Top 5 Tips for Summer Security Maintenance
Spring typically receives all of the attention when it comes to maintenance and cleaning, but summer is a great time review your facility's security to make sure it is up to the task.
Today's tips are brought to you by Steve Weinstein, a QuikStor Security Consultant.
Almost all facilities have some form of security, and many have the latest & greatest security technology available. Today's Top 5 will try to focus on a broader scope to help as many as possible, but certainly do not hesitate to contact Steve directly if you have any questions about maintaining a security component not covered in this section.
Fencing - when was the last time you walked around the perimeter of your facility to check for broken or damaged fencing? Now is a great time to do that as well as have a qualified gate technician provide an annual service on your gate motor.
Cameras - your surveillance system should be your eyes around the facility, especially when you aren't there to monitor it yourself. At a minimum, confirm that all of your cameras are operational. Over time cameras can lose their focus or be knocked so that they aren't monitoring the correct area. Spend a few hours to go around your facility to ensure the angles are correct and to clean the lenses. You will be amazed with the results! If you have an aging video system, consider replacing your most important camera locations with newer HD cameras to get the maximum benefit from your system.
Lighting - it always surprises me how often this one is overlooked. Fortunately it is also one of the easiest to address. Walk your facility at night and see how you feel walking up the aisles and down the hallways. Do all of your lights work? Are there motion sensors or timers that aren't operating correctly? If you don't feel comfortable, then likely your tenants do not either.
Door Alarms - unit alarms for the most part just work, however anytime that you have hundreds of something around a facility it is a good idea to do a periodic check. What you check and how easy it is to check really depends on whether you have wired or wireless door alarms. Let's start with wired. The most common issue with these typically comes down to wire. Rodents chew through them, tenants hang things on them, etc. Most wired systems will alert you when there is a fault in the system, but fixing it can be tricky if you need access to several occupied units. Regardless, this is a good time to run that report and get notifying those tenants so that repairs can be made. Wireless systems tend to be simpler when it comes to maintenance as the sensors are located on the outside of the unit and there are no wires. If a sensor is not operating correctly it usually comes down to the battery. Each manufacturer's battery life and warranty is different, but that is a good place to start if you have sensors that are no longer working. A quick report will tell you which ones and your manager should be able to easily replace the batteries as needed.
Access Control - over the years I have seen some pretty interesting systems out there. I am always amazed when I drive up to a facility to see a keypad with stickers all of over it, broken components, or my new favorite....held together with duct tape! What do you think your tenants, or prospective tenants, think when your access points are ill maintained? Summer is a great time to test all of the features that your current access system offers. Do they all work? Is your keypad cosmetically and functionally sound? If not, contact your security company and take the necessary steps to get them upgraded or repaired ASAP!
