The security of your business, in terms of its people and its assets, should be your number one priority and you should always be looking for new ways to improve your business security and to ensure it is effective. At First Response Group we have a history of adopting new technologies and providing innovative solutions to deliver a new level of business security, and with security fogging systems we have done it again.
What is security fogging?
Security fogging is an easy-to-install system which is activated when an intruder breaks into your property. In addition to raising an alarm, security fogging acts instantly to deter the intruder by emitting a disorientating mist. This hinders the movement of the intruder and deters any planned acts of theft or vandalism.
The relentless barrage emitted by security fogging can last up to 70 seconds, but the intruder’s vision is obscured for much longer, up to 30 minutes, and therefore security fogging is highly effective as a security tool. But how does it work alongside a traditional alarm system?
Security fogging and intruder alarms working together to prevent theft and vandalism
Security fogging provides an immediate barrier to prevent theft or vandalism occurring once an intruder enters a building. If you can’t see it, you can’t steal it. The fogging system is a standalone system, but it doesn’t have its own sensors, instead it is linked to an intruder alarm which triggers the mist to stop the intruder in their tracks when it is activated, and the alarm also triggers other remote security controls such as a monitoring centre or mobile security as normal. Security fogging therefore acts as a bolt-on to an existing intruder alarm and provides an extra layer of security, by immediately halting an intruder’s progress.
Is security fogging flexible to the size and layout of a building?
Yes, security fogging systems can be designed to suit your business environment and the areas most at risk of a security issue. You can have multiple systems in one space, or one system emitting multiple fogs. The size and severity of the barrage can also be changed to suit the space and the risk, and you can even have a system fitted inside a vehicle. Alarm systems work in a similar way in that you can divide a property into different zones, which each link to one central system, and therefore your whole building is protected regardless of the size of each ‘zone’. When carrying out a security risk assessment, you can consider security fogging alongside your intruder alarm and put compatible systems in place to match the level of risk in specific areas.
What are the after effects of security fogging?
Security fog is harmless to the intruder, in terms of their health, and there is no clean-up required by the business. The fog is residue and odour-free. It is also food safe and suitable for environments where hygiene is paramount. When security fogging is activated, alongside the intruder alarm, the system will need to be reset. Many businesses have an alarm response system in place where a nominated person has the responsibility of visiting the premises after hours in the event of an alarm activation. This would also include an investigation into why the security fogging system was activated and what security breaches have occurred. This could subsequently include speaking to security officers, speaking to the police, monitoring evidence from CCTV systems and ultimately preparing a report for management on the security issue.
Choose an effective and additional security control with security fogging systems
An alarm system is an obligatory requirement for most businesses, due to the terms of insurance policies. But it is also a highly effective security measure and can be used in tandem with other security controls, such as access control, CCTV, security officers and now security fogging. A security fogging system acts as an extra layer of defence against the threat of theft and vandalism. Where a risk assessment highlights the need to have effective systems in place to deter intruders, such as in an office, in banks, in retail spaces, in warehouses and showrooms, for high profile attractions and in vacant properties, security fogging is an innovative and highly effective security control, and works in combination with an intruder alarm system.
If you want to install security fogging in your business, then First Response Group can provide expert advice and can work with you to design the most effective system, which can also work with your existing controls to deliver a robust and comprehensive security system for your business, so contact our team today.
Article By:
Director