What Goes Into a Portable Guardhouse?

So You Want To Learn About Guard Houses?

You want to understand the layout of a portable security guardhouse. 

It makes sense to have a guard house designed and built by a company that has 30+ years in business, designing and building these unique structures. Guardhouses have to fit the specific needs of the business or residential customer, while maintaining safety and security in a sturdy structure that is well suited for the environment. 

Size:  Into what type of business environment will the guard house be placed?  Will you need one small guardhouse, one larger guardhouse or perhaps two smaller guard houses?  Even if only one small guard house is needed, the layout is still important, which is the next topic.

Layout:  As seen in the “Sample Layout” illustration, the way a guard building is laid out is vital.  You may already know exactly how you want your guard building designed and laid out.  You may have questions about design or you may change your mind and decide you do or do not want countertops, certain electrical or a restroom included, which is the next topic.

Restroom:  Is the guardhouse the correct size to include a restroom?  A restroom in a guardhouse has its own specs as well as plumbing needs to be met outside the structure’s walls at the commercial location.  Many factors come into play when considering the design of a guard booth and whether or not to include a restroom. Will the guardhouse be used as more of a ticket booth that requires specific HVAC (heating and air) requirements in order to keep the interior comfortable for its occupant(s)?  The next topic will consider HVAC and electrical.

Electrical:  What type of HVAC will be necessary in your guard house?  Will you need special electrical for security measures such as monitors, computers, drivers, servers, audio equipment and more?  These types of electrical items in a guardhouse must be kept at certain temperatures to maintain reliable performance this topic may be a consideration for you.  There is also the fact that a person or people will likely be occupying the guard house or guardbooth during its use and therefore a temperature-controlled environment and certain electrical setups will help add to the comfort level as well.

Where can you see more guardhouses?  See more guardhouses here. 

Where can you get in touch with us about guardhouses?  Get in touch with us about guardhouses here.

Guardhouse Definition – What CanYou Learn?

What Is A Guardhouse?

dictionary.com defines guardhouse as:

noun:

1. a building used for housing military personnel on guard duty.

2. a building used for the temporary detention of military prisoners.

Guardhouse

The definition of the word may not be the way that you and I would use the word today. When we use the word guardhouse, we would probably use it differently than it is defined online based on the history of the word. We probably think of a guardhouse as a protective security building for safety personnel or a building like a guardshack for a security guard.

A guardhouse, according to the definitions above, makes us think that this station would be a military one. There would be military guards and the guardhouse would be a place of temporary detention for prisoners. This place would likely be a hostile environment and it would probably not smell good, feel comfortable or have good language while a person was being housed here. Imagine if you were being held temporarily in a guardhouse back in these times, perhaps during the 1400’s-1800’s.  I personally relate to the contemporary example where security personnel is mentioned. When I think of a guardhouse, I think particularly of security personnel, although maybe not anxious security personnel.

Contemporary Examples

“Leon stopped at the guardhouse, which was crawling with prison guards and anxious security personnel.” John Grisham's First Short Story: Part Two John Grisham October 25, 2009

Historical Examples:

“I like to smoke a cigar, but a lady who smells like a guardhouse isn't at all agreeable.” San-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little Streams Charles Paul de Kock 

“Thus, by forcing their way into the guardhouse, the friars, brought him into the city.” The Phillippine Islands, 1498-1898 Various

Interestingly, the British Dictionary definition for guardhouse also has a military background for the word and again we find it similarly defined:(military) a building serving as the headquarters or a post for military police and in which military prisoners are detained.

Either way, the word guardhouse has an interesting definition, giving a unique feel to the word. Guardhouse is used alongside words such as, “crawling with prison guards”; “military personnel” and “smells like”. These descriptive words help us to get a feel for the beginnings of a word and how it must have felt to have been housed by guards in a temporary, military establishment.

Today we do not necessarily think of a guardhouse the same way as the way the word was used around the time of its establishment within our language. Although guardhouses are used in military settings, they are rarely used the same way they would have been used by definition so long ago in the stories we read about. A guardhouse now has a place of security and safety for control personnel. Check-in staff can sit in comfortable surroundings with air conditioning and heat, year-round. Electrical wiring and telephone hookup allows for multiple ports providing charging stations for communication, internet access and even break rooms and restrooms so that the post can be maintained without departure. 

Gatehouse

When we search a different word than guardhouse, we see yet a different outcome. Although the word guardhouse brought up a definition that was more military in nature, the word gatehouse “has been used for various purposes, for a chapel, for a prison, for a brewery”. Notice that the word gatehouse is used to describe an area around a moat or mansion. This gives us more of the feeling of perhaps an ancient castle or a location for someone of wealth and great importance. The gatehouse definition sounds like a completely different job description than that of the guardhouse position.

Notice the British Dictionary definitions: (noun)

1. a building above or beside an entrance gate to a city, university, etc, often housing a porter or guard, or (formerly) used as a fortification

2. a small house at the entrance to the grounds of a country mansion

3. a structure that houses the controls operating lock gates or dam sluices

The definition brings to mind perhaps a more laid back type of lifestyle for the gatehouse personnel than the guardhouse personnel. Maybe sprawling hills and a manor, or an estate with winding hills, perhaps a castle with a moat. Any of these lovely locations could have had a gatehouse with a gatekeeper as a staff member. Whereas the guardhouse would have likely housed a staff with military personnel and the surroundings would not have been, should we say, ideal for those involved. A modern definition of a gatehouse might be a security staff member who is at the locked gate and checks in people who visit important government locations, high security positions with locked gates, universities, gated communities, tourist attractions, border crossings and any number of gated locations.

Conclusion – What Did You Learn?

Between a guardhouse and a gatehouse, what is the difference? Which word would you use to describe the structure used most often in the applications that you see in today’s society? What do you learn?

What I learned is that the way people define a word has something to do with the past and the present. We can and do use words in society somewhat based on the way they were used in the past. Words are most often used in a way that they fit into our everyday speech in today’s society. A word can be shaped to take on a somewhat new meaning and then language adapts to that definition rather than the opposite being true. People do not seem to want to adapt to the definition of a word; people would rather make a word fit into their definition. It is interesting to learn more about the definition and background of words such as guardhouse and gatehouse and their origins.

Cited Sources:

guardhouse. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved March 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/guardhouse

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.guardhouse. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/guardhouse (accessed: March 9, 2017).

"guardhouse". Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 9 Mar. 2017.  

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/guardhouse>.

gatehouse. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved March 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/gatehouse

Modular scale houses - 50 % faster than traditional buildings

What Is The Importance Of A Prefab Building?

When a business is under construction, people can get displaced for different reasons. People still need accommodation, meal preparation and service area, restrooms, a place to have business meetings, etc. Constructing multiple rooms for these purposes may require a lot of investment, plus these brick-and-mortar buildings go useless when no longer needed. However, investing in a prefab building or modular scale house is the right choice to make when you need temporary buildings at the constriction site.

One of the most common observations that has been noticed about modular prefab buildings is that they allow you to complete the project up to 50% faster compared to regular on-site construction. This will not just save your investments, but also your time and efforts that would be otherwise spent on the brick-and-mortar construction. The prime reason behind faster completion of the modular scales houses during construction is that they are manufactured within a controlled environment, using the best materials and technology available, then delivered to your job location, making it faster to construct a lasting site office without any brick or mortar at all.

Does the speed affect quality?

One of the most common misconceptions about the modular scale houses is that since they are constructed 50% faster than the traditional buildings, then their quality is often compromised over the brick-and-mortar buildings. However, this is not true at all. In fact, the scale houses are more effective and quality-focused than the traditional buildings.

Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. uses highly advanced and reliable materials to complete the construction process as the construction is done by the companies that are accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates for production of modular buildings. This means that the manufacturing companies are required to use only the premium quality materials and follow the local building codes and regulations while creating the scale houses for construction businesses.

Apart from this, the manufacturing companies also ensure running multiple quality assurance tests to be double sure that the quality of their buildings is just as expected by clients. And when you want to move to another place, you can simply transport the fully built scale houses and then install at the new job location without the assistance of an expert.

Additional Features Can be Added!

If you have some specific guidelines or requirements about the scale houses for your construction site, you can share them with Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. so you get exactly what you are expecting and need for your business needs. You can call us and speak to a real and experienced person; you can visit our website and chat live if you choose as well. For example, if your construction site is located in a hot place, you may opt for climate control facility so your team is able to enjoy their time inside the scale houses, regardless to the climate outside. You may also get the attached restroom and many other facilities with the scale house, making them even comfortable and keeping your employees on the job.

So, when you feel the need for an on-site office at construction site, make sure to not waste your investments and money in the brick-and-mortar buildings. Go with the modular scale houses that are customizable, adorable and can be completed 30 – 50% faster.

Secure, Comfortable and Portable Ticket Booths

Secure, Comfortable and Portable Ticket Booths

Ticket booths need to offer security and comfort for the occupants while they are on the job. Whether you operate an event management business that is involved in entertaining people with tickets or you run a parking lot where people visit to park their vehicle for a fee, you could benefit from a secure ticket booth. The importance of a ticket book is something you would appreciate because they offer security, comfort and complete portability for the prime source of your revenue.

When you sell tickets to target audiences, the ticket booth should be spacious enough to let you enjoy working in a comfortable environment. You could have an electrical panel that allows you a nice way to heat and cool the occupants of your ticket booth. A panel also provides you with enough amperage to allow for security cameras, flood lights or safety lightings and a refrigeration unit if you need it for your business.

Some options for a comfortable and secure ticket booth include: restroom built in, higher amperage breaker panel for refrigeration or cooking units, extra counter space, as well as extra security features including bullet-resistant glass, bullet-proof glass, reinforced doors, advanced lock choices and more.

The ticket booths can be a nice place to work, with a safe structure and comfort inside. An even better aspect of these booths is that they are built all as one solid unit and are completely portable. If you want to set up your booth at a location and move it again – it can be done.*

If you are planning to install the ticket booth outside a specific building and want it to complement the appearance of your current building, then you can shop for many styles and colors on our site. You can see inside these structures, see sizes and available options. While shopping online, make sure to share your unique requirements with the personal service provider so you get exactly what you are looking for.

At Georgia Portable Buildings, with 30 years in business, we are the industry leader in offering a wide range of premium quality pre-fabricated security buildings and ticket booths that are designed according to modern business requirements, so that work in a ticket booth is secure and comfortable.

*Moving a building of this type would require heavy duty equipment; Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. delivers to the areas noted on our website. Contact a representative directly for information regarding how to move a portable ticket booth.

FEATURES of Sample Layout

• 1 - 100 Amp Panel stubbed through side wall
• 4 - 110 volt duplex receptacles
• 1 - Phone jack
• 1 - 4′ fluorescent with switch
• 1 - Exh. fan & light with switch in bathroom
• 1 - Commode
• 1 - Sink
• 1 - Counter
• 1 - 36”x80” Door half glass
• 1 - Interior door for bathroom
• 1 - HVAC unit

The "Must Have" Items for Every Security Team

What Does Your  Security Team Need?

A fully operational and trained team of professional security guards is very important to keep a workplace secure from unwanted incidents or threats of crime. This is the reason that the demand for a security guard house is increasing each day. More and more businesses are installing these highly efficient and comfortable guard booths and security stations both inside and outside their establishment.

How Do I Ensure Security?

While hiring a team of professional security guards is a great choice, what’s more important is ensuring the best security services your business can have. We have prepared a list of the most essential things your security team would need.

Defense Equipment 

At some point of their duty, your security team is likely to come across people with whom they would need to use force to control and hence using defense equipment helps them defend themselves. This equipment may include pepper spray, batons, stun guns, shields or guns.

Security Clothing 

Another great thing you can provide to the security team is the right clothing that may include a bullet-proof vest, high-visibility jacket, etc. These clothing items help the security team stay prepared for the difficult encounters that they may face during their time on duty.

Two-way Radio

Providing a two-way radio is a right choice for effective communication between the team and the organization. Make sure it is of high quality and from a genuine company. This will work well in the use of a security guard house equipped with charging outlets for radios.

Belts and Flashlights

Because security guards need to work even during the night, it is beneficial to provide them flash lights that can be easily carried with a specially designed belt. Belts can easily provide clips or spaces to hold other useful safety and security items to keep the hands of a guard free and allow quick access when necessary.

If you are serious about the security and safety of your workplace and grounds and want to provide a protected working environment for the team, make sure to have a security guard house installed within, around or outside the property, depending upon the space and your customized requirements. Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. is a leader in delivering quality modular guard houses and prefab security booths across the country. 

Top Places Where Using Portable Security Guards Is Vital

Who uses a guardhouse?

As your business grows, this increases the chances of security threats. These security threats grow even more when your business falls under the category of some critical industries. Hence, using portable security guard booths is the right choice anyone can take to keep the business location safe and let the team feel secure whenever at work.

These guard booths can be easily installed at the stop-and-check points so that only authorized people and materials are allowed in and out. These guard shacks also provide increased safety and security for the benefit of the entire location.

One of the greatest benefits of the portable guard houses is that they can be easily installed with a forklift. And because they are pre-fabricated, there is no construction mess, noise or added time delay. These booths come in a wide range of sizes plus they are designed with various features and amenities. And they can be easily customized according to your particular business needs.

Parking Services – The companies that are dedicated at offering free or paid parking services can use these control booths for attendants who oversee daily activity in a garage or parking facility.

Manufacturing Companies – There can be a need for 24/7 surveillance, as some materials required for manufacturing are quite sensitive for certain industries. It is especially beneficial for companies dealing with sensitive products such as electronics, chemicals, and firearms.

Government Facilities – There is always a need to provide additional security to the government professionals, hence it is important to install the portable security guard booths at entrances at government locations, including military bases.

Big Businesses – There may be multiple security threats for big businesses where hundreds of people may be working. It is important for the businesses to take care of their teams by using round-the-clock surveillance by a security team with the help of a guard booth.

So now you can see the multiple benefits of a guard house for businesses within the facility. We at Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. understand this and bring to you a wide range of portable security guard booths to help provide better security to the teams and their workplace.

The Importance of the Portable Guard House During Emergency Notifications

Are You Ready For An Emergency?

What is the importance of a portable guard house in an emergency?

An expert first responder may be able to clearly define the importance of seconds and minutes during emergency situations when many lives are at stake. Even the delay of a second may lead to saving lives. And the importance of a portable guard house can’t be underestimated during emergency situations for your security team. Since not every building can be fitted as a company’s security center, the portable guard house serves as great safety source for the business as well as residential establishment.

Some emergency situations we would never think of encountering years ago are now more and more common. The term “terrorism” has been heard and used all too often nowadays. Emergency notifications of all kinds are standard in the workplace and the best thing to do is to be prepared instead of ill-equipped.

Of course, you can plan on the police being available to help you in distress, but the reality is that many emergency situations happen too quickly and you have no time to wait for the rescue team. Having a garrison of security such as a portable guard house as a prime location for safety is vital in times of distress.

According to the statistics, most situations that require law enforcement involvement are over before police can arrive. In such situations, the involvement of a security team is simply appreciable but proper planning is common sense in nature. It makes sense from a business standpoint to invest in a portable guard house to ensure the timely availability of the rescue team, hired by you, whenever required.

The guard house must be prepared using premium quality material so the security teams feel comfortable during almost every weather condition and should be set up in the most effective location so your security team can reach you as soon as possible during the unwanted situations.

This is not to mention that technology also plays a key role in saving lives, so the portable guard house must be equipped with current security equipment like CCTV cameras to allow your security team a glance at what’s happening at all times around your property so that they are able to take action during such events.

If you are looking for the best manufacturing unit for a portable guard house, Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. is the trustworthy choice. Find your custom-built guard house that comes equipped with modern features so your team feels comfortable and safe no matter what situation arises.

Top Places Where Using Portable Security Guards Is a Must

Top Places Where Using Portable Security Guards Is a Must

As your business grows, this increases the chances of security threats. These security threats grow even more when your business falls under the category of some critical industries. Hence, using portable security guard booths is the right choice anyone can make to keep the business location safe and let the team feel secure whenever at work.

These guard booths can be easily installed at the stop-and-check points so that only authorized people and materials are allowed in and out. These guard shacks also provide increased safety and security for the benefit of the entire location.

One of the greatest benefits of the portable guard houses is that they can be easily installed with a forklift. And because they are pre-fabricated, there is no construction mess, noise or added time delay. These booths come in a wide range of sizes plus they are designed with various features and amenities. And they can be easily customized according to your particular business needs.

Parking Services – The companies that are dedicated at offering free or paid parking services can use these control booths for attendants who oversee daily activity in a garage or parking facility.

Manufacturing Companies – There can be a need for 24/7 surveillance, as some materials required for manufacturing are quite sensitive for certain industries. It is especially beneficial for companies dealing with sensitive products such as electronics, chemicals, and firearms.

Government Facilities – There is always a need to provide additional security to the government professionals, hence it is important to install the portable security guard booths at entrances at government locations, including military bases.

Big Businesses – There may be multiple security threats for big businesses where hundreds of people may be working. It is important for the businesses to take care of their teams by using round-the-clock surveillance by a security team with the help of a guard booth.

So now you can see the multiple benefits of a guard house for businesses within the facility. We at Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc. understand this and bring to you a wide range of portable security guard booths to help provide better security to the teams and their workplace.

Find out how to purchase a guardhouse online now!

Guard House Design From Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc.

A Description of Guardhouse Construction Details From Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc.

This is how our prefab portable guard buildings are made...

Roof: The 4x6 guard shack roof consists of galvanized steel rolled roofing over 7/16" roof decking for long lasting durability. Standard units come with a 3" overhang on all four sides. In addition, extended eave options and no eave is available if you are space is limited.

Floor: Strong and robust, our guard shack floors are made with premium osb flooring over pressure treated floor joists. The floor is insulated and covered with tough vinyl flooring. Under the guard shack you will find pressure treated, permanently mounted skids for easy transport. C-channel forklift pockets are standard on the smaller guard booths and enable stress-free portability.

Guard House Service Area

Siding: Walls consisting of interior vinyl clad gypsum, OSB sheathing, and aluminum exterior makes for a dent resistant and maintenance free finish. Customers can choose from a variety of attractive colors for siding and trim.

Availability: Typically we keep this 4x6 guard shack size in stock with a standard layout and neutral color. These are ready to ship within a few days depending on weather. Call to check for current stock availability. Custom built guard shacks take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete. We can ship anywhere in the Eastern and Central U.S.

Any security staff needs an air-conditioned and protected enclosed shelter to do their job, while remaining safe from outdoor elements and secure from threats. Safety workers provide safety and security but they also need to be protected themselves. We provide competitively priced, securely built, customizable guard buildings in a timely manner, delivered with a warranty.

Security buildings can be customized with many different options and layouts. We will work with you to design a booth that will best fit your individual needs. Some of our standard options include interior counters which can facilitate monitoring within your company or site. HVAC units, outlets, and interior lighting are also among the standard options included in our structures. Separated efficient heating and cooling systems are available for northern states. Exterior options such as floodlights, strobe lights, or GFCI receptacles are also popular. Some companies are in a situation where they need an ADA compliant restroom. We can frame in a partition wall with door that will meet your specifications so you can have ADA compliant bathroom fixtures installed by a local plumbing contractor. 

Let us assist you in designing both a functional and cost efficient building. We can meet your requirements for multiple personnel and more. Contact us and ask any questions you may have; you will speak with a person from a company with 30 years in the business of portable storage (and more) buildings.

Various Types of Guard House Materials

What Are Guardhouses Like?

Planning to buy a guard house to protect your commercial or residential property from any kind of unwanted threat means that you want to have the best options available on the market in order to make the proper investment for you. The guard house materials can make the most important difference in determining the overall cost of the building. Customizations come next on your secure building so you have a solid structure that you can always count on.

When getting into the consideration of the purchase of a guard house for your property’s safety, it’s good to note the following guard house materials:

Metal Structure Guard House

Metal guard houses have been used by global businesses and residential properties to protect their facilities for decades. A metal guard house structure is very popular due to its rugged capacity on the job site. The interior has 4” square metal for the support of the structure; the ceiling as well as the wall studs are metal, forming a very sturdy structure.

Wood Structure Guard House

A wood structure interior can be chosen as a security guard building and is just as popular as metal. The wood used is 2x4 pressure-treated wall studs on 16” centers as well as 2x4’s for the ceiling.

This type of security structure is very stable and has a wind rating of 110 miles per hour. The warranty on the exterior of the structure is 30 years against rust or corrosion. The floor design is ¾” pressure-treated plywood with 2x6 pressure-treated skids.

Guard house customization materials are wide and varied and include: doors, windows, electrical, hvac (heating and air-conditioning), insulation, safety glass, bullet-resistant glass, bullet-proof glass, safety bars, cabinetry, restrooms, floor choices, handicapped and disabled access items, ceiling choices and much more. A customized, comfortable guard house can make your commercial or residential property very comfortable while providing a safe and secure place to protect your entire environment from any harm or hazard.

Shopping For A Guard House

When shopping for or buying guard houses, it is essential to understand the types of guard house materials so you are able to make the right choice. At Georgia Portable Buildings, Inc., we have been delivering a wide range of guard houses to clients with premium quality materials for 30 years. We are aimed to help keep your security guard teams comfortable and consistent on the job. Speak personally to a representative.