If you run a business, then one of your biggest concerns is likely to be how to keep it safe and secure. One of the first lines of defence is often a security barrier, but with so many types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your premises.
You will need to be aware of the individual styles of barriers and how they work to make sure that your business is fully protected from thieves and vandals.
Types of security barrier
There are a huge number of security barriers available but the most common are traffic barriers, security gates, bollards and turnstiles. Each one has its own benefits and is suitable for different settings.
A bollard forms a static barrier that prevents vehicles being driven onto site. Although they provide everyday protection from entry, they can break with enough force, but will slow down any trespassers who choose to enter in such a way.
Many bollards now give you the option to hide them away by sinking them into the road surface should you wish to allow access at specific times or for certain vehicles. They are then easily deployed back into place once this is complete. Unlike other barriers, they are designed to be low usage and can be kept in place for long periods of time.
Traffic barriers are a familiar sight and come in the form of rising arm barriers, height restriction barriers and swing arm barriers. The rising arm design can be either manual or automatic and gives you the option to use technology such ANPR and use less space than swing arm designs.
The height restriction barrier is usually found at the entrance to car parks in order to prevent larger vehicles entering the site and can be paired with other barriers to make sure that anything which does not fit cannot proceed.
We understand many companies will have strict health and safety measures that involve not allowing any unauthorised personnel to enter the premises, and therefore need the ability to identify every person that enters the site or building.
Security gates come as swing gates, sliding gates and pedestrian gates and can be either manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic. Swing gates are often easier to install, whilst sliding gates take up a much smaller amount of space. Pedestrian gates are effective where there are a lot of people on foot, but a business does not want to open up the kind of access that would allow a vehicle through.
We are most likely to find turnstiles where there are high volumes of pedestrian entry, such as in sports stadiums, factories, warehousing and logistic sites. The single rotor turnstiles control the flow of people in or out, whilst twin rotor turnstiles allow for both entry and exit.
Automatic vs Manual Barriers
When choosing your security barrier, you need to decide whether it will be automatic or manually controlled. If you are looking to control the traffic that enters and leaves your site, then an automatic barrier has its advantages, as it can employ other forms of technology such as ANPR without the need for manual support.
This is particularly useful for larger businesses with significant amounts of traffic that would otherwise be very time intensives.
However, manual barriers are often preferred in smaller settings with fewer vehicles coming and going as they are generally more cost-effective.
Why businesses should install security barriers
The most obvious reason to install security barriers is to protect your business from unwanted vehicles. They are essential in all kinds of industries, as they put you in control of who can enter your site and when they can do so.
They provide a physical barrier, which means that they also provide an effective deterrent against those who are looking for a weakness or an unsecured site. By making it clear that you have put security in place, criminals are more likely to move on to an easier target and save you the heartache and expense that they would otherwise have caused.
In addition to criminal intent, security barriers allow you to limit entry to your premises if it is becoming overcrowded or the car park is being used by those who are not visiting your business.
It allows you to control who comes and goes using keypads, intercoms, cameras, and card readers or even fingerprint recognition, and offers your business privacy whilst still making a good first impression with your legitimate visitors. It shows that you are a serious business with safety and security at your heart and can provide a professional image to anyone who approaches.
A security barrier helps you to define your boundaries, and can still remain welcoming whilst keeping your business, and everyone in it, safe. We understand many companies will have strict health and safety measures that involve not allowing any unauthorised personnel to enter the premises, and therefore need the ability to identify every person that enters the site or building.
Which barrier should you install on your premises?
We are often asked which security barrier we would recommend, but there is no single correct answer to this. Each business will have their own specific requirements which is why we can arrange site visits to come and help you to determine the most effective solution for you.
We work hard to provide a bespoke solution that works with your needs, location, and budget, so feel free to get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.
Secure your business with Newgate!
At Newgate, we know how important it can be to protect your business, which is why we offer a range of access control security products designed to suit each individual situation. All of our security barriers are custom made by our expert team of engineers to ensure that all of your specific needs are met.
For more information on our range of security systems, please contact the team at Newgate today.
