Business Alarm Systems – Buying guide

Your place of business is one of your most precious assets. It houses stock, expensive electronic devices, vehicles and important documents as well as your employees. So keeping your business premises safe with adapted security systems should be a top priority.

Statistics show that burglary is the most common type of crime experienced by businesses. Commercial property is particularly attractive to thieves because of the high value of assets within as well as the long periods of time over which buildings and warehouses are vacant. But there are other premises security risks which may need to be addressed, such as vandalism, shoplifting, internal theft and threatening behavior towards staff.

Investing in the right security system, therefore, is invaluable when you consider what’s at stake, both in terms of lost revenue and time as well as your company’s reputation. There is a whole range of security systems which are affordable, easy to install and easy to use. The most common of these are CCTV systems, business alarms and door entry systems. These security systems for business not only catch criminal activity as it happens and alert the authorities but deter the crime from taking place in the first place. A secure business with integrated CCTV, door entry and alarm systems provides full control of all access points to the property as well as monitoring all movement across the site.

What are the components of a business security system?

The general set up for all business security CCTV, alarm and entry systems is largely the same. You have a sensor or front line component on site, like a camera, motion sensor or card reader which relays information back to a central control recording system, where images can be recorded (video, DVD or directly onto a computer) or access throughout the building can be monitored. In addition, an alarm system will be continuously monitored by the provider’s trained staff, giving you a direct line to the police 24 hours a day.

How much does it cost?

The cost of business premises security is twofold:

• Purchase costs and installation fees are an initial-one off payment to buy the security systems and have them

  fitted by a qualified engineer. It may be possible to spread this payment out on credit terms.

Obviously, the more sophisticated the security systems you require for your business and the larger the installation, the higher the cost.

• Business security services. Make sure that you are aware of all the maintenance costs that your security installation will incur. A good supplier will offer a range of packages so all replacement parts, annual services and call out charges are paid for monthly or annually.

Business Security Installation considerations

Fitting a new security system for your business can be a big decision, and one that you can’t afford to get wrong. So make sure you take into account these important considerations:

•  Many providers offer a free security audit of your business’s premises to help you understand your needs and make sure the right security equipment is installed.
•  To make sure that all insurance and legislation surrounding your security installation is met, and to give you the reassurance that your equipment is of the highest standard, check that your security provider is an NSI (National Security Inspectorate) approved company.
•  Every company with a working CCTV system must advertise this with prominent signage throughout the building and ensure that recorded data can be adequately stored.