Commercial Security in Focus – A Round-up of all the Best Advice

With so much going on in the world and the economy, keeping your business safe and secure from growing threats has never been so important, and that’s why we’ve been committed to bringing you all the latest commercial security guidance since we started our blog back in 2013.

With this in mind, we’ve taken this opportunity to round up some of the most important insights and popular stories we’ve shared over the past 11 years.

Emergency Exit Regulations and Security

There’s often a lot of confusion around the subject of emergency exits, especially where security is concerned. Finding that balance between protecting building occupants from fire, whilst keeping them and your premises safe from security threats can be a challenge.

When there’s an emergency, it’s vital that everyone can safely evacuate the building quickly.

Whilst the main entrance door will usually be the key fire exit, in larger premises, it is sometimes necessary to introduce additional fire exits so as to reduce the escape distance, or to provide an alternative in the event the main exit is blocked.

But of course, bearing in mind it is not permissible to lock fire exit doors when the building is occupied, the more exits that are introduced, the more open the building comes to the risk of break-ins. Hence the need for emergency exit security measures.

But the question is, which emergency exit security measures are legally compliant?

Read our emergency exit regulations guide to find out the answer to this, and other frequently asked questions about emergency exit security solutions.

How to Keep Your Commercial Property Protected from Fly Tippers and Squatters

Incidents of fly tipping and squatting are on the rise, and they are costing businesses thousands of pounds in legal fees and damage remediation costs.

This is why it is so important to identify vulnerabilities, and then take steps to eliminate them by securing boundaries and windows and doors.

CCTV and intruder alarms systems are an effective alternative to security guards where budgets won’t stretch. But it’s important to choose your system – and your installer – wisely to make sure you get precisely what you need for your premises, and that it’s insurance compliant.

You’ll also need to comply with the law by using appropriate signage.

Our guide to keeping commercial property protected from fly tippers and squatters explains all.

Securing Your Server Room

Server rooms will vary in size from one business to another, but they are all regulated by various industry and data protection standards. They also need to meet environmental conditions to protect the equipment they house.

Server room security is hugely important, not just for the reasons above, but also because protecting against malicious damage and theft is a must if business downtime is to be avoided.

Whatever the setup of your server room, whether it’s a large cupboard with a single cabinet, or a dedicated hub with a series of stacked machines, you will need to invest in keeping it secure.

Our guide to server room security will take you through your options, as well as providing tips on important due diligence considerations when choosing your system.

Keeping Your Business Premises Ventilated and Secure

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises employers to ensure there is adequate ventilation in enclosed areas of their workplaces.

Not only is this a legal requirement under Regulation 6 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, it is also good practice in terms of creating a healthy and comfortable working environment for employees.

However, leaving windows open to provide a supply of fresh air can open up security risks for business premises, especially as unforced break-ins don’t usually qualify for insurance pay-outs, and opportunistic intruders will always target the easy route into a building.

Our guide to keeping your business premises ventilated and secure shows you the steps to take to make sure your open windows don’t provide a way in for intruders.

Weatherproof Security Cameras

If there’s anything we can rely on in the UK, it’s that the weather can never be relied on. From storms and heavy rains, to high winds and heatwaves, extremes of weather are nothing new to us. But have you thought about how the weather can affect your commercial surveillance system?

Changes in weather conditions are known to impact the quality of CCTV feed, as well as how cameras and sensors function. Fluctuating temperatures can cause a build-up of condensation, freezing conditions can lead to component failure, and heavy rain can distort the camera’s vision.

However, there are various steps you can take to ensure your CCTV system doesn’t let you down, regardless of what the UK weather throws at it.

Our guide to weatherproof security cameras will take you through all the important points you need to know, from the meaning of ‘IP Rating’, to advice on moving cameras, lighting, temperature specifications and the importance of servicing.

The Importance of a Physical Security Risk Assessment

A physical security assessment is something that every business should undertake. It will demonstrate how well existing security measures are performing, whilst revealing any gaps that need attention.

A security risk assessment is important because it will expose areas of risk that could prove costly if not remedied.

Our guide to conducting a physical security risk assessment takes you step by step through the process, from identifying risks and assessing threats and vulnerabilities, to reviewing policies and procedures.

Fire Alarm Systems – A Buyer’s Guide

Who ever knew there were so many different types of fire alarm system? Addressable, non-addressable and wireless are the main ones. But which is right for your particular business premises?

Fire alarms are one of the most critical security and safety measures a building can have. They are required by law in most commercial properties, and even in the few cases where that’s not the case, it is still recommended that an alarm in any room where a fire could start.

Our buyer’s guide to fire alarm systems will take you through all the different fire alarm types, your legal obligations, fire alarm grades and categories, and how to approach choosing the right alarm for your needs.

Environmental Sustainability and Commercial Property Security

Most businesses these days are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Larger organisations have a duty to report on their strategy for doing so, but most will see the numerous benefits outside of that. From protecting the environment, to attracting top talent, there is much to incentivise business owners in this area.

For this reason, there is an increasing move towards the use of eco-friendly security solutions.

For those businesses seeking to improve their ESG rating, or simply do what they can to reduce waste and save energy, our guide to environmental sustainability and commercial property security will prove useful in navigating you through your options.

Artificial Intelligence – the Future of Commercial Security is Here

No 2024 blog on commercial security would be complete without mention of artificial intelligence (AI). As this technology grows ever powerful, so it contributes more to the security industry.

It is possible to integrate AI into all sorts of security solutions, from intruder alarms and CCTV, to locks, biometric scanners and fire alarms.

Industries of all kinds are benefiting from AI-driven security systems. Our guide to how AI can be used in commercial property security provides examples of how businesses are using the technology to enhance their protection and reduce their risk.

Commercial security advice from Barry Bros Security – protecting businesses for more than 75 years

At Barry Bros Security, we have been protecting businesses for more than 75 years with tailor-made security solutions.

We have moved with the times over the years, embracing new solutions and technologies and making sure our customers are safeguarded against all the latest risks.

If you would like to talk to us about your commercial security needs, you are welcome to get in touch. Our experts are ready to provide you with the advice you need to protect what matters to you.