Solving Store Security Issues
Key Group is a leading complete solution provider of M&E, Store fitting, construction management and Asset Replacement within the retail & Commercial sectors.
Integrated Fencing Ltd were approached by Key Electrical who have a maintenance contract with Asda stores nationally to propose a solution to an issue Asda were having at their store in the centre of Stockport.
This store had vehicle and pedestrian access ramps in two locations to the store, which was attracting anti-social behaviour i.e. smashed bottles, food, and human waste.
Key electrical approached Integrated Fencing to come up with a solution to cage off the underside of the ramps to prevent people from gathering under them. There were some difficulties to overcome as the walkways to the store needed to be maintained for pedestrians to use, the raking of the ramps and how to fix the posts as we were reluctant to break the ground as we were unsure of the services locations.
We met Key Electricals’ Project Manager Russell Topping on site to discuss the requirements and to come up with a concept that was acceptable and within budget for the client. There are many security systems on the market and with our experience and knowledge within the industry we advised that 358 (Prison) mesh fencing would be the most suitable product to achieve the desired requirements. Once the order was placed, we attended site once more to do a full measure of the two areas and came up with a full bespoke design for the fencing to the two areas, which entailed every post and panel being different sizes to account for the for the raking of the ramps and the areas we were able to fix to varying in widths. Every post and panel were pre-cut and numbered during fabrication to match the design drawings to ensure there was no cutting on site. The design also allowed for two manual single leaf gates to be installed for maintenance access to clean the areas of any debris that may accumulate.
During the manufacture period the COVID-19 pandemic was in full effect which meant we had to adapt to new ways of working and ensure there were safe systems of work to protect both the installers and the public whilst works were going on. Despite this we still got the materials delivered on time. The client also wanted the works fully completed and signed off within 2 weeks to minimise the time on site to minimise the risk of COVID-19. Due to the works we did upfront fully measuring every panel and post and getting a full design, the install was completed, snagged and signed off in 8 days.
The client was over the moon with the end product, which instantly stopped the anti-social behaviour. The local council were also impressed with the results and were looking to undertake similar works in other problem areas in the town and surrounding areas.
Russell Topping said ‘I have worked with Scott Thomas on previous projects and it has always been a pleasure dealing with him and his colleagues at Integrated Fencing. No task is too much trouble for the team. I will definitely use Integrated Fencing on my next project’