Laundromat, advantages of an automatic locking system

As Businesses owners, we all have an obligation to keep our customers safe, and laundromats are no exception. Visitors want to know they can go somewhere to wash their clothes and be out of harm’s way. As the owner of a laundry business, it is your responsible to have the necessary security measures and safety warnings in place.

Upgrading security measures may involve spending, but they are often needed. Crimes do take place around laundry facilities, even if they are not directly in the store. And equipment mishaps can be costly, because of both insurance payments for any injuries that take place and purchasing upgrades for the broken washers and dryers.

Here are some ways to make sure customers are safe and secure within your store:

Modern lighting

More laundry facilities are going to the 24-hour model to appeal to busy customers. Being open all hours of the day and night can bring people to your store that you otherwise may not have expected. It can also lead to the occasional trouble. Having a comprehensive lighting system is important. Both inside the store and outside, a lighting system gives customers the freedom to come and go without fearing they are in danger. Ensure your business is equipped with environmentally friendly lights to improve safety while reducing costs.

Automatic Locks

Automation is a great way to improve security and reduce manned operation. Many manufacturers offer specifically designed laundromat locking systems some of the advantages of automation include;

Systems with a 24-hour 7-days a week timer programmable timer can automate unlock & lock times for each day of the week, these timers also have a manual override button to put the system in a permeate locked or unlocked state.

The systems can also include Exit devices to ensure patrons are never trapped inside your facility when the system goes into the locked state. The systems are designed with both a motion sensor and push button will allow two forms of egress. Most building and fire codes will require redundant forms of egress.

In addition, many systems include a heavy-duty vandal resistant keypad to allow for after-hour bypass or to provide emergency codes to locked out patrons. By placing signage on the door, a locked-out customer can give you a call for an emergency code over the phone, this prevents a drive to the laundromat in the middle of the night. These systems can be further customized to suit your needs. Just add a CC-3800 keypad/proximity reader or an FPR-1000 fingerprint/proximity reader to provide keyless entry for after-hours use or to provide late night access.

Security cameras

Cameras can also play an important role in improving safety. Recording what goes on both in and outside of a business not only helps identify criminals who cause trouble but also discourages people from acting out. A study from the Urban Institute found that crime is reduced when security cameras are present, as people are less likely to commit an illegal act when they are being watched. However, the study found that results were dependent on how the system was set up and how closely it was monitored.

When creating a safety system with upgraded lights, automatic locks and cameras, make sure your customers know that you have their security in mind. Informing patrons of your new security upgrades can be a selling point in convincing them to return to your business, as well as informing any potential troublemakers.

Stay up to date

The inside of a laundromat can also pose risks to your customers. Outdated equipment can be dangerous, from old washing machines with loose hinges to steel doors that are difficult to open. Not everything in your business must be modern and brand new, but the materials inside the laundromat should not be old and falling apart either.

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