Australian retail spaces and storage yards are under perpetual threat from intruders seeking to gain access to their premises. The cost of such a break-in includes the value of the stolen inventory and the significant expenses involved in repairing the damage caused to the buildings. In addition to losing the merchandise, such an event leads to considerable losses from operational downtime.
Physical barriers are needed at a commercial premise to ward off any attempts of illegal trespassing. An intrusion cannot be stopped by mere alarms and cameras since criminals will enter the building by then. Physical barriers are necessary to prevent such intruders from getting into proximity to the building in the first place.
Types of Advanced Barrier Systems
A comprehensive solution to the problem of security at a commercial property starts with protecting its perimeter.
Security Gates and Anti-Climb Fences
The first layer of defence of any commercial building is its perimeter fence. Regular fences can be fairly easily circumvented by a persistent trespasser with the right tools. A strong security fence and gates provide an additional measure of protection. An anti-climb fence has tightly-spaced mesh panels, preventing anyone from grabbing onto them with their fingers and toes. Such a fence is essential for warehouses and manufacturing facilities in Australia with their huge and unguarded perimeters.
Impact-Resistant Bollards
Retail premises located on busy streets or in shopping centres are at a greater risk from ram-raids. A vehicle is often used to smash the shop’s facade, allowing the criminals to grab valuable items before escaping to another jurisdiction. High-impact bollards placed around the perimeter of the shop provide excellent security against ram raids. The bollard takes all the impact from the hit while pedestrians are allowed free passage.
Reinforced Doors and Windows
Criminals often try to enter a building through its weakest points, which can be found in back doors and windows. Commercial doors made of hollow materials give way rather easily when faced with a crowbar or a sledgehammer. Switching to reinforced steel doors and deadlocks increases the difficulty of breaching the premises immensely. In addition, installation of security glass films or metal grilles prevents entry even in case of breaking glass panes.
Stopping Intruders with Physical Barriers
A major component of any commercial security strategy should be deterrence. Property crimes are extremely opportunistic in nature, and criminals typically go from one target to another. Upon encountering a difficult to overcome physical barrier like a bollard or an anti-climb fence, the balance of the effort versus potential reward tips towards discouraging any criminal activity.
Physical barriers dramatically increase the time and level of noise needed to gain entry into a commercial facility. In turn, that makes it easier for security guards and security cameras to catch the culprits red-handed. Facing a high probability of arrest, most burglars will leave the building and seek other less secure premises.
Unrecognised Benefits of Advanced Barriers
In addition to preventing criminals from gaining access to your facility, physical barriers can result in long-term savings on insurance payments and improved security of your employees.
Insurance companies regard highly secured property premises as low-risk clients. By taking proactive steps towards reinforcing a property, Australian business owners can negotiate reduced insurance rates and obtain more favourable coverage. Also, having an advanced security system installed brings peace of mind for business owners and employees. With such measures in place, staff members will feel much more confident entering the building and working there.
Securing Your Business Premises for the Long Run
Protecting a commercial property involves putting up physical barriers to thwart any intrusion attempts and preserve the company’s assets.
With an assessment of vulnerable points, it is possible to install the appropriate security barriers, protecting both your stock and your staff. Take some time to assess the state of your perimeter defence now. Talking to a professional local security consultant can greatly help determine what kind of physical barriers are needed in your specific situation.
