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What Methods of Operation Are There For Security Shutters?
There are many ways of operating and controlling either a manual or electric security roller shutter, depending on the application and users.
Manual Operated Shutters
Manually operated security shutters have 4 basic methods of operation:
Spring Assisted Operation, with a simple pull up and push down method of operation and then a key lock in the bottom slat.
Belt Operated Operation, which is usually used on external mounted shutters whereby a fabric belt is taken from outide to inside and then used internally to lower and raise the shutter as required. This is usually on smaller sized shutters as you would be lifting the curtain without any spring assistance.
Rod Crank Operation, which is like the belt operation except a winding rod crank system in used internally.
Chain and Gear Operated, which is usually on large external fitted steel shutters where electric may not be possible so a chain operation is used and the chain is secured once the shutter is down and quite often then secondary bullet locks are fitted into the side guides to further secure the shutter down. A further enhancement again would be a ground hasp and staple lock with a padlock securing the bottom and strongest section of the shutter to the floor.
Electric Operated Shutters
Electric operated security shutters are most commonly operated by either an internal wall mounted 'rocker' switch, positioned next to the shutter internally, or by a wall mounted key switch for a shutter used as a last point of exit or entry.
The key switch is always placed inside a steel box with a padlock for extra security and this is the most common method of operation for shop front and office security shutters as the shutter normally cover the window and the doorway so the operator of the shutter leaving and locking the building has to close the shutter from outside and open again from outside in the mornings.
Other methods of operation include remote control handsets operating all the shutters at once or in groups from different buttons on the hand transmitter in a multi channel transmitter.
A wall mounted digital keypad is also a good idea, but again in a busy high street it may be sensible to hide the keypad in a steel box again.
A card swipe system can be used but as most security shutters are only operated twice a day there is never the need for multi users and the less users the better so we would always recommend a key switch or keypad in most cases.
Timed operation is possible but only if serious consideration is given to the safety when closing or opening, especially if near a public place.
