Securing your Business Property at Christmas

It’s that time of year when many businesses are getting ready for their Christmas shutdown.  Whilst the focus will primarily be on finishing outstanding jobs prior to the festive break there is one element that often gets overlooked – securing the business property over Christmas.

Many businesses will be closing on Christmas Eve and not opening again until 5^th January. Would-be thieves may see this as the ideal opportunity to break in, cause damage and steal expensive items of equipment such as computers.

What then can you do to protect your business property over the festive break?

·        Lock it up – it goes without saying that you need to lock up your premises before you leave, but in the Christmas excitement and with the prolonged break from work, it is more important than ever.  Your window and door locks should meet British Safety Standards (if you’re worried that they don’t now would be a good time to check).  Make sure that all doors, windows and roller shutters are locked and that no keys are left on view before you lock the building up for Christmas.

·         Light it up – we’ll all be busy decking the halls and trees with lights over the coming weeks but there’s no need to leave your business property out.  We don’t mean fairy lights either but security lights.  When the building is shut at night, over the weekend or during the holidays, security lighting, which is set to come on when anyone approaches the building, should act as a deterrent to would-be-thieves, especially when combined with CCTV systems.

·         Hide it away – just as you would at home over Christmas, it is important to keep valuables hidden from view in your commercial property.  If you have window blinds or curtains, ensure these are closed before you lock up so that potential thieves cannot see what is on the inside.  Keys, cash and other valuable items should be stored away in a safe place and any computer equipment that can be moved from view should be. 

The more difficult you can make it for potential intruders to see inside your property, the more effective your security will be as not only will they be unsure about the value of items inside but they won’t be able to see what security systems you have in place.  This is in itself should act as a powerful deterrent.

Retail security

If you operate in the retail industry then this will be your busiest time of year.  However, it is important to spend some time ensuring your property is safe, not just when your shop is closed for the evening but also during opening hours as would-be pickpockets will be on the lookout for easy opportunities at this time of year.  Make sure that your staff can see customers at all times and that window displays do not completely block their view of the street.

It pays to be prepared at Christmas, especially if you don’t want to face the unexpected costs of replacing stolen items and repairing damage from forced entry in the New Year.

Have a safe and happy Christmas!

The Benefits of Roller Shutter Doors

A roller shutter door is a type of door with horizontal slats or bars, and it can be manually operated (lifted and lowered) or motorised. They can come in a variety of different measurements and can be used to protect from weather, unwanted intruders or for heat insulation purposes; resulting in their use in a wide variety of industries for both commercial and residential protection. Common places you would find roller shutter doors include: shopping centres, garages and industrial warehouses.

Materials and purpose

The two most common materials used to produce roller shutter doors are fibreglass and metal; both materials provide different benefits and are often chosen according to purpose. Fibreglass roller shutter doors are often more expensive than their metal counterparts, but are more resilient and require less maintenance. Steel roller shutter doors may be more high maintenance but are more affordable than fibreglass and are strong and robust.

There are other roller shutters available that are made from alternative materials, these materials are best suited to those who wish to obtain shutter doors for purposes other than security.

Electric roller shutters

Roller shutter doors can be operated electronically using simple controls to open and close them. This option saves users considerable amounts of both time and labour that would be otherwise be required if steel roller shutter doors were operated manually. Larger doors may benefit from electrical operation as these will be the most difficult to operate manually.

Electric roller shutters are common for businesses that need to operate several shutter doors at one time; as well as commercial garages, high street shops, shopping centres and residential garages.

General benefits

The general benefits to having roller shutter doors installed for your property or business are vast and include:

• Security - this is probably one of the more common reasons for installation, as both metal and fibreglass doors provide significant extra security for a property, ensuring that intruders cannot easily gain access.

• Anti-vandalism - while not as common as security, anti-vandalism is still a highly justified reason for installing shutter doors. They protect the openings of a property from damage (any vandalism is hidden as soon as the roller is opened and so is never visible during business hours).

• Weather protection - in areas where weather conditions can cause damage to properties, it is common to have shutter doors installed to protect existing windows and doors on your property. Strong winds can cause objects to crack or smash glass and hail can damage paintwork; Steel roller shutter doors are designed to withstand extremely strong winds.

For more information on steel roller shutter doors, you can visit the MDS Industries website.

High Speed Doors - Saving Your Business Time and Money

If you find yourself or your employees complaining about time wasted when moving goods or equipment, or if you have unwanted drafts and air leakage, then high speed roller doors may well be the perfect solution for your business. Flexible and custom made for large openings, they are available in a range of colours, meaning they can be designed to suit and enhance your building or branding.

High speed doors have many benefits that see them commonly in use within the industrial sector. In addition to external use, high speed doors have proved to be perfectly suited for internal use including for freezer rooms and hygienic environments. In addition to this, each door type is wind load tested to ensure they are also suitable for high wind conditions. 

Fast opening times mean these doors are a viable solution for areas with high traffic, as demonstrated by their commercial application - such as in supermarkets and airports. These doors are capable of opening at speed many times a day, cutting down waiting times and streamlining logistic processes. Slow doors can impede the flow of both goods and people and can even end up leading to safety and hygiene issues.

High speed doors are energy saving and provide remarkable thermal efficiency. This allows for a more easily controlled internal environment and, as the doors are open for minimal time, the costs of heating/refrigeration are reduced. The reduction of airborne pollution (exhaust fumes, for example) and noise further enhances the working atmosphere and environment by making it cleaner and quieter.

The fully integrated curtains mean that minimal space is used in installation and the sturdy frame and durable cover materials give you long-term security and efficiency. They also boast safe, reliable operation and require little maintenance. They are fitted with photo panels for added safety and can be easily reset in the event of any impact. A range of activation options are available meaning you can get the most efficient and suitable doors for your business.

With high speed doors there's no time wasted waiting for conventional doors, no more moaning about the draft or noise. Your business can lose the unnecessary distractions and get on with doing what it does best.

Is Your Workplace Adequately Protected From Fire?

We all know the devastating effects caused by fire and how quickly it can spread.  But is your place of work prepared for a fire, and what measures are in place to help to prevent a fire from spreading?

Fire Curtains

Fire curtains are commonly used in areas which are at a greater risk of fire.  For example, canteen servery hatches, school kitchens and department stores.  These areas are at high risk of fire due to cooking equipment, not forgetting that fire can cause damage which can be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in areas which have high stock levels.  Fire curtains can be manufactured to blend in well with the existing surroundings and are therefore aesthetically pleasing.

How Do Fire Curtains Work?

Fire curtains will spring into action once a fire has been detected.  The curtain will rapidly close to floor level, and will stop a fire from spreading.  At MDS, our fire curtains can hold back a fire raging at 1000° for up to 4 hours.  Although the curtains aren’t able to extinguish the blaze, they can effectively stop the fire from spreading throughout the building, therefore helping to prevent further damage and devastation from being caused and may even help to reduce the loss of life should the building be occupied at the time of the fire.

Fire Shutter Doors

Fire shutter doors are also effective at providing protection from fire.  These can be utilised for either internal or external openings and will again hold back a fire for a specified length of time. 

Sprinkler Systems

As well as preventing a fire from spreading, it’s also important to extinguish the fire as soon as possible.  Sprinkler systems are commonly fitted in public areas with high levels of traffic, such as shopping centres, gyms and cinemas, where there may not be straightforward fire exits for all parts of the building.  Once the fire detection system has identified a fire, the sprinkler system will set to work extinguishing the fire whilst the fire service are on their way to the building.

Fire Extinguishers

All public buildings and places of work will need to provide relevant fire extinguishers which can be used by either a designated fire marshal or even a member of the public should a fire ignite.  With correct training or common sense, smaller fires may be extinguished before they become too large.  In any event, the fire service should always be called to attend the scene of a fire.

To find out more about the fire curtains and fire shutter doors available from MDS Industries, please visit their website. 

Would A Roller Shutter Door Help To Make Your Premises Safer?

With the best will in the world, not many buildings are completely intruder-proof.  Whilst various security measures can be put into place to deter an intruder, if a person has the time and the equipment to carry out a break-in without being seen, chances are they could access a building.  However, the more security measures are put into place, the less likely an intruder would be able to successfully break into a business premises.

Building Accessibility

First of all, it’s a good idea to look at the access to the building.  Many business premises will have a door at the front of the building which is used for pedestrians, and perhaps a loading bay at the rear of the building for industrial access.  Both of these doors will need to have sufficient security measures in place so as to deter intruders outside of working hours.

Roller Shutter Doors

Roller shutter doors are an excellent and highly effective method of securing a building.  Often made from steel, these strong and robust doors will keep out even the most determined intruders.  Whilst a burglar left alone for a couple of hours may eventually be able to cut through a brick wall with an angle grinder, chances are they aren’t going to make any headway through a steel roller shutter door. 

Automatic Sliding Doors

Sliding doors can also contain an interlock function which can secure the building effectively.  Very often the doors can only be opened from the outside by a key fob holder or if a person manually activates the door opening to allow a visitor to enter the building. 

Security Measures

Of course, as well as having effective door systems within the premises, installing other security measures such as alarms and CCTV cameras can also help to deter intruders.  Even if a person did attempt to break into the building, chances are they would be picked up by the CCTV or the security alarm would be activated.

Having high specification door systems such as roller shutter doors and automatic sliding doors can form an effective deterrent for intruders.  Although nothing can secure a building 100% fully, these doors can certainly make it very difficult for a novice or inexperienced criminal from accessing a building without invitation.

To find out more about roller shutter doors and automatic sliding doors, feel free to visit the MDS website. 

New From MDS Industries - MDS Ice Doors

Take a look at our video demonstration of our new MDS Ice Doors. More information will be soon be found on the MDS Industries website.
 

Team MDS Complete The Great Midlands Fun Run!

We’re proud to announce that our team of runners and walkers managed to make it safely around the Great Midlands Fun Run on Sunday 1 June, even in the hot weather!  MDS Industries and Amber Doors employees teamed up together to raise money for the Kelli Smith Appeal and the Boldmere Sports and Social Club – details of how much money was raised will be revealed at the end of the week.

Sunday was a very hot day which made the 8.5 mile Fun Run quite a challenge, but the team of 9 got round the course in a respectable time, with some of the braver members running whilst the rest walked or jogged.  There were a few aching legs and blisters after the run but each member of the team did a cracking job and most importantly have helped to raise money for two fantastic causes.

The Kelli Smith Appeal is raising money for a 5 year old girl from Sutton Coldfield who has been fighting Neuroblastoma since she was just 3 months old.  Kelli needs to raise £500,000 in order to pay for some life-saving treatment and her family are desperately raising awareness about the illness and Kelli’s plight.  Devastatingly, Kelli’s Dad has also been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and he is battling to help to raise the total amount for Kelli before he passes away.  Further details about Kelli and her inspirational father can be found at her website. 

The team were also raising money to complete the build of the brand new function room at the Boldmere Sports & Social Club.  Funds for the new build have run out, and the club committee are working hard to raise money in order to allow the room to be furnished and made safe ready for use.  Without the function room, the future of the social club could be put in jeopardy which may have a negative impact on the variety of sporting teams which use the club’s facilities.

If you feel inspired by the MDS and Amber Doors team and you would like to make a donation to either of these causes, please feel free to get in touch by telephoning 0870 444 6780.  

Installing Automatically Sliding Doors To Create A Great First Impression

It’s important for a business to make a good first impression to visitors.  When a customer or contractor visits a company premises for the first time, they will feel more relaxed and willing to trust the business if they like what they see.  Not all businesses will have a car park which is available for customers, however that can help.  It’s also important for the reception area to be smart and free from litter or graffiti.

One way of helping the reception area to appear more professional is to install automatic sliding doors.  The doors can be designed and fitted to most styles of building and not only look aesthetically pleasing, but are also effective safety measures.  Many sliding door systems are operated by a swipe card or access code, which means that only certain personnel are able to gain access to the building independently.  Visitors can then be let into the reception area if a receptionist or other worker opens the door from the inside. This may be via a door release button which can be located on the reception desk.

Of course, automatic sliding doors are also effective money saving devices in terms of saving heat within a building.  Whereas a conventional door may be left wide open by a member of staff or perhaps is often left ajar, a sliding door will close securely after each use.  This can save the loss of heat from the building, which can help to reduce energy bills.

Many workers can also benefit from the sliding doors if they are required to carry heavy packages or wheel trolleys in and out of a building.  If the automatic door opens with little effort, then this means time is not wasted by the worker having to put the package on the floor whilst they manually open a conventional door.

Whilst there are many practical advantages of installing a sliding door system to a business frontage, many business owners will choose to install the doors because they look professional and help to create a great first impression for visitors.  Sign writing the company name and logo on the glass may also help to provide that high quality finish.

Further information on automatic sliding doors can be found on the MDS Industries website or by telephoning 0870 444 6780.

Is Your Shop Front Safe, What Deterrent Do You Have In Place For Burglars?

Statistics from the Centre for Retail Research show that the costs of robberies and burglaries in UK retail stores for the year 2012-2013 were as high as £120million.  This was an increase of 5.3% from the previous year, highlighting the need for retail stores both big and small to take a look at their security systems in order to reduce the amount of money lost through burglary.

One way of deterring burglars is by installing specially designed retail security shutter doors.  These are often manufactured with perforated steel slats, in order to comply with legislation from the local council planning office.  Although the shutter doors are perforated, they are still able to secure the premises effectively and can allow window shoppers to view the items at the front of the store when the shop lights are switched on. 

Here at MDS Industries we have vast experience of manufacturing, installing and maintaining retail security shutter doors.  The doors are easy for staff to operate and are controlled by an electric motor.  Once closed, the shutter doors provide effective security for a shop front and will prevent unwanted visitors from being able to access the shop after hours.  The retail security shutters can be made available in a variety of colours in order to complement the branding of the shop and to maintain consistency.

Being broken into is one experience which no shop owner wishes to face – not only can the theft affect the shop financially, but it can also leave the owner and any employees feeling vulnerable and shaken up.  A burglary can have a huge impact on the business as a whole and if a shop is faced with repeated break in attempts, the owners may decide to move the shop away from the area or indeed close the business altogether.

Larger retail stores have a strong emphasis on shop security, but it is also vital for smaller businesses to protect their shop front and their assets in order to deter would-be burglars.  Installing specially made retail security shutters is an effective way of securing the shop and alerting any potential thieves to the fact that shop security is taken seriously. 

For further information on retail security shutters, feel free to visit the MDS Industries website.

FAQs Regarding High Speed Doors From MDS Industries

We’ve put together a list of some commonly asked questions from customers regarding our high speed door service, but if you can’t find the answer to your question then feel free to give us a call on 0870 444 6780.

What is the current UK lead time on your roller shutter doors?

We currently are operating on a lead time of 2 weeks from the confirmation of drawings.

Do you offer a reactive maintenance service?

Yes we do, if you need to contact our out of hours emergency team please contact us on 0870 444 6780.

Are your products CE approved?

Yes, we’re pleased to confirm that all of our products are CE marked as per the relevant legislation.

Is MDS a member of a door association?

We certainly are, we are part of the DHF Group and we attend regular meetings with a range of trades in order to discuss new products, rules and legislation.  We like to keep on top of any changes within the industry and like to think that we are a forward thinking company.

What type of motors do you use in your products?

We use a combination of Ellards and Guthrie Douglas Motors, dependent upon the product.

Are MDS shutter doors easy to install?

Yes they are, we take pride in that all of our shutter doors are made to a high standard and are fitter friendly.

What type of payment methods do you accept?

We are happy to take payment by cheque or BACS.

Do you offer a guarantee on your products?

Yes, every one of our products comes with a one year warranty.

Do you offer additional support for your roller shutter doors after sale?

Yes, for all of the shutters we have installed we offer a repair, service and maintenance contract.

Here at MDS Industries we offer a wide range of high speed doors, roller shutter doors, automatic sliding doors and fire shutter doors, if you would like to find out more about our products and services then feel free to visit our website or give our friendly team a call on 0870 444 6780.

Help MDS Raise Money For Two Fantastic Causes By Entering The Great Midlands Fun Run!

Feeling fit? Fancy a challenge as well as raising money for two fantastic causes? MDS Company Director, Ralph Simmons, is putting together a 100 strong team of runners, walkers and crawlers who are prepared to take part in the Great Midlands Fun Run on Sunday 1 June 2014.  The team will raise money jointly for the Kelli Smith Appeal and the Boldmere Sports & Social Club function room fund.

Details of the Kelli Smith Appeal can be found at her website, however you may have heard of Kelli and her Dad’s plight in the national media recently.  5 year old Kelli from Sutton Coldfield was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at just 3 months old and since then has faced an ongoing battle with cancer and some gruelling treatments.  Kelli’s hope is to raise over £500,000 which will pay for life saving treatment.  However, Kelli’s family are experiencing further sadness as her Dad, Tom Attwater, is currently dying from brain cancer.  He is desperate to see Kelli’s fundraising total reach its target before he dies.

The second of Ralph’s charities is to raise money for the completion of the brand new function room at Boldmere Sports & Social Club.  The room has been partially built but further funds are needed to get it up and running ready to take bookings.  The room is vital to the future of the club, without which the future of the numerous sporting teams can be put in jeopardy.

 If you’re interested in becoming one of Ralph’s 100, then email him at Ralph@mdsind.co.uk by 14 March 2014 to find out further details.  The team is open to all, so go on, dust off those trainers and get jogging!

To find out more about the high speed doors manufactured by MDS, feel free to take a look at their website.

Why Businesses Install Fire Resistant Roller Shutter Doors In Their Premises

Fire resistant roller shutter doors are becoming an increasingly popular preference for both industrial and commercial use. Fire resistant shutters can ensure that businesses can protect their goods, premises, and most importantly; their employees from threats related to fire.

Fire stopper roller shutter doors are specially designed to offer protection from fire for up to 4 hours more than a standard roller shutter door would be capable of. As they are able to withstand very high temperatures for a long period of time, fire shutters can be used to considerably delay the spread of fire throughout a building. They can be used to section off parts of a building into compartments; containing fire in a particular area and protecting the building as a whole.

By compartmentalising a building and preventing the natural spread of fire, fire stopper roller shutter doors can help people to evacuate the building safely and rapidly. This helps make the work of emergency services much easier and focus on fighting the fire before it is able to spread.

At the present time, fire shutters are regularly a part of most business’s building fire safety strategies. Understandably, business owners must take the safety and security of their company, properties and their workforce seriously and comply with government health and safety regulations. By installing fire resistant shutters in their premises, businesses can not only protect their assets and staff, but also meet building regulations and be protected in the case of having to make an insurance claim in relation to fire related incidents.

At MDS Industries, as a business’s assets and the health of employees may depend on them, our range of fire resistant roller shutter doors have been fully tested and fire rated. All fire shutters are tested for up to 4 hours fire resistance to suit maximum opening sizes of 7 meters by 7 meters. It is crucial that when installing fire stopper doors into your business premises that the structure to which the shutter is fitted must have the appropriate fire rating.

For more information about fire shutter doors, or guidance about fire ratings, you can contact us now on 0870 444 6780 or visit the MDSIndustries website.

Using High Speed Doors To Save Your Business Money

We’re all aware of the huge increases in fuel costs - heating bills are not only rocketing for people’s homes, but business premises too.  Those businesses which have a warehouse or large storage units which are accessed regularly may find they can make savings in their heating bills by installing an energy saving high speed door. 

An energy saving high speed door will open and close up to three times quicker than a standard industrial door – so over a period of time this can dramatically help to reduce the amount of heat lost by having doors open for longer than necessary.  Of course, this should then mean that fuel bills will be reduced as heat is contained in the building and not allowed to escape.  Many businesses find their doors are having to open and close several times a day in order to let fork lift trucks or pedestrians in and out, but by having a high speed door installed, the amount of heat lost through the open door can be reduced to a minimum. 

High speed doors may cost a little more to buy and install than a standard door, but as long as a high quality door is installed, it should last for a number of years.  The amount of money saved on heating bills should soon mean that the door has paid for itself which makes economic sense.  Some door manufacturers will supply the doors in a choice of colours, so many businesses choose a door which matches their corporate colours.

Of course, a high speed door won’t only help to conserve energy, but it is also a highly effective security method and can help to deter unwanted visitors.  Manufactured from steel, these doors are hardy and robust and will withstand high force. 

Having a door which opens and closes quickly also means that workers are not having to hang around waiting for conventional doors to open – which means that they can be far more productive!  Fully working equipment can help workers to work more efficiently therefore helping to increase business production.

Inevitably most high speed doors will include safety features such as bottom safety edges and photo cells which will detect if something is obstructing the path of the door.   

Here at MDS we manufacture energy saving high speed doors in the West Midlands and can install them at locations all over the UK.  To find out more about our high speed doors feel free to visit our website or contact us on 0870 444 6780.

Welcome to the MDS Blog

Welcome to the MDS blog where we hope to share our top tips and news with you.  We manufacture, install and repair many different kinds of industrial roller shutter doors to customers across the West Midlands and beyond but we also have a wealth of knowledge in door maintenance and best practice which we would like to share with you.

If there are any roller shutter related topics which you would like us to address in our new blog please do get in touch and we'll do our best to cover it.

Please stay tuned for our expert insight and advice on looking after and choosing the best kinds of doors for your industrial premises.

You can also visit our website for more information.