Exactly what
"state of the art" means is mystifying to most of us,
since everybody uses it to describe everything they
make now.
Taken literally
it should mean something that was invented two hours before the
alarm went off this morning, and is the
highest-of-the-high-tech-marvels known to man.
Just because it was
announced today, however, means nothing. It could be a
cheap knockoff of something that truly is "state of the
art."
A few specifics in plain
english would help. Herewith we present some 24-carat
examples of high-tech security and the questions you should
ask before reaching for your credit card.
Security Check
#1
What
is it about your perimeter fence
that keeps
out intruders?
First, scratch from your list facilities that don't have a
perimeter fence. Chances are you won't like much else about them
either. Now for those that do. Get the manager to explain
precisely what it is in the design and construction of his fence
that deters intruders. Is it wired so that an alarm goes off? Is
it so tall it takes a crane to get over? Is it so stout that an
intruder couldn't easily get through with industrial gauge chain
hitched to a pickup? Has anyone ever broken through since the
business was opened? How is that, why is this? There's no such
thing as too many qualifiers when it comes to sizing up how
effective a facility is in convincing would-be intruders they'd be
better off going somewhere else.
Security Check
#2
How effectively does that entrance gate
screen out the
people we don't want in?
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.
Security Check #3
If an intruder is successful in breaking past
the fence, what else besides the lock on my
unit
will prevent it from being broken into.
If the
answer to that is Perimeter Infrared Beams (PIB), this facility can rightfully claim
state of the art security. This is an infrared beam
"fence" system usually
just inside the fence line.
It triggers an alarm when a large
object interrupts the
beam. The alarm is usually tied to the police
department for
a prompt dispatchment of an officer.
Security Check #4
It seems every self storage facility
promotes
the advantage of video cameras. What will
yours
do that others won't?
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.
Security Check
#5
I hear that good locks can make a
difference,
but any lock can be broken. How will I know
when I've
got enough?
Most perpetrators will not spend more than a couple of minutes
trying to remove a lock from a door. Therefore many locks are now
rated on how long they can endure assault. They range from Class 1
which lasts one minute, to Class 5 at five minutes. Terrific, but
what about bolt cutters? The lock that could foil that probably
doesn't exist yet. Behold the disk lock. This is a round lock that
would give King Kong fits. It's secret is that its circular design
limits the shackle’s exposure so that bolt cutters will have a
dickens of a time finding a notch to clamp down on. It costs more,
yes, but it's worth it.
Security Check #6
What is it about your lighting that should
make
me feel safe when coming
in at night?
Lighting can
be critical if you will need to access the facility at night.
Drive by the facility on your way home some night to see how well
it is lighted. If the property has indoor corridors, ask
how the lights work. Some are on timers that allow a
limited amount of time. If there's any doubt that the lighting
isn't sufficient for your unit's location, ask to be relocated.
