Image Showing the QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Concertina Grille

Image Showing the QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Concertina Grille.

We are often approached by customers seeking advice as to which security product they should use to best protect their property. There are many factors to consider when deciding which solution best suits the individual situation. The main one being whether or not to use the concertina grilles or roller shutters.

  • What is the criteria (To improve overall security or to protect from Vandalism).
  • What have others used to protect their property in the same area
  • What is the risk, do you require a deterrent or a total security solution.
  • Should you use a concertina lattice style of grille or a roller shutter?
  • If you use a roller shutter should it be electric or manual operation?
  • Should it be installed internally or externally
  • Do you want the public to be able to see into your premises/shop when you are closed?
  • Will you need planning permission if installing grilles or shutters externally
  • How easy is the product to use?
  • Will staff feel comfortable with the product and understand how to operate it
  • Do I use an insurance approved product
  • How much will it cost?
  • Will they require regular maintenance or a service contract?

All these questions arise more often or not when carrying out surveys on different types of properties and subsequently their location and risk of a burglary or act of vandalism.

One such situation arose recently for a customer of ours based in Leeds West Yorkshire. They required a security solution that offered a high level of security with a minimum visual impact. It was important that the shop did not look un-inviting and kept a welcoming image for its customers.

Several options where put forward based on many of the factors listed above. This included taking into consideration the other shops and offices within the immediate vicinity and what security if any they had used. The overall appearance of the actual customers shop and what would look right, and finally the ease of use of the product for the member’s of staff.

Roller shutters had not been used on any of the other shops or offices; this could have been for numerous reasons. Firstly depending on location planning permission may have had to be acquired, this can be a lengthy process and puts many people off.

Roller shutters fitted externally can look unsightly and in this particular case the roller shutter box would have obscured the customer’s signage. Added to this due its size the shutter would have had to be electrically operated which when a manual over-ride is allowed for and the electrical wiring to be carried out can start to be an expensive option. Although once installed correctly they do offer an excellent easy to use automated security solution.

The way forward here was to install an easy to use low maintenance product. Fitted internally meaning it is more secure and protected from the elements. It needed to be see through and carry insurance approval.

We decided the QSec CX2 Insurance Approved fully tracked Concertina Grille was the product that would best suit this particular situation. Installed across the entire width of the opening it has a minimum visual impact and allows a high level of vision through it into the shop.

QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Concertina Grille

QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Concertina Grille Partially Open to Reveal the Entrance Door.

The survey we carried out had to allow for the fact that the shop only had one usable entrance. Added to this that the door opened inward and the alarm would be activated as soon as the door was opened meant we had to allow enough space for the staff to get into the shop between the grille and the open door, unlock the grilles and deactivate the alarm.

This was achieved by face fixing the grille 1m away from the door and using a combination of a removable centre section of bottom track and a double lift up track. The grille then neatly folded back to both side of the reveal behind a display cabinet on one side and a work station on the other.

QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Grille Viewed From Inside the Premises

QSec CX2 Insurance Approved Grille Viewed From Inside the Premises.

Once in its open position the QSec CX2 Grille offers a high level of security with elegant looks and ease of use. Overall a job well done!