All office refurbishment projects are an opportunity to review all aspects of buildings and office security. There is a huge variety of security and alarm systems available for internal and external office security. Here is a focus on window security film installation, and solar window films, a low cost but secure alternative to using dedicated laminated or toughened glass.
Office Security - Window Films
Current legislation stipulates that critically-located glazing in all business and commercial premises must be made of a safety material. In practical terms, this means glazing up to approximately waist height of a typical adult in all windows and shoulder height in or around doors.
As well as the obvious likelihood of serious injury to the general public or your employees, any failure to comply with the regulations may result in prosecution in the event of an accident.
Clearly, it becomes very costly to re-glaze all such important locations with laminated or toughened glass, and of course such a major undertaking would inevitable involve disruptions to the working routine.
The alternative is to supply a fully tested Safety Film to the glazing. Such window films ensure that your organisation is complying with the regulations. Thus, the following summary benefits should be considered:
- Window films are less expensive with every window pane correctly marked - Your existing windows can be upgraded on-site, without the disruption of a full re-glaze - Scratch resistant surfaces mean longer life for your windows - Reduces injury risks caused by falling through glass or from flying shards
Window film applied to the inside of windows and doors means that broken glass fragments will be held in place in the event of breakage or shattering. Additionally, films can frustrate the break-in attempts of the opportunist burglar, thus protecting your property and reducing the risk of vandalism and the aggravation it causes.
Office Security - Solar Window Films For those office areas which are prone to the effects of glare and long term daily exposure to bright sunlight, a solar window film fitted to the inside of glass windows will provide the immediate benefit of reflecting back the harmful properties of the sun's glare. At the same time, solar window film maintains a perfectly clear view through the glazing.
Additionally, solar window film offers the benefit of controlling the temperature on even the hottest days of the year.
Of course, as with standard window films, solar window treatments will also protect offices from the risks of injury by loose shattered fragments of glass should the window be broken by accident or criminal damage. Again, your windows will be much stronger once these films have been installed, adding to the deterrent against intruders, as well as providing you with peace of mind that your premises meet the the health and safety regulations.
The selection and specification of each of these security systems requires considerable expertise. Ideally you should find a main contractor for all your office security needs, one who can offer sound expert advice, and one who also can offer all required after-sales support, including long-term maintenance agreements. In particular, Health and safety is of paramount importance, which is why it is important to check the health and safety credentials of any supplier - for example in the UK, where CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) accreditation is desirable.
About the Author:
Jimi St. Pierre writes for several office fitout companies in the UK, including Cameron Barclay, a major CHAS accredited London office refurbishment consultancy covering London and the whole of the South East UK.