Things to consider before buying barriers and gates

Buying barriers or gates can be a big investment, so you need to ensure that you are choosing the best option for your needs. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before deciding which is best for you to buy.

1.    What level of security do I need?
This is the first question you should ask yourself. The barriers or gates needed will completely depend on the type of business you have and what security you need. If you require the strongest and most secure barriers then these will inevitably cost more, but you need to think about it as a long-term investment and how much they will benefit the business by protecting your assets.

2.    What access do I need?
You need to think carefully about who needs to access your building. Will staff members be needing vehicle access on a regular basis? Do you also need access for delivery vehicles and if so, how regularly? If the answers to these questions are yes then you will need to think of a barrier or gate which is easy and quick to open. Will you have a high number of pedestrians coming onto your premises? If the answer is yes, then you may want to consider the use of turnstiles.

3.    What space do you have available?
Another major thing to consider is what space you have available on your property. Do you actually have the space to install the gates you want? For example, if you are thinking about getting swing gates, you need to consider the extra space required for the gate to open fully.

4.    What is your budget?
For most businesses, you need to stick to a strict budget and although it would be great if money wasn’t a factor, it often is. You need to ensure you get the product you want which meets your needs whilst still being affordable. Again, you need to think of it as an investment and not automatically go for the cheapest option, as it could lead to your property and assets not being as protected as they should be.

5.    Will you have any staff members for security?
If you are planning on having security at your entrance then this will change the type of barrier and gate you want significantly. If you have someone there to open and close the gates and monitor who enters and leaves, then your options will be different.

6.    What do you want them to look like?
Last but not least, you need to ensure that the barriers and gates you choose are secure but also look good and fit in with the rest of your property. You also need to think about what impact you want to make. If you want to make an impression and deter people from entering, then you may go for imposing gates. On the other hand, you may want the property to have a sense of people being welcome when they enter, so you may go for a more subtle option instead. Each business is different.

At the end of the day, each business has its own needs for barriers and gates. They vary significantly depending on the sector you work in and the location of the business. There are many factors that will determine what you require from barriers and gates. They are a big investment for companies, so you need to ensure you choose what is right for you. If you ask yourself the six questions above, then hopefully you will know exactly what you require, and we can help you go through the options available to you.

To find out more about our barriers and gates, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no obligation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

Why your business will benefit from barriers and gates

Security is of the upmost importance for businesses and should be a priority. Online security is becoming a main focus for many companies, which is great, but physical security is still just as important. One of the main and most effective methods you can use to help make your premises secure is with the use of barriers. There are many benefits to your business of having barriers which we will discuss now, including that they are easy to install and one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your business in a physical sense.

1.    Barriers can save you money in the long term
Physical security measures should be considered as an investment for the long term of your business. Yes, some options can be costly, however when you consider the potential losses your company can make if you were ever broken in to, then barriers are extremely good value for money. As your business grows the value of your assets also increases and therefore it is important you protect these as soon as possible.

In addition to these, some gate and barrier options come with automated keypads which allow only authorised people in. This reduces the need of having someone physically being part of the security which will significantly lower costs as you will not need to pay them a salary.

2.    Barriers control who enters and exits your premises
Barriers are great at controlling who enters your premises. Although CCTV and other methods can show you who is near your premises, barriers are physical and therefore a must have for most companies. They can be used alongside fences to establish where your boundaries are, ensuring that people understand where this boundary lies. If you have people regularly visiting your premises then you may still need some manned support to help this, however the use of security codes and intercoms help make the entry process both secure and easy.

3.    Barriers act as a deterrent
Not only do barriers physically keep people out when they are trying to enter without authorisation, they can help act as a deterrent and put people off even attempting to enter if they are not allowed. In addition to this, some people accidently trespass on company property if they have not clearly defined where they own. By having barriers and fences, this shows people immediately and will avoid any confusion from innocent people who do not mean any harm. This is especially a problem if your property is near public footpaths or roads where accidental trespassing is likely.

4.    Barriers can improve the image and professionalism of your company
Having sufficient security can show to others that you take your business seriously. By having high quality barriers and gates, you present the image that you care about your assets and want to protect them. This comes across well to employees who will inevitably feel safer working in a more secure environment, but also to people who you are doing business with you. It shows you are a respectable business and it will look good for your brand and reputation as a company.

5.    Barriers are easy to use
Barriers and gates are some of the simplest forms of security but also some of the most effective. They are tried and tested to work well for companies and the fact they are relatively cheap compared to some electrical security solutions makes them an obvious choice. Sometimes all you will need is someone to open and close them at the end of each day.

6.    Barriers can prevent certain types of vehicles entering
Barriers are also a great way to ensure only certain types of vehicles enter your premises, or sections of it. Going to height restrictor barriers can ensure you do not get large vehicles entering and parking. This is great for businesses which have car parking areas. However, you need to ensure that if you do need access to large vehicles for deliveries or other purposes that they have an alternative route for access.

To find out more about what barrier and gate options are available for your business, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no obligation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.