Building security

Anonymous-0 · Jun 21, 2010

My metal building, with metal door with regular lockset and deadbolt, was forcibly entered. Very little damage was done to the door face, (metal), indicating to me that they were experienced. Of all my things, only a Coleman generator was taken. I'm assuming there will be a subsequent visit. What can I do to better secure the building?

Uncle Ernie · Jun 21, 2010

Sorry to say but there is nothing you can do to stop a pro IF they want in bad enough and have time.
The most you can do is provide deterrent and time wasting means to discourage them. Lights and heavy locks/ hasps/bars will slow an attack on the doors and windows. Having the doors locked from both sides. (double lock deadbolts) will make it harder for someone to get things out if they get in.
Metal building meaning a pole shed type? Doors are the hard spots. The walls open like tin cans if attacked with a chainsaw...
Insurance will at least dull the pain.

tech4 · Jun 21, 2010

I suggest a loud burglar alarm.

Patsdeere · Jun 21, 2010

Depending on what is in the building you could lock big things together with a heavy chain and good locks, double deadbolts (as already mentioned, clasps, burglar alarm). If there isn't much in the building what about moving it and taking any temptation away for a while? but like mentioned a pro can get into most things if they have the time and the tools. Might want to make sure everything is permantenly labeled with some type of ID number so if it does go missing it might some day come back.

Gun guru · Jun 21, 2010

You could get a large dog or dogs that will chew the crap out of an intruder. (then there is the dog crap and feeding etc.)

Or get real or fake cameras placed on the exterior of the building.

Or just lay in wait for this loser and have a shotgun ready for him. A blast from a 12 gauge pump does wonders for crooks.

Chris (WA) · Jun 21, 2010

Big sign that says " This property guarded three nights a week by the owner with a Shotgun and a Dog. YOU guess the nights..."

Grampswyatt · Jun 21, 2010

Put a sign out front like they said.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 21, 2010

First off, dont say a word to no one, repeat no one. Get in there with your flashlight and shotgun. Carry an un-registered cheap handgun that can in no way be traced to you. Dont leave a witness when you shoot the intruder who surprized you and threatened you with a handgun.
Tom

Gun guru · Jun 21, 2010

Oh come on now, bad guys never carry illegal handguns.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 21, 2010

big old bear trap.

Bob - MI · Jun 21, 2010

Are you saying that the entry door is a standard exterior metal door?

I work for a company that makes high security hasp components for government munitions lockers and they are pretty difficult to get through. That all says the door has to be very high grade as well.

Google search NAPEC hasp or go to our website and check out the hasp drawings on the "products" page of the site. If nothing else it may give you some ideas.
Shellcast website

camju · Jun 21, 2010

insulate the ground in front of the door with a thick rubber mat plastic etc. make sure it extends from the door out 3 feet lay a steel grate over it and hook an electric fencer up to the grate. Atach fencer ground to metal building.

Hound · Jun 21, 2010

I"ve never understood the thinking of locking doors, waiting up at night etc.

My idea, leave the doors unlocked with closers on them. Locked from the outside. Sure they might do some damage from being locked in... but who"s going to do the damage when you go out in the morning and find a rat in the rat trap.

Just a thought.
Hound

MarkB_MI · Jun 21, 2010

Most locksets can be easily "bumped" by any numbskull who can google "lock bumping". A bump-proof lock will set you back big bucks, but might be worth it.

Most all-steel buildings can be opened up simply by removing a few screws, although most thieves don't have the patience to do it. Plus, if they ever had a screwgun, they would pawn it for a dope fix.

A friend of mine rigged up a cheapy burglar alarm, using a a siren and a motion-detection switch for an outdoor light. Would scare the beejeezus out of you.

Chances are good that the thieves live nearby, or else recently visited your place. They are almost certainly drug users. Give some thought to who it might be, you might be able to make it difficult for them next time. Make sure the place looks like someone is always around: Move parked vehicles around, leave different lights on when you're gone, etc.

Cas · Jun 21, 2010

I had similar experience two years ago. Bought a security system on ebay. It has 4 cameras and a l gigabyte DVR. Easy to hook up and I put the tv monitor so you can see it when you walk in. My theft has been zero since. If I had it before my last breakin would have paid for it.

the tractor vet · Jun 21, 2010

Well ya could do like a guy i use to work for did AFTER the third break in as he tryed the alarm thing , then a night watchman then and armed guard with dog and they still got everything plus a really beat up ARMED guard and one dead dog . Once his INSTALLED two TIMBER RATTLERS with NO Rattles NOBODY went in after that not even me and i had a key for the place Everybody would wait outside even if the phones were ringing off the hook nobody went in till he came and found the snakes and got them back in there cage .. One day one of them got him on the boot when he opened the door .

PJH · Jun 22, 2010

Modern pole buildings have the sheet metal attached with screws.

I saw one the other morning that had a sheet removed under one of the windows. It was a high wall building, and I guess the thief couldn't reach the top screws on the long sheets, so they picked a short one under a window, only to find insulation and interior sheeting to stop them.

Why didn't they just bust out the window to gain access? There were houses in the area, and I guess they were worried about being heard.

I'm told that thieves use a 1/4" box end wrench to remove the screws. No noise at all.

Using what I saw there, if I had a high wall pole building in a remote location, in addition to making the doors secure, I'd also install 3/4" plywood sheeting on the interior under each window and make substantial interior shutters or bars for each window (something I need to do myself).

We've had several attempted pole barn breakins locally that were thwarted by obstacles on the inside of the building.

If you're in an area where they can use a chainsaw to open the side of the building, you may as well leave the doors unlocked.

My father-in-laws strategy for years was to leave the sliding doors open day and night. I never could understand why he wasn't cleaned out. I guess thieves thought there was nothing worth stealing if the doors were open.

Wouldn't work for me. ..

Paul

JR.Frye · Jun 22, 2010

I have two AMERCIAN PIT BULLS, one runs loss in the shop when I am not there and that runs loss in the barn whin I am not around.
That is my answer.
JR.FRYE

ph-1 · Jun 22, 2010

half pound c-4 with a detanator on the floor for them too step on???? lol might not be much left but....... better yet go get the whole series of the movie saw that will give u some good ideas!!!!!

rockyhawaii · Jun 23, 2010

They probrably have visited your place before. Had any new company, perhaps with friends? Cameras are the way to go.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 23, 2010

Ditto the camera idea...maybe a concealed "game" camera. If you shoot them, you can go to jail, but if you take their pictures while they're in the act, it's hard to get out of that.

Also think it's most likely someone who's been there before.

bc · Jun 23, 2010

Naw, trip wire tied to a claymore to get them all. A hidden spike strip you can lay down at night that can't be seen with headlights to flatten their tires will work till you forget and flatten your own. I read of a guy who made a device actuated by a motion detector or wire that pushed his speed dial number on an extra cell phone(his building was out in the sticks). Could do it with a land line as well. I think the brain trust on this site could come up with the parts from Radio Shack to make one.

Stephen in SoKY · Jun 23, 2010

I don't even try to stop them. But I've gone to great trouble to make it more dificult to get into my shop than any of my neighbors shops. Meth heads are dangerous, but, as a group they're lazy. Angle iron across the entry door with a circular (Not standard padlock) may make it easier to just move on down the road to easier pickings.

jd b puller · Jun 24, 2010

Good one.

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