Locks are essential for businesses across all industries. Security hazards in your business premises can come in many forms. Your business is at risk from various security threats, including vandalism, robbery, violence against your staff, and ICT breaches.
These security threats can severely damage your business and affect the livelihoods of the people who work for you. To protect your business, you must identify all the possible threats to your business through a careful and thorough security risk assessment.
Conducting a security risk assessment for your business premises should include considering the following:
- Building layout and design
- Landscape and signages
- Gates, doors, windows, fences, and locks
- Lighting
- Alarms and surveillance devices
- Cash handling methods
- Car parks
- Security of staff
Once you have made a thorough risk assessment, it is now time to apply measures that will increase the security of your business premises. One of which is investing in high-quality commercial-grade locks.
Locks can help keep trespassers off high-risk areas of the premises. They can also help keep vandals and burglars off the property during closing hours. While your business may be insured against theft, a break-in can still leave your operations paralysed, and you and your staff demoralised.
What is a Commercial-Grade Lock?
Commercial-grade locks are specifically made for commercial structures and establishments. They are meant to secure the business property, as well as the assets inside. They are high-security locks that are designed to withstand even the harshest of environments and conditions.
The following are just some examples of commercial-grade locks.
- Electronic keypad locks
- Mechanical locks
- Access control security
- Fire exit door locks
- Panic door locks
- Gate locks
- Gate automation
- Hotel lock system
- Fingerprint readers
- Safe-deposit locks
What are the characteristics of Commercial Grade Locks?
While locks, whatever their intended use, should be reliable and secure, locks used for commercial establishments have additional requirements. Here are some of them.
They must withstand harsh weather and elements.
Whether the locks are installed in the gates of the premises or areas exposed to harsh working environments, commercial-grade locks must still be able to work reliably and efficiently. These locks should be heavy-duty to be able to deliver superior protection at all times.
They must be aesthetically pleasing.
While locks are there to protect your property, they must not glaringly affect the appearance of a commercial establishment. This is especially true with businesses that offer hospitality services. While you would want to protect your clients, you would still want to use locks that are efficient and will not affect the overall appeal of the establishment.
They must be resistant to corrosion.
Some of these locks are exposed to moisture or chemicals over extended periods. Commercial-grade locks must pass the AS2331.3.1:2001 – Part 3.1: Neutral Salt Spray Test, which assesses the corrosion resistance of the coatings of metallic tools and equipment.
They must be highly durable.
These locks will need to work overtime, so they must be more durable than your ordinary locks. Commercial-grade locks must comply with the Australian Standard AS4145.2:1993 Part 2: Mechanical Locksets for Doors in Buildings. This standard specifies the design criteria and performance requirements for mechanical locksets and latches. It will test their resistance to forced and unauthorised entry, as well as how long they can withstand heavy usage.
They must be fire-resistant.
Doorsets and locks used in commercial facilities should be fire-resistant and must comply with AS1905.1:2005 Part 1: Fire-Resistant Doorsets. This requirement complements the requirements specified by the Building Code of Australia.
They must be secured.
In protecting your business, you are protecting your life’s work and investment. You are safeguarding not just money, but also the tools and equipment that you use for your daily operation. You are likewise protecting raw materials that make your business unique and successful.
These are the reasons why commercial-grade locks must be fully secured. Depending on the level of protection that you require, your locks must have keying security between K1 and K4. This will help ensure that they will not be easily picked, drilled, or unlocked with force. The more valuable things you have to protect, the more reason to invest in a high-quality and reliable commercial-grade lock.
They must be accessible.
All commercial doors must be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, especially for emergency exit doors. The locks must be DDA compliant and must either employ a lever handle or a push bar.
Types of Commercial Grade Locks
Depending on your need, here are the common types of commercial-grade locks that you can choose from.
Mechanical Door Locks
These locks are durable and easy to use. Most locks of this type use a push button or a keypad to grant access. They are usually utilised in main entry doors and gates. They can also be used for storage rooms that contain sensitive data and information.
Electronic Door Locks
This type of door locks provides businesses both security and convenience. A wide range of electronic door locks is available in the market. Some employ fingerprint scanning, while others use biometrics, RFID, keypad locks, card locks, or smart locks, among others. They also come with many benefits such as remote monitoring, smartphone access, lock scheduling, and daily entry logs.
You can use electronic door locks in the main entry doors of offices and businesses, and on interior doors.
Panic or Push Bars
These locks are commonly used in emergency exits, such as fire and panic exits. One simply needs to push the bar to unlock the door.
Padlocks
In some cases, padlocks are the quickest and most efficient solution. They are usually used to secure gates and for other outdoor security requirements.
Contact Ambassador Locksmiths for Your Security Needs.
For security and locksmith services in Newcastle, we are the trusted experts for the job. Ambassador Locksmiths offers 24 hours services, 7 days a week. We will help you secure your property and everything that you have worked hard for. We bring you a wide range of locks and access systems to protect what you value the most. Contact us any time at 0407 452 424 and let us discuss how we can assist you.