New Build Commercial Unit Security Systems

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When it comes to protecting your business from threats, security systems are at the forefront of commercial security. These systems have evolved over the years and are now more reliable, intelligent, integrated, and simply better than ever!

Commercial properties including offices, restaurants, retail stores, shopping centres, schools, universities, medical facilities, hotels, warehouses, and banks can all benefit from security systems. Due to the different nature of all these places, their safety and security needs may be different, and they may require a unique set of security measures to fulfil them.

Due to their importance in protecting businesses from theft, vandalism, unauthorised access, and fires, security systems must be incorporated into their design and infrastructure from the get-go. This is especially true for new build commercial units.

Installing security systems during the construction phase ensures safety and security from the very beginning and helps businesses and property owners stay compliant with the law. It also saves the business from future costly installations which may cause disruptions depending on the nature of the security system.

Read on for a detailed guide for developers and landlords on the importance of commercial security and which security systems to install to create a safer environment for everyone including the employees, staff members, clients, customers, and visitors:

SECURITY AND SAFETY LAWS FOR NEW BUILD BUSINESS UNITS

Safety and security laws in the UK are very strict and apply to all commercial properties. If you are planning to construct a new build commercial unit or wish to make alterations to it, you must understand the laws and regulations that govern safety in these properties to ensure that they are safe, secure, and suitable for use.

All businesses must comply with these regulations, the enforcement of which is undertaken by the local authorities. Non-compliance can be seen as a serious breach of responsibility, resulting in hefty fines and legal action.

Commercial building regulations in the UK are made up of a set of legal standards and statutory requirements regarding the construction and integrity of the building and safety and security requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of the building’s occupants.

As the owner of a new build business unit, it is your responsibility to take all the necessary safety and security measures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all those present on the premises. This includes all the employees, staff members, workers, clients, customers, visitors, and any members of the public directly affected by it.

The health and safety regulations apply to all new and existing business units in the UK and are made up of several pieces of legislation that all business owners, developers, and landlords are required to abide by. These encompass everything from fire safety to a healthy work environment and protection from safety and security threats and hazards.

COMMERCIAL SECURITY INSTALLATION FOR NEW BUILD BUSINESS UNITS

If you are a developer, landlord, or business owner planning to construct a new build business unit, it is the right time to consider installing commercial security systems to ensure your property is protected from day one. This not only helps keep security and safety threats away but also ensures legal compliance from the very start.

Installing commercial security systems during the construction phase of your new build business unit has its own set of advantages and is something to consider. Whether you are developing an office space, a retail store, a storage facility, or any other business unit, installing a security system from the get-go is a smart way to ensure the property and the people in it stay safe and secure.

Installing security systems during construction is also referred to as prewiring. All the wires and cables are installed inside the walls and are neatly concealed for a cleaner look. This is particularly useful for new build business units where aesthetics plays a big role. Exposed wires may look messy and unkempt, which is why prewiring is a great option if a sleeker and cleaner look is what you want.

The issue with prewiring is that changes to the system become a hassle later since everything is hardwired. You may choose to add security devices to your existing infrastructure, but that would mean visible cables and wiring for the new installations.

The other option is installing security systems after the construction has been completed. If you are using wired systems, the wires may very much be visible. If that is an issue, you can always opt for wireless security systems and not worry about wires or cables at all.

The components of these systems are connected wirelessly and allow much more in terms of flexibility and scalability. They, however, are powered by batteries that need to be always charged, which is something that needs to be carefully maintained and monitored to ensure continuous power supply.

GUIDE FOR DEVELOPERS AND LANDLORDS ON WHAT TO INSTALL

The importance of security systems for commercial properties, both new builds and existing units, is paramount in today’s business environment. These systems should be a part of the foundation of a building and must be regarded as part of the main infrastructure instead of an optional add-on.

Commercial security systems are indispensable to any type of business as they provide consistency in business operations and the safety of assets, intellectual property, and most importantly, human life. They are designed to keep threats at bay and are an important investment for any commercial building.

When deciding on what to install, you should begin with assessing the property’s security needs and identify threats and vulnerabilities unique to the business. This may include properly analysing the building layout, its location, and the nature of the work being carried out. As a developer or landlord of a new build commercial unit, this will give clarity on what to do in terms of security and which security systems to consider.

A security risk assessment is a thorough investigation of a property’s safety and security needs. It is a formal document that has all the information related to the security risks faced by a business and the steps taken to minimise them.

It includes details of what the risks are, where they are taking place, what are the chances of the risks manifesting, what measures (if any) are in place to mitigate them, whether they are a priority, and whether the risks have been fixed.

This is an incredibly important step since the safety and security needs of every commercial property are different. For example, an office may benefit more from controlling access while a retail store may require proper surveillance. Evaluating your property and its unique security needs will allow you to make a more informed decision regarding which and what type of security systems to choose.

SECURITY SYSTEMS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

When it comes to security systems for new build commercial units, you need to look for systems that are effective, reliable, scalable, and easy to integrate for a more comprehensive security solution.

Some of the most popular types of commercial security systems include:

Alarm Systems

There are two main types of commercial alarm systems: burglar alarms and fire alarms. Both are designed to send out alerts in case of a threat. While one focuses on intrusions, the other detects fire-related dangers. Both are equally important and are indispensable when it comes to new build commercial unit safety and security.

Burglar alarms work using a series of sensors including motion sensors, glass break detectors, passive infrared, and contact sensors to detect any unusual activity within a building, which then triggers an audible and (or) visual alarm to notify the occupants of the building of the threat.

There are a few types of burglar alarms to choose from, from simple bells-only alarm systems to a smart system with remote monitoring capabilities. The type you choose for your property depends on the level of protection you require. A property at a higher risk of break-ins and burglaries may benefit from advanced systems with monitoring capabilities.

Fire alarm systems, on the other hand, are an integral part of fire safety and a must-have in all commercial and business properties. For all new build business units, it is a regulatory requirement to have a reliable and well-maintained fire detection system to detect the earliest signs of a fire and protect business property and the people in it from the devastating effects of a fire.

These systems are made up of several components that work together to offer protection against fires. The level of protection depends on the type of fire alarm system and the additional features it has. Most fire alarms for businesses are often connected to a central monitoring station for faster response time and enhanced safety.

CCTV Cameras

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras are an incredibly powerful security tool used not only to deter potential criminals from targeting your property but also as evidence for official and legal purposes by law enforcement and insurance companies.

They are one of the most popular types of security systems used in commercial properties, and their popularity and demand keep on increasing due to their numerous security benefits. Their use has become more widespread, and their surveillance features are benefiting homeowners, businesses, and the community.

CCTV systems consist of several cameras connected to a central digital video recorder (DVR) which captures, stores, and manages footage in real-time. The footage can also be recorded to be viewed later.

There are several types of CCTV cameras available for commercial use. Some of the most popular ones include bullet, dome, c-mount, PTZ, day/night, infrared/night vision, network/IP, wireless, and high-definition CCTV cameras.

Choosing the right cameras and placing them strategically around the premises is key to getting the most out of these systems. A few features to look for include high-definition, remote access, cloud storage capabilities, facial recognition, automatic motion detectors, security lighting, and integration with other security systems.

While every business is permitted to use CCTV cameras, they must be used and operated with utmost responsibility. Certain laws govern the use of CCTV systems in businesses, adherence to which is mandatory.

Access Control

The main purpose of access control systems is to manage access within a building. Also called keyless entry systems, these systems are mostly automated and instead of using traditional keys and locks, they use advanced locks and authentication methods including access codes, access cards, key fobs, biometrics, and smartphone apps.

These systems offer much more in terms of safety, reliability, and control and are a great way to keep track of who entered the business premises and when. Their advanced software enables them to collect user data such as their credentials, along with the timestamp of when access was requested. This can be very useful for keeping track, auditing purposes, and also in case of any emergency or security breach.

Managing, controlling, and limiting access to your new build business unit, or a certain part of it, is a great way to make your property less likely to fall victim to break-ins, burglaries, and unauthorised visitors.

Access control systems come equipped with great features that make access management a breeze. For this reason, every new commercial build must invest in them and integrate them into the design and construction phase.

INTEGRATION AND REMOTE MONITORING

Security systems can be barebones with just the basic features or come heavily equipped with advanced features and capabilities. A few of the essential features to look for when choosing security systems for your new build commercial unit include integration and remote monitoring.

Although security systems can very well work as standalone systems, integrating them can multiply their effectiveness and performance. Creating a security system infrastructure by combining alarm systems, CCTV cameras, and access control systems can offer better security and a streamlined approach to safety and security incidents.

For example, by integrating alarm systems with CCTV cameras and access control, you can initiate a response from all systems during an emergency. During an attempted break-in, the alarm system would pick up on the intrusion, the CCTV camera would record the footage, and the doors could automatically be locked via access control.

Remote monitoring is another excellent feature that allows you to access, control, and manage your security system via smartphones or computers. Unlike traditional systems where a team would physically monitor your premises and only notify you of possible threats when needed, remote monitoring technology can automatically send out notifications to both the security team and the owner.

This ensures that every alarm trigger is responded to, and the required action is taken at the earliest. Property owners and landlords may even opt for professional monitoring services where the security systems are connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) manned by trained professionals who monitor the alarm, review it, and take the necessary action such as informing the owners and calling the police.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards. We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.

We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash

New Build Commercial Units: Security Systems You Should Consider