As far as businesses are concerned, the most popular options for after hours security are security doors and roller shutters. Trellis doors and roller shutters fold up discreetly during trade and roll out to form an obvious and secure barrier after close. Made of stainless steel or aluminium, they are hard to break into and act as an effective deterrent for would-be intruders.

The Australian Trellis Door Company (ATDC) supplies security doors and shutters to many major Australian companies. ATDC general manager, Richard Kaplan, says while many large businesses use ATDC products, they are also suited to home use. “They have a high domestic application, and we have many products tailored to home use.” This includes trellis doors for patios, pool enclosures, general doors and windows, as well as driveway gates, with a DIY option for some products.

Shutters and bars can be fairly obtrusive when used to protect windows, but there are other products specifically designed for security purposes. An increasingly popular option for home use in windows is security mesh. Both Clearguard by Amplimesh and Crimsafe’s Crimsafe mesh provide a high tensile stainless steel mesh that allows light and breezes to pass through, while still being very tough to break into. In appearance similar to a flyscreen, it does not obstruct the view to the outside, thus making it much less obtrusive than grilles or shutters.

Clearguard is made of marine grade stainless steel, is highly resistant to corrosion and the mesh is pressure fitted into the frame for added strength. Crimsafe mesh is made from security grade stainless steel and the mesh has a patented screw clamp system in the aluminium frame, making it virtually impossible to kick out, as well as being extremely tough to penetrate with a knife. Both products are aimed towards domestic use and pass all Australian standards.

Derek Tidey, national sales manager at Crimsafe, says it is the strongest mesh on the market because it is the only one that is screw clamped into the frame. “Crimsafe is more burglar proof than any other mesh on the market. It provides great ventilation, great security and great visibility. It can also reduce radiant heat transfer by up to 44 per cent.”

Lock and leave

Locks are a crucial part of any security system. Trellis door locks at ATDC use three-point high security grade slamlocks, which means they can be slammed shut and lock automatically. Roller shutters have bars that extend out the side of the shutter when locked.

According to Craig Caspersz, senior industrial designer at Assa Abloy Australia, the relevance of electronic door opening solutions will increase dramatically over the next five years. Lockwood’s remote Nexion Keyless Entry and Combination electronic lockset heralded the transition from mechanical to electromechanical when it was launched in 2006.

‘Smart’ doors integrating plug and play capability with keyless locking solutions are a relatively new innovation in the commercial market, and will become increasingly popular in the proliferation of apartment blocks, as well as large private dwellings. “Into the future, plug and play technology will also see interconnectivity come into its own with electronic solutions linking front, back, sliding doors, windows locks, garage doors and lighting systems,” Caspersz says.

Another option for entry points in both homes and businesses are biometric locks, which utilise a finger scanner, eliminating the need for a key. There are several biometric security systems available, but most are expensive to install as the entire locking system needs to be replaced. Bio Recognition System’s (BRS) Biolock+ is affordable and has several features that make it suitable for home use.

The Biolock+ can be added onto an existing door lock so the lock does not need to be replaced — when the scanner is activated, it fires a relay that opens the lock. It comes with an embedded web browser, which means the network can be controlled from a laptop or computer, as well as from the unit itself. The main user or administrator can add or delete other users and can also connect other systems in the house to the network. This means the Biolock+ can be set up to not only control the door lock, but other systems such as lights and air-conditioning.

Aside from the convenience, the Biolock+ can also be used by businesses that need to grant access to employees. With a large number of users involved, the Biolock+ can be safer, cheaper and more efficient than using keys or card readers as users can be added or deleted instantly and a fingerprint cannot be stolen or forged.

Because the Biolock+ reads the live layer of skin below the surface, it can easily scan wet or dirty fingers. It can be fitted with a backup battery in the event of electrical failure, while the door can still be unlocked with a key if needed. The unit is around 11 cm long and comes in black or brushed stainless steel finish. Installation is recommended by a technician, but a person with some electrical background could install it themselves.

Phillip Crispe, vice president of global sales at BRS, says the lock has several features that set it apart from other biometric locks. “The Biolock+ is affordable, user friendly and can also be customised with other systems in the house. It’s IP65-rated which means it’s protected in all weather conditions, plus it’s designed and manufactured right here in Australia.”