What You Need to Know Before Buying a Commercial Safe
A commercial safe can be a valuable investment to protect critical data, papers, or goods at your business with an extra level of defense. As with all security upgrades for your commercial property, researching and gathering information about all of your options is an essential requirement for a successful outcome. This applies even more so if your business in Cherry Hill, Pennsylvania is just starting out and operating on a strict budget. You want to not only select the right type of safe, but also choose a quality brand, and will most likely require professional installation.
Would My Business Benefit from a Safe?
There is a wide range of businesses that would benefit from having a safe installed if they do not already have one. If your business handles any kind of sensitive data, cash, or valuable goods on a regular basis, a commercial safe is crucial to protect these vulnerable items. Types of businesses that could benefit from commercial safe installation include:
- Retail Shopping Centers
- Data-Centric Offices
- Financial Institutions
- Medical Facilities
- Pawn Shops
- Grocery Stores
- Restaurants
- Jewelers
- Gun Stores
Types of Commercial Safes
There are three major types of commercial safes under which other variations fall. These types are fire-resistant safes, theft-deterrent safes, and composite safes that protect against both. Fire-resistant safes are preferred for items that you want to protect against damage during a fire. These safes are rated by an independent laboratory to withstand sustained heat for a certain period of time while protecting the contents inside. A range of fire ratings exist at different price points that are made to withstand varying degrees of heat.
Crime deterrent safes, as the name suggests, have additional features that keep valuables, electronics, papers, and other items safe inside. They are resistant to common subversion methods, including drilling and brute force attacks, but do not protect against fire. They usually are constructed of multiple layers of strong steel and affixed with complicated, tamper-resistant locks. Locks can also be rated depending on the type of safe and the manufacturer. Businesses such as jewelers and electronic stores sometimes use safes with additional protections that designate them as high-security safes. Fire protection safes are usually limited to homes and small businesses, as most commercial property owners are more concerned with theft prevention.
Combining these two features is often preferred, as both crime and fire hazards pose a significant risk to sensitive materials. While these safes may be more expensive than the other types listed here, many businesses owners find the extra cost to be well worth it. Property and data loss from fires is more significant than that from criminals in most industries, according to the most recent statistics compiled by FBI. However, as we stated above, most business owners tend to focus on the more obvious threat of criminal activity. The choice is always up to you at the end of the day.
The subtypes of commercial safes that you can choose from depend on what your specific needs are for your business as well as the locksmith company you choose to perform the installation. For example, cash depository safes can be very beneficial if your business does a lot of sales or financial services on a daily bases. These safes are affixed beneath a counter and cash can be discreetly dropped through the available slot. Some other common subtypes of commercial safes include:
- Jewelry Safes
- Lock Boxes
- Deposit Slot Safes
- Data Safes
- Rotary Hopper Safes
- Mail Drop Safes
- Drawer Safes
- Inventory Control Safe
This is just a general selection of safes that are available on the market today. There is also the locking mechanism to consider, as there are many types to choose from, including combination locks, keypads, and even fingerprint locks. New developments are occurring all the time, so it can help to consult with a locksmith to learn the latest innovations in safe technology and security.
Which Safe Should You Choose?
When considering an investment such as a commercial safe, it’s most effective to take into account the reason you want a safe, the location you wish to place it, who will be granted access to its contents, and the type of business you have. In addition, your budget is obviously also a crucial factor, as well as the aforementioned issue of fire and crime deterrence. You may also decide to invest in multiple types of safes for various purposes, such as a cash depository safe underneath each counter and a main safe in your backroom.
Locksmith Safe Installation
When considering which safe to purchase, you might be overwhelmed with all of the information and choices available, which is why partnering with a locksmith company can be so beneficial. It’s recommended to take just as much care in choosing the locksmith company to install your safe as you do in choosing the safe itself. Choose a locksmith company such as ours that is both local and also provides affordable safe installation of a wide selection of safes. A locksmith can deliver the perfect safe directly to your business and install it quickly and efficiently so as not to disrupt the flow of work.
Businesses all across Pennsylvania have found commercial safes to be a vital security tool to better protect their most crucial and confidential assets. Whether you have a small local office or a large retail firm, a commercial safe can offer you an unparalleled level of protection for a great value. While determining which safe is most appropriate for your business takes some work and information gathering, it’s well worth the effort.
Whether you’re looking for a simple safe to hold papers and other data in a secure fashion, or to have a series of cash depository safes installed on your commercial property, the right locksmith can not only secure your business appropriately but at a great value.