What You Need to Know About Commercial Safes

Fast & Secure Locksmith in Bolingbrook, Illinois has provided tips to help people everywhere if they require assistance in the selection of a brand new commercial safe. They have also made it a point to provide information regarding the benefits of having a safe installed for anyone who is interested. When help is needed, call your local locksmith!

Those who own business properties need to pay mind to the safety of their employees and clients but also the security of their items. Any company is at risk of theft, whether it is a warehouse of some sort or even a store selling high-end items. Things like expensive items and money should be kept in a safe at all times. This isn’t to say that you don’t trust your employees; rather, it means you are aware of the threats around you and you want to keep things protected. Actually, a safe can also ensure you don’t misplace anything, so it serves a multitude of purposes. Here are some things that people everywhere should know about safes for commercial properties:

1. There are a wide range of prices for different kinds of safes. Maybe right off the bat you know you are limited in what you can buy because of finances. But you should know that there are different options to suit all sorts of budgets. As a matter of fact, you can find a perfectly good safe for under $50. There is the First Alert fire resistant and water proof safe, for instance, which is very small but can be obtained for less than $50. Buddy Products small electronic drawer safes can be purchased for less than $75. The Honeywell Medium Steel Security Safe that comes with a digital lock can be purchased for just over $100. If you have room to go up in price, you could easily spend around $1500, depending on what you want. There are all steel pharmacy safes, for instance, which are over $1000. There is something for every budget and every concern. Talking to a professional locksmith might help in narrowing down options. Of course, a Google search will also be helpful. Sometimes, however, it is best to get on the phone with an expert to see what they recommend, as the options can quickly become overwhelming.
2. Commercial safes come in all different sizes. You can easily get a safe that will fit inside of a drawer. You can get a safe that is a good size for your stock room, which you can place on the floor or even have mounted to the floor. You can also get safes that are suitable for storage. Experts can install safes that are 47.6 inches in height, for example. Clearly, there are a wide range of options available for commercial safes, and it is important to determine precisely what your needs are before making a purchase.
3. Commercial safes can save you a great deal of money in the long run. Whether you have to store medical items or food that need to be kept at a certain temperature because if they aren’t they will go bad (there are safes for this) or you just want a place to lock away loose cash, a commercial safe is the way to go. Imagine if all of those prescription pills that are sold at your property were to go missing because of a robbery. Imagine if all of that loose cash were to be taken from behind your store register because the cashier took a quick restroom break. Making the purchase for a safe before items are taken from you can prove to be a great decision.
4. Commercial safes can help to serve as a deterrent for theft. Think about it. If you walk into a clothing store and see cash sitting around, or pricey jewelry, it can look very easy to steal. While most people know right from wrong, others don’t operate with a strong set of morals. Walking into a store and seeing a sturdy safe can serve as a deterrent. A person might realize that it is going to be too difficult for them to steal from you, so they might just walk away.
5. Having a commercial safe can help to keep things organized. Maybe you are the type of person who works best in a state of “organized chaos.” Maybe your desk is always a mess, but you seem to know where everything is. However, when you have a lot of items in one place, it can be easy for things to become lost, whether you are a very organized person, or someone who tends to be a bit more disorganized. If you make it a point to put certain items like paperwork and other documentation inside of a safe, then at least you will always know where it is. It will be safe and secure, and exactly where you left it.

Clearly, commercial safes serve a multitude of purposes. Fast & Secure Locksmith in Bolingbrook, IL was kind enough to provide this information regarding the various kinds of safe options available for business property owners. They were also happy to discuss the different benefits. According to experts, having a safe at a commercial property is very important in terms of loss prevention. No one wants to have their hard-earned items taken away from them. And of course, no one wants to have their most expensive items and most important paperwork get destroyed during a flood, leak or fire. With fire proof safes and water resistant safes, one can prevent serious damage from occurring to items that just can’t be replaced. Consider the importance of having a safe installed at your commercial property. If any questions come up, be sure to do your research or just get in touch with your local locksmith, whether you happen to be in Bolingbrook, Illinois or anywhere else in the United States.

Security for Your Commercial Business

There are all types of security systems for residential use and commercial use. When purchasing either one, it is best to look at it like an investment. It gives you the peace-of-mind in knowing that you loved ones, your possessions and your business is safe. Having some form of security affords you the chance to receive less expensive insurance from certain insurance providers. When your business has a security system, there is less chance of your experiencing a burglary. Having surveillance camera’s in specific areas of your building can also cut down on employee theft, another way for you to save money. Your investment is paying off already! Having those cameras means hat you’ll likely get more work out employees too. It’s ok to let them know that they are being monitored; this is how you get more productivity out of them.

These are benefits that can be derived simply from having even the lowest level of security installed at your business. So, what are you waiting for, oh, possibly more information about the benefits of a commercial security. Well if you feel that you have a lot to lose and could stand more than just the basics, there are tons of advanced security systems that even a locksmith, such as, Fast & Secure Locksmith in Bolingbrook, Illinois can install for you. Some of the security features even offer customers the added security of being able to monitor their business from afar via a mobile remote device.

What Type of Security for Your Business

Every business is going to require different security depending on where they are located, how large the business is and the type of business it is. In most cases, knowing where the business is would be of prime concern to whomever is going to install it for you. If your business is situated in a small, rural area, it may not require as much as a business located in a bustling metropolis. If it is a stand-alone building it may require much more security than a business that is located in an office park. There are some businesses that have a large amount of valuable merchandise on the premises, while there are others that do not have anything of significant value on their property. These are just a few of the things that a locksmith in Bolingbrook would consider when they are helping you determine the type of security that is best suited for your commercial business.

It is important that you find the right type of security for your specific situation. You can’t base your security system on your friends or neighbors; they may not have as much to lose as you do. By taking into consideration the various factors mentioned above, in addition to a few additional factors; you’ll be able to get what is best suited for your business needs. Despite the extras that you may want for your business, there are some basics that every business should have when having any type of security installed.

Basic Security Features 

Some of the basics that should be included in your system are lights, a camera and alarms. Those businesses that are located in small rural areas with very little foot traffic may not need as much as a business in a large city. These simple and basic features may be all that they require, without any additional security features. On the other hand, for those larger businesses with a lot of valuable equipment to protect, they will likely need maximum security. This means that they will need to have additional features other than those listed above, added to their system.

1. Alarms

An alarm alerts you when a window or door is opened that shouldn’t be, after normal business hours. Some are tripped manually while others detect motion when a motion censor is installed. The alarm alerts the intruder that their presence has been detected and they should exit the premises immediately. It sends an alarm to a security service, which the alarm is connected to or directly to 911 services. There are security alarms, which send an alarm to a monitoring service and 911.

2. Security Lights

Lighting that is placed in the right places will be a deterrent for a burglary. Security lights make it possible for anyone nearby to spot an intruder and alert the proper authorities. This is extremely necessary whenever your business is situated in off the beaten paths. They are very necessary for entryways that are in dark areas. Security lights can also be set up to monitor motion, just like the alarms. They are supposed to be so bright that the intruder will want to flee the scene in order to prevent being detected. They also help to increase the level of safety on your worksite. When employees are traveling from one location to another, security lights will enable them to do this with peace-of-mind in knowing that the lights are bright enough for everyone to notice them coming and going. It is also good to be able to see when people are dropping off shipments to your location. If there is ever an emergency, it will be easier to locate the escape routes if you have security lights installed.

3. Door Chimes

Unlike a security alarm, door chimes are on throughout the day, not just at night. This type of system will alert employees when someone has entered their work area. If you work in a business where it isn’t always possible to keep your eye on the entryways, having door chimes installed is a great way to keep track of where everyone is. It makes it difficult for someone to come onto the property without someone being made aware of it.

4. Monitoring System

Some security systems allow for monitoring services. This means that once the system is put into place, there is a service that is connected to your system who will monitor any activity that it transmits. It serves as an extra layer of security.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PANIC BARS AT YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

If you’ve got a public commercial building, then it’s essential for you to know that “panic hardware” is required. You need to provide acceptable emergency egress and ingress for anyone in the facility. Accordingly, a “panic bar” is the push bar that you need to install on every exit door, so people can make a fast exit in case of an urgent situation. There must also be an uninterrupted and unobstructed outlet to a safe area. Doors with panic bars are often necessary in restaurants, malls, bars, and other public locations, such as schools. You simply won’t pass inspection if your property isn’t up to code. It’s therefore imperative that you follow the law, so that you’ll be properly guarding the safety of every occupant ~ employees, customers, and visitors.

Considerations regarding panic hardware. Panic hardware has a latching device, with a touchpad or crossbar that goes across at least half the width of the door, which releases the latch whenever it’s pushed. Panic hardware is also called an “exit device” or a “crash bar”; for fire doors, it’s called “fire exit hardware.” This hardware is applied where it’s required by code to make it possible for a specific number of people to leave quickly. It also provides increased resilience.

Whenever you put in panic hardware on balanced doors, you have to use a touchpad-style device. The touchpad shouldn’t extend over halfway across the door. Code requirements normally prohibit the installation of any other sort of lock on a door that has panic hardware, except for an electromagnetic lock released by a switch or sensor. The point is, at all times, any person who has to leave right away must be able to open an exit route door from the inside ~ without any keys or tools, and without any specialized information.

Panic bars are also manufactured to prevent entry from the opposite side of the door. On the inner side, of course they allow a quick exit in a crisis. A panic bar locking only from the outside is permitted on an exit discharge door. Usually, rooms containing electrical equipment must have panic hardware or fire exit hardware, allowing an expert technician to escape in case of a fire or explosion.

Installed on doors that open to the outside, panic bars are obtainable in a numerous styles. Most are equipped with an alarm, which keeps individuals who are leaving from taking along a stolen item, or from trying to exit without paying the bill. Constructed either horizontally or vertically, all panic bar door openers operate the same way: The door opens as soon as the bar is pushed. The guidelines for you to follow, and the exact number of exit doors you must have, will all depend upon your building’s height, type, occupancy level, what it’s used for, and size.

Obey the law. The International Building Code (IBC), the International Fire Code (IFC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Code, are the most common building and fire safety codes applied in the United States. You’ll need to look into which code ~ and which edition of that particular code ~ applies to your property. Local codes for your area could also apply. Be sure you’re totally compliant.

These requirements concern all doors that either lock or latch. For instance, panic hardware is not required for a free-swinging door with only a pull handle and a push plate. On the other hand, panic hardware is required by code for specified occupancy types:

An “educational occupancy” is a school for children up to the 12^th grade. A building used for college classrooms is deemed a “business occupancy”; some college classrooms, if big enough, are classified as “assembly occupancy,” which refers to a building or area where large groups assemble, such as a gym or theater. The NFPA 101 Code includes a separate occupancy classification for “daycare occupancy,” where daycare is provided to kids or adults. A “high-hazard occupancy” (an area containing a great level of hazardous materials) is a space vulnerable to explosions.

The installation of panic bars. When a crisis occurs, most of us have trouble concentrating because we’re suddenly in an extreme situation. So it’s vital that you install your panic bars correctly to avoid mishaps. Be sure to regularly maintain these doors, follow every regulation. When your properly installed panic hardware functions smoothly, it will make a big difference if a life-or-death situation ever comes up.

There are many kinds of panic hardware. Rim devices can be easily installed, and need little maintenance. The panic hardware with surface vertical rods is harder to install, and thus should be carried out by an experienced expert. A panic bar that has a concealed vertical rod is more expensive, and also more difficult to install. Based upon your building’s parameters, it’s important to choose the right panic bar for each door you have.

When you install a panic device, make sure to follow the template included with the bar’s packaging to mark the door, so you’ll know where to place it. Any panic bar’s push pad has to be at least half the width of the door. The template will show you where to drill the holes and where to mount the hardware. The center of the panic bar’s push pad ought to be at the standard height of 41 inches above the floor. This measure can vary when it comes to daycare facilities and schools. Test the push pad to make sure it’s functional. Use only the screws that are included in the packaging; otherwise, you’ll void the warranty.

Hire a professional. Ultimately, it’s always best to hire a local professional. If your commercial facility is situated any place in Bolingbrook, Illinois, the mobile staff commercial specialists of Fast & Secure Locksmith will certainly be glad to help you. Anywhere you are, find a dependable security professional who is eminently qualified to answer your questions and guide you to choose exactly the right panic bars for all your building’s evacuation doors.