How To Effectively Modernize Commercial Property Security

Whether your commercial property is brand-new or well-established, you should still be prepared to evaluate its security. Technology features are crucial for any building to protect the property itself and the valuables that your business stores there. If your security system needs an upgrade, keep reading to learn how to effectively modernize commercial property security using new and classic security measures. We’ll provide a full list of the features you can use throughout your property and inside your buildings to prevent attacks from thieves, trespassers, and more.

Add a Secure Fence

If your property doesn’t already have a fence surrounding it, this can be a worthwhile addition to promote security. Intruders can simply walk into businesses and properties without a surrounding fence. If you’re looking to promote better security and peace of mind for your property, try investing in a simple chain-link fence. However, if you want to modernize your security even more, you can invest in steel or aluminum fencing, which also won’t hurt your property’s curb appeal. A fence of any kind will give you the opportunity to build off your structure to enhance security even further.

Install an Automatic Gate

One way to enhance your property’s fence to provide additional security and accessibility is to install an automatic gate. Automated gate systems provide a convenient way to access your property while also promoting increased security. Unlike manual gates, which can be easier for trespassers to override, automatic gates offer entry only to those who have the appropriate means for entry, such as a code or keycard. Additionally, you don’t always need to have a property fence to utilize a security gate. Many commercial gates can replace traditional entrances to buildings, parking garages, and other structures. If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of security gates, feel free to browse the gate products at TORXUN.

Invest in a Security System

Another modern security measure you can add to your property fence and gate is a security system. There are a variety of security system items you can add to your property, including features such as cameras, alarm systems, and more. Adding items like cameras and alarms will make it easier to alert the authorities when a crime occurs on your property. Having camera feeds can even make it easier to catch criminals that might try to steal from your business or break into your property. Additionally, some insurance companies will even reduce your costs after you provide proof of a security system on your property. These features can be an investment, but they pay for themselves by minimizing theft and saving money on insurance costs.

Update Property Lighting

Simply upgrading the lighting on your property can also help increase security. Just as timed lights on residential homes can deter burglars, utilizing nighttime and outdoor lighting in your commercial building and property can deter trespassers. Many property owners pair their security systems with motion-activated lighting, which can startle trespassers and keep thieves away. Motion-activated lighting even helps prevent pests and animals from getting too close to your gate and property. Some animals, like raccoons, bears, and smaller critters, can even damage your security system; minimize their chances of approaching with motion lighting.

Keep Up With Property Maintenance

Once you have your modern security features in place, it’s important to keep this technology and your property well-maintained. Be sure to regularly inspect your security system, gate, and fence line for any damages or necessary repairs. As mentioned, pests and critters can cause damage to your equipment by burrowing underneath or into your gate and equipment. If you’re experiencing issues with pests, call your local exterminator or animal control service to request an inspection of your equipment. Keep maintenance logs of your equipment repairs and any issues so that you know when to schedule appointments in the future.

Protect Employee and Business Valuables

Thieves will be less likely to target your business and property when you secure your valuables carefully. For example, encourage employees to store valuables in secure spaces like lockers or locked drawers rather than keeping personal belongings in their cars or at their desks. Additionally, always try to keep valuables and important files out of sight and away from windows when you close the building for the day. Protecting company and employee valuables from the inside also helps prevent internal theft in your company.

Upgrade Document Management Systems

Even if you do everything in your power to protect your property and business from thieves, there is still a chance that a break-in will occur. To prevent data theft during a break-in, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your business’s documents and digital files. Always upgrade your business’s network with a stable backup to keep your files safe in case of an emergency. It can also be helpful to digitize any old documents and files through a digital document management system. Just remember to shred old files after you’re done with them to prevent information theft from criminals who target waste and trash disposal systems.

Where To Find Modernized Safety Technology

Modernizing your property’s security systems can be an intimidating process. However, once you know where to find the features you’re looking for, the process of protecting your property becomes far more efficient. Here at TORXUN, you can find a variety of security gates to add to your commercial property or building. We offer many styles and models of gates to meet any property needs. If you’re curious about which type of security gate would be the best fit for your property, contact our experts today.

From security gates to cameras and motion detectors, there are a variety of ways to effectively modernize your commercial property’s security. Any property that is lacking in these security features can be a target for thieves and trespassers; don’t let your business be a target any longer. If you're ready to start enhancing your property’s security today, contact TORXUN to learn more about our automated gate systems and more.

The Different Types of Sensors That Protect You When Operating an Automatic Gate

True automated gate systems use vehicle and pedestrian sensors to ensure the safety and security of individuals nearby. Without a sensor, automatic gates can and will close on vehicles or pedestrians. In some cases, sensors are used to hold open gates until the vehicle pathway is clear. In other cases, sensors are used to open gates, with pedestrian sensors preventing moving gates from closing on pedestrians. There are several types of sensors used to control automatic gates. Below, TORXUN describes four of the most common ones and how they work.

Magnetic Loop Sensors

To make magnetic loop sensors work, a wire is placed within the vehicle drive lane. Magnetic loop sensors come in three variations: pre-formed direct burial, pre-formed saw cut, and hand-wired loops.

Pre-formed direct burial loops are embedded below the roadway surface and installed prior to the concrete or asphalt being placed. Pre-formed saw-cut loops are installed into a saw cut that is cut into existing concrete or asphalt surfaces. When installing a non-preformed loop, the installer places a jacketed wire into a saw cut. All loops placed in saw cuts require a filler to seal and protect the wire, which runs from the loop to the gate operator. The gate operator requires a loop detector for each function. Once the loop wire is connected to the loop detector and is powered up, the loop generates a magnetic field that will detect the presence of a vehicle.

Depending on the function of the loop, an exiting vehicle will pass over the “exit loop” to open the gate. A professional installer would also install safety loops; a proper installation would also have one safety loop on each side of the gate. The safety loops will hold the gate in the open position until the vehicle clears the gate opening. Typically, the space between the two safety loops is no greater than 16 feet. The idea being that you don’t want a vehicle to stop in any area within the gate without being on a loop. Larger gate opening requires a shadow loop.

A shadow loop is essentially a safety loop that is only active when the gates are in the fully open position. Remember that the loops react to metal, so metal gates cannot open over a loop. There need to be 3 to 4 feet between the gate and a loop.

Radar Movement Sensors

You can use radar movement sensors to detect moving objects within a particular area. These sensors are adept at detecting movement, but one downside is that they won't detect anything that’s stationary.

Motion Detectors

Another type of sensor that opens automatic gates is the motion detector. Motion detectors sense movement directly in front of the gate. These sensors work similarly to radar movement sensors but have a more limited range. Like radar movement sensors, motion detectors can only detect things that are moving.

Infrared Sensors

There are two types of infrared sensors: passive and active. Both sensors use thermal imaging to detect people and objects in the sensor's range. The difference between the two is that passive IR sensors only detect infrared radiation; active IR sensors emit and detect it. Passive sensors store an infrared image and open the gate when that thermal image changes. Active sensors activate when an object reflects the infrared radiation emitted by the sensor.

These gates require a fair amount of setup to ensure they operate correctly, but they work excellently once installed and configured.

At TORXUN, we create top-of-the-line automated gate systems. Our gate format is the fastest-growing in the industry; it's also one of the most versatile and user-friendly. Whether you need a parking solution, a pedestrian solution, or just want a reliable heavy-duty gate for your property, TORXUN can help. Contact us today to learn more.

Automatic Gates 101: How Are They Used Commercially?

Many people have encountered an automatic gate at some point in their lives. You might remember waiting for an automatic gate to open at an apartment community, a friend’s home, and maybe a commercial property. Commercial businesses and apartment communities commonly use automatic gates to direct customer traffic and keep unwanted guests off their property. These are just some of the commercial applications for automatic gates. Learn more about these gates and their potential for your business by exploring how automatic gates are used commercially.

Types of Automatic Commercial Gates

Not all automatic commercial gates look and operate the same. There are four common styles of automatic vehicle gates that you might see in business settings. Examine these four styles to understand each better and decide which might be best for your business.

Folding Gates

Folding gates have become more and more popular in commercial and apartment applications. Essentially, folding gates operate faster and require a much smaller footprint. Folding gates provide greater design flexibility for architects who like to add design elements that conceal vehicle gates or what is behind them.

Swing Gates

Swing gates are one of the most popular automatic gates but require a much larger footprint to operate. Swing gates can be either a single or bi-parting. Swing gates can be fabricated using various materials to suit indoor and outdoor needs.

Vertical Lift Gates

Whereas swing gates open horizontally, vertical lift gates open vertically to allow vehicles to enter/exit a property. Lift gates are not as popular as folding or single swing gates, but they have their place. Typically, you will find vertical lift gates on commercial properties.

Sliding Gates

Sliding gates are probably the most common type of vehicle gates found on commercial properties, but they are quickly losing ground to folding gates. Sliding gates require an area as long as the gate to open (the stacking area) into; the lack of stacking room is often an issue. Unfortunately, the sliding gate operates slowly, which reduces the security provided. Sliding gates require additional maintenance because of the many moving parts. Sliding gates might be ideal for properties that have a wide entrance and need a gate to cover that broad space.

Applications for Automatic Gates

Automatic gates are becoming increasingly popular in commercial and industrial spaces. Automated gates serve many purposes for commercial businesses; adding security gates is just the start. Automatic gates help control traffic flow into and out of commercial properties and keep unwanted visitors out during your business’s off-hours. Automated gates can even increase the property value of your business or residence by enhancing its curb appeal and making quite an impression on clients.

Benefits of Using Automatic Gates Commercially

After learning how businesses use automatic gates, you may be starting to see some of the benefits of installing a security gate. The following are some of the more significant advantages of having an automatic gate and why so many companies turn to gates to enhance security at their properties.

Provides Additional Security, Reduces Crime

Automatic gates provide an extra layer of security over manual gates, which helps to deter crime further. Automatic gates are often sturdier than manual gates, as they are designed for machine operation instead of you being able to open them yourself. These gates can also be outfitted with smart technologies such as remote access, built-in security cameras, intercoms, and more to ensure that only qualified individuals can enter your commercial or industrial space.

Automates Your Security

Gate automation is ideal for increasing the vehicle operator's productivity, safety, and security. When opening a manual gate, you’d need to exit your vehicle, and operating a heavy vehicle gate can cause injury and harm to the person opening or closing the vehicle gate. On the other hand, automatic gates provide easy access and are much faster to open. You don’t even need to leave your vehicle.

Saves Money

For businesses on a budget, you can save money by selecting an automatic gate over a manual one. Automatic gates with built-in operators don’t need the assistance of a guard or attendant to open the gate. Automatic pedestrian gate operators also allow you to control the flow of pedestrian traffic to your venue or business without an attendant present. You’ll save money on your employee headcount by not needing a dedicated attendant.

How To Choose a Gate for Your Business

Now that you know the differences between the types of commercial gates and their advantages, you can more accurately choose the right gate for your business. Consider the available types, sizes, materials, and more when choosing a gate. You want to select a gate that is sturdy but also won’t negatively impact the curb appeal of your business or venue.

After this crash course in automatic gates, do you better understand how they are used commercially? You might even consider installing your own automatic gate for added security on your commercial property. If you’d like to learn more about automatic gates, their features, and where to find a model that’s right for you, browse our supply here at Torxun. We provide the best automatic gates for residences, businesses, commercial and industrial use, and more. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about each gate, including commercial folding gates, and which is best suited to your business’s needs.

Upscale Community Gate

Looking at their traffic management program this community in Livermore, California determined that in certain times that certain entrances would not be necessary to have guard personnel. In wanted to ensure that the entrances were secure, the community chose to install the TORXUN Quickfold™ gate system to create a full-path, quiet opening that provided both security and elegance the community was seeking in a complete solution. Installing dealer, A&D Gate and Access of Redwood City worked closely with the community to ensure that the gate was an extension of the look and feel of the community while creating a non-breachable barrier for after-hours security. The installation included the Quickfold™ Gate System, a Model 3 Tower Operator, TORXUN Flexarm and TORXUN Sensorvault solution for driveway sensors.

For The Three Pointer

Three new TORXUN AutoPed Operators were installed in a building directly across from the new Golden State Warriors Arena in San Francisco. The AutoPeds were installed above access control pedestrian gates which included ADA access pads per California building codes. Absolutely quiet, quick opening, and UL 325 these are perfect for all guests who need safe passage in a busy building. See images and video of the installation above.