Self Storage Alarms

One of the concerns of people who use self-storage is not only the safety of their property, but of their personal safety as well. The following is a series of benefits that are commonly provided by the industry as a whole and may well be a guide in your selection process.

• Security fence. Does the property have a perimeter fence that will resist most intruders? Most facilities built today have this as a standard item, but some of the older ones do not.
• Entrance gate. What type of gate controller does the property have. The vast majority of the facilities use a keypad for entering and exiting. Each tenant is given his or her individual code that allows access. Every time you enter and leave using the keypad, you leave a record of the time entered, duration of stay, and the time you left. Some properties have a keypad for entry but not for exit which will not track the time you spent on the property. The keypad system will keep out most unauthorized visitors, but violators can still manage to slip behind a vehicle as it passes through the gate before it closes.
• Perimeter Infrared Beams (PIB). This system is usually placed inside the fence line and will set off an alarm when a large object has interrupted the beam. The alarm is usually tied to the police department and will normally insure prompt dispatchment of an officer.
• Video Cameras. Many facilities today use closed circuit television (CCTV) to not only provide 24-hour surveillance, but to use as a marketing advantage over the properties that do not. However, this may increase the rental rates a few dollars. Take note of the camera locations as compared to the unit you have selected to see that you are in the viewing, if not, you may want to request a different location. Most facilities provide surveillance tape for thirty days and then it is reused; if the interval is shorter, it may not provide the desired security.
• Door locks. Now you have decided on a storage unit to rent. The facility has done some things to protect your property. Here are some additional things to you need to think about. Some have said that most perpetrators will not spend more than a couple of minutes trying to remove a lock from a door. Therefore, some locks have been rated based on how long they can endure an assault. The ratings are class 1, 1 minute, to class 5, 5 minutes. Even the strongest lock, however, becomes an easy prey to a pair of bolt cutters. The shackle part of the lock is the weak link when under attack by bolt cutters. There is a type of lock on the market called a round or disk lock that limits the shackle?s exposure and therefore makes it a better choice in this case.
• Individual door alarms. One latest development in the storage industry that has enhanced security is the advent of tenant door alarms. One manager cited that when they installed individual door alarms, their “break in” rate dropped to almost zero. Again, this feature will probably cost you a little more per month versus the properties that do not offer it.