Public spaces – whether it’s a shop, a school, an office or a train station – all have a wide variety of security needs that can differ greatly from private premises.
These spaces experience heavy foot traffic, and sometimes heavy vehicle traffic too. Valuable goods – whether it’s stock or staff belongings – need to be kept secure. And aesthetics need to be considered too, to make sure spaces are still welcoming.
Here we’re looking at some of the security options we provide that are designed for public spaces, as well as some general tips on site security.
Security doors suitable for the surroundings
Steel security doors are designed to resist attempts to gain entry, so they’re big, sturdy and heavy. However, in busy public spaces, these highly secure commercial grade steel doors could potentially cause hazards.
For this reason, it is particularly important to ensure a door has safety features, such as anti-finger trap devices, and vision windows.
We have also developed a kind of steel door specifically for sports halls, with rebound doors to help it withstand a great deal of traffic and impacts, as well as non-protruding mechanisms to severely reduce the risk of injury.
These doors are by no means short on security, however, with sash and triple locks that are anti-bump, pick and snap as standard. They are also available in a huge range of powder coating colours, meaning they can match their surroundings – ideal for areas that make use of brand colours.
Grilles and grates
Security grilles and grates are commonly used in public spaces – shop windows, train stations, offices, and all sorts of other areas. One major advantage is that they can easily be custom built for a openings of all shapes and sizes, allowing visual consistency across a number of different entrances and windows.
They may be used to reinforce security around windows while still allowing passers-by to see in, or to cordon off closed areas that do not have walls and doors, such as open-plan kiosks in train stations or shopping centres.
As these are in areas with high foot traffic during the day, it’s essential that mechanisms don’t cause a hazard – for example, foldable guide tracks are used to remove trip hazards when the grates are not in use.
Improving security
There are a number of other ways to improve security in a public space. CCTV cameras, for example, have been proven to contribute to a small but significant reduction in crime, making for an effective deterrent.
However, it is important to realise that CCTV will not reduce all kinds of crime, and is most effective when used to deter theft, but doesn’t really have an impact on violent crime – so it’s not an adequate solution on its own for keeping staff safe if, for example, they are working alone at night.
Security lighting is another essential factor – particularly when combined with CCTV. However, it’s important to consider who actually benefits from the lighting – poorly placed security lights may actually aid an intruder without providing any additional visibility for cameras. It also goes without saying that these are not a replacement for secure infrastructure and security staff.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the best options for security at your premises, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we install secure roller shutters, doors and security grates at a wide range of commercial, retail and public properties, and will be happy to answer any queries.
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