Steel buildings are versatile, cost-effective and long-lasting, and represent terrific value for money. That said, they also represent a significant investment, and so it’s prudent to make them as secure as possible, both to protect the integrity of the building and to ensure the safety of whatever it is they contain.
The ideal time to consider Security options for your steel building is at the design stage, so they are an integral part of the construction process. This might have particular relevance if the building is in a remote area, or will contain high-value stock, equipment and/or machinery. Yes, things can be changed or added later, but that takes additional time and money.
So, how can you increase the security of your new steel building? Here are some suggestions.
The obvious way into a building is via the doors. Investing in high-quality access doors and locks can have a big impact on the security of the building. Heavier doors will be harder to force and good locks will be more difficult to get through. If there are windows, shutters that can be closed and locked at night are also a useful option.
If you will have a roller door, bear in mind that many are made from thin metal that it’s relatively easy to cut through. Thieves have also been known to use car jacks to crank up doors. Having a roller door made from a heavier-grade steel is a good idea and, rather than just one central locking point, consider having two and setting them into the concrete foundation.
Just as roller doors can be easy to cut through, so can single-skin cladding. Upgrading from single-skin cladding to composite cladding is worthwhile, as a thicker panel is harder to cut through than a single-layer steel wall or roof. Some security improvements also come with benefits in their own right, and this is one of them. Composite cladding improves the thermal properties of the building, so there may be savings over time to be made elsewhere that help offset the initial outlay.
Precast concrete panels are often used in agricultural buildings, and we are seeing them being used more and more in industrial and commercial type buildings, too. This is due to the enhanced security they promise. If concrete panels that sit on top of the concrete base form the lower part of the walls, with cladding forming the upper walls and the roof, then there is a much stronger barrier against break-ins that use ramming or forcing.
Other security considerations include an alarm system, triggered by doors or windows being opened or internal motion sensors. External cameras might act as a deterrent, or provide useful information as to who’s responsible if the building is subject to vandalism or break-in. Lights could be triggered by external motion sensors, which would leave no place for would-be intruders to hide.
If you are considering a steel frame building, then make sure you include security features when you ask for a quotation. If you want any advice, give us a call. We’re always happy to talk about steel buildings.
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