Top 6 Things to Know About Community Mailboxes

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Kenton Brothers has a long standing partnership with another Midwestern company in Manhattan, Kansas: Florence Corporation. Florence Corporation makes commercial postal boxes of all shapes and sizes. Selecting the right centralized mailbox model might feel like a drain when you’re trying to get a project done on time. Postal mailbox applications can be a process (and headache) for busy professionals. But a centralized mailbox system is a necessity that will be used by residents every day, so it’s important that design and construction professionals give it appropriate consideration to find the right solution for their customers.

Here are some guidelines to help you decide what type of centralized mailbox solution is needed for your project.

1. You’ll need to meet United States Postal Service (USPS) standards for mail delivery.

The USPS Sets Standards for Mail DeliveryThe USPS is responsible for establishing a method of delivery for all new residential developments. So it’s imperative to choose a USPS compliant mailbox system. The USPS has provided extensive guidelines for builders and developers when it comes to requirements for centralized mailbox selection and installation — it covers everything from safety codes to mail carrier accessibility.

Centralized mail delivery is required for any new residential and commercial development. While some residential communities still use curbside mailboxes, “centralized delivery is our preferred method of mail delivery,” according to the USPS. “Centralized delivery equipment improves delivery efficiency and provides space for large mail items, including packages, which is a great benefit for the customer.”

2. Think about how the model will fit into your design.

Centralized mailbox systems can be mounted on pedestals, in free-standing kiosks or installed in (or on) a wall. The different mailbox models offer developers design solution alternatives.

Residential developments have their own design standards and style. The mailbox system you choose should help to enhance that design aesthetic and keep that style consistent throughout the property.

3. Plan your mailbox installation before you choose equipment.

Florence Corporation MailboxesDetails can sometimes get overlooked, so plan the design and installation of your centralized mailbox system in a way that fits in with the community layout to provide convenient “flow” for residents, mail carriers and property management staff.

Mailboxes might not be the biggest priority on a developer’s checklist, but pre-construction planning for your centralized mailbox is a crucial step. If the mailbox units and installation plan don’t meet local requirements for mail delivery and safety or accessibility codes, this will create project delays and potential costs down the line.

NOTE: The USPS approves both STD-4C mailboxes and cluster box units (CBU) for multifamily communities and single-family neighborhoods using outdoor installations. The 4C mailbox systems offer more custom configuration and parcel locker options for developers and property owners if standard CBU mailboxes aren’t sufficient.

4. Is the space accessible to both mail carriers and residents?

Make sure there is a clear path for mail carriers and residents, and provide a walkway if necessary.  There should also be a five-foot diameter turn-around space in front of the mailboxes to meet accessibility requirements.

It is important to contact the local USPS office early in your project to discuss the location for the centralized mailbox systems for your new development. “Cluster boxes must be safely located so that customers are not required to travel an unreasonable distance to obtain their mail and so there is sufficient access to mailbox locations with adequate space for carriers to deliver and customers to retrieve the mail,” recommends the USPS. A centralized mailbox unit is usually within one block of residences.

5. Think about safety measures for resident packages.

Florence Corporation MailboxesKeeping all mail and packages secure (and protected from weather damage) is key.

The designer and developer will need to ensure that a mailbox system provides enough space for packages to be delivered for all residents. Alternate configurations using STD 4C mailboxes allow add-ons like parcel lockers that give designers more solutions for package delivery in a common mailroom when more package space is needed.

If an outdoor community mailroom is in the design, stand-alone Outdoor Parcel Lockers (OPL) matching the Cluster Box Units are an easy alternative to add more shared, secure package delivery space.

6. Think through how the mailbox units will be identified.

It’s highly recommended to use sequential numbering identification, as opposed to mailbox IDs that match residents’ apartment or house numbers. This gives property managers more flexibility for assigning mailbox compartments and gives residents more security and privacy.

Let Kenton Brothers’ mailbox specialists answer your questions and assist you in the process!

Call or email Kristal at 816-888- 5868 or email her at kristalb@kentonbrothers.com.

Hands-Free Door Hardware and MORE to Protect Your People, Property and Possessions

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Did you know that 80% of germs are spread with your hands? Kenton Brothers Systems for Security offers several types of door hardware that can aid in the prevention of spreading germs and infectious diseases.

Arm and Foot Pulls

Arm and foot pulls are quick, easy and cost-effective solutions to open a door without touching a handle or lever with your hands. This type of hardware is attached to the door and can be used by pulling with your foot, arm or elbow. We offer a variety of options including stainless steel base material, copper anti-microbial material, anti-microbial coating over stainless steel, and multiple finishes. These types of products are perfect in areas such as restrooms, commercial buildings, restaurants, grocery stores, churches, event spaces and healthcare facilities.

Kenton Brothers Hands-Free Security Options Kenton Brothers Hands-Free Security Options

“Healthy” Hardware Options

The door handle of a public facility can be touched by people several thousand times a day. That’s thousands of opportunities to transfer bacteria and infectious diseases. In hospitals alone, there are over 103,000 Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) reported every year! On openings where pushing or pulling a mechanical door handle or lever is necessary, we offer health conscious bactericidal and/or anti-microbial hardware.

Some of the benefits of this hardware include:

  • Kills 99.9% of bacteria in 2 hours.
  • Not a coating and won’t wear off! Will continue to kill bacteria for the lifetime of the product.
  • Looks like stainless steel to match other hardware products.
  • Wide range of hardware and touch surfaces available.

Kenton Brothers Hands-Free Security Options Kenton Brothers Hands-Free Security Options

“Hands-Free” Access Control Technology – Empower your phone to be your credential

Another option becoming popular is “hands-free” access control technology. We offer products that use cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth technologies to create hands-free credentials. These allow you to walk up to a secured opening with your mobile credential and gain entry without needing to take your smartphone out of your pocket or your bag.

Kenton Brothers Hands-Free Security Options

For more information about these hands-free security options, please give us a call. We would be happy to walk you through these options to find your perfect solution!

Commercial Security and Video Surveillance Project in New Mexico… with a rare find!

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By Neal Bellamy, IT Director at Kenton Brothers.

In July, we were tasked with converting several banks in New Mexico to new security and video system. No two branches were alike. Some had analog video, some had digital, sometimes there was a Honeywell panel, sometimes DSC, sometimes no panel at all. And just like any road trip, it can’t be perfectly smooth, there have to be some bumps.

Our two adventurers this time were Terry McCurdy and Ryan Holtshaus.

New Mexico ProjectThey loaded up the van and began their merry journey just after the fourth of July weekend. In the end, they converted seven branches to Honeywell intrusion panels and Milestone Video management, but it’s the stuff in the middle that makes it the best.

At some point in the trip, they needed some more BNC connectors. Even though the guys had left “loaded for bear”, they had used up all of their supply of those connectors and needed more. For those of you who don’t know… BNC connectors have kind of gone the way of the dodo bird. They used to be everywhere, but now they are much harder to find in a store.

In Kansas City, I can only think of 2-3 places where we can get BNC connectors. In Santa Fe, there’s only one.

A-1 Communications to the rescue!

A-1 Communications in New MexicoTerry said the store was really cool. It was full of modern-day electronics like you would expect, but what made it cool was the older electronics. One such piece of art was a tube tester that the owner had created. It‘s amazing to me how much skill was required to make electronics years ago.

When Terry was done with his purchase, the man behind the counter said, “Let me put those in a bag for you.” After he was done, he asked, “Do you know why I put them in a bag for you?” Of course, Terry didn’t know. The man said, “So when you lose them, you lose all of them and have to come back.” Ha! How’s that for truth in advertisement?

When you’re out of town, you have to enjoy the local treats.

The guys had dinner at the Church Street Café. This establishment was owned as a home for 400 years and then turned into a restaurant. The restaurant has some amazing southwestern features and great food. (The guys give it two-thumbs up.)

Overall, it was a long two weeks, but the customer was thrilled with the success of the project. They commented to me after it was all done that they were impressed with Terry and Ryan’s tenacity and creativity towards creating solutions. It was great to hear that… that’s why we’re here. To solve the customer’s problems and have some adventures along the way. Here’s to the next time, we’re on the road!

Church Street Café

Hospital & Healthcare Security Systems: A Healthy Approach to Security & Beyond

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Medical Security Solutions

Healthcare security systems involve far more than basic security products. These systems, when integrated with logical, comprehensive solutions and technology, keep a hospital or facility’s people and assets safe. When everything is secure, a hospital can confidently move forward in achieving its real mission: providing patients the best possible care in the safest environment possible.

Security as a Means to Protect Patients and Staff

Unified Access Control

Unified access control allows you to assign levels of facility and area access based on staff function. Paired with video surveillance, it allows for active medical facility monitoring and recording activity, as well as global and departmental lockdown capabilities. Integrating access control and video provides centralized control for easy administration and management.

IP Video Surveillance

Take advantage of your existing network by connecting IP video surveillance to it. Strategic installation offers a clear view of patients and facilities. Surveillance signage can deter unsafe and would-be criminal acts. Captured images can be used as evidence and to identify individuals.

Staff Security & Protection

Staff’s badges can be equipped with wireless call functionality. Paired with wall-mounted devices, staff can discreetly summon help over your wireless network or current Wi-Fi. With an active-RFID, RTLS badge, staff members press or pull it when they need assistance or are facing a threatening situation. RFID technology detects their specific location, so responders can arrive quickly.

Intrusion Detection Systems

Your healthcare facility’s needs and layout determine recommendations for the latest options in intrusion detection. Many options, ranging from minimum to maximum solutions, are available to fit staff and patient needs.

Emergency Notification Devices

Quickly and concisely guide people out of harm’s way whether they’re inside your hospital or on the grounds or parking areas. Incidents are triggered via buttons, consoles, panels and inputs. Designate notification channels. Then, provide emergency directions through communication systems, such as media displays, phone, text, PA systems and more.

Wandering, Elopement and Fall Detection

Track patients or residents with technology features that give them a better quality of care, give families and staff peace of mind, and allow your operations to flow more smoothly. Once sensors and tags are in place and the detection system is deployed, users receive an alert and quickly respond if someone wanders, strays or falls to improve care and minimize risk.

Infant Protection

Protect your most vulnerable patients and give staff and new parents peace of mind. Through comfortable tags with tamper alarms and integration with infrastructure, such as access control systems, door locking systems and security cameras, staff can protect infants and focus on their care.

Security as a Means to Create the Safest Healthcare Environment Possible

Asset & Equipment Management

Mark mobile medical equipment with asset tags, which seamlessly communicate with existing systems to provide exact location and condition. In addition to controlling inventory, medical staff can quickly locate then access critical medical equipment, speeding up workflow and delivering better overall patient care.

Environmental Monitoring

Meet compliance standards and prevent product loss with environmental monitoring. Record and track temperature and condition data of mission-critical medicines, vaccines, blood and lab samples to ensure all are safe and ready for patient use. Save time and money by eliminating the need for manual reporting and recording data remotely.

Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI)

Prevent terrorists from obtaining materials that can be used in radiological attacks by implementing security requirements established in the GTRI framework of convert, remove and protect. Hospitals support the initiative with remote monitoring, access control systems, alerting local law enforcement of an event, disposing properly of unused radiological and nuclear materials, and protecting radiology and nuclear medicine equipment still in use.

When it comes to hospital security systems, there are many factors to consider – from the type and size of your facility and the type of medical inventory to the people who work and visit there every day. The goal is to secure people and assets from every imaginable internal and external threat. Yet, unless regulations, your equipment or your surrounding community dictates it, you want your hospital secure, yet a welcoming space where your staff can carry out your true mission, caring for patients in a safe environment.

Schedule your hospital security systems consultation by calling us at 816-842-3700.

The Kenton Brothers Retail Counter [Video]

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By Ryan Kaullen

Kenton Brothers can trace its customer service roots back to 1897. Our Retail Counter, customer-facing environment is at the forefront of service for our customers. Every day, our customers are coming in with various needs as a result of their businesses growing and evolving. That’s where the Kenton Brothers Retail Counter comes in. It’s a resource for their overall facilities physical security needs. Those needs come in the form of keying, part repairs, parts ordering, security needs, and knowledge database.

Our customers rely on the Retail Counter to be the gatekeepers for physical security at their facilities. Our internal database of records is guarded by checks and balances specifically outlined by our customers. Approvals must be followed every time. The Retail Counter staff works tirelessly to make sure requests are correctly followed and delivered on time.

Over the years, the Retail Counter has grown from a key shop to a full service solution for our customers.

The Retail Counter can help customers create and manage key systems, duplicate keys, re-key, order parts, repair parts and the list goes on. We welcome local walk-ins every day, but not all of our customers are local. We have customers across the country that rely on our knowledge and products to protect them. One day the Retail Counter Staff is cutting keys for a customer in Texas and the next they’re working with a customer in Arizona. We have thousands of key blanks and cylinders on hand, thousands of lines of in-stock product, as well as thousands more available through our vendors, and decades of experience to back it up.

From the entire Kenton Brothers staff, we invite you to allow Kenton Brothers and the Retail Counter Staff to help protect the people, property, possessions, you hold dear.