Securing Your Premises

3. Physical Security

Insurance companies may insist on minimum security standards for locks, windows, and the perimeter and roof of your premises. Strengthen potential entry points.

3.1 Ensure your locks are effective. They should conform to British Standard 3621.

• Consider locks with registered keys, for which extra keys are only available with written confirmation from the owner.
• Label keys with a code that you can explain to employees, but which outsiders will not understand.

3.2 Make sure all windows are shut and locked when the premises are unoccupied.

• Repair or replace any cracked windows immediately.

3.3 Window bars or grilles are an effective deterrent, especially when fitted internally. If possible, protect all accessible windows.

• Consider solid steel bars set in concrete in the wall.
• Collapsible gates are also recommended, and can look better.

3.4 Protect the perimeter of your premises.

• Put up a wall or fence.
• Illuminate all potential entry points to the premises. But bear in mind that, in isolated areas, lighting could assist a thief in gaining entry to the building.
• Secure car park gates with a strong chain and padlock when not in use.
• Consider using barbed wire (or Hercules Cacti, a plastic product) on outside walls over eight feet high.This will discourage vandals and criminals, but it should be a last resort. Someone could injure themselves and then claim damages from you (for example, children playing).