Security-System Components

As the self-storage industry has matured, our security systems have become more sophisticated too. Technology enhancements provide a variety of features for specialized applications, and making the right choices for site development can be complicated.

Self-storage security has many components, all of which you can address separately. But the key to a successful strategy is recognizing how these pieces fit together. Your goal should be to create a visibly secure environment that reassures renters, encourages prospects to rent with you, and discourages potential wrongdoers.

The Significance of Site Design

Site design and layout will impact the components you choose to make a marketable, functional security program. For example, locating the buildings on the perimeter boundaries of the property, with doors facing in, creates a natural security barrier, eliminating the need for much fencing.

Generally, buildings should run parallel with the long dimension of the property. The exception to this is in parts of the world where snow, ice and cold weather come into play. In these areas, buildings should run north and south to minimize the melting of accumulated ice and snow.

Create sight lines so you have view of your units from the office. Including those sight lines in your design is a low-cost way to present a visible deterrent to crime.

Units in hallways also affect the type and number of devices youll need to secure your investment correctly. More hallways can warrant more cameras for the safety of customers and the security of their belongings, thereby driving up the cost of your overall system.

Securing the Perimeter

The first component to consider for your development is a security gate and fencing. Early planning is a must for efficient gate operation and access control. This is where security merges with functionality and aesthetics. Most developers start with building layouts, progress to the office, and then try to make a gate fit at some point.

The proper approach is to consider where the gate should be in relationship to the access point and locate the office and buildings accordingly. This is not always possible, but when this practice is followed, the flow of traffic is correct, access to the office is included, and buildings are less likely to be damaged due to restricted flow. The gate location is the most important security consideration and usually the last to be addressed.

The style of fence and gate is an opportunity to make a statement in your curb appeal, show that your site is secure, and attract potential renters. Wrought-iron style is probably the most pleasing to look at. It creates a classy look, with different patterns and colors available. (Keep the color dark to hide wear and rust spotting through the years.)

Decorative stone pillars may be used, especially along the front, drive-by traffic. Ornate coach lights can be added to complete the look and help illuminate the entry. Some locations will use chain-link or a combination: wrought iron where theres traffic visibility and chain-link in rear or hidden areas. Wood fence may also be used. Keep in mind this will limit the ability to see in and out.

Early self-storage developments used a barrier-arm gate, with a drive gate as a backup, which was rolled shut nightly, chained and locked by hand. A barrier arm is a single board or metal tubing suspended horizontally to the ground from the operator, similar to a railroad crossing gate. This early design component has been replaced by automatic roll gates or vertical lift gates.

Roll or slide gates are mounted on rollers to a mid-rail on the fence panel. This is known as a cantilever style, with no part of the gate contacting the ground. It allows for easy action, opening and closing.

Vertical lift gates pivot up in the air. They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. They can be contoured to match the slope of the driveway. Lift gates are used in places where space is too limited to have a slide gate roll back and forth. In rare cases, swing gates are used. Because of the number of cycles, these gates do not stand up well to wear and tear and should only be used as a last resort.

Safety devices should be included with any automatic gate. Loop detectors are entrenched under the drive material and sense the metal in the vehicle. Photo eyes project a beam across the drive and sense anything blocking the beam. Miller strips are mounted on the end or bottom of the gate. When contacting an object, the gate opens away from it. Warning signs should be mounted at the gate as well.

General Access Control

After youve decided on gate style and location, its time to consider specialized areas to be restricted and choose access-control devices throughout. The most common access-control component is still, by far, the keypad. This consists of a number pad of keys, an LED display, and sometimes a camera and intercom. Theres a wide range of options and styles from the different self-storage security companies.

Card readers, proximity readers, key fobs, biometric readers and clickers are some of the other access-control options. The type of specialty storage will somewhat dictate the equipment you choose. For example, an RV lot or section will want to use a clicker similar to a garage-door opener or car-alarm button to signal the gate to open. The RV owner will not be required to punch in a code and can stay in the drivers seat. Yet the activity of who has been in and out of the property is still tracked on the access-control system. Wine storage may be more suited for key fobs or biometric readers. Climate-control buildings with separate entry doors may use proximity or card readers.

Individual door alarms have become one of the standard security solutions for self-storage. The major components consist of a door switch (with magnet), a multiplexer, watertight locking enclosure, siren and software. For roll-up and swing doors, a device called a quick switch is used. This mounts on the door track at the latch opening and detects the metallic latch when its in the lock position. It installs quickly and easily with two self-tapping screws.

Each door switch is wired back to a multiplexer (mux) or door-status board (DSB). The mux or DSB polls a quantity of doors. When a door is opened, a signal is sent back to the system controller (computer). If the door has not been disarmed at the access-control device, a signal is sent to the siren to annunciate. Other types of warning devices would be loudspeaker or strobe light. The mux is mounted in a waterproof box to protect it from the elements. This box should be lockable to discourage tampering.

Hard-wired is still the most desirable individual-door-alarm security. Where most of the storage spaces are already occupied, wireless does have a place. Wireless components consist of an anti-defeat switch and magnet with transmitter located at the unit door. A receiver is mounted outside the office in a weatherproof enclosure, and a multiplexer located next to it. Repeaters may be placed throughout the property where it is necessary to augment the signal. Keep in mind that temperature (cold) may affect the performance and battery life of the wireless transmitter.

Software Stuff

The brain of the security system is the software. This is an important component because it will read information from the management program along with the security information. For example, if a renter is late paying, he may be denied access at the gate. Therefore, its important that the program and components are designed for application in the self-storage arena. The security software is proprietary to the provider of the access-control and alarm components they manufacture. Interfaces to management software do exist in most cases.

Surveillance

Cameras are an important piece of storage security. As mentioned earlier, a building layout with hallways will require more cameras than the site with all outside entry units. Todays digital cameras provide a wide range of choices for coverage. IP cameras allow viewing over the Internet. Pan-and-tilt cameras can be used to follow activity and zoom in on it automatically, using a CloseView device. Keep in mind additional features will drive up the cost.

The digital video recorder (DVR) is one of the office components for your camera system. It is basically a specially built computer for the recording of camera activity. DVRs can record all camera locations throughout the site and can be set to record just when motion occurs. They come in four-, eight-, 16- and 32-camera configurations. Cameras can be viewed from another computer location through this device.

Nowadays, flat-screen monitors are being used in stores to display camera activity right on the wall. Graphics can be added on one monitor to give that walk-in prospect a warm, fuzzy feeling, knowing that this site is under surveillance and safe at all times. Be sure to mount a camera in the office, too.

Back to Basics: Locks and Lights

Another consideration for your security program is the use of cylinder bolt locks on each unit. This is an internal round lock, which takes the place of the renters padlock. Keys are issued by the manager. These make it very difficult for the would-be-thief to gain entry by cutting locks.

Lighting is another detail component to remember when planning your security package. More lights are a great deterrent.

Budget

One last component for your development is budgeting. The security package is an integral part of the overall marketability of storage units. Budget the finances to include the proper components. Budget the time to have these components installed properly. Long-term commercial renters as well as everyday storage customers will feel more comfortable storing their belongings with you if they see you are taking the steps to protect their investment.

Consult with professionals in each area of their expertise. Access controls and individual door alarms are specialized components. Make sure to deal with a company that deals in self-storage access controls and door alarms. Camera components can be provided by most experienced security dealers.

The self-storage market is becoming more populated. Competing for renters with pricing can degrade your profits and attract lower-end rentals. Competing with features will yield long-term commercial renters and higher-end residential customers. A serious security program using a combination of these components will continue to pay well after your initial investment. It provides a tangible way to stand out from the competition. 

John Fogg is general manager of Sentinel Systems Corp., which is in its 33rd year of serving the self-storage industry with security products and software systems. Mr. Fogg has been involved in the business since 1986. He can be reached at [email protected]. For more information about Sentinel, call 800.456.9955 or visit www.sentinelsystems.com.