Security Matters | Understanding your commercial security door options

Property damage, intrusion, and malicious damage are ongoing risks for all businesses with a physical location, and these incidents can result in sizable disruptions and costs. The financial ramifications are extensive and threaten the survival of many commercial enterprises, particularly small businesses. Such incidents may also impact upon the health and wellbeing of staff and clients

Commercial burglary, in particular, is one of the most common, and costly, forms of crime affecting businesses. Businesses are about four times as likely to be burglarised as residences, with retail establishments suffering the majority of break-ins and convenience stores taking the brunt of robberies.1 Shoplifting, robberies, and other types of retail crime cost Australian businesses approximately $9 billion every year.2

Doors serve as one of the first and most crucial lines of defense against physical attacks and intruders. Commercial security doors are made to withstand tremendous force and safeguard the lives of your company's staff, customers, and assets. The presence of security doors alone can assist in deterring theft or violence before it even starts. Potential intruders may be less inclined to target a commercial building if they are aware of the security measures in place there.

While the stakes are high, commercial door selection is an often-misunderstood and overlooked area. Street-facing entrances are particularly high risk and designers need to pay close attention to security door selection to ensure the solution is compliant and fit for purpose. This whitepaper will explain design considerations for specifiers when selecting security doors for commercial premises.

What is a security door?

Doors are the initial line of defense against external threats, but most doors are not specifically designed to withstand a physical attack. Security doors are engineered exactly for this purpose. They are typically made of durable materials that provide high levels of protection and prevent unauthorised access, and may also act as a barrier for weather, fire, and smoke. They typically feature strong frame structures and sophisticated locking systems to increase the security of your premises.

Security doors provide several notable benefits to Australian businesses. The added layer of security protects against and acts as a deterrent to external threats. This means you can minimise the risk of theft and damage to valuable assets, and increase the sense of safety and comfort for customers and employees. While security doors represent a bigger investment than conventional doors, the business will reap the benefits in terms of savings in repair and restoration costs and reduced insurance premiums for extra security protection.

Types of commercial security doors

• When considering security doors for your business, bear in mind that exterior security doors differ from interior security doors in terms of their specifications and level of security. Commercial interior doors do not need to withstand harsh weather unlike exterior security doors, for example.
• Security doors are available for all types of businesses in a wide variety of designs and constructions. Below we list some of the more common examples:
• Automatic doors. Available in sliding, swing and revolving models, automatic doors open when they sense individuals or objects in the doorway, and close only when it is safe to do so. This integrated activation and presence detection system can also be used to identify intruders who enter during off-hours and activate a monitored alarm system.
• Industrial doors. This category refers to security doors that are designed for use in commercial and industrial applications. Such doors are often larger in size to allow equipment and vehicles to efficiently move in and out of the building.
• High-speed doors. These products are designed for manufacturing, cold storage and cleanrooms where the doors require frequent opening and closing. They are built to perform under extreme operational requirements and improve efficiency, safety and hygiene.
• Mega doors. This category describes the range of shipyard, mine, crane doors and aviation hangar door systems. Mega doors are built to last and withstand the most demanding conditions. As the same suggests, they are designed and engineered with almost no limitation to size or configuration.
• Fire-rated doors. A fire-rated security door not only offers security but is also a fire-resistance rated opening solution that is used as part of a passive fire protection system to limit the spread of fire and smoke between different compartments of a structure.
• Special purpose doors. This refers to the range of high-performance security doors used for applications with extremely high security requirements. For example, ballistic doors ensure a high level of security against theft or ballistic attacks with bullet-resistant components.

Security door design considerations

TYPE OF BUSINESS AND LOCATION

The type of business, as well as the details regarding its location and physical location, will determine which security doors will best meet a company's security requirements. For example, an area that experiences severe weather would benefit more from a more durable door that is specifically designed to withstand flying debris. In addition, a busy commercial building with many tenants will have different security requirements than a small retail space with a street-facing storefront.

LOCKING SYSTEMS

More than just a set of physical locks and keys, modern locking systems are part of a larger system of access control solutions. A keyed lock or a smart card lock, for instance, could be used to restrict access. Alternatively, a combination lock, a cipher lock, or a biometric access system requiring a fingerprint, or a retinal scan could be used. Note that door locks may be subject to federal, state, local, and industry-specific regulations, so it is imperative to confirm that the selected locking system is in compliance.

GLASS SELECTION AND REINFORCEMENT

There are various types of glass that can be specified for security applications. For example, laminated glass is a type of “safety glass” that is more difficult to break through as it is comprised of two layers of standard glass adhered together. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is “tempered” with heat and chemicals for added strength. Some products include interlayers of high-tech material that provide increased sound insulation, UV protection, thermal performance and extreme durability.

INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

It is critical to maintain the functionality of your entrances when they are essential to your business. When considering security door solutions, consider brands that offer installation, maintenance and support services to help you meet your overall performance and safety needs. Some providers offer flexible maintenance and service options that can be tailored to suit different budget requirements. Preventive maintenance visits, quality checks and emergency call-outs may be included depending on the selected solution.

Choosing the right materials and finishes
Commercial buildings need to be adaptable, robust, and aesthetically pleasing, which is why the choice of materials and finishes for security doors should be carefully considered. While more often a feature of residential spaces, some businesses prefer security doors made from wood due to the variety of design options and timeless aesthetics. Wood is a flexible material, making it simple to decorate and personalise the doors, and it is also noise reducing, fire resistant and energy efficient. On the down side, wood requires more maintenance than other materials and it is more vulnerable to the elements.

Steel security doors, in contrast to wood security doors, have a wide range of mechanisms and constructions, including commercial automatic security doors, commercial security roll-up doors, commercial grille security doors and heavy-duty security steel doors. They offer superior durability and are specifically engineered for elevated levels of protection and resistance, while also being relatively low maintenance. Steel security doors are also simple to install in any type of commercial building due to their hollow core and adjoining frame construction.

Security systems integration

In order to create more intelligent and detailed feedback and more efficient operations, there is an increasing demand for disparate security systems, including access control systems, alarms, security doors, and video surveillance, to connect and share data with one another. Smaller offices and retail locations also require this type of security management, but it is most beneficial to large commercial buildings and corporate organisations that oversee hundreds or thousands of daily users.

Integrated access control systems are frequently installed on external doors and key entrances. They can also be put in place on internal doors, and they can be used to manage entry through different access points. The growing use of wireless locks makes expanding coverage to more doors more cost-effective as it requires no cabling or invasive building work.

A key benefit of integrating security systems is increased efficiency, oversight and control. Using centrally located workstations or cloud-based software dashboards, security teams can see access activity for all doors, change permissions, and issue new credentials. Using a cloud-based system, security administrators can remotely access all information and controls without having to be physically at the location.

Solutions for street-facing entrances
ASSA ABLOY SL500 Intrusion protection door system

ASSA ABLOY SL500 Intrusion protection door system is your added protection against intrusion, burglary and vandalism. If your business is located on a public storefront, you may be feeling quite vulnerable without the additional safeguard of being inside a larger building. With innovative security technology integrated into the SL Intrusion Protection door, your security measures are instantly boosted.

With its advanced tri-locking mechanism, you can restrict your door from being pushed in, levered apart, or opened due to forced entry. The SL Intrusion Protection System utilises AssaultGuard^™ glass that features an interlayer which retains its integrity and continues to act as a barrier – even after suffering repeated blows from bricks and other heavy objects. With its advanced security features, the SL Intrusion Protection door system provides maximum protection and peace of mind.

The SL Intrusion Protection door also features an integrated activation and safety presence detection system which detects people or objects in the doorway, preventing the door from closing until it is safe to do so. This same system can be used to detect after hours intruders and activate visual deterrents or monitored alarm systems. You can detect security risks via the optional advanced monitoring that seamlessly connects with your building management system.

ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SOLUTIONS
Your trusted partner in security door systems

For several decades, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has been the global leader in high performance, intelligent door opening and access solutions. The company’s range of automatic doors, industrial doors, high-speed doors, hangar doors and docking equipment are designed to help you create safe, reliable and welcoming entrances in every area of your facility. These solutions are enhanced with advanced touchless technology solutions and IoT connected asset management systems to create flexible security solutions that achieve a modern look, enhanced performance and compliance with local building requirements.

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems also offers the industry’s most complete and flexible service and maintenance solutions. The benefits include scheduled maintenance visits, 24/7 priority service hotline, local branches and fully stocked service vehicles, fast response, safety and compliance checks and on-site documentation reports.

Call us on 1300 13 13 10 or email us at info.au.entrance@assaabloy.com

References
1 Insureon. “6 ways to prevent burglary and theft at your business.” Insureon. http://www.insureon.com/insureonu/59-small-business-insurance-hacks/burglary-theft (accessed 8 November 2022).

2 National Retail Association. “Retail Crime.” NRA. https://www.nra.net.au/policy-advocacy/safe-retail/retail-crime (accessed 8 November 2022).