No matter the utility or purpose of your commercial space, keeping the building and its occupants safe always must be a high priority. The easiest (and in many cases legal) way to keep your building safe is through installing custom low voltage systems in your building.
Fortunately, low voltage contractors such as Low Voltage NW make keeping your commercial building safe and up to code easy. Learn the 6 low voltage systems (and 3 services) that every commercial space needs to stay safe and up to code.
1. Fire alarms
The low voltage system most people are familiar with, fire alarms are required by code in commercial buildings to protect workers, customers, and anyone else who might be on premise. Plus, it will keep you safe, protect against the loss of assets and property damage, and give you peace of mind that authorities will be contacted when a fire is detected.
Depending on building occupancy type and occupant load, many options are available to fit your specific needs. What’s important when installing a fire alarm system in your commercial building is that you work with a low voltage electrician who can find a system that’s right for your building or campus. This equates to one that not only fulfills the necessary regulations, but looks clean and is reliable.
Learn more about fire alarms systems.
2. Security system
While you (or your tenant) may be able to protect your commercial property during the workday, what happens in the evening when employees go home? While some big properties can afford guards to stand watch, most do not have the resources to hire security guards.
Commercial security systems act as an automated security guard to watch over your property. While you may be familiar with residential security systems, commercial property security systems are more complex given the myriad of security risks that commercial properties have.
Commercial systems contain different layers of security, including video and access control (more on these shortly). Your commercial security system will coordinate all of these systems to ensure that any intruder or unwarranted access is logged and the appropriate authorities are alerted. Your system will also be monitored 24/7, so if anything is amiss someone will be on the case, even if you are fast asleep.
Learn more about commercial security systems.
3. Video surveillance
In addition to a security system that will alert you and your monitoring company that there’s an unwarranted intrusion, video surveillance gives you (and those monitoring) a view of your property.
While many people think of the old-style video surveillance systems that just record, store, and are viewed on-site, modern systems are based on real-time video surveillance that can be viewed anywhere. Our systems can be viewed anytime on your computer, tablet, or phone, and also record any intruders for use by the authorities or your security team.
Learn more about video surveillance.
4. Access control
Only those who should be on your premises should be able to gain access. Access control systems ensure this remains the case.
Depending on your needs, access can be controlled with a key fob, ID tag card, or biometric permissions. Our systems are flexible and can be adjusted to your specific needs and security concerns. These systems work in conjunction with your commercial security system, which will alert the monitoring company and authorities with any unauthorized access.
Learn more about access control.
5. Paging
While it may not seem as immediately crucial as a fire alarm or security system, the ability to communicate with your building or campus is key to a safe business environment. Be it for daily messages, a security warning, or just to get the attention of a certain employee, paging systems are truly one of the most crucial systems in a building.
Our paging systems are built for ease of use and to ensure reliable and simple communication. Many telephone systems allow authorized users access to the intercom or paging system right from their telephone, reducing the need for a single intercom station. They also allow for music or audio files to be played through them.
Learn more about paging systems.
6. DAS
A distributed antenna system, or DAS, is maybe the most unknown of all of the commonly installed low voltage systems, but also one of the most crucial for maintaining a safe building.
Distributed antenna systems are a network of antenna nodes that extend wireless coverage inside your commercial space. Why is this important? Because it allows for the efficient communication of first responders such as fire departments, police officers, and paramedics should an emergency occur.
Learn more about DAS.
3 services needed for a safe commercial space
Reliable monitoring
A low voltage system is only as good as its monitoring. You can have the nicest security or fire alarm system available, but if you don’t trust those monitoring them, it’s hard to have complete faith in your low voltage systems.
Work with a provider such as Monitoring NW that provides UL-Listed, 24/7 Central Station monitoring for fire and security systems as well as elevator emergency phones.
Learn more about our monitoring services.
Recurring inspections
Don’t wait until an emergency to realize your low voltage system needs maintenance. Recurring inspections ensure that small issues are identified well before they can turn a bad situation into a catastrophic one. They will also ensure that your low voltage system is running at maximum efficiency and will extend the life of your system.
Learn more about recurring inspections.
Emergency repair vendor on file
You do not want to wait until an emergency repair is needed to look for a low voltage technician that can help. Well before this happens, find a technician to have on file for when something happens and you need a solution quickly.
Learn more about emergency repairs.
Low Voltage NW is the low voltage partner you can trust
At Low Voltage NW, we’ve been working with commercial property owners in the Willamette Valley for years to install, monitor, and maintain low voltage systems that keep their buildings safe. No matter the challenges your building faces or the needs you’re looking to fulfill, we’re here for you.
Contact us today to get started on your Low Voltage NW.
