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Ins and Outs
For property managers, security experts, and business owners, the parking lot is the true entrance to your hotel. It is the first and last place a guest visits, making its safety vital for your brand's reputation. A robust perimeter system protects valuable vehicles while ensuring the well-being of your staff and patrons. By prioritizing exterior security, you create a professional, welcoming atmosphere that deters criminal activity before it ever reaches your doors.
The effectiveness of your perimeter depends on utilizing modern, high-performance equipment. When business owners and property managers fail to update these systems, they expose their property to severe operational failures. An outdated gate might malfunction and trap guests during a peak check-out window, or a lack of impact-resistant barriers could allow a vehicle to crash into a pedestrian zone. These lapses lead to financial liability and permanently damage guest trust.
Today’s All Security Equipment blog post is the second part of a guide for security experts and hospitality leaders looking to harden their exterior defenses. Our mission is to highlight the best products and practices available to ensure your perimeter remains high-grade.
The Risks in Hotel Parking Perimeters
Managing a hotel parking area presents unique challenges for property managers and security experts due to high vehicle turnover and large open spaces. Unlike interior corridors, exterior perimeters are often more vulnerable to opportunistic crimes and logistical chaos. Without strategic oversight, these areas become magnets for theft and unauthorized access, creating a negative first impression.
Business owners must recognize that a lack of visible security in parking zones invites liability and crime. A proactive approach involves identifying vulnerabilities such as unmonitored entry points that bad actors exploit. To build a resilient exterior, security experts recommend focusing on these four primary areas of concern to ensure a swift and coordinated response:
- Vehicle Theft and Break-ins: Unattended cars are high-value targets for thieves looking for electronics or personal luggage.
- Unauthorized Parking: Non-guests using your limited spaces, causing frustration for paying customers and staff.
- Vandalism and Loitering: Dark or unmonitored perimeter areas attracting individuals who may damage property.
- Accidental Liability: Incidents involving vehicle collisions or pedestrian safety issues that require clear physical barriers to prevent.
5 Essential Enhancements for Your Parking Security
1. High-Traffic Access: BFT MICHELANGELO 80
For property managers overseeing massive parking facilities, the BFT MICHELANGELO 80 is a powerhouse. This 24V automatic barrier supports openings up to 26 feet, providing smooth and rapid 8-second cycles for even the largest commercial hotel entrances.
- U-Link Interconnectivity: Features a single communication platform for remote maintenance and group control of multiple access points.
- Rolling Code Technology: Utilizes a secure, non-reproducible algorithm for transmitter commands, preventing external violations or cloning.
- Enhanced Safety Sensors: The encoder-based impact reaction system detects obstacles and immediately reverses movement to prevent vehicle damage.
2. Maximum Perimeter Defense: FAAC JS 80 HA Bollard
For business owners requiring elite protection, the FAAC JS 80 HA Stainless Steel Bollard is the gold standard. This retractable hydraulic unit is designed to secure hotel plazas and VIP lanes against high-velocity vehicle incursions.
- Certified Impact Resistance: Performance-rated to withstand a truck impact at 50 mph while remaining operational after the collision.
- Interchangeable mDure® Sleeve: Features a protective satin-finish stainless steel sleeve that can be replaced to keep the bollard looking new.
- Visual and Audible Alerts: Equipped with a flashing LED light ring and an audible buzzer that activates during movement to ensure pedestrian safety.
3. Optimize Lighting and Signage
Property managers can significantly deter crime by upgrading to high-output LED lighting and clear directional signage. Well-lit areas eliminate hiding spots and make guests feel safer when returning to their cars at night. Furthermore, prominent signage stating that the area is under 24/7 surveillance acts as a psychological deterrent, signaling to potential bad actors that your property is a hard target.
4. Implement Regular Perimeter Patrols
While hardware is essential, security experts recommend that business owners supplement technology with visible staff presence. Training your team to perform "randomized" patrols of the parking lot ensures that blind spots are checked and that equipment is functioning correctly. This human element, combined with your electronic systems, creates a multi-layered defense that is much harder for unauthorized individuals to circumvent.
5. Revenue & Access Control: SysParc PS-2020 Pay Station
Security experts know that controlling who enters starts with a reliable payment and validation system. The SysParc PS-2020 allows for unattended, PCI-compliant revenue collection, ensuring only paying guests or authorized patrons can trigger the exit gate.
- Versatile Payment Support: Accepts credit cards, currency, and coins with self-replenishing dispensers for 24/7 unattended operation.
- Rugged Construction: Built with rust-resistant zinc-plated steel and a thermostatically controlled heater for reliable exterior performance.
- Real-Time Instructions: A full-color screen guides patrons through fees and instructions, reducing staff intervention and traffic backups.
Premium Perimeters
Investing in a high-quality parking perimeter system is a vital decision for property managers, security experts, and business owners looking to protect their assets. By choosing the right equipment and staying proactive, you can ensure your guests feel safe from the moment they arrive.
If you are ready to upgrade your exterior defenses or need a customized quote, our team is standing by to assist you. Contact the All Security Equipment customer service team today for expert guidance on the best perimeter solutions.
