May 1, 2024 A Guide To Security For Self Storage Businesses

Self storage businesses are on the rise thanks to their ease of use and the significant security measures.

Self storage businesses are on the rise thanks to their ease of use and the significant security measures that are in place to keep valuables or business stock safe. Many self storage customers put security at the top of their list of things that they are looking for, and so this needs to be the first consideration for anyone putting their own self storage business together.

In this article, Loxleys Self Storage take a look at the different security features that most customers will be looking for when they put their belongings into a self storage unit.

CCTV

Self storage facilities tend to be large places that can be spread across a massive area, so it is impossible to expect that it will all be seen by the naked eye. Any storage facility should have security cameras positioned so that they can have a clear view of all entry and exit points. This makes it much easier to track exactly who is coming and going and at what time.

There should also be CCTV cameras positioned around the facility to keep an eye on all of the individual units. This makes it easier to identify anyone trying to break into one or cause damage.

It is important to remember that CCTV is only useful if you are going to act on it, and so it should be actively monitored 24 hours a day to be able to react to anything that occurs.

Physical security teams

Having an incident recorded on camera means that it can be reported to the police, but it does not stop it from happening, which is why self storage facilities also need to have a physical security presence as well. These can not only monitor any CCTV feeds, but also patrol the units as well to provide immediate assistance if it is needed. This sometimes might also include the use of dogs to help apprehend intruders.

Not only are physical security teams very effective, but they can also prove to be an extremely good deterrent, as the sight of an active team is likely to put any potential thieves off.

Access security

You have no need to be in a self storage unit unless you have items stored there yourself. That means that the facility should have strict controls in place over who can access the site in the first place.

This can be done in a variety of ways including ANPR cameras checking the number plates of each car that approaches or giving keycodes or fobs to those who have taken out units. In some cases, the entry point may be manned, and personnel will have a list of permitted vehicles and may even request photo ID and can keep a record of anyone who approaches the facility.

Perimeter fencing

Having careful control over the entry points to a self storage facility is only useful if you can be confident that the rest of the site is secure. It should be surrounded with robust perimeter fencing that forms an effective barrier to anyone who might be trying to gain access. This helps to ensure that there is only one way in and out and creates as many obstacles as possible to intruders.

Lighting

As those who do not have the best of intentions tend to like dark corners, it is important that any self storage facility is well lit. This not only makes it easy for customers to navigate the site, but it also means that no-one can hide or sneak up on another person. It also ensures that any CCTV cameras have the clearest possible view of every aspect of the site.

Unit locks

Every unit within a self storage facility will need to have its own lock. This should be as strong as possible and should either work with a unique key or have a fingerprint or keycode access point that can be set up by the person who hires the unit. This helps to ensure that anyone on the site can only gain access to their own unit, keeping each one individually secure.

Unit quality

Having a good lock on a self storage unit does not help if the unit itself is flimsy or damaged and could therefore be broken into. All units should be robust and durable, not only to keep thieves out but also to ensure that there are no leaks and that pests are not able to get inside.

Alarms

Many self storage premises will have alarms in place, as an extra way of alerting them to any problems. These should be triggered if the perimeter or access points are breached, as well as if any attempts to break into a unit are detected. Some will then have a direct link to the police to ensure that any incidents are dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Consistency

It can be easy to put all of these measures in place, but it is just as important to make sure that they are adhered to at all times. If standards start to slip, then opportunities can present themselves to thieves or damage can occur through accidents. By taking a consistent approach to security, it ensures that every measure is always being taken to maintain the very highest standards.

Insurance

Even with all of this security in place, there are occasions where incidents can still occur, and so a good self storage facility should have insurance in place to deal with this. It should be able to cover the full value of any items that are being stored, just in case of theft or damage.

People use self storage units for all kinds of reasons. It could be to help them move house, look after items they no longer have space for or even to take care of excess stock for a business. Whatever they chose to store, it is likely to be extremely valuable to them, and so every effort needs to be made in order to protect it at all times.

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