Protecting your business property from crime
Protecting your business property from crime means you have to be proactive! Preventative measures can be good loss prevention planning with relatively simple deterrents. For example, the use of fences, doors and other security features can make a difference when it comes to thieves, burglars and vandals. And each related enhancement contributes to your overall sense of security.
Methods of protecting your business property
Beyond the chain-link fence
Chain-link fences can be enhanced by introducing extended line posts, additional braces, rails and tension wires, and a top guard which makes the fence tougher to scale. The view through the links might even need to be obscured with a layer of fabric, as an extra deterrent.
But whether working with a fence or a building’s wall, the biggest weaknesses will come in the form of required entrances and exits. So when protecting your business property with barriers, make sure those areas have security features built-in as well.
Choosing the right locks
The selected locks make some of the biggest differences here. While a spring-loaded latch will lock a doorknob itself, a more effective deadbolt slides into the surrounding frame. Deadbolts that move horizontally, and can be forced out of a strike plate, can be further enhanced by adding a vertical deadbolt which slides through metal rings on the door’s frame.
Mechanical locks like these can be operated using several types of keys, such as those which fit into a cylinder tumbler, a warded key (common in uses such as cabinet doors), or a magnetic key card. There are also designs that are controlled with combinations or time locks.
The all-important security is not limited to mechanical designs, either. Electromagnetic locks use a magnetic force to hold locks tight, while their electro-mechanical counterparts rely on electric power to move a bolt or strike.
Regardless of the design, those who are responsible for larger buildings often opt for the convenience of master keys able to open multiple locks. In cases like these, the keys will simply need to be carefully controlled so they are not lost, copied or stolen.
As important as the locks will be, they are not the only pieces of hardware that will play a role in security. Other options include the choice of hinges, fire exit hardware, and exit locks. Each will have its own design considerations.
Better doors means better security
Solid wood and solid core wood doors, for example, will always better withstand brute force better than their hollow counterparts. And such access points can be further enhanced with crossbars, gates and screens.
Planters, bollards and jersey barriers in front of windows and doors will further protect against “smash and grab” attacks when burglars try to drive through the glass doors on a retail store.
Even the glazing on a window can offer extra protection. Security glazing created with laminated glass, acrylic or polycarbonate material will transmit light, but can still absorb high-energy impacts without sacrificing structural integrity. Bullet-resisting materials – particularly those used to create enclosures known as bandit barriers – can be another valuable addition for businesses which handle large quantities of cash.
Protecting your business with tailored insurance
When it comes to protecting your business property from crime, security barriers are a good start, but things can always go wrong despite your best efforts. That’s why having the right protection in place can make all the difference to you and your business. Learn more by visiting our Business Insurance page!
