What You Need to Know About Commercial Safes

A commercial safe can be an extremely valuable security tool that allows you to keep your most important business assets and documents safe from prying eyes and unintended hands. There are a wide variety of commercial safes available on the market to suit the needs of various businesses. A professional locksmith, such as Pro Locksmith Maricopa, can help you choose the right safe for your business, and deliver and install it affordably. Read on to learn valuable information to help you determine which type or types of commercial safe might be beneficial for your business. For many businesses, purchasing one or multiple safes is one of the most effective investments they can make in regards to their security.  

Benefits of Commercial Safes 

While basic security like high-quality locks or a keyless entry system are a crucial part of a successful business, some assets need greater protection. A commercial safe has security features that make it hard to top in terms of protection. Nearly all businesses, no matter the industry, from retail outlets to medical facilities, could benefit from at least one safe on their property in Maricopa, AZ. While some safes are expensive, depending on the features and level of security of each particular model, most business owners find this cost to be more than worth it when it comes to protecting their most valuable assets, cash on hand, and documents. For situations where low security just won’t do, a commercial safe is an irreplaceable installation.  

Types of Commercial Safes 

As previously stated, there are many types of commercial safes on the market, available to meet the demands of businesses in various industries. Each type has various models that all have their own features and price points. It’s crucial to learn as much as you can about different forms of safes in order to make the best decision for your commercial property.  

• Burglary Safes: You may be thinking, aren’t all safes burglary safes? Technically, specific burglary safes have additional features that offer added protection against an attack. Burglary safes feature strong construction that is built to withstand typical methods that criminals use to get inside, such as cutting torches and power tools. Burglary safes are an effective deterrent in most cases.  
• Cash Depository Safes: Cash depository safes are very useful if your store is one that works with a lot of cash on hand daily, such as a retail establishment. It allows you to deposit cash to hold securely until you’re able to take it to the bank. Cash depository safes are a type of deterrent safe.  
• Under Counter Safes: Under counter safes are a type of cash safe that allows you to quickly and discreetly stow away volumes of cash to keep front-end cash levels low. Under counter safes can be installed easily near registers, without being able to be seen by customers on the front end.  

• Data Safes: Data safes protect crucial files from destruction and theft, including those on hard drives and other technology. They typically have a high fire-rating, which you can read more about below. Many companies use data safes to secure their past records.  
• High Security Safes: As their name suggests, high security safes provide high-level protection for your most crucial assets. If your company deals in expensive items or has a great deal of cash, such as those in the financial industry, a high security safe may be a wise investment. The best high security safes provide excellent protection against any form of theft or unauthorized access, while also allowing the owner and other authorized parties to easily access the safe. High security safes are constructed out of strong material that is resistant to torches and other threats.  

You also have options when it comes to the opening mechanism your safe has. Lock and key and combination locks, while still available, have fallen out of popularity in favor of more technologically advanced opening methods, such as electronic locks, keypads, and even fingerprint locks.  

Fire Ratings  

One of the most crucial considerations when determining which safe to have installed at your business is its fire rating. While you might be tempted to purchase a safe that is not fire rated for whatever reason, security professionals strongly discourage this course of action. That’s because your commercial property is more likely to suffer fire damage than theft. So purchasing a safe that is specifically rated as fire-resistant is the smart choice to protect your assets, documents, and cash now and in the future.  

So what does it mean for a safe to be fire-rated? A fire-rated safe has been tested in a laboratory and shown to resistant the heat of a fire for a set amount of time. There are different classes of fire-rated safes, depending on the amount of heat the safe has been shown to withstand and for how long. The exterior of the safe is built to absorb and repel the heat so that the interior stays below a certain temperature. The most commonly chosen fire-rated safes are class 350 safes, which are shown to withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees.   A professional locksmith with experience in safe installation can give you more information on the fire ratings of safes and help you choose which one is appropriate for what you need to store inside.  

Commercial Safe Installation 

A professional locksmith is the perfect choice when it comes to choosing the right safe in terms of options and size, choosing the right place for it, and installing it so that the safe is integrated conveniently with the way your business operates. The locksmith will go over your options with you, taking into consideration your security goals and what you want to keep in the safe. When you’re searching for the right safe, it’s important to evaluate what it is specifically that you want to protect, where you want the safe to be placed, and who can access it. Answering these crucial questions can help guide you into making the appropriate choice.  

THE IMPORTANCE OF PANIC BARS IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

 

Could your Maricopa, AZ business benefit by adding panic bars? That depends, but most likely, it will. Panic bars are being increasingly used all over town; in fact, all over the western world. There’s a reason for that; they work! They do their “job” so well, that in many areas, they are required by fire marshals, local building codes and property developers. We invite you to read our thoughts on panic bars and if interest is there, call your local full-service commercial locksmith for additional details and pricing information.

What do panic bars do?

Panic bars help control crowd flow so that anyone exiting a building or area of a property can leave the premises without having to unlock a door, turn a door knob or fight incoming traffic. Also known as push bars, crash bars and exit devices, panic bars are those horizontal metal bars installed on back doors. You’ve most likely seen and used them hundreds of times and after reading this, you’ll start to notice them even more!

All that is required to use a panic bar is to lean on them and push. That’s it. This action unlocks the door and opens it at the same time. There is no door knob on the other side of the exit door that the panic bar is installed on. Without having to maneuver people walking in, you are free to simply push the crash bar and walk out of the premises. This allows for freer movement when customers, visitors or patrons are leaving a building.

Another big benefit of panic bars is that they can be used in so many different business settings. You can find panic bars in hundreds of different business location types, including movie theaters, hospitals, medical offices, hotels, restaurants, laundromats, car dealerships, gas stations, bakeries, shopping centers, museums, rest homes, home improvement stores, mail centers, auto repair shops, funeral homes and thousands more! The use of panic bars makes exiting a location safer and more convenient whether you have one or two customers at a time or thousands.

Don’t yell “fire” in a crowded movie theater!

Don’t do that; it’s illegal (plus, it’s not nice!). People tend to panic easily, and often, more are hurt or killed by the stampeding action of the crowd than by the actual danger itself. Anytime you have an emergency situation when people need to exit or evacuate, every second counts. Panic bars got their name because they work so well when people need to leave fast and safely. Imagine an armed intruder or a gas leak. You could have a few shoppers in a jewelry store or thousands in a crowded sports arena. Exiting an area needs to be orderly and fast and panic bars help achieve this.

Are they required?

They can be. As stated above, check with your fire department, code inspector or commercial builder. Even if they are not required, you should seriously consider having one or more of them installed. Some places, like regional shopping malls, have several sets of panic bars; some at the exits and more, at each individual store’s back door.

Too good to be true?

Wait! Aren’t there any drawbacks to having panic bars? No major ones are known but they can occasionally lock up on you or become stuck. If that happens, it is difficult to close your store for the night as your back door can remain unlocked until fixed. Don’t let this rare problem bother you – you can consult your owner’s manual or call the locksmith that installed your panic bar and have them make the necessary adjustments so that your panic bar works like new again.

Where to purchase your panic bar(s)

You have several choices when it comes to locating and purchasing the right panic bars for your commercial location. Your builder or property developer may already have some models that have been successfully used in the construction of your building or store. You can always buy locally at home improvement stores but keep in mind that most clerks that work there are not experts in panic bar use, installation or service. Any questions you may have are best answered by calling the manufacturer directly.

You can go online and find useful product information as well as ordering details. Numerous sources sell panic bars and their accessories. Web shopping allows you to read customer testimonials, reviews and complaints. Often, the panic bar makers have customer service reps that are available by phone, email and web-chat so that you can get your questions answered by a knowledgeable person directly.

Our favorite source for panic bars

Okay; we admit it; Pro Locksmith Maricopa is a little biased! We provide professional panic bar sales, installation and service for local commercial establishments. While you don’t have to use our service, you really should work with a commercial locksmith expert in your area. Doing so will give you access to 24-hour emergency service, the best rates and mobile assistance; anytime needed. A business locksmith shop will have access to many different sizes and styles of panic bar and will be able to provide you with options and choices that are specific to your product, service or clientele.

Lower insurance rates

Be sure to check with your tax preparer or company accountant about your panic bar purchase. You may be able to write off part or all of its cost as you are making an improvement to your building. Also, many insurance companies lower premiums for the business if you have panic bars installed. They love when building owners install safety measures and precautions like panic bars, portable fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and good lighting.

Find out more…

Panic bars can yield lower insurance premiums, safer commercial locations, happier customers and peace of mind for you. Find out more by calling a local commercial locksmith in your area. If you ever have an emergency with people running for the exits, you’ll be so glad that you had these spring loaded metal bars installed!

Original Article Here: http://www.locksmithmaricopa.com/news/panic-bars-importance-in-commercial-property.html