COMMERCIAL SECURITY
Scope and scale Domestic locksmithing could be one door or a handful of locks to ground floor windows . Commercially , you could be dealing with a multi-floor , multi-building , or multi-site project .
Our customer base often has large sites which dictate a need for having their own maintenance teams or departments . Facilities managers ensure a lot of maintenance work is done in-house . In these instances , we get called in for the more specialist side of door hardware and security products . This could be from master key systems through to installing products to metal doors . There ’ s real variation with the scope of product when you ’ re looking at doors that others don ’ t want to get involved with due to their technicality .
As with residential work , technology helps no end . With clear and effective communication prior to a commercial site visit , our preparation can be much more targeted and efficient , understanding the scale of what we ’ re walking into . This can overcome a lack of specialist technical knowledge on site too .
Health and safety
If there was one main area of difference , it ’ d be this . With domestic work , we ’ ve found it ’ s a case of shoes off at the door and don ’ t let pets out . With commercial and industrial sites there could be active , obvious hazards like forklifts working , differing requirements for PPE , having a greater awareness of your working practices and set up such as trailing cables across walkways .
We ’ ve also encountered verification and certification requirements in addition to the RAMS safety documents mentioned before . A DBS check for working in schools , or as we ’ re MLA locksmiths , an enhanced DBS check is required . In some schools , without an enhanced check , you must be chaperoned around the premises , another reason why thorough preparation is more of a focus for commercial locksmithing . We ’ ve had CSCS cards over the years but haven ’ t been asked to present them on site , but this could be due to the nature of the projects we work on .
The mechanics and time We have experienced more failures in domestic work as units tend to be left until they ’ re irreparable . There is also more gain-entry work with housing . Replacements tend to be swift and straightforward , swapping the broken gearbox or lockcase with a like-forlike unit . With our commercial work we see less failures and lock outs . FM , contractors , maintenance staff – they ’ ve all got great awareness and a degree of accountability for ensuring their locks continue to operate . Maintenance , repair , or replacement isn ’ t left until the last minute .
It ’ s the opposite with after-sales though . We haven ’ t often seen call backs or teething issues on domestic work , experiencing supposed problems postinstallation with commercial projects instead . It ’ s “ supposed ” because we ’ ve seen elements of scapegoating following site work , and it ’ s always on projects that are furthest away . Typical . A prime example is after installing good quality , robust Assa door handles with lockcases we had a call to say the door handles had “ come off ”. Returning to site to investigate , it was a clear instance of misuse and vandalism effectively .
Not playing favourites but … Looking back over their experience with different types of locksmithing , Mike and Jordan were asked to make a choice – commercial or domestic work . Both went with commercial , and here ’ s why :
Jordan : “ I find it more engaging because there is a brief of sorts to work with such as balancing child safety in a school with safe and compliant egress . I get to use my imagination to provide different solutions in different facilities . It ’ s varied work , using quality products , and provides a greater return for us . You find yourself looking more in depth into regulations , products , and solutions on the market , tailoring that to building use , aesthetic preference , budgets , and time frames .”
Mike : “ As Jordan ’ s said , I like being able to apply my experience to solving issues on site but also the almost multi-skill trade of being a commercial locksmith . It is a little different adjusting a multipoint lock to installing an Abloy EL560 solenoid lock , and we get to do both on the projects we deal with . Whether it ’ s return visits to the same site over a period of years , or different projects with the same clients , I enjoy the repeat business whilst retaining some variety . I ’ ve had the opportunity over the last 30 years to build a brilliant rapport with numerous contractors , onsite maintenance teams , and other local locksmiths .”
Our advice ? Get niche . Not simply the divide between domestic and commercial , but become a specialist such as with safes , auto locksmithing , or bench locksmithing . And adjust your expectations to your area . There ’ s more growth and progress to be made in commercial , particularly if you are looking to aggressively chase maintenance contracts , but can your geographical area sustain it ?
By becoming niche , you can identify areas to expand into that may not be sufficiently covered . At Door Controls Direct we ’ ve begun FDIS qualifications to offer additional advice and services to our existing customer base . Make it easy for your customers – provide a service that covers all their doors and controlled access points and there ’ s no need for them to look elsewhere .
MAY 2024
45 locksmithjournal . co . uk