Securing your workshop

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A simple solution for everyone would be for the UK to bring in the right to defend your property like the Americans have, then you could use real deterents which not only protect your property but could also prevent the scum reoffending, much harder for them with fingers and bits missing.
I appreciate the sentiment but I think the reality would not be so good. Too much chance of it going wrong and injuring innocent parties. Also “the scum” may just decide to get their own back, they would know who you are and where you and your family live, you would know nothing about them.
 
Sorry to hear about this. I got done over about a year ago. Still raging about it now!

I fitted a long throw gate lock from screwfix which are really solid

I also secure the door with a chain from the inside before locking up, pushing my hand through to motorbike chain fixed to the wall and door. Bit fiddly, but if they jimmy the door and open it the alarm goes off but they still can't get in as the opening is too small when resticted by the chain.

I also have a padlock with integrated alarm on the door that triggers if moved. So a couple of alarm layers that will activate before they get access.

My alarm is a Yale type with linked devices. Once it goes off, lights turn on in my house which is next to the workshop. So if i'm away they may think i'm still in.

Some nice ideas on this thread. Keep them coming as the thieving scum seem to be growing in numbers.
 
On a low tech note, is anyone using one of the the cheap ebay alarms? there are pages of them but really only about 3 or 4 types, I bought the Defender one because it had a vibration sensor that would set it off if the door was shaken, and it all looked good in the photo but was a disapointing bit of cheap junk, and within a few days the siren which always went off before it could be keypad disabled turned into a pathetic squeek,,so I got a refund.
I had previously been using one of the Alarm Padlocks which our local council was selling and I have to say that it seemed good, beeped if if disturbded and was a reasonably loud siren if touched again, it lasted a couple of years befor the electronics gave up,,but I liked it because it would warn intruders off before damage was done. All I can see are either magnetic contact door alarms, which require the door to open, or the PIR type which would not go off untill they had broken in,,,Im also concerned that these pir jobs might be set off by spiders and the like..anyone got any ideas on what works?
I have been thinking of trying to create a trip wire type of thing, say just a bit back from the door so that it would be pulled by somone going towards the door and set off,,
Steve.
You can get shock sensors to go on doors and windows which operate if someone tries to force their way in. There are pir sensors which have zones, something has to be detected by two zones before it triggers, so small dog does not trigger the pir but a person does. Look up texecom, expensive and really suited to a house with sensors also in the workshop.
 
When I have had alarms anywhere the siren has always been mounted inside. That way it not only disorientates the thugs but they can't hear if anyone is coming to find out what's going on. The plus is that if it's ;oud enough it's very difficult to steal anything with your fingers in your ears!

I fitted an alarm in one of my cars, before the days of factory fits, and one day I was going out from the alkward junction of our llane and stalled the car. The battery wasn't very good and when I tried to start the car it dropped the voltage right down and when i let go of the key it set the alarm off. I was out of there is double quick time and my ears were ringing for 15 or so minutes after!

I had my workshop built in the garden when we moved in here. It has the security package fitted. Bars on both windows. They are set into the frames when the panels were made. Plus a security lock on the double doors with large bolts going into the upper frame and the concrete base. I also have a Veritas alarm in there with the stickers on the windows and door and finally, blinds on the windows so the thugs can't see what's in there. And for my comfort it's also insulated and the windows are double glazed. Cost a lot, but worth it to keep me awd bones as comfortable as possible!
 
An ex work colleague of mine in South Africa has electrified razor wire round his property and a hand gun next to the front door of his house. That seems to work !!!

I am not sure I would like to live like that.
 
I have a rural site and would like to put a steel shed on it. Its surrounded by thick ditches so the only possible entry would be through an electric gate. I'm pretty sure these can be opened with a nudge from a vehicle. Anyone know if the sliding versions are vehicle proof.?
 
That's a real bar steward, Martin.
If spikes on the walls are not an option, anti climb paint on top might be good - leaves the tea leaf very messy and gunked up.
 
I have a rural site and would like to put a steel shed on it. Its surrounded by thick ditches so the only possible entry would be through an electric gate. I'm pretty sure these can be opened with a nudge from a vehicle. Anyone know if the sliding versions are vehicle proof.?
I have electric gates with external activators and I think a nudge from a vehicle would break the actuators. You can fit electric locks which automatically locks the leaves together which should make them more secure. Try contacting a manufacturer/installer regarding sliding gates, I would expect them to be a lot more expensive as they are a specialist item, as opposed to standard gates with off the shelf bolt on actuators.

Electric rising bollard would be another option in addition to the electric gates. Bollard could go in front of the gates as a deterrent or behind as more security to prevent the gates being opened.

As with all electric gates check the safety. Children are attracted to them and there have been fatalities and owners/installers imprisoned.
 
An ex work colleague of mine in South Africa has electrified razor wire round his property and a hand gun next to the front door of his house. That seems to work !!!

I am not sure I would like to live like that.
An ex work colleague of mine in South Africa has electrified razor wire round his property and a hand gun next to the front door of his house. That seems to work !!!

I am not sure I would like to live like that.
I am sure something like this from South Africa could be modified to protect the workshop. Need to sort out how stop the dog or neighbours cat from activating it.


I think this is genuine, not an April fools joke. Looks highly dangerous to passing cyclists or pedestrians.
 
I got an alarm from amazon that senses someone approaching and starts to play a sound of a dog barking. I can also set it to just bleep which is the setting i use in the hope that they think we have been alerted by the alarm.
 
I have a rural site and would like to put a steel shed on it. Its surrounded by thick ditches so the only possible entry would be through an electric gate.
Thats always going to be difficult because isolation favours the criminal, if they can make a bit of noise without disturbing anyone then they have the advantage. I would agree that the first point to secure is that single entrance to the property, forget fancy electric gates and get something fabricated, heavy steel post concreted into the ground and a very heavy duty barrier with a counter balance otherwise you will find it hard to operate. Remember all parts need to be upto the same level of integrity, one weak part can undo all your work. Use concealed hinge pins and multiple locking devices on both ends. Then as someone mentioned use bollards in front as well.

As for the steel shed take care with its design, do not make it so the criminals can open it up like a tin of sardines, no point securing all the doors and windows if they can make their own entrance.
 
Thats always going to be difficult because isolation favours the criminal, if they can make a bit of noise without disturbing anyone then they have the advantage.

As for the steel shed take care with its design, do not make it so the criminals can open it up like a tin of sardines, no point securing all the doors and windows if they can make their own entrance.

Thanks. I hope to put a house on the site eventually so don't want the entrance to be too industrial. A two way communication system and remote opening would be handy as well to let bona fide visitors in.
I'm thinking of avoiding windows altogether as a security risk and just rely on clear panels in the roof.
The door is the obvious weak point - any opinion on how good steel 'security doors' are as all the shed builders offer them as an option.
 
Thanks. I hope to put a house on the site eventually so don't want the entrance to be too industrial. A two way communication system and remote opening would be handy as well to let bona fide visitors in.
I'm thinking of avoiding windows altogether as a security risk and just rely on clear panels in the roof.
The door is the obvious weak point - any opinion on how good steel 'security doors' are as all the shed builders offer them as an option.
I have gates with steel posts, steel frame and wood facing. They came with actuators and basic control electronics. The posts had brackets welded on for the actuators, hence buying the gates with actuators. Gates were from metal mania and I was pleased with quality and service and they look good. You could think about having a gate made for timber facing but fitting bolted on steel sheet. It would be more robust than wood facing and look more robust as a deterrent but you could change it to wood if and when you build the house.
http://www.metalmaniafabs.com/metal-and-wood-combined-gates.php
My gates have remotes but also I have an intercom so I can see and speak to visitors before opening the gate. The intercom came from easy gates who were very helpful. You could try contacting them for some advice, they sell all sorts of stuff for electric gates and probably could advise you on security. I replied before about your concerns about forcing the gates.
https://www.easygates.co.uk/
 
You can get shock sensors to go on doors and windows which operate if someone tries to force their way in. There are pir sensors which have zones, something has to be detected by two zones before it triggers, so small dog does not trigger the pir but a person does. Look up texecom, expensive and really suited to a house with sensors also in the workshop.
Hi Jonm, the shock sensors, Ive seen them advertised for windows and I assumed that the considerable shock that perhaps travels through a window being broken would ne needed to set them of,,,they look like bits of foil I think?? Is it possible to get one that would detect somone pulling at the door, I know that I could try to set up a microswitch but its finding a balance between creating somthing thats sensitive without say the wind moving the door and setting false alarms. So far I have to say that the infra red gate looks very promising or the double PiR sensors but what does it need to be connected up too is the next question?
steve.
 
Bit late to this thread but sorry to hear about your experience. I also had the same, built an oak framed unit and hadn’t alarmed it... Came to the van in the morning and door had been jemmied open. £7.5k gone!! 🙈💩

Utter scum.

At that stage I was thinking of an early warning system linked to my shotgun and a few large dogs!! Alternatively some sort of electrification 👍 But just ended up with an alarm system - we have plenty of folk / neighbours around during the day and generally this village is incredibly safe - was just a gang on one night...

Goodluck.
 
Hi Jonm, the shock sensors, Ive seen them advertised for windows and I assumed that the considerable shock that perhaps travels through a window being broken would ne needed to set them of,,,they look like bits of foil I think?? Is it possible to get one that would detect somone pulling at the door, I know that I could try to set up a microswitch but its finding a balance between creating somthing thats sensitive without say the wind moving the door and setting false alarms. So far I have to say that the infra red gate looks very promising or the double PiR sensors but what does it need to be connected up too is the next question?
steve.
The sensitivity of the shock sensor is adjustable, a case of adjustment to avoid false alarms. I would imagine a loose fitting door would be a problem. The following video towards the end shows tapping to trigger the alarm.


Wired shock sensors are much cheaper than wireless. As for setting it up the texecom ones are for professionals so are a bit of a challenge for diy. Google texecom kits and you will see what is available. Kits start at about £180 for a wired system. Really they are best used for a whole house with sensors in the workshop, I am in the process of setting this up.

Here is a video of someone going through the system, it is a bit long but gives a good idea of what is involved. For just a workshop there must be simple systems with decent shock sensors.
 
Most beam sensors, and many pirs simply need a 12v dc power source. When activated they return 12v. If you wanted to keep it really simple you could just get a timer relay, about £10 on ebay. This, when fed 12v will then output 12v for an adjustable period of time. You can use this output to power a sounder. You could easily power the whole lot from a car battery, and use a car horn as the sounder. Add a flashing led mounted outside as a warning. The standby power consumption is trivial so a typical car battery would run this for several weeks probably, or use a simple solar charger to keep it topped up. You would need to have a switch somewhere to turn it off.
 
If you have a remote location with no phone line/internet then an Ajax wireless alarm is a good option. It can take a network agnostic SIM card for alerts to a smartphone, and can be run off am optional internal battery pack, or am external car battery.

Better to stop them getting in in the first place with good physical security, but the Ajax can also be used as a perimeter alert system with appropriate sensors, and even linked to cameras to send images to your phone anywhere.
 
Bit late to this thread but sorry to hear about your experience. I also had the same, built an oak framed unit and hadn’t alarmed it... Came to the van in the morning and door had been jemmied open. £7.5k gone
An alarm may have annoyed them but would it have actually prevented the theft. These days so many people hearing an alarm going off just think of it as a nusuiance and take no further action.

As I have said security is a process of layers, there is no single preventative measure and a determined thief is hard to stop. What you can do is to make it difficult and time consuming, they do not want to hang around too long as it increases the chance of detection. Your power tools are probably the main target, easy to take, transport and sell so make it hard for them. I have already said that a branded, defaced tool is functionally the same for yourself but has little value to the thief, Smart marking is also a valuable detterent.

So they have managed to get into your workshop, yes I know it is nice to have all your tools nicely layed out ready for use but that makes easy pickings for them so use a secure storage vault within your workshop where you put all the expensive portable power tools, infact use a couple because each one requires time to attack, don't leave all your tools in one basket! but leave some cheap Lidl wonders and the like laying around so they have something to take, they may well just grab and run. If you really want to go that extra mile and think its worth the expense then the marking systems like Smartwater also do spray systems designed to cover the thieves and prove they were there. SmartWater® Forensic Spray System - Moore Security Systems Ltd
 
Many thanks for the various ideas, we dont have an alarm in the house and I dont have thousands of pounds worth of gear in the shed but I dont want the bug gers breaking my doors or nicking anything,,Im a little concerned that a smart alarm box would only encourage theives to think there was somthing worth nicking. I like the shock sensor devices, somone trying the door would set it off, but the Honeywell Viper sensors etc seem to be stuffed full of electronics and are part of a professional type alarm,,,is it possible to use one of these in a diy system of say a power supply, siren, shock sensor and perhaps a hidden switch?
On a different tack there are various cheap Car Alarms for sale, many link to central locking etc but there are simple ones which might be Shock Sensing only or shock combined with an interier light being triggered (ie switched on) so as a thought, could the shock sensor be fitted to the door with a door switch as back up if the door was opened? These come with a couple of remote controls too,,not necessary perhaps but smart all the same.
Steve.
 

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