Business Security Information

In the picture, you can see that this business first installed metal bars to protect against someone from breaking in through the window.  As you can tell from the cut and bent bars, that was not enough security so the business went to the next level which was to remove the window and then fill the opening in with bricks.  For most businesses that are trying to protect themselves from a break-in, this  would be just too ugly of a solution.

I Don’t Want Ugly Security!

If you are trying to add security to your business and you are worried about someone getting through locked windows or doors, what can you do to add another layer of security without making your business or office look like Fort Knox?  One possible solution is roller shutters.  I have seen them installed on the inside or outside of the windows and doors of a structure.  The last place I saw them at was a small business that ran a combination mini-mart and hunting/fishing sporting goods store.  They were worried about someone breaking the glass and getting in and stealing guns and other supplies before the police could respond.  The business had an intrusion alarm system that was monitored by a third party monitoring company and included motion sensors, door contacts and glass break sensors, but the business location made it likely that a burglar could be in and gone before the police could respond.  Their solution was to add another layer of security that would slow the criminals down.  They installed roller shutters on the inside of the windows and the doors.

Roller Shutters

Roller shutters can be automatic, meaning that are opened and closed using an electric motor, or manual.  With larger openings, it is easier to open and close them using a motorized version of the roller shutters.  Roller shutters are usually made from aluminum which is lightweight but hard to penetrate.  They can be color- matched to the interior of a business so that unless you are looking for them, you probably would never notice them when they are in the open position.  These type of roller shutters can be purchased with different finishes, slat types, and controls.  The roller shutters are mainly used as a security measure against break-ins, but they are also of benefit against storm-related weather such as hurricanes and severe thunderstorms.  The roller shutter, when installed on the outside, can prevent flying debris in a storm from breaking a window.  Installed on the inside of the window, they will still provide some protection against a storm even if the window gets broken by flying debris.

Additional Security to Enhance Roller Shutters

As a security measure, locks can be installed to further strengthen the use of roller shutters.  Additionally, I would install bollards on any door opening that is wide enough that a vehicle can drive through, especially the double wide glass doors which you find at the entrance of a lot of businesses and office buildings.  This will reduce the chance of someone using a vehicle to ram through the doors and the roller shutters to gain entry to your building.  Most Best Buy stores use bollards at their front entrances to prevent these type of “crash and grab” burglaries.  You can read more about bollards in my recent article titled “Perimeter Security and the Use of Bollards”.  Remember, roller shutters can be used to not only protect exposed windows but also exterior doors.  Take a look at them and see if this might be another layer of security that would benefit your business.

Related posts:

1. Security Door Plates
2. Car Break-Ins — Can You Prevent Them?
3. Perimeter Security and the Use of Bollards!