Commercial and Business Security

Commercial security is paramount for the good running of a business. Different sectors have different needs but secure premises are a must no matter what area of business the company operates in. There are a range of solutions that locksmiths can make a business more secure and unappealing to the potential intruder that may be anything from padlocking to sophisticated electronic locking systems. The effectiveness of a lock depends on strength, strength of connections to doors or windows and the overall complexity of the lock.

Some different types of locks are:

Locks fitted to the surface of a door - fine for cupboards holding low-value goods.

Mortise locks - fixed within the structure of the door and the doorjamb. The number of levers varies - five-lever locks (BS3621 Kitemarked) are the most secure and suit external doors. However, the door and frame must be strong - LPS 1175 and BS:PAS 24 standards will test doorsets for different levels of risk.

Padlocks - work well when used with strong chains and fixings.

Combination locks - opened with a unique number. Some need two people to open them, each knowing only one combination.

Access control systems - release a lock if people give certain information. They might type in a PIN (personal identification number), or swipe a plastic card through a reader.

Attention should also be payed to the company key policy as there is little point having a secure locking system if there is little control over the distribution of keys.

Keys can be easy to copy or lose. Restrict the number of keyholders and choose locks with keys that are only available from the manufacturer. The lock must be changed if a key is lost or stolen.Combination locks rely on people to keep the number secret. Any note of it should be kept elsewhere, preferably in a bank. Change the combination regularly or when a keyholder leaves employment.Card swipe systems are the most secure type of access control system. With a PIN system it's hard to monitor who knows the number. People can also be overlooked tapping it in. If you use a PIN system, change the number regularly.


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