Strong winds and possibly a mini tornado ripped off the roof Tuesday at a self-storage facility in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The roof from Self Storage Taranaki was torn from the building around 9 a.m. It landed along an embankment overlooking a highway, partially blocked the lanes. Police blocked the road from traffic until the roof could be removed. 

A severe weather warning was issued for the region. The weather forecast calls for force winds up to 130 km per hour until midnight.

When marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Montegue noticed an old, tattered flag blowing in the wind at Atlas Self Storage in Twentynine Palms, Calif., he decided to use the symbol as a teaching moment for his young charges.

Montegue is the unit commander for the Young Marine Program at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. The group replaced the flag with a new one in an official colors ceremony April 16.

We wanted [the Young Marines] to understand that its not just a flag, its our country, Montegue said. Its a reputation and sacrifice that we respect by honoring our flag.

By David Essman

Your specific needs for a self-storage security system may vary compared to the needs of your competitor, but there are several items most facility operators will have in common. These include a perimeter fence, motorized gate, access-control keypads, individual door alarms and several security cameras, just to name a few. Your security system will be comprised of several, if not all, of these items to offer your customers and property the best protection possible.

There are several good reasons to provide security: protecting your investment, providing comfort to customers who entrust their belongings to your care, and the protection of your staff and tenants. Before you make that big investment, however, lets review the security options available.

The Access-Control System

The keypad access-control system, combined with your perimeter fence and motorized gate, could be considered the primary piece of your security system. This system permits customers who have a proper pass code to gain access inside the perimeter fence, and keeps those who dont out.

These systems, especially computer-based ones, are loaded with many other useful features catering to the self-storage business. Some can restrict access to all or a select group of customers to specific hours. For example, you may wish to limit most tenants to office or daylight hours while still permitting preferred customers 24-hour access. In addition, you can automatically implement special holiday hours.

Another nice feature available in several access-control systems is the ability to restrict customer access to certain areas on your property. For example, you might have several buildings on your property and want to limit a customers access to the main gate entrance and the building that contains his unit. To accomplish this, a modern access-control system can usually support 50 or more keypads. Elevator control is another system feature, which can restrict elevators and floors to tenants having space in those areas.

Lighting

Although not always one of the first things to come to mind, lighting can play an important role in the overall security of your investment. This holds especially true at locations offering 24-hour access. A well-lit storage business will be more of a deterrent compared to one poorly lit with many areas where a predator or vandal could lie in wait. Conversely, a well-lit property is inviting to tenants at night, as well as a great selling point in marketing your facility to customers.

Modern lighting for your investment is more efficient and economical than ever before. In addition to exterior lighting, consider automatic-lighting controls for indoor storage hallways. This system will automatically power up and down in specific areas of the buildings as tenants enter and exit your property through your security system.

Intercoms

Intercoms are a great complement to your security system. More operators are positioning intercoms and keypads throughout their self-storage properties. Its beneficial to the manager and tenants to have a means of communicating with one another. Whether your tenant is having trouble with a roll-up door or theres an emergency, intercoms with a few easy-to-read instructions placed throughout the business are a good selling point and safety measure.

Individual Door Alarms

The most expensive piece of securityand possibly the most beneficialis the individual door-alarm system. Its a worthwhile expense when it comes to protecting your facilitys reputation and your customers property. Individual door alarms will alert the manager as well as anyone else on the property of a door being opened without proper authorization. The person opening a door must have first entered the proper security code in the access system. If not, the system will sound sirens, and activate strobes, cameras, and even auto-dialers, if configured.

The individual door-alarm system consists of switches on each of the storage-unit doors, and electronics to relay the door status (open or closed) to the main security system controller, usually a computer in the office. Theres also software for the PC and cabling throughout the storage buildings.

The systems are really simple to incorporate into your facilitys construction, but do cost a little extra. Few operators regret this investment. Such a system will either keep you competitive or give you the edge in your market. In many markets, it can even bring you a higher rental income.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Another system that plays a popular role in self-storage security is the closed circuit television system (CCTV). A modern CCTV system usually consists of three main components: video cameras, a video monitor and a digital video recorder (DVR).

The DVR is obviously the video-recording device, but what you may not know is the modern-day DVR offers many new and exciting features that the video tape recorder of yesteryear didnt have. This includes the ability to record video from its cameras only when theres movement in camera view. This means you no longer have to record hundreds of hours of useless videoyou only record the good stuff.

Another advantage is your DVR records to a hard disk, not a videotape. If you wish to view recorded video from a certain day at a specific time, you can select that day and time on the DVRs menu. Another exciting feature available on many DVRs is the ability to view live or recorded video over the Internet from an offsite location.

Along with the DVR, todays video cameras record in much lower light conditions than ever before, in color, and the resolution is far superior than those of 10 or 15 years ago. The cost is always coming down, and quality video equipment is available on almost every street corner or the Internet. One note of caution: Be careful to avoid buying too cheap, or out of the trunk of a car.

Quality and Performance

Security for self-storage facilities has come a long way in the last few decades. Features, capabilities and costs have improved. There are many more sources for the equipment, as well as professionals to perform the installations than ever before. The more competition your suppliers have, the better pricing youll receive for their services and products.

Still, if you work too hard to find the very lowest price in town, you may inadvertently compromise on quality and performance. Speak with numerous suppliers, obtain pricing from each source and make the best educated decision you possibly can for your self-storage business.

David Essman is the director of marketing for Sentinel Systems Corp., a Lakewood, Colo., manufacturer of self-storage software and security systems since 1975. Mr. Essman has been with Sentinel since 1995. Prior to that, he worked extensively with computer-based products and electronics since 1983. To reach him, call 800.456.9955; e-mail essman@sentinelsystems.com ; visit www.sentinelsystems.com .

A potential sales tax on self-storage has once again been introduced to the legislature in North Carolina, and the national and North Carolina Self Storage Associations have jumped to combat the measure. If passed, Senate Bill 658, 21^st Century Tax Modernization Plan, would impose a sales tax on self-storage rentals in the state.

SB 658 was introduced on April 19 and referred to the House Standing Committee on Finance on April 20. Information about the bill can be viewed at www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=S658.

The NCSSA hopes to get as many of the states self-storage owners and operators as possible to visit their local representatives and discuss why self-storage should be taxed as real estate, not a service. The association is also aiming to raise $20,000 in 2011 to battle the tax.

SSA president and CEO Mike Scanlon sent a letter to the bills sponsor, Senator Daniel G. Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg), reminding him that the self-storage portion of the bill will be passed on to consumers, who may often be from low-income households (single parents, retirees, students, soldiers, small-business owners, etc.). Scanlon wrote it is arbitrary to include only one commercial real estate sector in the bill, and that self-storage already contributes real estate taxes. His letter ultimately urges the removal of self-storage and mini-storage from the tax proposal.

The threat of sales tax was previously faced by North Carolina self-storage operators in 2009, when senators contemplated new sources of tax revenue. In October of that year, the NCSSA met Representative William L. Wainwright to discuss the harmful impact of such a tax.

Highway 181 Mini Storage and Market in Fairhope, Ala., will host the fourth annual Swap Shop Spring Flea Market and Listener Appreciation Party for WABF 1220 AM on May 21. The facility is expecting approximately 1,000 attendees and more than 60 flea-market vendors.

The event will include a live broadcast by WABF as well as door prizes and live music from popular musicians. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. The Haven, a shelter for abused, neglected and homeless animals, will feature onsite adoptions. Admission is free.

Flea Market hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendor spaces start at $20 for individuals. Businesses can also be vendors or sponsors of the event.

The Swap Shop is a free personal advertising show where WABF listeners can call in to buy or sell items such as cars, boats, lawn equipment, furniture, appliances, antiques, and more. This program is used by thousands of residents throughout Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The show is broadcast from 9:05 to 10 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

A man was hospitalized on Sunday after crashing his car into the side of the Mini Max self-storage facility at 8891 North Florida Avenue in Tampa, Fla. According to ABC Action News and the Hillsborough Sheriffs Office, Robert Santiago, 29, lost control of his 2005 Lexus while exiting Interstate 275. He skidded through a red light and hit a set of train tracks, causing his vehicle to go airborne.

Santiago was taken to Tampa General Hospital, but his injuries were not fatal. The car was totaled, and the self-storage business suffered approximately $20,000 in damage.

Sovran Self Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT), will issue financial results for the quarter ending March 31, after the market closes on May 4. The company will hold a conference call to review financial results and discuss operations on May 5, at 9 a.m. ET.

To access the conference call, dial 877.407.8033 (domestic), or 201.689.8033 (international), at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. Management will accept questions from registered financial analysts after prepared remarks; all others are encouraged to listen to the call via webcast at www.unclebobs.com/company/investment/events.

The webcast will be archived for 90 days; a telephone replay will be available for 72 hours by calling 877.660.6853 and entering pass codes 286/369892.

Sovran Self Storage Inc. is a self-administered and self-managed equity REIT that acquires and manages self-storage facilities. The company operates 371 facilities in 24 states under the name Uncle Bob's Self Storage.

Convey-All Industries Inc., a manufacturer of conveyor systems for a wide range of industrial uses and owner of Winkler Mini Storage in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada, received the Award for Business Excellence at the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce 2011 P.W. Enns Business Awards.

The company is owned by Bob Toews. Since 1996, Convey-All has grown from 26 employees to nearly 200. The company also operates NuSteel Industries and is developing a line of outdoor wood furnaces.

The annual P. W. Enns Business Achievement Awards are designed to raise the profile of the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce within the community and its membership, and celebrate the accomplishments of its members.

Nominees are evaluated on business achievement and growth, employment growth, contribution to the industry and community, overall positive impact on community through spirit, drive and vision, and volunteer service and leadership. The awards are presented to the winners at the chambers annual banquet.

White Oak Storage in Jacksonville, N.C., spent much of last week cleaning up after dozens of tornadoes ripped through the state and caused damage.

The April 16 tornado ripped off the roof and destroyed the buildings at the self-storage facility, owned by Crawford Collins.

White Oak Self Storage, located on Piney Green Road, has 48 units. Several people from the community volunteered to help Collins clean up the business. The business remained closed during the cleanup.

North Carolina experienced at least 28 tornadoes April 16, according to news reports. At least 21 people died and more than 100 were injured, along with damage to hundreds of homes and businesses.