With all that’s been happening around the globe today, we need to take a look at the possible consequences of not being secured and protected. More than the revenue or investment losses, it is also necessary to think about your safety and the safety of the people around you.
Security can be attained in different ways, especially now that we have more advanced technological developments when it comes to the application of security systems.
However, in the context of security, property owners need to know that security systems may differ depending on the property and building type. Realistically speaking, acquiring a fully-equipped security system can be quite expensive. Therefore, it is appropriate to dig deeper and do some research about this first.
Alarm Masters will help you customize and plan a security system that will best fit your property requirements. But before doing so, let us first learn to identify the major differences between the security systems in Commercial and Residential properties.
The most important thing to remember is that commercial and residential properties receive different kinds and levels of potential security threats.
To be specific, residential properties are more prone to security threats like theft and intrusion. On the other hand, commercial properties do not only face threats concerning their physical assets, but these properties are also more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
Thus, applying the exact same security system to both property types won’t work.
The first obvious difference between commercial and residential property security systems is the complexity level.
Complexity Level
Security systems in commercial properties are far more complex and complicated compared to the ones applied in residential properties.
Security Tools and Equipment
Usually, CCTV cameras in commercial buildings are found in every nook and corner of the property. Whereas in the residential buildings, CCTV cameras are often only placed in strategic sites like main doors and foyers, encompassing a large area coverage already.
While placement issues of these monitoring tools are already considered different, the security cameras installed in commercial properties also have broader and more complex specifications than the ones used in residential properties.
Surveillance recording cameras in commercial properties are also operational 24 hours a day, but the usual surveillance cameras in residential properties use motion detection instead.
Security Access Control Systems
The electronic access control system used in commercial properties is more complicated because owners usually require a certain level of accessibility for each of their employees. Note that this accessibility may also vary depending on the time and date, areas, and/or offices requested by the owner.
On the contrary, the electronic access control systems in residential properties are much easier to set up as the property owner only requires accessibility for each tenant depending on which floor they are residing, with additional access to other building amenities.
The security systems applied to residential properties consist of basic and regular security features only compared to the advanced systems set up in commercial properties.
The second key difference between the security systems that you can easily spot is their procurement costs.
Procurement Costs
Since we have mentioned that the complexity levels of the security systems between the two property types have a huge difference, then it’s safe to say that their selling or procurement costs are also way different.
Also, going back to the fact that the potential security threats between a commercial and residential property are also different, the amount of security equipment required in commercial spaces is higher compared to residential spaces.
For example, a usual home security system setup only requires surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and a basic alarm system. Whereas in a commercial property, setting up only a “few” surveillance cameras won’t be ideal.
Setting up a security system in commercial properties is more expensive than the security system set up in residential properties.
As for the third key difference, it is also essential to learn about the different legal regulations in installing and acquiring security systems.
Different Legal Regulations
Security system installation and application are also regulated by laws. One thing to acknowledge as the main difference between the residential and commercial properties’ security systems is that they are under a different set of legalities.
Commercial properties are under stricter and more regulated laws due to privacy issues. For one, recording and surveillance cameras cannot be installed in private spaces like comfort rooms or changing rooms that will directly invade the privacy of an individual.
Oppositely, residential properties have little to no restrictions at all when it comes to the placement of security monitoring tools. Except in the cases of residential buildings, installation of security cameras is often only allowed up to the hallways or main door, unless allowed and/or requested by the tenant.
The fourth and last key difference that you must be aware of is the presence of security staff.
Presence of Security Staff
In commercial properties, the 24-hour presence of detailed security staff is not always necessary since employees do not usually work overnight or 24 hours a day. This is also the main reason why the security systems used in these properties are more complex.
This is the exact opposite when it comes to the presence of security staff in residential properties. Residential spaces and buildings have on-duty security personnel who do overnight rounds and checking. Most of the time, there is also security personnel who do the monitoring through the surveillance cameras, just to be prepared in cases of emergencies.
Usual theft and intrusion in residential areas can often be avoided when there’s higher security personnel visibility.
As the security field continues to rise with all of these advanced technologies and systems, you need to know that acquiring and investing in the most costly and well-known product or offer on the market today is not always going to be the best for you.
Checking out and learning these key differences beforehand will lead you in getting the most suitable security system for you.
