How to decide which barriers are best for your business

When it comes to site security, many business owners think of gates, fences, CCTV, and security personnel. However, one of the less obvious, but nonetheless commonly used forms of perimeter security are barriers.

Easy to understand and incredibly useful, barriers are increasingly utilised by those in the know. As their name suggests they act as a strong defence against unwanted intruders, and ultimately provide you with the keys to the castle. Allowing you to decide who can and cannot get entry to your property. If you are interested in installing barriers at your site though, there are a few things you should know first. There are a variety of different options to choose from which will we run through today.

The benefits of barriers

Regardless of whether your premises is a business or a residential site, barriers are commonplace around the UK. Used properly, and installed with care, they are a perfect solution to managing entry to your site. They can be used as a manual tool operated by security staff, or automatic and controlled with keys, codes, or fobs. But with so much variety on offer - which barrier should you choose for your business?

Manual barriers

Manual barriers are one of the more cost-effective types of barriers available on the market. Typically used in rural or isolated settings, manual barriers are operated by hand. However, they are also a good choice when manned security is preferred for operation. They might be used to stop traffic and check the visitors' credentials before providing them access. Manual barriers are perfect if your site is located away from the grid and electricity is not available to power an automatic barrier. You can also lock them into position, so if you wanted to leave access shut off during the evenings, or open all day then you could.

Automatic barriers

A sophisticated solution, automatic barriers are used in a variety of settings and require electricity to operate. You might use automatic barriers on staff car parks, or at the entrance to a particular area of a site. With automatic barriers, the options for gaining access are almost endless. Depending on your needs you can provide entry via manned guards, CCTV for visual confirmation, pushbuttons, cards, tokens, or even fingerprint recognition.

Height restrictor barriers

Height restriction barriers can be found in a variety of sites from construction and garages to car parks. Their main goal is to block access for heavy vehicles and are often utilised in public car parks where overstays and unauthorised long-term have become an issue. Similar to manual barriers, they are a cost-effective solution and do not require electricity or manned guarding.

Guide your decision with a professional risk assessment

When it comes to deciding which barrier to choose for your property, it is important to take professional advice. Numerous factors need to be considered including but not limited to: available space, the type of business, cost, level of security threats. Every business is different and all of these factors should be taken into account. With a professional risk assessment, we can take a forensic look at your business needs, and requirements to help you make an informed decision and start you on the path to a more secure future.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no-obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements. To find out more, contact us on 01522 68255 or take a look at our brochure here: http://www.gatewayautomation.co.uk/brochure/.