Power outages can happen at any time. Severe weather, equipment problems, construction accidents and other unexpected issues can cause a business to lose power.
While most business owners are thinking about keeping operations running, it is also important to consider what happens to your security system when the power goes out.
Without proper planning, an outage could affect cameras, access control, alarms and other security equipment.
Will Your Security System Stop Working?
Not necessarily.
Many commercial security systems can be designed with backup power options that help keep important equipment operating during a power interruption.
The length of time a system can continue operating depends on the equipment being used, the backup power available and how the system was designed.
This is why backup power should be considered when installing or evaluating a commercial security system.
What Happens to Security Cameras?
Security cameras require power to operate and record video.
If cameras lose power, they may stop recording unless they are connected to an appropriate backup power source.
For businesses that rely heavily on video surveillance, this can create a gap in coverage during an outage.
A security professional can evaluate your surveillance system and determine what equipment should remain operational during a power interruption.
What About Access Control?
Access control systems can also be affected by a power outage.
Depending on the system and equipment installed, doors may have different responses when power is interrupted. This makes it important for businesses to understand how their access control system is designed to operate during an outage.
Businesses should consider both security and employee safety when determining how doors and entry points should function during a power interruption.
Alarms and Monitoring
Security alarms are another important consideration.
A properly designed system can include backup power to help maintain security even when the building loses electricity. Monitoring can also provide an additional layer of protection by allowing security professionals to respond to alarm signals.
Your security provider can help determine how your alarm system is expected to operate during an outage and what backup options are available.
Don’t Wait Until an Outage to Test Your System
One of the easiest ways to identify a potential problem is to test your system before an emergency happens.
Businesses should periodically review questions such as:
- Does our security system have backup power?
- How long can critical equipment operate during an outage?
- Will our cameras continue recording?
- How will our doors and access points operate?
- Will our alarm system continue communicating?
- Has our backup equipment been tested recently?
Understanding the answers ahead of time can help businesses avoid surprises when an outage occurs.
Security Should Work When You Need It Most
A security system isn’t only important when everything is operating normally. Businesses also need to know how their security equipment will respond when something unexpected happens.
Power outages are a good reminder to look at your security system as a whole and make sure critical equipment has the appropriate protection and backup.
Quinlan Security Systems can help businesses evaluate their existing security systems and identify ways to improve reliability and protection. From alarms and video surveillance to access control and other security solutions, Quinlan can help businesses prepare for the unexpected.
Quinlan Security Systems. Protection You Can Trust.