No matter the industry you’re in, a burglar alarm system can be a wise investment for your business. However, with so many options to choose from, how do you know which is best for your company premises?
Let’s take a look at how to choose the most suitable and effective burglar alarm system for your business.
Why does your business need an intruder alarm system?
Most business spaces contain something of value, be it retail stock, money, documentation, or work equipment. As such, they are often targeted by intruders who may wish to steal for financial gain or cause damage through vandalism.
An intruder alarm can prevent this from happening, helping bring business owners peace of mind. We recently explored how burglar alarms work and whether they really can prevent break-ins — and they certainly can. In our 35+ years of installing top-of-the-range burglar alarms, we’ve seen how central they are to any business’s security strategy. These handy devices can:
- Deter would-be intruders from attempting to gain access
- Stop them in their tracks if they do attempt entry
- Alert business owners or the police of a security breach
- Reduce the level of loss or damage
All of these can save your business vast amounts of stress and money, making a burglar alarm a truly worthwhile investment. The big question is: How do you choose the best intruder alarm for your exact premises?
How to work out your business’s security requirements
The first step in finding the ideal alarm system is to work out what level of security your business space needs.
Carry out a risk assessment
Think about your industry as well as your business building or site size. How likely are you to be affected by an intruder? Retail spaces, for example, may be at higher risk than a warehouse located in a secure industrial estate.
Think about:
- Your premises location
- The site size – generally, bigger spaces will need more motion sensors, alarms, and CCTV cameras
- The site layout (for example, how many doors and windows there are)
- Who has access to the site – is there just one staff member or keyholder, or would it be helpful to integrate an access control system, like a keypad, for multiple team members?
- The value of any on-site assets
- Opening or operational hours
- Any previous break-ins or security breaches
Looking at your site’s level of risk can help you work out whether you need a basic burglar alarm system or more advanced security measures, such as CCTV and police response.
Consider scalability
Is your existing site likely to expand in the near future? You may have plans to extend buildings, add more entry points, or increase the value of onsite assets. These changes often mean you’ll need to increase security measures. Opting for an alarm system that allows for scaling up can be a smart move.
Other areas to consider when choosing a burglar alarm system for your business
Once you’ve established the level of security you need, it’s also worth bearing the following factors in mind:
Maintenance and servicing
Although it might be tempting to install a ‘fit and forget’ alarm, this can lead to issues down the line. It’s essential to choose a burglar alarm that you (or a professional) can access for maintenance and servicing. If an alarm looks broken or rundown, potential intruders may decide to have a go at accessing your premises anyway.
Keeping on top of maintenance can make a big difference to the success of your security system.
Compliance and regulations
Depending on where you are and the industry you’re in, there may be specific regulations you need to follow, such as requirements for alarm system certification. If you want to integrate CCTV, you’ll also need to comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
What burglar alarm systems are available for businesses?
There are three main categories of burglar alarm systems, ideal for both domestic and commercial spaces:
- Wireless
- Hard-wired
- Hybrid (a combination of both)
Once you’ve chosen the wiring type for your alarm, you’ll want to think about the features. For a business setting, police response is a good addition — this automatically contacts the police if your alarm is triggered. It will read them a pre-recorded message stating your premises’ address so they can get there quickly to stop any intruders.
We also recommend investing in an alarm that includes a fog cannon. This sends out synthetic white smoke to obscure the intruder’s vision and slow them down if they try to get away after breaking in. This is a particularly popular feature in alarms for shops and retail settings.
For businesses needing maximum security, consider a remote monitoring service. This feature means that when your alarm is triggered, our professional monitoring centre will be alerted. We can then address the situation and carry out the best course of action.
Install a reliable burglar alarm system for your business with Argus Fire & Security
Our security experts have helped businesses across Wigan and the North West install high-quality burglar alarm systems to bring peace of mind and reduce criminal damage.
We can carry out a full security audit to work out the level of security you need and recommend the best intruder alarm system for your business. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.