16 Dec 2009

Harrods uses barriers from APT Security Systems
Harrods controls traffic to its delivery bays and valet car park using barriers from APT Security Systems
Harrods, the luxury London store, is controlling traffic to its delivery bays and valet car park using a number of barriers from APT Security Systems' new Executive range.

Customised in Harrods green, the bespoke access control has been installed at the valet car park in Brompton Place and the delivery bays in Trevor Square and Knightsbridge Court, to manage the flow of traffic and ease access for the 100s of deliveries every day.

William Roberts, Security Coordinator for Harrods explains that his previous experience with APT led to the contract being awarded again: "We have been using APT barriers at our car park at Knightsbridge Crown Court for many years and the equipment has worked faultlessly. The engineers, should we need them, always attend site promptly and fix any glitches swiftly."

APT design and install teams always work with the customer to find the best solution and this project proved no different: "Initially the design for the delivery bays included one barrier to cover the entrance and exit," William says, "but it was proving difficult for tall lorries to pass when just one barrier was raised. APT and Harrods Security came up with a solution that overcame existing concerns, whilst allowing the safe passage of vehicles and unloading of wheeled cages."

The design includes curtains, to give greater visibility and stop pedestrians, and lights to ensure visibility in low light.

The new Executive Barriers are ideally suited to sites with high traffic flow, with a strong barrier arm providing greater security control. The robust design and the advanced technology of the motion control mechanism protects components from the stress of high-speed operation, ensuring long-lasting reliability.

The new Executive Barriers from APT Security
APT design and install teams always work with the customer to find the best solution

Various models are available, with arm lengths of up to eight metres. The barriers can be tailored to include rigid curtains that attach seamlessly to the main barrier arm, stop discs, and sensing technology to prevent the barrier from causing damage to people or vehicles. A choice of controllers is available to suit all remote control devices, or integrate with ticket dispenser and coin payment units.

Each barrier can be provided in a style and colour scheme to meet individual requirements, finished in APT's own production facility in Harrow.

Harrods has over one million square feet (90,000 m2) of selling space in over 330 departments, making it one of the largest department stores in the world. Harrods was established in 1834 in London's East End, when founder Charles Henry Harrod set up a wholesale grocery in Stepney, with a special interest in tea. In 1849, to escape the filth of the inner city and to capitalise on trade to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in nearby Hyde Park, Harrod took over a small shop in the district of Knightsbridge, on the site of the current store.