. Also, look for hardened steel latches, adjustable strikes, concealed mounting screws, and hex dogging. On push pad rim devices, look for designs without openings for chains so you can reduce the risk of code violations. Pushpa devices should also be designed to resist tampering or forced entry, even if the intruder has a coat hanger or other tool.
Next, choose exit devices that are easy to install, maintain and adjust. Crossbar rim devices are the simplest and easiest to work with. Most can be installed on stiles as narrow as 1 3/4 inches and are easily converted for left-hand or right-hand operation. Choose the latest push pad rim devices which have fewer parts and thus require less maintenance. This is especially important on a door in high-traffic locations.
The best exit devices come with a variety of options. Crossbar rim devices are popular since they are available in numerous painted and architectural finishes. This is a nice feature in upscale offices and retail establishments. Also, crossbar styles should be field adjustable to fit the width of any door. Pushpa devices don’t normally come in as many finishes as crossbars, but the best companies still offer variety in metal finishes. Push pads are typically available in 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch and 48-inch lengths and may include electrical options for added security. Some push pad rim devices are also designed for use on fire doors.
Finally, you’ll need to decide on the exterior options for exit devices. If the gate does not need to be opened from the outside, no trim is required. Otherwise, you can install a pull handle, pull handle and cylinder lock, or a cylinder lock only.
It’s always best to choose high-quality exit devices in order to avoid maintenance issues, especially in high-traffic areas. Good ones provide smooth, quiet operation. Look for products that carry the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label so you know they have been tested for functionality and reliability.
As a business owner you need to ensure high security measures are taken in order to secure your assets. Well, this will only be made easy if you use the right locks for your enterprise. Normally, commercial locks are by far different from residential locks, it is for this reason you need ideas on the right locks to suit your commercial needs. Therefore in here have been availed a variety of commercial door lock options for business owners. Resources: Phoenix Locksmith Pros homedepot.com schlage.com
Types of commercial door lock options for business owners
Lever handled locks.
Although they do not provide maximum security against burglary theft, lever handled locks are still good options to company enterprises with the need to keep away unauthorized access from snoopy employees. Moreover, this type of locks will serve you best in situations whereby one needs to adhere to local business rules and regulations. They are most appropriate in interior door locks which do not necessarily need much protection against professional burglary theft.
IC cylinders
Also known as interchangeable core cylinders, these locks are usually appropriate in cases whereby you’ll need to upgrade security within your enterprises as well as be able to change the locks frequently whenever need be. For instance in a situation whereby an employee quits and takes the lock key with them. All you’ll need to do is to contact a mobile locksmith to do a little adjustment. This will involve switching the core without necessarily having to replace the whole lock; by so doing you are enhancing general security within the company with a lot of ease.
Deadbolts
Though used at residential buildings, deadbolts are also good recommendations for business enterprise external lock. Reason being, they have been designed to prevent forceful entry into buildings making it even a better option for external security. The traditional deadbolt may not offer the required security level but that is the reason most business people prefer the latest versions which come with features like steel door frames and deadbolts made of strong steel alloy to prevent breaking in.
Keyless door locks and entry system
As technology advances companies advance technologically too. That’s why most business enterprises today will opt for keyless lock system. These lock systems are ideal in ensuring top security. These keyless lock systems will require the installation of a keyless door; therefore you need to consult a locksmith on the keyless system available. The keyless system can use; card access system, entry codes or biometrics to permit entry.
Padlocks
Padlocks are temporary locks which are not fixed onto something else unlike most locks. They can be used for temporary security measures meaning one can use and reuse them wherever they want. Padlocks come in a variety of different sizes and shapes which are operated with combinations or keys or even both. Most importantly padlocks will provide you with the ultimate security you need for that particular time.
Electronic locks
These types of locks are usually automatically or remotely controlled. They come in mortise or cylindrical styles, can be used as fail secure locks or as fail safe locks. Appropriate to be used in offices, stairwells and hallways or any other place in business that will needs safety code compliances.
Cam locks
These locks are often required in small areas in business that needs to be secured. These can be mailboxes and filling cabinets. They provide a wide variety of options for lengths and locking mechanisms, so business owners can adjust their locks for specific purposes.
There are more of commercial locks one can go for ranging from the standard locks to those sophisticated locks that will enable you restrict your business access to employees only as well as be able to lock out unauthorized individuals. But understanding your line of business and the kind of protection your business deserves is an open clue to deciding on the type of lock to install.
Summary
Ideally, business security is the owners’ key concern, and therefore choosing the right commercial lock for your business will ensure you meet all your security demands, both in and out. Therefore in order to ensure you meet those needs you need to consult with a locksmith if you are not sure on which type of commercial lock will work best for your enterprise.
To offer better protection, the safe must be burglar -resistant and fireproof. While it should be visible, it’s good to ensure it’s securely anchored. Keep the safe open when it’s empty and lock in all valuables at the end of the day. For the sake of your security , change the safe’s combination whenever you sack or release employees who have details regarding the safe.
While they might cost you a significant amount of money, surveillance cameras play an important role of deterring burglars. Moreover, with these cameras installed in your commercial premises, it is possible to get the burglars after a break-in.
Exit devices are essential bits of equipment on business entryways. Exit gadgets, otherwise called alarm bars or crash bars, are instruments utilized for opening entryways rapidly. Crash bars supplement or supplant standard entryway handles or handles/levers. They make a without hands exit from inside conceivable while permitting the way to remain bolted all things considered. They take into consideration speedy departure in crises (subsequently the name alarm bars.) When the main Von Duprin exit gadget appeared in the mid 1900’s, nobody could have anticipated the broad effect it would have on an industry for quite a long time to come.
Next, choose exit devices that are easy to install, maintain and adjust. Crossbar rim devices are the simplest and easiest to work with. Most can be installed on stiles as narrow as 1 3/4 inches and are easily converted for left-hand or right-hand operation. Choose the latest push pad rim devices which have fewer parts and thus require less maintenance. This is especially important on a door in high-traffic locations.
