May. 26, 2025
Every self-storage owner should be concerned about site security. After all, break-ins can be costly to the property and its tenants. However, being knowledgeable about options can be daunting, with options and costs varying considerably. To facilitate the process, let’s look at key considerations for your security investment, particularly in relation to your facility perimeter.
Link to Raycom
Any time you leave your storage property unattended, everything inside is at risk from thieves including the storage units, vehicles, raw materials and equipment, and even your buildings. It’s wise to do everything you can to protect the considerable investment your facility represents. A security system can help in these key ways:
The main purpose of a security system is to detect, deter and delay. Modern perimeter systems include several components and provide multiple layers of protection, including an outer layer, such as a fence or other physical barrier, and detection capability, such as fence sensors.
Too many self-storage owners rely on cameras to act as their security system, but these only offer only a partial solution, as they’re reactive, not proactive. Plus, they usually don’t cover the fence line. Even when they do, they often can’t see everything due to vegetation, moving vehicles or weather. Remember, in most cases, a camera works just like the human eye; if you can’t see through a blockage, a camera likely can’t either.
Instead, think of cameras as a forensic system. They’ll record video of someone who breaks into your facility, but they won’t prevent the crime or alert you in real time. Yes, there are systems with video analytics or motion detection, but they typically don’t perform well in outdoor conditions. They also tend to issue a lot of false alarms, unless they’re very sophisticated (read: expensive) or you’re paying a monthly fee to a monitoring company that watches for incidents in real time and alerts the authorities.
It’s important to mention the obvious: If you don’t have a physical barrier to stop people from entering your self-storage property, this should be your first move. A strong perimeter is your most basic measure to stop crime.
Use fencing designed for security. Some barriers are made to be visually appealing but lack in deterrence. The best way to transform a “stupid” fence into a “smart” one is to add a way to detect if someone is cutting, climbing or lifting it. This is usually accomplished with an alarm system, infrared sensors or electric fence.
A fence alarm is a sensor, usually a cable attached to the fence. Such a system used to be considered expensive, complicated, and only for government or military use, but there are now commercial-grade systems that are cost-effective and easy to install. Likely, a local installer can perform the work for you.
Fence sensors provide real-time monitoring capability to not only alert a self-storage operator of intrusion but prevent burglaries, since they can trigger sirens, strobe lights and other measures to scare away perpetrators. These intrusion-detection systems cost about $5 to $8 per foot for the equipment before installation.
These are also called motion, line-of-sight or “laser” sensors. Though similar to the sensors you may use inside your home or office, they’re designed for outdoors. Usually, there are two sensors aligned with one another to form a “gate.” If someone breaks the beam, the sensors trigger an alarm. Available in wire or wireless versions, sensors are typically installed inside the perimeter and require 3 to 10 feet of clear path around the fence line to create a “no-go zone.”
Though this technology may sound like a great way to protect your facility, it has drawbacks. The main issue is false alarms, which can be triggered when something disrupts sensor alignment. This can be caused when a physical object (vegetation, vehicles, dirt, animals, etc.) blocks the view or direct sunlight blinds the sensors. Even extreme temperature can affect detection distance and capability, as these are based on an infrared heat signature. Sensors also tend to require frequent maintenance. They’re usually cheap, China-made equipment that can’t withstand harsh environments and fail after a few years at best.
This solution can be built from multiple parallel wires instead of standard fencing, or it can be mounted in front of an existing fence. It essentially creates two barriers whose collective purpose is to electrocute anyone who touches it. Most systems also offer detection capability, in which an alarm sounds when someone touches the fence. These are either purchased or leased, with the monthly cost ranging from $900 to $1,500, depending on the size of your property.
Though an electric fence may sound like a good way to exact revenge on criminal who intends harm, anyone wearing gloves or who throws a blanket over the wires can bypass the system. The nature of their construction also will not do much to slow trespassers.
When it comes to the security of your self-storage property, you owe it to yourself to investigate all available options. Few facilities need all the bells and whistles, and most security suppliers offer custom packages that allow you to hand-pick the options you value most. When making a buying decision, keep in mind the overall goal of the system and how its detection of and response to a criminal incident should prevent damage to your business.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Fence Sensors.
Automated gate systems are a sort of electrically operated gate opener that is controlled by a button or remote. These gate systems can be voice-controlled or require card readers to work, with the latter being more common in commercial settings. Home and business owners around the country are becoming increasingly interested in putting these systems in place. There are a variety of reasons why electric gates are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re unsure whether an automated gate system is a good investment for your future, here are some of the ways it can help you.
With an automated gate system, you can rest assured that no unwanted intruders will be able to enter your property without your assent. This factor makes these gates a popular choice for many property owners. Furthermore, the additional height of an automated gate system also adds to the safety and security of your home or place of business. Any attacker attempting to trespass into your property will have difficulty jumping over the gate because of its height. When used with CCTV, motion sensors, or other security systems, an automated gate dramatically reduces the risk of an invasion, robbery, or other crime. Automated gate systems have technology that allows them to contact your and send you an alert if an intrusion is detected.
For an extra security step, card readers are sometimes required to run automated gate systems, which is a characteristic that is typically used in commercial settings. Card readers do away with the requirement for a security officer to let authorized people in and out after verifying their identities. You won’t have to be concerned about trespassers as a result of this. Additionally, a card-activated system can keep track of staff check-in and check-out hours.
When you choose to install an automated gate system, you will have peace of mind knowing that if you ever choose to sell the property with an automated gate system, the investment you have made will pay itself off. This is due to the fact that such systems add to the security, beauty, and comfort of any home or business, so the property value also goes up when you get this system installed.
There are times when we have all wished that we wouldn’t have to open the gate to let someone in and they could just let themselves in, or we are tired after a long drive and just wish the gate would open itself. Automated gate systems eliminate the need to manually open the gate, and you can seamlessly drive into your garage by activating the system to let you in. You might think that this is not a big problem, but when you do not have to get out of the car to open the driveway gate in the cold winter months or rainy weather, you will surely thank yourself for deciding to get an automated gate system installed.
The wealthy and regal look that an automated gate system can lend to a property cannot be understated. Whether you choose to go for a swing gate, slide gate, or a tilt gate, the designs available at United Fence and Construction Co. will make your home look chic and add an air of luxury to the place. Whether you plan to sell the property in a few years or make it your forever home, an automated gate will up the curb appeal for you and any future renters or buyers of the property.
When you entrust us with the installation of your automatic gate, you can be assured that the investment you’re making in your and your family’s future will pay off handsomely for years to come. Our systems are top-of-the-line, and we adhere to all local building codes to ensure long-lasting.
Instead of just making sure that intruders cannot enter your property, an automated gate system also protects those on the other side of the gate. When your pets and children play outside on the lawn, you will not have to continuously check up on them to make sure that they haven’t wandered outside when you know for sure that only you can open the gate. This feature makes automated gate systems a popular choice among parents and pet parents!
A robust driveway gate with fencing can provide you with the privacy you desire. While relaxing on your porch, you won’t have to worry about inquisitive eyes from passers-by. Unknown visitors will also be unable to snoop around on your property. When employed in a commercial setting, an automated gate system alleviates any business owner’s concerns by guaranteeing that no unwanted individuals would be able to enter and perhaps cause difficulties.
In the past, you could only expect to find automated gate systems outside of the homes of celebrities or the uber-wealthy. But due to recent advancements in these systems, they have now become accessible for a much larger subset of the population. You can find a gate system that takes you a few steps closer to the house of your dreams, all while keeping your budget in check.
Your old gate can now be converted to an automated one thanks to modern technology. This will reduce the expense of a new gate and leave you with only the electric gate system to install. People often worry that if they have an electric gate system, they will be locked inside or out of a power outage, but now a solar-powered or backup battery mechanism may be put alongside the system to solve these worries.
There are countless models of fencing and gate systems now available in the market, and to truly enhance the look and comfort aspect of your home or commercial property, you will need to do your research and find one that fits your needs and does not look out of place. As with all other hardware and equipment, an automated gate system may start to show signs of wear and tear over the years, depending on the material they are made from.
In this case, our experts can repair your gate system in no time and have it back in top working condition. Annual service and checkups are recommended to keep the system in good working conditions for many years. We can repair any gate system you may have, even if you did not get it installed by us.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit RF970 fiber-optic intrusion detection system.
Previous: How Does a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System Benefit Commercial Buildings?
Next: The Benefits of Using RF970 Fiber Optic Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )