Imagine this: A would-be vandal is bored and out to have some fun in the local industrial park. He walks around, looking for somewhere to throw a rock and smash a window, or just cause trouble. What is going to deter him more: A security guard who just parked his car in a back corner of the parking lot to eat his lunch, or a well-lit booth, clearly marked “security”, with detectable motion inside?
An actual security booth can offer much more than shelter from the rain for your guards: the guardshack actually becomes part of your security system.
Understanding the Importance of Guardshack Enclosures
Security in modern business environments requires a strategic approach to physical infrastructure. Among the most critical components of an effective security system are guardshack enclosures, which serve as the first line of defense and control point for facility access.
Guardshack enclosures serve multiple essential functions in a security infrastructure:
- Access Control Management: Guard shacks act as centralized checkpoints where security personnel can effectively monitor and control all incoming and outgoing traffic. This includes verifying credentials, checking vehicles, and maintaining visitor logs. Their strategic placement at entry points creates a natural flow that prevents unauthorized bypass attempts.
- Weather Protection: Modern guard shacks are engineered to protect security personnel and sensitive equipment from various weather conditions. They incorporate features like climate control systems, proper insulation, and weather-resistant materials to ensure year-round functionality regardless of external conditions.
- Communication Hub: Guard shacks function as communication centers where security personnel can coordinate with other team members, monitor surveillance systems, and respond to emergencies. They often house essential communication equipment, security monitors, and emergency response systems.
Design Considerations
Several factors influence the effectiveness of guard shack installations:
Strategic Positioning
The placement of guard shacks must optimize visibility while considering traffic flow patterns. Key considerations include:
- Clear sightlines to approach and departure routes
- Sufficient distance from entry points to allow for vehicle screening
- Proximity to backup power sources and communication infrastructure
- Natural traffic flow integration to prevent bottlenecks
Construction Requirements
Guard shacks must be built to withstand both security threats and environmental challenges:
- Bullet-resistant materials when required by risk assessment
- Fire-resistant construction methods and materials
- Proper electrical and communication system integration
- Adequate ventilation and climate control systems
- Ergonomic interior design for extended occupation
Technology Integration
Modern guard shacks should accommodate various security technologies:
- Surveillance system monitors and controls
- Access control system interfaces
- Emergency communication systems
- Biometric scanning equipment
- Vehicle inspection technology
Implementation Best Practices
Successful guard shack implementation requires careful planning and execution:
Site Assessment
Prior to ordering a guard shack enclosure, conduct a thorough analysis in order to determine your needs. Factors you should note and take into consideration include:
- Traffic patterns and volume
- Environmental conditions
- Security threat levels
- Utility access points
- Local building codes and regulations
Personnel Considerations
Design choices should support security staff effectiveness:
- Adequate space for movement and equipment operation
- Clear visibility of surrounding areas
- Proper ergonomic setup for long shifts
- Easy access to essential controls and communication systems
- Sufficient storage for necessary equipment and supplies
Maintenance Planning
Develop comprehensive maintenance protocols:
- Regular inspection schedules
- Climate control system maintenance
- Communication equipment testing
- Structural integrity assessments
- Weather protection system updates
Return on Investment Considerations
Investing in a fully-functional guard shack enclosure provides multiple benefits:
Enhanced Security
- Improved access control capabilities
- Better incident response times
- Enhanced deterrence effect
- More effective security staff deployment
Operational Efficiency
- Streamlined visitor processing
- Reduced unauthorized access incidents
- Improved emergency response capabilities
- Better integration with existing security systems
Staff Performance
- Increased security personnel effectiveness
- Better working conditions leading to improved morale
- Reduced weather-related disruptions
- More efficient communication and coordination
Guard shack enclosures represent a crucial investment in facility security infrastructure. Their proper design, implementation, and maintenance significantly impact overall security effectiveness and operational efficiency. Organizations should carefully consider their specific needs and circumstances when planning guard shack installations to ensure optimal results.
Enhancing Business Effectiveness Through Strategic Guard Shack Implementation
A well-designed guard shack enclosure serves as more than just a security checkpoint – it becomes an integral part of your business operations that can significantly impact overall effectiveness. When properly implemented, these structures create a professional first impression while streamlining various business processes that extend far beyond basic security functions.
The strategic placement and design of guard shack enclosures can dramatically improve business workflow in several ways. They serve as centralized points for managing deliveries and coordinating with vendors, helping to prevent supply chain disruptions and ensuring smooth logistics operations. By maintaining detailed records of all site entries and exits, guard shacks provide valuable data that can be used to optimize scheduling and resource allocation.
In terms of employee management, guard shacks contribute to workplace efficiency by:
- Facilitating organized shift changes through systematic badge scanning and time tracking, reducing time waste during personnel transitions and ensuring accurate attendance records
- Creating a clear protocol for handling temporary badges and visitor access, which streamlines the process for contractors and business partners while maintaining security standards
- Providing a visible security presence that helps maintain workplace safety protocols and encourages adherence to company policies
For customer-facing businesses, a guard shack enclosure can enhance the client experience by:
- Offering a professional welcome point where visitors can receive clear directions and assistance, reducing confusion and improving navigation around your facility
- Managing parking allocation efficiently, which is particularly valuable during high-traffic periods or special events
- Providing a quick-response point for customer service issues that may arise on the premises
Emergency response capabilities are also significantly improved through proper guard shack implementation:
- Creating a clear command point during crisis situations where emergency services can obtain immediate site information and access
- Housing essential emergency equipment and communication systems in a readily accessible location
- Serving as a mustering point for employee headcounts during evacuations
The Value of Guard Shack Enclosures
When you first think about giving your guards an enclosure of some sort to use, you might think that it doesn’t matter what kind of security guard shed they have, as long as it puts a roof over their head and keeps them out of the rain or other inclement weather. But the fact is that there is a lot more to a guard shack than simply acting as a big umbrella.
- A guard booth is an advertisement, alerting potential rabble-rousers to the presence of a security force.
- A booth is a station on which to place motion lights, cameras, and other security technology.
- A guard booth is a home base; a place for guards to meet up, coordinate activities, and communicate with leadership.
- A booth is a storage unit that gives guards a place to store their equipment and technology, and that allows them to monitor cameras, communications, and more.
- Finally, a guard shack enclosure keeps your guards out of weather while still allowing them to effectively watch the grounds.
Securing the perimeter of your building and property is important. As such, a guard booth is essential. Why? Because it serves as a mobile office for security, helping your team be the most effective they can be.
But can’t you just stick them in their car? Or some other existing enclosure instead of buying or building a guard booth? Sure you can. But remember that for any employee, their work space is going to impact the quality of their work. Let’s consider some guardshack enclosures you may want to consider for housing a security guard.
Different Type of Guard Shack Enclosures
There are many different buildings that people use as guard enclosures, with some working better than others.
Following is a list of some of the most common circumstances guards find themselves in:
- No enclosure
Some people opt to skip the enclosure altogether and just let their guard continuously walk the grounds. Sure, this keeps your guard mobile, and can help them perform rounds and stay on the go. But there are a number of disadvantages to simply having a guard walking the premises without a guard shack to call his own. These downsides include:-
- There is no home base from which to work, which can leave a guard unfocused, and undirected, and also make them hard to find if you need them.
- The guard has nowhere to go for protection during inclement weather.
- If the guard needs a break to sit down, you have no idea where they are because there is no formal rest zone.
- There is nowhere to store equipment besides for the guard’s pocket or belt.
There is limited communication and monitoring ability since the guard doesn’t have access to all video screens and communication systems at any given moment.
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- A car
We have all seen security guards at shopping malls, movie theaters, and other facilities just sitting in their car. There are some benefits to this. The guard is somewhat mobile. The guard isn’t going to follow someone over a fence or through a skinny space between buildings, but he or she can drive in circles around the building, checking all entrances and keeping an eye on things. A car can also be comfortable, for a time; your guards can lay the seat back and take a nap. Actually… that sounds like a problem waiting to happen, so we’ll consider that part of the disadvantages list below:-
- It is easy for a troublemaker to hide from a guard in a car. These guards drive their cars slowly around the grounds, giving someone with bad intentions ample time to hide until they pass by.
- The guards view is limited when inside a car, making it difficult to see 360 degrees around himself.
- It takes time to unbuckle and exit the car if the guard needs to check something out in a hurry.
- Many employees don’t like using their own car as it generally means excess miles, gas, and maintenance, and it is possible that their insurance company will not cover damage incurred to a vehicle that is used on the job.
Want to know what some security guards think about using their own car for patrol? Check out this blog. Spoiler alert: most of them don’t like it.
- A hollowed out port-a-potty
If this sounds disgusting to you, then good for you – you care about your employees. But believe it or not, some guard companies actually consider this an acceptable guard shack enclosure. They buy an old portable toilet, clear out the toilet part, and turn it into a tiny guard booth. Sure, it keeps the rain off, but there are many disadvantages, including:-
- It’s gross. If this was previously used, you are never going to get the smell out.
- It’s tiny. Even if you bought a new, unused one, there is barely enough room to stand up and turnaround.
- Yes, you can cut into the hard plastic sides and add windows, but that isn’t enough.
- It’s not very durable. A strong wind can blow one over if you don’t anchor it to the ground.
Don’t hate your employees. They deserve better than this. On the other hand, there are some portable restroom trailers that are larger and nicer than the standard portable toilet, which could work as a guard shack. But why force your employees to work from a bathroom, when they can have an official, well stocked professional guard shack for less money? What are some other secure enclosure options you can consider?
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- Inside a main building
One perfectly valid choice is to have your guards just sit inside the main building they are guarding. It’s easy. It’s there. And in some cases, it’s a perfectly fine option. Many museums have guards that slowly roam the building; it’s a particularly good choice if you are worried that employees could cause trouble or that some patrons may have hung around after closing. But there are disadvantages as well:
- A guard on the inside cannot see the outside. When a building has a lot of entrances, the inside guard may not see someone on the outside attempting a break-in or vandalizing.
- If an armed team invades a bank while a single security guard is sitting inside the office, that guard might be trapped inside the building with dangerous, highly motivated, criminals. Whether the guard is armed or not, this could lead to a very serious situation where the guard’s life is in danger.
- In a full size building the guard can easily get distracted, find a comfortable place to just kick back and take a nap.
- An all-purpose shed
Another option many companies opt for is to simply buy an all-purpose storage shed and use it as a guard shack. Home stores like Lowes and Home Depot sell many inexpensive sheds and shed kits. These sheds come in all different sizes, many have windows, and you can often get them delivered quickly. But remember that you get what you pay for, and there are some disadvantages here:
- Some of these sheds are plastic or aluminum. A Home Depot guard shack offers no insulation from hot or cold weather, and would be easy for a criminal to kick over, shoot through, or simply break the door down. If you decide to go the route of a shed, consider buying a well built and strong wood shed. However, please keep in mind that this is a far cry from weather guard sheds that are designed for the specific purpose of comfortably and securely housing your security personnel.
- You usually have to build these kits yourself, so clear your weekend and break out the tools!
- You will have to add all accessories yourself, including shelves, cabinets, countertops, lighting, electrical boxes, computer monitors, etc.
- A prefabricated, official guard booth
Hands down, the best option for giving your security guards a home base to work from is a formal guard booth – a unit that was built specifically with security guards in mind. When it comes to disadvantages of this guardshack, there are not really any, except that it will cost more than having nothing, and perhaps more than a portable toilet. But security booths are very affordable, they add professionalism to a security team, and serve as a deterrent to troublemakers. Other advantages include:-
- They are built according to custom specifications, and are built to last for many, many years.
- They can come equipped with whatever add on features you need, including color, signage, electrical spotlights and more!
- They can be delivered quickly, pretty much anywhere.
- They provide your guards with a home base so that they can store their equipment, monitor security cameras and communications equipment, be relatively comfortable (but not so comfortable that they sleep on the job), and help them do the best job possible.
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Learn More About Guardian Booth Guard Shack Enclosures
When it comes to guard shack enclosures, you need to choose what works best for your company. Consider the premises that need guarding, how many guards you have, their experience and comfort level, as well as your own finances, and make the best decision that you can for your business.
A prefab guard booth – a booth designed for guards — is built specifically with security guards in mind. And, it’s probably not as expensive as you think it is.
Guardian Booth offers a number of different guard shack models, varying in size, shape, materials, and accessories, and we probably have one to fit your budget. We have various finishing options, from basic colors to custom wraps and wooden guard shack shingles. We also allow flexible purchase financing and rental options, to make it even easier to get the guard booth you need. Learn more about Guardian Booth’s options today.
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