How to protect your commercial premises

Securing your shop front can significantly reduce the risk of theft and vandalism for your business. However, there are many different options to choose from and it is important that you choose the appropriate safeguards.

According to RISC Authority guidelines, a consideration of overall shop front security needs to factor in several criteria, including:

• Exterior environment
• Condition of doors and windows
• Locks and locking systems
• The type of glazing in place
• Alarms
• CCTV

RISCA’s shop front guide concentrates on physical aspects of shop front protection, for example:

Glazing

RISCA guidelines specify that there are two types of glazing typically used for shop fronts – toughened, and laminated.

Positive features of toughened glass:

• Typically better-suited for shop doors and smaller windows
• Its primary function is a safety material
• It is up to five times as tough as ordinary ‘float’ glass, for resistance to bodily impact

Drawbacks:

• Restricted in size due to the manufacturing process
• Less useful for security as it can be easily shattered by tools

Positive features of laminated glass:

• Meets most safety and security requirements
• Strong structure – interlaid sheets of glass
• Can prevent or delay substantial penetration

RISCA says that as a general rule of thumb; the thicker the glass, the stronger the product.

However, retailers should understand that glazing may not be a sufficient security measure by itself, and should be considered as part of a larger effort with multiple crime prevention techniques e.g. roller shutters.

Security shutters

When considering shutters and grilles for your commercial property, a security risk assessment plays a very important role, as it is important to ensure the option you choose is proportionate to your business requirements.

Factors to consider include;

• Size of premises
• Value of stocks and assets

Popular types of roller shutters include;

• Security shutters
• Perforated shutters
• Brick bond shutters

Find more information on these products here;

http://www.midlandshopfronts.com/roller-shutters.html

RISCA states that another thing to consider is that the operation of different metal roller shutters can affect security.

For example; electric operating systems are opened and closed via an operating switch – whether it is a push button or key switch, keypad or handheld fob. In some cases the operating switch must be situated outside, e.g. with an exit route shutter.

This can present a security risk, as it is possible to 'hot wire' an external key switch, in order to gain entry into a building. A way to avoid this, as advised by RISCA, is to use a coded transmitter device or a keypad switch, as opposed to a push button or key switch, when an operating switch must be located externally.

It should be noted that any change to the external appearance of a premises will usually require planning permission.

For more information on which security measures you can take to protect your business, visit the Midland Shopfronts website.

http://www.midlandshopfronts.com/