Protecting your business workplace with the right security doors

It's important to make your place of business as secure as possible. One way to protect your office from burglary or damage is to install a security door, which gives access to those who need it and keeps out those who don't. 

So what's the latest technology in security doors? What are the regulations you should be aware of, and how much will a security door cost you?

New technologies

Glenn McCauley, sales and marketing manager at Mul-T-Lock, says recent years have seen big changes in the cylinders used in security doors.

"Though they haven't yet penetrated the Australian market to a great degree, you can now get systems that are pick and drill resistant," he says.

"You can get lock cylinders that have microchips built into them and the key. In those systems your employees can enter between nine and five, but can be restricted outside work hours."

Locking systems 

Cheaper locking systems usually feature a single lock where the handle is, says Glenn, then move up to three-point locking, which locks at three points down the side of the security door. 

"Then you have more high-security designs with bolts going into the top of the frame, down into the step, as well as where the handle is," he says. "And finally four-point locking, which also locks into the frame on the hinge side of the door." 

Biometric security

"More and more businesses are using biometric security nowadays," Glenn says. "You just walk up and use your fingerprint to open the security door."

In these systems, a small computer with an encrypted database stores the fingerprints of people authorised to gain entry. A finger scanner on the wall beside the door reads the fingerprint. When a match is found, the lock on the security door opens.

Security doors versus the regulations

The Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards and fire regulations may affect the security door you can install. It all depends on the type of business you run.

For example, fire regulations may stipulate that a security door must not be locked from the inside and can be opened by people without using their hands.

Glenn says jewellery stores and pharmacies, for example, bypass some regulations, because of what they are holding in store. "The security is considered to be more important than fire regulations," he says.

Cost of security doors 

"Depending on the complexity of the door, it can cost anywhere from $700 to a couple of thousand dollars," Glenn says. The features that impact the price include:

• the lock system
• any special design features like scroll work
• the type of wire: basic flywire worth $10 per metre or cut-resistant wire at $100 per metre
• frames - an additional cost.

But when you consider the potential costs of a burglary, isn't it worth investing in securing your premises?

Phone a security doors specialist today to find out how to keep intruders out of your place of business.