Choosing the Ideal Retail Security Shutters for Your Premises

At MDS Industries, we specialise in designing and manufacturing a wide range of retail security shutters to provide an added level of solution for commercial and retail premises.

Depending on the nature of your business, we can either provide solid roller security shutters or punched or perforated slates. Perforated security roller shutters are almost transparent when backlit, allowing retailers to continue to display their products even when closed, whilst still providing a high level of security. Despite the perforated design, retail security shutters still have a considerable inner integral strength, preventing would-be intruders from breaking in.

Perforated retail security shutters are very common for business premises where a level of ventilation is a prerequisite. A major benefit of perforated shutters is that they can be manufactured for premises with wide openings, whether they be windows or doors, as they can be manufactured to be as much as 10m wide in a single span. Should larger sizes be required, retail security shutters can be manufactured in more than one span.

Punched security shutters do not provide the same transparent effect as perforated slates, however, we can provide them offering as much as 55% vision when they are in the closed position. Punched retail security shutters can provide equal security to solid or perforated shutters, offering a highly cost effective way of providing high levels of security whilst still maintaining a level of visibility. For this reason, fully punched roller security shutters also please local planning authorities.

At MDS Industries, we can provide retail security shutters as either raw galvanised, or with a polyester powder coated finish. Many retailers choose powder coated shutters, as they can then choose security shutters that not only fit with their shop front and branding, but provide an extra level of security.

All of our security roller shutters are powered, allowing them to be opened or closed with the press of a button. We use excellent quality tubular motor units that operate at 240 volts and can provide either a single control, or a multi controlled operation, depending on customer requirements.

To find out more about roller security shutters and curtains for commercial and retail premises, you can visit the MDS website.

Securing your Business Property at Christmas

It’s that time of year when many businesses are getting ready for their Christmas shutdown.  Whilst the focus will primarily be on finishing outstanding jobs prior to the festive break there is one element that often gets overlooked – securing the business property over Christmas.

Many businesses will be closing on Christmas Eve and not opening again until 5^th January. Would-be thieves may see this as the ideal opportunity to break in, cause damage and steal expensive items of equipment such as computers.

What then can you do to protect your business property over the festive break?

·        Lock it up – it goes without saying that you need to lock up your premises before you leave, but in the Christmas excitement and with the prolonged break from work, it is more important than ever.  Your window and door locks should meet British Safety Standards (if you’re worried that they don’t now would be a good time to check).  Make sure that all doors, windows and roller shutters are locked and that no keys are left on view before you lock the building up for Christmas.

·         Light it up – we’ll all be busy decking the halls and trees with lights over the coming weeks but there’s no need to leave your business property out.  We don’t mean fairy lights either but security lights.  When the building is shut at night, over the weekend or during the holidays, security lighting, which is set to come on when anyone approaches the building, should act as a deterrent to would-be-thieves, especially when combined with CCTV systems.

·         Hide it away – just as you would at home over Christmas, it is important to keep valuables hidden from view in your commercial property.  If you have window blinds or curtains, ensure these are closed before you lock up so that potential thieves cannot see what is on the inside.  Keys, cash and other valuable items should be stored away in a safe place and any computer equipment that can be moved from view should be. 

The more difficult you can make it for potential intruders to see inside your property, the more effective your security will be as not only will they be unsure about the value of items inside but they won’t be able to see what security systems you have in place.  This is in itself should act as a powerful deterrent.

Retail security

If you operate in the retail industry then this will be your busiest time of year.  However, it is important to spend some time ensuring your property is safe, not just when your shop is closed for the evening but also during opening hours as would-be pickpockets will be on the lookout for easy opportunities at this time of year.  Make sure that your staff can see customers at all times and that window displays do not completely block their view of the street.

It pays to be prepared at Christmas, especially if you don’t want to face the unexpected costs of replacing stolen items and repairing damage from forced entry in the New Year.

Have a safe and happy Christmas!

The Benefits of Roller Shutter Doors

A roller shutter door is a type of door with horizontal slats or bars, and it can be manually operated (lifted and lowered) or motorised. They can come in a variety of different measurements and can be used to protect from weather, unwanted intruders or for heat insulation purposes; resulting in their use in a wide variety of industries for both commercial and residential protection. Common places you would find roller shutter doors include: shopping centres, garages and industrial warehouses.

Materials and purpose

The two most common materials used to produce roller shutter doors are fibreglass and metal; both materials provide different benefits and are often chosen according to purpose. Fibreglass roller shutter doors are often more expensive than their metal counterparts, but are more resilient and require less maintenance. Steel roller shutter doors may be more high maintenance but are more affordable than fibreglass and are strong and robust.

There are other roller shutters available that are made from alternative materials, these materials are best suited to those who wish to obtain shutter doors for purposes other than security.

Electric roller shutters

Roller shutter doors can be operated electronically using simple controls to open and close them. This option saves users considerable amounts of both time and labour that would be otherwise be required if steel roller shutter doors were operated manually. Larger doors may benefit from electrical operation as these will be the most difficult to operate manually.

Electric roller shutters are common for businesses that need to operate several shutter doors at one time; as well as commercial garages, high street shops, shopping centres and residential garages.

General benefits

The general benefits to having roller shutter doors installed for your property or business are vast and include:

• Security - this is probably one of the more common reasons for installation, as both metal and fibreglass doors provide significant extra security for a property, ensuring that intruders cannot easily gain access.

• Anti-vandalism - while not as common as security, anti-vandalism is still a highly justified reason for installing shutter doors. They protect the openings of a property from damage (any vandalism is hidden as soon as the roller is opened and so is never visible during business hours).

• Weather protection - in areas where weather conditions can cause damage to properties, it is common to have shutter doors installed to protect existing windows and doors on your property. Strong winds can cause objects to crack or smash glass and hail can damage paintwork; Steel roller shutter doors are designed to withstand extremely strong winds.

For more information on steel roller shutter doors, you can visit the MDS Industries website.

High Speed Doors - Saving Your Business Time and Money

If you find yourself or your employees complaining about time wasted when moving goods or equipment, or if you have unwanted drafts and air leakage, then high speed roller doors may well be the perfect solution for your business. Flexible and custom made for large openings, they are available in a range of colours, meaning they can be designed to suit and enhance your building or branding.

High speed doors have many benefits that see them commonly in use within the industrial sector. In addition to external use, high speed doors have proved to be perfectly suited for internal use including for freezer rooms and hygienic environments. In addition to this, each door type is wind load tested to ensure they are also suitable for high wind conditions. 

Fast opening times mean these doors are a viable solution for areas with high traffic, as demonstrated by their commercial application - such as in supermarkets and airports. These doors are capable of opening at speed many times a day, cutting down waiting times and streamlining logistic processes. Slow doors can impede the flow of both goods and people and can even end up leading to safety and hygiene issues.

High speed doors are energy saving and provide remarkable thermal efficiency. This allows for a more easily controlled internal environment and, as the doors are open for minimal time, the costs of heating/refrigeration are reduced. The reduction of airborne pollution (exhaust fumes, for example) and noise further enhances the working atmosphere and environment by making it cleaner and quieter.

The fully integrated curtains mean that minimal space is used in installation and the sturdy frame and durable cover materials give you long-term security and efficiency. They also boast safe, reliable operation and require little maintenance. They are fitted with photo panels for added safety and can be easily reset in the event of any impact. A range of activation options are available meaning you can get the most efficient and suitable doors for your business.

With high speed doors there's no time wasted waiting for conventional doors, no more moaning about the draft or noise. Your business can lose the unnecessary distractions and get on with doing what it does best.

Is Your Workplace Adequately Protected From Fire?

We all know the devastating effects caused by fire and how quickly it can spread.  But is your place of work prepared for a fire, and what measures are in place to help to prevent a fire from spreading?

Fire Curtains

Fire curtains are commonly used in areas which are at a greater risk of fire.  For example, canteen servery hatches, school kitchens and department stores.  These areas are at high risk of fire due to cooking equipment, not forgetting that fire can cause damage which can be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in areas which have high stock levels.  Fire curtains can be manufactured to blend in well with the existing surroundings and are therefore aesthetically pleasing.

How Do Fire Curtains Work?

Fire curtains will spring into action once a fire has been detected.  The curtain will rapidly close to floor level, and will stop a fire from spreading.  At MDS, our fire curtains can hold back a fire raging at 1000° for up to 4 hours.  Although the curtains aren’t able to extinguish the blaze, they can effectively stop the fire from spreading throughout the building, therefore helping to prevent further damage and devastation from being caused and may even help to reduce the loss of life should the building be occupied at the time of the fire.

Fire Shutter Doors

Fire shutter doors are also effective at providing protection from fire.  These can be utilised for either internal or external openings and will again hold back a fire for a specified length of time. 

Sprinkler Systems

As well as preventing a fire from spreading, it’s also important to extinguish the fire as soon as possible.  Sprinkler systems are commonly fitted in public areas with high levels of traffic, such as shopping centres, gyms and cinemas, where there may not be straightforward fire exits for all parts of the building.  Once the fire detection system has identified a fire, the sprinkler system will set to work extinguishing the fire whilst the fire service are on their way to the building.

Fire Extinguishers

All public buildings and places of work will need to provide relevant fire extinguishers which can be used by either a designated fire marshal or even a member of the public should a fire ignite.  With correct training or common sense, smaller fires may be extinguished before they become too large.  In any event, the fire service should always be called to attend the scene of a fire.

To find out more about the fire curtains and fire shutter doors available from MDS Industries, please visit their website. 

Would A Roller Shutter Door Help To Make Your Premises Safer?

With the best will in the world, not many buildings are completely intruder-proof.  Whilst various security measures can be put into place to deter an intruder, if a person has the time and the equipment to carry out a break-in without being seen, chances are they could access a building.  However, the more security measures are put into place, the less likely an intruder would be able to successfully break into a business premises.

Building Accessibility

First of all, it’s a good idea to look at the access to the building.  Many business premises will have a door at the front of the building which is used for pedestrians, and perhaps a loading bay at the rear of the building for industrial access.  Both of these doors will need to have sufficient security measures in place so as to deter intruders outside of working hours.

Roller Shutter Doors

Roller shutter doors are an excellent and highly effective method of securing a building.  Often made from steel, these strong and robust doors will keep out even the most determined intruders.  Whilst a burglar left alone for a couple of hours may eventually be able to cut through a brick wall with an angle grinder, chances are they aren’t going to make any headway through a steel roller shutter door. 

Automatic Sliding Doors

Sliding doors can also contain an interlock function which can secure the building effectively.  Very often the doors can only be opened from the outside by a key fob holder or if a person manually activates the door opening to allow a visitor to enter the building. 

Security Measures

Of course, as well as having effective door systems within the premises, installing other security measures such as alarms and CCTV cameras can also help to deter intruders.  Even if a person did attempt to break into the building, chances are they would be picked up by the CCTV or the security alarm would be activated.

Having high specification door systems such as roller shutter doors and automatic sliding doors can form an effective deterrent for intruders.  Although nothing can secure a building 100% fully, these doors can certainly make it very difficult for a novice or inexperienced criminal from accessing a building without invitation.

To find out more about roller shutter doors and automatic sliding doors, feel free to visit the MDS website. 

New From MDS Industries - MDS Ice Doors

Take a look at our video demonstration of our new MDS Ice Doors. More information will be soon be found on the MDS Industries website.