What keyholding means
A professional keyholding service allows a security provider to hold controlled access to your premises and attend when an alarm activates, an emergency requires entry or an agreed opening or closing task needs to be completed.
The practical benefit is simple: owners and staff do not have to put themselves at risk by attending an uncertain situation during the night or outside normal hours.
What the response can include
The exact arrangement should be agreed with the client, but Open Eyed's original service description included the following.
- Secure key storage and controlled access
- Alarm response and mobile attendance
- Locking and unlocking services
- Emergency call outs
- Incident handling and written reporting
Useful for more than one type of site
Keyholding can suit offices, retail units, warehouses, schools, construction sites, venues and businesses operating across more than one location. The important part is having clear instructions for what the responder should do when they arrive.
That can include checking for forced entry, liaising with emergency services, contacting an agreed manager and arranging temporary security if the premises cannot immediately be made secure.