Using Control Booths in the Recycling Industry

Using Control Booths in the Recycling Industry

Typically, control booths are designed as a type of checkpoint for foot, vehicle, and material traffic going into and out of facilities. This type of booth provides the attendant with a clear vantage point and more control. Often, these booths are used by government agencies, manufacturing plants, chemical production facilities, and so on. However, on occasion, a special request is made for a nontraditional industry.

A perfect example is that some recycling companies are now using control booths to help with protection and overall operating costs. After all, having a booth positioned on the exterior of the business that is fully equipped with the necessary amenities and features helps cut down on labor costs.

Today, the recycling industry is huge. As more people become concerned with how trash pollutes the planet, individuals and businesses are doing their part to clean things up. As a result, recycling plants around the country are busier than ever. On a daily basis, hundreds of vehicles enter and exit this type of facility. Because of that, there is a growing need for more innovative technology and operating efficiencies.

One concern is theft. Many recycling plants handle a variety of materials that, if stolen, could be sold. For instance, scrap metal has become a target for criminals. In fact, some criminals go as far as cutting electrical systems and air conditioning units to retrieve metal that can be sold for cash. To prevent this material and others from being stolen and to provide employees and customers with protection, booths have become an essential part of the overall security system.

However, there is another reason that recycling plants are choosing control booths. Because these structures can be designed with restroom facilities, air conditioning, heat, and so on, they provide attendants with a safe yet comfortable place to conduct business. Depending on the size of the shelter and on how the plant operates, these booths can also provide waiting drivers and perhaps visitors with a place to rest.

For recycling plants and other industries, control booths have a direct impact on operations and revenue. This makes them a huge asset to any company. If you run a recycling plant and are having trouble finding a booth to accommodate your business, we would be happy to customize something that specifically meets your needs.

What Are the Differences Between Traditional and Modern Bus Shelters?

What Are the Differences Between Traditional and Modern Bus Shelters?

If you have been around for a while, you know just how much bus shelters have changed over the years. In fact, when comparing traditional and modern shelters, the contrast is incredible. For a long time, people had no place to go to get out of the harsh elements when waiting for public transportation. Eventually, poorly designed shelters were provided, offering nothing more than a metal roof and standing room. Although an improvement, they are nothing like the shelters available today.

Key Comparisons
Some people view modern bus shelters as nothing more than updated versions of traditional shelters. In reality, the design goes much further. In designing modern-day shelters, manufacturers had to face several challenges.

For instance, regardless of the location, weather can change quickly. An individual might reach the shelter while the sun is shining only to be caught in a major downpour. On the other hand, perhaps the weather was relatively warm but, with a fast-approaching storm, the temperature dropped dramatically. In any event, the types of shelters made today can better accommodate waiting customers.

Thanks to industrial and technological advances, there are some major differences in how modern-day shelters are constructed. For instance, manufacturers now have a much broader choice of materials, including lightweight zinc alloy and heavy-duty stainless steel. In most cases, the exact material used depends on the climate where the shelter resides.

It is common to find modern bus shelters with some type of wall, whether glass, Plexiglas, or metal. This helps block wind, rain, blowing snow, and even harsh sunlight. In place of standard flat roofs commonly found on traditional shelters, modern shelters feature uniquely designed roofs that provide adequate protection while allowing rain and snow to slide off instead of accumulate.                                                      

Two of the biggest changes seen in modern bus shelters are aesthetics that complement the surrounding area and enhanced safety. As far as aesthetics, you can have virtually any design. Once color and unique features are applied, the shelter has a customized look. This gives people a more enjoyable place to wait for public transportation. Since some people wait for buses at night, shelters boast comfortable seating and excellent lighting.

If you are interested in a newly designed shelter, B.I.G. Enterprises is the most trusted source. With years of industry experience and unrivaled expertise, you will be satisfied with the finished structure. For more information, please contact us today.

What You Need to Know About Distribution Center Security

Conducting a Physical Security Risk Assessment 
for a Distribution Center

Many distribution center owners are less than aware of all the security risks their organization faces and can be unfortunately surprised when a security breach happens. With planning, it’s easier to avoid this situation. Luckily, a physical security assessment is do-able and should be part of your distribution center security strategy.

There are two types of physical security assessments, individual and third-party. If you are a small operation, you can run a basic physical security assessment that can involve:

• Checking security measures like CCTV and locks are working.
• Ensuring system software is up to date.
• Checking the security of the facility’s access points.
• Assessing the need for additional measures, such as fencing or security guards.

The third-party physical security assessment involves a contractor sending a security expert to the distribution center to assess the security risks it faces. The assessor will look at several determining factors, such as geographical location, current security protocol, security infrastructure, and the crime levels in the local area.

Third-party contractors will often have resources at their disposal that your business does not. For example, physical security assessors will speak to smaller police departments to discuss response times when a crime occurs.

Penetration testing is a method that allows physical security assessment experts to see vulnerabilities in a company’s security net. These tests could involve running hacking tests on systems or actively looking for ways criminals could get access into your distribution center.

Reinforce Entry Points – Steel security doors are mandatory and can help make it significantly harder for would-be criminals to enter your site.

Secure Vehicle Access Points – Goods drop off locations and loading bays are easy targets for theft, especially opportunistic thieves. A strong security setup, including CCTV and limiting access can help better protect these vulnerable areas.

Physical security risk assessments are usually bespoke depending on your distribution center security requirements. However, there are some universal tasks that will always be a part of the assessment:

• Review of on-site security
• Risk identification
• Threat probability assessment
• Local crime analysis
• Review of security compliance methods
• Review of electronic security
• Review of manned security
• Review of architectural security
• Weakness identification for current security program
• Software and system reviews

Distribution Center Security is Important

If you develop a warehouse security checklist and know how to conduct a physical security assessment, your distribution center will be ready to prevent any crimes befalling it. Robust security is often ignored by warehouse operators, especially those of a small business. However, a strong distribution center security framework is a sound investment that will protect a warehouse over the long term. Get in touch with our team at B.I.G. Enterprises to learn how our prefabricated security booths can help safeguard entry to your business. Call today for a free quote.

What You Need to Know About Distribution Center Security

Distribution centers are often in the crosshairs of those who view them as a soft target for theft, burglary, and vandalization. For organizations that operate warehouses and distribution centers, this is a major problem. Important merchandise and stock are at risk, which makes distribution center security vital to your operations.

An unfortunate reality is your distribution center is often more at risk from internal theft than it is external burglary. Company employees, insiders, and contractors have access to your warehouse, and some may see an opportunity for crime. That does not mean you should be paranoid of every employee or guest, but it highlights how valuable an efficient distribution center security setup can help.

When developing a distribution center security strategy, creating a warehouse security checklist and knowing how to conduct a physical security risk assessment are both important.

Compiling a Warehouse Security Checklist

When working on a distribution center security plan, it’s impossible to cover every base. No single measure will ensure you’re safe from theft. However, by making some good decisions, you can cover as many holes in your security as possible and minimize the risk of loss.

Below is a warehouse security checklist that can provide a security safety net over your distribution center.

General Security Measures

CCTV – Should never be your only security measure but remains important.

Robust Locks – Needless to say, you need to ensure doors and other entry points can be securely locked.

Lighting – A well-illuminated building exterior can sometimes be enough to put off thieves.

Limit Access – It’s best to restrict access to your warehouse and separate visitors from staff, especially on the distribution side. Well-designed security booths help control access 24/7 while providing comfort for your security staff.

Physical Security Measures 

Stock and Inventory – While the overall security of your warehouse is important, the focus should be on protecting your stock and inventory. Security guards that patrol the distribution center and security cages are two ways to help protect your assets.

Why Businesses Need a Secure Guardhouse

Why Businesses Need a Secure Guardhouse

Protect and Guard Your Building, Employees, and Customers

Since we have been in the security business for over 60 years, we at B.I.G. are glad to offer our clients comprehensive information to find the perfect structure to meet their security needs. With that in mind, we would like to share the importance of the guardhouse in the modern-day business environment and the role security shelters have played in shaping employee and customer safety in the 21st century.

When it comes to offering protection, a security booth is more necessary now than at any other time in history. Also referred to as guard booths, security booths, watch house, guard shack, control booth, and prefabricated – or “prefab” – guard shelter, this type of building is used for various applications.

The Modern-Day Guard Building

Although a guardhouse serves much the same purpose today as it did centuries ago, design and functionality are dramatically different. Because of the type and degree of threats that businesses, housing complexes, correctional facilities, government buildings, airports, and other facilities must be prepared for, a modern-day security booth must not only be operated by highly trained and skilled security personnel but also outfitted with state-of-the-art security technology.

Typically, a security booth will be located at the facility entrance and exit. It serves as a checkpoint to monitor and maintain control of those entering and leaving the area. When a guard building is used in small to medium-sized facilities, it often can provide all the necessary security services and reduce the amount of office space needed for security personnel.

For military and law enforcement facilities, a guardhouse is also used as a central hub for communications for all incoming and exiting visitors and personnel. In these locations, the security booth is continuously staffed, ensuring the highest security level possible for people living or working at the facility.

Built for Todays Security Needs

A high-quality security booth should always be manufactured from heavy-duty welded and galvanized steel. It is also essential that the structure be well-insulated against both light and heat and provide clear 360-degree visibility. If required, the structure may also be manufactured using bullet-resistant materials.

In addition to the guardhouse being used as a security point, it is vital to offer comfortable amenities for the security guards working it. We encourage you to look through our design options and read the client case studies on our website to learn more.

Choose a Trusted Manufacturer

Because a security checkpoint is so essential, you want to choose a highly reputable manufacturing company. At B.I.G. Enterprises, we ship our prefabricated and custom-built guard shelters throughout North America. We have been manufacturing top-of-the-line guard houses for over 60 years for airports, colleges and universities, major toll roads, and corporate facilities. To learn about our customization options and receive a complimentary quote, call 1-800-669-1449, or complete our online form today.

Why Is a Prefabricated Guard House Crucial for a Manufacturing Unit?

Why Prefabricated Guard Houses Are Crucial for a Manufacturing Unit

Although some people automatically equate a prefabricated guard house to an inexpensive and cheaply made structure, this is not at all the case. In fact, prefab guard booths from a leading manufacturer are strong, durable, and long lasting. The only difference between a modular guard house and one built on-site is that the prefabricated structure is constructed in a factory and then delivered to the customer’s location. Thanks to top prefabricated guard house manufacturers, a host of industries have a reliable way to protect their business and employees.

For manufacturing companies, prefab guard booths offer an enhanced level of protection, plus more.

• Better Monitoring and Control – By placing a modular guard house away from the business, your trained personnel can monitor and control the comings and goings of both foot and vehicle traffic. When properly staffed, various criminal activities are deterred, including theft and threat of physical harm or damage.
• Less Waste – One reason why so many manufacturers are turning to modular guard shacks is that this solution is a quick and economical way to use otherwise wasted square footage.
• Less Mess and Downtime – Because the guard house is built offsite in a factory and delivered ready for assembly, there is less mess and downtime on the company’s property compared to a more conventional construction method. Once the guard shack is in place, you have a working structure ready for use. As part of the design, you can choose from a host of add-on features that create an employee-friendly environment while bolstering security.
• Versatility – Due to the construction of the best prefabricated guard houses, assembly and disassembly are quick and easy. Therefore, if your security needs change, the guard shack can easily be moved to a different location.
• Customization – When choosing a prefabricated guard shack from a reputable manufacturer, you can choose from a host of customized features. As an example, the guard shack can include air conditioning and heating, a restroom, storage cabinets, tinted windows, secure locks on the door and windows, security lighting, an awning for improved visibility and comfort, high-tech communications, surveillance, and more.

For any manufacturing unit, there is no better way to enhance security and provide your trained personnel with an efficient work environment. B.I.G. Enterprise manufactures both standard and customized guard booths, as well as other prefabricated structures.

At B.I.G. Enterprises, we offer multiple prefabricated designs and features that enhance security at bigbooth.com. Please visit our website bigbooth.com or at big booth or bigbooth.com or b.i.g. booth.  Contact a company representative today.

Why Should You Consider Purchasing a Portable Guard House?

Why Should You Consider Purchasing a Portable Guard House?

As the name implies, a portable guard house is a semi-permanent structure commonly used by people who guard the entrance of parking lots, closed-off areas, apartment buildings, businesses, military bases, government sites, and more.

If you are dealing with limited space but need a guard booth for your business, this is an excellent solution. Not only is this type of structure cost-efficient, it is well built, customizable, and portable. For most people, security is a top priority. Having a guard on duty provides greater peace of mind and helps deter crimes that can devastate a business physically and financially.

Reasons for Choosing Portable Guard Booths

• Affordability – There is a huge difference in cost between prefabricated guard booths and those manufactured on-site. If you are a budget-conscious customer, portable guard booths are definitely the way to go. Not only do you spend less on the product itself, but also because the booth is portable, it can go wherever the business goes.
• Customization – Instead of a cookie-cutter design, you have a wide range of choices. Included in this is the size of the guard house, interior and exterior color, types of windows and doors, locking mechanisms, flooring, gutters, roofs, and amenities, such as lighting, heating, and cooling. In fact, guard booths can be customized, making them bullet and explosion proof. The goal is to provide guards with a safe and comfortable place to work throughout the different seasons.
• Prefabrication – When purchasing the best guard booths from a reputable source, you have nothing to worry about. After selecting the correct size, shape, color, amenities, and features, a prefabricated booth is delivered to your location, where it is bolted to a prepared concrete slab.
• No Disruptions – If you have ever seen a permanent guard house being built, you know how loud and messy the construction process is. Although necessary, this easily disrupts the work environment. With prefabricated guard booths, you avoid this problem.
• Sustainability – Today, many companies have adopted measures to be more sustainable. With a factory-built guard house, there is little impact on the environment. In fact, B.I.G. Enterprises, an industry leader, makes an effort to waste as little material as possible.

To learn more about the unique guard booths that we design and build, or to order a prefabricated structure, please contact us today. A company representative at B.I.G. Enterprises is standing by to assist you.

The Benefits of a Portable Guard Shack

Is your business or organization thinking about investing in an enhanced security presence but worried about the cost associated with installing a permanent structure? If this is the situation you find yourself in, take a look at the portable guard shacks, guard houses, and ticket booths B.I.G. Enterprises offers. If you’re wondering how to go about selecting a high-quality, secure structure, you’ve come to the right place. This article explains the benefits of each one and why they belong in your perimeter security plan. 

At tax time, prefab security booths offer tax savings.
In addition to stick built savings of  25% or more when comparing prefab to traditional construction, you can realize certain tax advantages for prefab booths. Because B.I.G. booths can be moved as a single piece, they are classified as a company’s “tangible property”. For “tangible property”, the purchase price can be depreciated over seven years (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tangible-property-final-regulations). Conventional construction, on the other hand, becomes a permanent addition to the building and is classified as “real property” with a depreciable span of time. This difference in depreciation can reduce project cost and improve the bottom line.

Why a Portable Guard Shack is a Good Idea
A portable guard shack provides all the advantages associated with mobility. If you’re managing a large-scale residential or commercial construction project, staffing crews for municipal infrastructure repairs, or overseeing any project where entry and exit points will change over time, the portable guard shack is the best return on your investment. They’re easy to transport, simple to set up, and offer enough space to house a security guard and the materials they need to conduct their work. The portable guard shack can easily be transported from one job site to another, and when you buy from B.I.G. Enterprises, we make sure that the construction meets the standards of each state you’ll be working in. It’s hassle-free and minimal worries! Your portable guard shack’s exterior can also be custom-designed to display your business’ logo, hours, or other information.

A Portable Guard House: Key Advantages
With a portable guard house, all manufacturing is handled by B.I.G. Enterprises off-site. Similar to our permanent security buildings, each portable guard house can be custom-designed with your business needs in mind. We offer many options ranging from high-security, bullet-resistant fabrication to stainless steel framed windows to custom paint and finishing details. When your portable guard house is finished, we deliver it to your location and place it to your specifications. In time, if you wish to move the structure to another site, it’s easy to disconnect and tow on a flatbed truck. In addition, a portable guard house can also serve as a temporary storage place that you can quickly move from one place to another—having this degree of portability results in considerable cost savings and increased flexibility of use.

Why a Portable Ticket Booth Make Good Business Sense
Whether you’re managing an outdoor concert series, collegiate, amateur, or professional sporting events, or regional crafts and antique shows, event organizers need portable ticket booths that can easily and quickly move to different locations. Lightweight, portable ticket booths serve several other purposes: they can provide a home base for security needs, serve as a central information center, and collect admission fees from event attendees. Portable ticket booths offer flexibility and play an important role in both large-scale events and smaller ones. An additional benefit is that a portable ticket booth can also perform double duty to handle parking lot entrances and exits.

While portable ticket booths can be manufactured to provide only the essentials, they can also be customized and enhanced with various features and amenities.

A Portable Guard Shack Helps to Control Security Expenses
Choosing a portable guard shack, guard house, or ticket booth helps your business maintain its security presence without investing significant sums of money on a permanent structure. If you’re working in an area prone to extreme weather conditions such as flooding, tornados, or hurricanes, a portable guard house, shack, or booth can quickly and easily be moved to a safe location.

B.I.G. Enterprises Offers Security, Safety, and Comfort
At B.I.G. Enterprises, our portable ticket booths, guard shacks, and guard houses provide the same high level of safety and security as our permanent, custom-built, and prefabricated guard structures. Our portable structures can be manufactured with a wide array of features, including bullet-resistant walls and doors, tinted windows, custom interiors with complete electrical services, heating, air conditioning, storage space for security staff, and much more.

In short, portable guard shacks, ticket booths, and guard houses can provide everything your business needs to operate efficiently while providing a high level of security and customer service. Your security guards will feel comfortable and supported in their work, your customers and employees will feel secure, and you’ll rest easy knowing that the cost easily fits into your budget.

Choose the Security Expert
At B.I.G. Enterprises, our decades of experience show in every portable guard shack, guard house, and ticket booth we create. We invite you to review our portable and permanent security structures and contact us to learn more and request a quote.

Uses for elevated clerk or security booths

Enhance your security with an elevated guard shack

Investing in an elevated guard shack is a smart way to enhance your business’s safety and security operations. Whether you’re monitoring a distribution center, overseeing a sports complex or outdoor concert venue, or responsible for a high-security facility such as a data center, prison, pharmaceutical laboratory, or movie production studio, an elevated office for security staff is essential. A tall booth that places guard staff several feet above ground level provides increased visibility and is prominently displayed against the landscape. Not only does the elevated guard shack offer a broader vantage point – but it also sends a signal to everyone that surveillance is taken seriously, and any illegal or unauthorized actions will be noticed and perpetrators apprehended.

At B.I.G. Enterprises, we’re the leading experts on creating perimeter security and guardhouse architecture. Since 1963, we’ve built customized security booths and elevated offices for clients around the United States. Custom-designed tall booths are one of our specialties, and this overview is designed to help you see the many uses elevated clerk and security booths can play.

Our Top Six Best-Selling Elevated Guard Booths 

The Elevated Clerk’s Booth

When security staff needs to monitor large trucks for a distribution facility or construction site, minimizing visual obstructions is necessary. Featuring stairs that can extend up to 40′ and mounted on a prefabricated steel platform. This elevated guard shack model provides numerous options for maintaining business security.

The Parking Lot Guard Booth

Large parking lots for sports stadiums, airports, office complexes, and shopping malls often require a security presence to ensure the safety of vehicles parked in the lot and employees and customers traveling to and from them. A custom-designed elevated office provides room for security staff and sends a welcoming message to any person who may need assistance or information.

The Gate Controller

Businesses that offer private, gate-controlled parking are typical in high-density urban areas, exclusive condominium or resort complexes, or industries requiring limited or regulated access. A tall booth positioned at an entry point helps monitor access, direct visitors to the appropriate place, and collect any required information. This additional security layer benefits employees, visitors, or residents as it sends a clear message that safety is taken seriously.

Bullet Resistant Booth and Bus Shelter 

When it comes to workplace environments requiring the highest levels of security, a bullet-resistant elevated guard shack is necessary. This particular model combines an elevated office area with a small transport waiting area below. This model is ideal for a restricted-access laboratory, detention facility, power plant, military or police barracks, or a high-security government facility.

The Two Story Guard Booth

When security staff needs a larger space to combine operations with office space, B.I.G.’s two-story elevated guard shack offers lots of space with a small footprint. This style guard booth can easily accommodate several employees and be modified to include a small on-site restroom. Access to the second floor is provided by external stairs with a separate locking door and provides enhanced security.

The Two-Story Stainless Toll Booth 

If you’re looking for an architectural show-stopper, this stainless steel elevated guard shack is for you! This model features a modern design, and its construction includes every amenity you can imagine. It provides ample office and operations space, heating and cooling, an internal circular stairway, and an on-site restroom. Security staff will enjoy coming to work when their office is in a building that looks this sharp!

Installing Your Custom Guard Booth

Regardless of which elevated guard shack is right for your business, all are installed on top of a concrete platform that provides a sturdy and secure foundation. If you’re replacing an old, outdated elevated office with a new tall booth from B.I.G., we can engineer the structure so that it is bolted to your existing platform.

Every B.I.G. Enterprises guardhouse is designed and constructed to your business’s specifications. We work with you to determine:

• Appropriate Sizes/dimensions for 1, 2, or more employees
• Equipment and electrical generators
• HVAC equipment
• Ballistic Protection
• Communication and data ports
• Elevated platforms
• Height of stairs and style

Whichever model you select, an elevated guard shack is an ideal and affordable way to improve your security and ensure employees, customers, residents, or visitors feel safe and looked after.

At B.I.G. Enterprises, we manufacture the best security guard booths for facilities around the globe. To learn more, read our client case studies, explore frequently asked questions on our FAQ page, and download our white paper with tips from our architectural design experts. To receive a complimentary quote, please give us a call at 1-800-669-1449, or complete our online form.

The Benefits of Providing Employees with a Comfortable Security Room

Is Your Business’ Security Room Keeping You Secure?

With each passing year, the challenges associated with providing security operations increases. Businesses of all kinds now need to have plans to protect not only employees and customers, but also valuable equipment, facilities, and all other company assets. And the stakes are high – businesses that don’t employ proper security measures can face legal action and criminal penalties if a security breach occurs. Better to ensure that your business’s security room is adequately outfitted to perform all necessary tasks than run the risk of putting people or assets in danger.

Whether you’re operating a technology company, medical research facility, film production studio,  financial institution or Data Center, the first layer of security involves the perimeter. This area may include a parking lot or garage or provide the first point of access that all employees, customers, or visitors need to pass through. This first layer security room can go by many names – a guard house, guard shack, control booth, visitors office, parking booth – but the role it provides is an essential one. Within the space, trained security personnel are stationed to monitor all activity in your business’s facility. This first layer of defense is necessary to keep everyone who belongs on-site safe and keep all those who don’t belong there out.

For many enterprises, the guard house security room serves as a hub through which three kinds of controls are handled:

1) Physical controls such as gates and barriers are administered by the guard on duty,

2) Technical controls such as two-way communicating with security staff at the main building, and

3) Administrative controls, such as issuing entrance badges, recording information, and ensuring those entering or exiting have authority and permission to do so.

Security Rooms: Plan Ahead to Stay Secure

When planning the functions of a security room, it’s essential to consider the physical location of the structure, the roles that security guards will need to perform in it, and what level of security risk your business may have. For example, a parking booth at a hospital will have less security risk than a guard booth at a prison complex. It’s also important to factor in amenities to ensure your guard staff can perform their work and stay comfortable.

Understanding HVAC: Your Security Booth’s Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

A guard booth’s heating and air conditioning system and proper insulation in the walls and roof are one of these essential amenities you need to plan for. Throughout the United States, temperatures vary greatly – from four changeable seasons in the northern part of the country to significant shifts in 24-temperates ranges in the deserts of the southwest. Therefore, in most regions in the country, security staff will need to use a guard booth’s heating and air conditioning unit to stay reasonably cool or warm. 

 Why Your Security Booth Needs Air Conditioning

Regardless of where in the United States your business is located, outfitting your security booth with air conditioning is an excellent idea. Air conditioning isn’t just about lowering the temperature of a workspace; it also helps keep the air clean and clear by providing ventilation and removing airborne pollutants. Not only does proper ventilation help to keep your security employees healthy and alert, but a guard booth air conditioning system is also necessary to preserve the functionality of computer systems and other technical equipment staff may need to use. Those systems are essential for security, so you want to make sure they’re functioning at peak capacity!

A Security Room with Comfort and System Functionality

When you select B.I.G. Enterprises to draft your business’s security room specifications, we work with you to ensure that all security, employee, and business needs are met. We can also discuss a wide range of features and amenities to create a comfortable security room guard staff will enjoy working in.

Based on customer requests, our most popular guard booth amenities include:

• Restroom facilities within the structure
• Custom architectural designs
• Customized colors
• A.D.A. and I.B.C. access approved
• Fully wired for communications and technology equipment
• Delivered completely assembled (with all documents required for your state’s permitting)

Invest in Security but Choose an Experienced Manufacturer

At B.I.G. Enterprises, we have decades of experience constructing custom-designed, prefabricated guard booths. We believe in offering the highest levels of customer service not only for your satisfaction but also for your safety and security. In business since 1963, our guard booths can be found in all 50 states, and our reputation for quality and price point are unrivaled. Please request a quote today and contact us with any questions.

The Guard Shack is the Nexus in a Data Center 911 Event

The Guard Shack is the Nexus in a Data Center 911 Event

Anyone who is trained as a first responder of some kind, will tell you that seconds and minutes are precious and matter enormously in saving lives. If the worst should happen, there is an urgent need to quickly and immediately locate those who most need help. Not every building can be fitted as your data center’s security center, and guard booth manufacturers know this. In today’s world, the events and situations previously thought to be impossible or unlikely, have become one of the many things a responsible employer and guard booth manufacturer will have thought out and planned for.
        
Despite the widely held assumption that it will be the police that come to the rescue when there is a violent incident, the reality is that many emergency situations happen too quickly. Statistics show that most situations that ultimately require law enforcement intervention, for example active shooter situations, are over before police can arrive.
 
As such, it is crucial to rescue and tactical operations that there be a point of contact on site when they arrive, so they can quickly get the most pertinent information and correctly assess the situation. Often times with so much of security linked to technology, it is easy to forget that a guarded modular guard house is often the nexus of most of this coordinated activity.
       
While much of your data center’s security relies on computers and programming, such as an alert notification system, controlling magnetic locks and keys, managing the emergency alert system, and enabling a panic alarm for the front-line staff who tend to be most at risk, there are security measures that cost pennies and rely on common sense initiatives.
 
Initiatives such as keeping an up to date printed company directory with photos, labeling every door so a trapped employee can quickly identify and provide their location within the data center, designating a failover location in the event of an evacuation, and putting together and maintaining a fire box with all the materials, information, and keys that police and first responders will need in the event of an emergency.
 
The mobile guard shack must be set up in the most effective location as the first point of contact for all these initiatives. This is not to say that technology does not also play a key role in saving lives; in a situation where seconds matter and lives are on the line, being able to control access from a mobile guard shack and deploy guards to either free trapped people or block off access and secure an intruder is critically important to your data center’s security.
       
Ensuring the security of your personnel and visitors requires a mix of common sense, and attention to detail. Saving lives requires a central coordination point to manage all these combined endeavors and make sure that every effort counts.