Securing your shop front can significantly reduce the risk of theft and vandalism for your business. However, there are many different options to choose from and it is important that you choose the appropriate safeguards.

According to RISC Authority guidelines, a consideration of overall shop front security needs to factor in several criteria, including:

  • Exterior environment
  • Condition of doors and windows
  • Locks and locking systems
  • The type of glazing in place
  • Alarms
  • CCTV

RISCA’s shop front guide concentrates on physical aspects of shop front protection, for example:

Glazing

RISCA guidelines specify that there are two types of glazing typically used for shop fronts – toughened, and laminated.

Positive features of toughened glass:

  • Typically better-suited for shop doors and smaller windows
  • Its primary function is a safety material
  • It is up to five times as tough as ordinary ‘float’ glass, for resistance to bodily impact

Drawbacks:

  • Restricted in size due to the manufacturing process
  • Less useful for security as it can be easily shattered by tools

Positive features of laminated glass:

  • Meets most safety and security requirements
  • Strong structure – interlaid sheets of glass
  • Can prevent or delay substantial penetration

RISCA says that as a general rule of thumb; the thicker the glass, the stronger the product.

However, retailers should understand that glazing may not be a sufficient security measure by itself, and should be considered as part of a larger effort with multiple crime prevention techniques e.g. roller shutters.

Security shutters

When considering shutters and grilles for your commercial property, a security risk assessment plays a very important role, as it is important to ensure the option you choose is proportionate to your business requirements. conservatories bridgend