Shrinking living spaces, working from home, and the e-commerce boom are all having a significant impact on one industry, the self storage industry. And the sector continues to prosper, with projections estimating its global market value at an impressive 72.15 billion U.S. dollars by 2028. While it's easy to get swept up in this growth, there's an underlying concern growing alongside the rise in demand, security.
Among these security challenges, the threat of theft and unauthorised access are pressing concerns for both companies and consumers. Many forward-thinking facilities are leveraging their self storage security system as a key differentiator, providing comprehensive protection that offers peace of mind for existing tenants, all while attracting new tenants. And the first line of that defense is perimeter security.
This guide delves into the essentials of self storage perimeter protection, exploring the importance of these solutions, various methods to help prevent intrusion, and how to choose the right solution for your site.
Common security challenges in self storage facilities
When it comes to self storage, the stakes are high. Customers entrust facilities with their belongings, ranging from furniture and vehicles to sensitive documents. This trust can be shattered with a single breach.
One of the most common issues is unauthorised access, whether through physical breaches like cutting fences or through lax self storage access control measures. Facilities that lack strict entry protocols are often more vulnerable to intrusions. This challenge is exacerbated when storage units are located in areas with higher crime rates, making it essential for facility operators to be proactive in their security measures.
Another significant challenge is the risk of vandalism and property damage. Individuals with malicious intent may target storage facilities for graffiti, break-ins, or other forms of destruction. This issue not only compromises the physical integrity of the property but can also discourage potential customers from utilising your storage facility.
This reality is a stark reminder that merely padlocking doors isn't enough. Without effective deterrents in place, such as self storage perimeter protection, facilities can become easy targets for those looking to cause damage.
The importance of self storage perimeter protection
Investing in self storage perimeter protection provides peace of mind to facility owners and customers alike, significantly enhancing the safety and appeal of these facilities.
A strong perimeter is essential for deterring criminals and instilling confidence in customers, who can trust that their possessions are well-protected against unauthorised access. This level of security is vital for attracting and retaining clients in a competitive market.
Effective perimeter protection for self storage serves as the first line of defense, offering a powerful deterrent to potential intruders, providing early awareness of any malicious activities, and delaying unauthorised entry. These measures significantly reduce the risk of break-ins, vandalism, and theft.
Perimeter protection is also a critical aspect of risk management for storage facility operators. By implementing comprehensive security measures, operators can reduce the likelihood of incidents that could lead to financial losses or legal liabilities.
Types of perimeter protection for self storage facilities
There are several types of perimeter protection for self storage that business owners can implement to secure their premises effectively. One of the most common methods is the installation of fencing. Options range from chain-link fences to more robust materials like steel or barbed wire, even monitored pulse fencing.
Other popular methods include the use of gates and access control systems, which work to regulates those who can enter and exit a facility to authorised persons only.
In addition to fencing and gates, other deterrents like lighting, CCTV, and natural barriers can also work to deter potential intruders at the perimeter.
Finding the right solution for your site
When choosing the right type of perimeter fence for a self storage facility, it’s important to carefully consider environmental conditions, intrinsic safety, structural factors, and public health. For example, electric fencing for self storage could pose a fire risk near a petrol station, and deterrent security like razor wire or electricity could cause unwanted harm near schools.
Furthermore, chain link and wooden fences are both good options for a perimeter boundary, and while each have their own benefits, there are also vulnerabilities that can increase your site’s exposure to intrusion especially in densely populated or higher crime areas. Brick can be a sturdy, long-lasting, and aesthetic building material, but it can be difficult to affix perimeter hardware to the exterior. And while a perfectly square section is easy to protect, self storage facilities rarely fit that mold and can vary in shape, elevation, and substrate.
With so many varying obstacles, the best perimeter protection for self storage facilities is the one you can tailor to your facility’s specific needs.
The three golden rules of self storage perimeter protection
Effective perimeter protection for self storage has three key factors: prevention, detection, and management. If installed correctly, these three factors should enable you to deter, detect and delay.
- Deter – effective perimeter fencing should discourage people from attempting to gain unauthorised access to the storage facility. This could be through the use of signage, physical barriers, or technologies such as monitored pulse (energised) fences.
- Detect – this is the most critical element of the three Ds. Disturbance sensors, tension sensors, and integrated CCTV can promptly detect unauthorised access attempts.
- Delay – an effective fence structure or monitored pulse fence can delay an unauthorised access attempt, buying time for the storage facility to carry out a security response.
The combination of these three elements combined will ensure the effectiveness of a perimeter security solution. For self storage facilities, it is crucial that perimeter technology provides reliable detection while delaying a potential attack long enough for an effective security response.
That’s where an energised fence is the best in the market.
Versatility is the answer
Gallagher’s perimeter security solution isn’t just an electric fence – it’s a suite of intelligent systems customisable to the environmental and structural challenges surrounding your self storage site.
Some sites require an even more bespoke solution to overcome environmental and structural challenges. While Gallagher’s electric pulse fences do not cause harm and are designed in compliance with international and local safety standards, they’re not always practical for every location. In this case, the Gallagher perimeter product suite includes detection technology that continuously monitors wire tension, fence structure, vibration, and movement to alert you of intrusion without tipping off the intruder.
Gallagher perimeter solutions also provide flexibility, allowing you to monitor and control different zof your perimeter. Gallagher’s “low feel” feature means you can provide a completely safe and secure environment for customers and staff when needed without compromising on perimeter effectiveness.
And with the ability to integrate with your access control, intruder alarm, and CCTV systems, Gallagher security solutions provide full site surveillance of activity around your facility that can be monitored or called upon as evidence if the need arises, giving you a robust defense that safeguards your site through multiple layers of protection.
The power of orange
Your customers trust you to keep their possessions safe, but with the added responsibility of keeping the people on your site safe, too, one-size-fits-all security solutions can fall short of meeting both needs. And with everything from your building materials to vegetation, perimeter shape, and design affecting your ability to protect your site, maintaining your reputation with customers can feel insurmountable.
But regardless of the restrictions, requirements, or infrastructure of your site, there’s an adaptable self storage perimeter protection solution that meets your needs and helps you protect what matters most.