When you leave a property empty, even for a short time, you risk entry by unwanted intruders. If construction work is renovating a certain section of a building, this opens up the structure to thieves or trespassers. Damage caused by intruders, whether it is theft, vandalism, or simply disruption, can cost a business thousands of pounds. And there are also safety and legal implications if intruders can access a site.
All this means it is vital to protect the exterior of vulnerable real estate from damage and intrusion. Methods to safeguard a building include the traditional security guard or security system or fencing. But security patrols are expensive, and fencing is not particularly strong. However, there is another effective way to protect a building or construction site. Many businesses and landowners are turning to concrete blocks as an economical and simple solution for security.
Using Interlocking Concrete Blocks for Security
Fences may prevent intruders for a time, but they are not as robust, strong, or permanent as concrete blocks. Concrete is a naturally solid and impenetrable material. When it is formed into interlocking blocks, concrete becomes easier to handle and it is simpler to use as a barrier. Interlocking concrete blocks are precast – they are moulded and cast off-site – and delivered to the project location for installation. They can be used as a barrier for a variety of different purposes.
What Can You Protect?
The type of concrete block used for security depends on the specific security issue that needs to be handled. Below are some examples.
Large areas of land/car parks/agricultural land
If you have a perimeter of more than 100m, and if the ground is uneven, it is a good idea to use a barrier-style interlocking block that is lifted into place by fork slots. These are too heavy to move without substantial equipment.
Entrances and building fronts
A building is often least secure at its entry point. An entrance is often targeted by a vehicle, and security gates will be no match for this force. Security blocks are used to prevent vehicles from entering the building and they are often constructed so that there is no way of fixing a strap through the block to pull it out of place.
Roadsides
Vehicles are not only a problem when they are deliberately targeting a site. Buildings and project sites may be at risk from the accidental intrusion of vehicles into the site. This can happen when construction is taking place next to a road. Protect the perimeter of a site using vertical concrete barriers that are specifically constructed in order to withstand the force of a vehicle driven at speed. These barriers can be fixed together in order to make the protection as long as necessary.
Shop fronts and gateways
Small areas to be protected include shop fronts and driveways. These are effectively protected by lighter blocks that are easier to manoeuvre and offer protection from intruders.
