Parking Booth

Parking booths are used in many situations. When an architect, engineer or owner has determined the need for a new or replacement parking booth for their location, several factors for the new parking booth need to be factored in. First of all, what sort of location is it? Is it a traditional open type surface parking lot? Or is it a parking deck or ramp? Perhaps the parking booth is going to be part of an exit plaza at a large transit or port facility such as an airport. Alternately, the parking booth could be intended to be a point of collection at the entrance to a park or other tourist attraction where a fixed price fee is to be collected. Or maybe the parking booth is going to be a valet station at a hospital, hotel or casino. These are but a few of the applications for a parking booth or portable steel building and new uses for these booths are being set up weekly, as the economy finally starts to grow again.



The reasons to install a parking booth are basic: Provide personnel with protection from the elements and provide security. Peace of mind for employees, keeping them from possible harm as well as protecting the revenue that is typically being collected in those locations. A solid steel booth provides a good climate controlled environment to keep attendants comfortable, which in turn, allows them to work at their most efficient levels and to provide top drawer service to your valuable customers. Additionally, a parking booth with a professional design and aesthetically pleasing appearance helps to attract customers. As the old saying goes, first impressions count!


From traditional parking lot locations, to car washes, to parks and marinas, airports and tourist attractions, Par-Kut International offers so many styles and sizes of parking lot booths that it is impossible to list them all here. From basic to top-of-the line, Par-Kut parking lot booths can meet any organization's need for an enclosure to shelter the employee whose task it is to maintain the all important revenue collection stream. Parking booths can include accommodations for providing work stations for individuals with disabilities (ADA compliant) and can also include rest room facilities. For full time parking booths (24/7) inclusion of bullet resistant construction is an option as well.


Another growing trend is for the use of a parking lot booth to be adapted for use as a shelter for an automated parking payment machine, either a pay on foot type, or pay in lane. These are simply called Pay Machine Covers and they also range from the very basic to the elaborate and can include heat and light as well as architectural flourishes such as a standing seam roof and two tone paint.


Locating a parking lot booth at the point of collection, or best point of control or highest visibility point at a facility is usually best. The climate of the location, along with the size of the booth and the specific layout and use for the parking booth will help to determine what sort of factory installed HVAC equipment is installed. Same holds true for the electrical system (lights, outlets, breaker panel, phone and data preps, etc.). If the parking booth is to be located in an area near a night life district, vandal resistant glass can be specified for the windows.


A couple more words about the appearance of the parking booth. Surrounding architecture can be matched or complemented. Par-Kut offers contemporary as well as traditional designs and can enhance even their standard parking booths with optional treatments such as factory applied brick veneer, stucco, custom roofing, and more. On the booths themselves, butt glazed glass to glass corners, rounded ends, radius corners and colonials styling are available.


Since 1954 Par-Kut portable steel buildings have been proved in the field, enduring all kinds of weather and withstanding the roughest storms along the way. Welded steel cashier booths from Par-Kut last longer than lighter weight aluminum or fiberglass shelters and are easier to repair when they are hit by a car, truck or bus. (It happens!)
The insulated portable steel cashier booth protects your employees while they perform the most valuable function of collecting revenue. Protect your bottom line by contacting Par-Kut for more information on standard features, specifications and delivery.
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How to Specify a Security Guard House Shelter

Getting the most value from your investment in a factory assembled steel guardhouse building has never been more important that it is in today’s economy. Par-Kut portable steel buildings are long lasting and portable, so that you can move a Par-Kut portable steel building such as Parkut guardhouse many times during it’s service life, as your locational needs evolve.

For those starting the process of designing or specifying a guard house, we suggest the following:

1) Determine the footprint (approximate size of booth desired). This
may be limited by cost, available space, or driven by intended task. Additional factors are the number of occupants, how many hours per day the building is to be staffed, and if there are to be any visitors allowed in the guard booth. On a related note, if the building is to be staffed around the clock, or for an entire 8 hour shift, there should be consideration given to including sanitary facilities.


2) Location decides door arrangement - island in middle of road, one side
or the other, sliding or swing, side or rear if money operations, etc. For example, is the guardhouse shelter an officer whose job it is to greet visitors in their passenger cars at the entrance to a corporate facility? Or perhaps the job is to check trucks in and out of an industrial facility with the security officer inspecting weigh bills, truck seals, and the like? Other applications may include an elevated platform for dealing with trucks “eye to eye”, or simply for better visibility in an observation role. Situating the guard house building on your site plan is a critical step towards developing your requirements for the booth.


3) Style of the unit. Par-Kut offers basic standard units, guard houses with butt glazed glass to glass corners, booths with rounded ends, guard enclosures with radius corners, and guard booths with colonial style (Presidential) treatment. Of course the style of the guard house is driven by both by budget and by the desire of the designer and or owner to blend the booth with existing architecture, have it make a statement, or on the other end of the spectrum, be an unobtrusive part of the landscape.


4) Ballistic protection required? Security is everyone’s concern and high security can be designed from the start into your new Par-Kut guard house. Using high strength steel and laminated glass products, the company is regularly producing bullet resistant buildings complete with doors, climate control and factory wired electrical systems. The company web site features specifications on the levels of ballistic protection available, but it can be said that all levels of protection are available for protecting against hand held guns and even rifles and automatic weapons. Ballistic shrouds can be specified to protect thu wall HVAC units and sliding portals are available for the officers within the guard house to return fire if need be. Also, hatches and roof top railings can be included to provide an alternate position for security officers to engage an opponent.


5) Accessories – the top features found in a guard house include heat, a/c (roof or wall), shelving, tinted and/or insulated glazing, low E glass, electrical outlets, interior and exterior lighting. Typically due to the rapid loss of heat due to a window or door being opened, heaters are oversized or back up units are included. Same can be said for air conditioners. The environment of a steel building out in a parking lot or gate entrance or security perimeter can be brutal. Anything that can be done to keep the loss of conditioned air should be considered. Tinted glass, tinted insulated glass, and even tinted Low E insulated glass help the building stay cool, and in turn, help the security officer do their job more effectively. Sometimes using a sliding window instead of going in and out of a door is more efficient in terms of saving the guard steps and can be more energy efficient as well. Guard houses will usually have a package of electrical provisions that in addition to electrical outlets, include preps for phone, data and cameras. Electric strikes for doors can be built into the booth during fabrication. Dimmable interior lighting is a helpful feature for guard houses operated during night time hours. Flood or spotlight fixtures mounted on the exterior of the booth help illuminate the surroundings and assist the officer in making ID’s of vehicles and license plates.


6) Any special issues required for complying with state or local building codes need to be factored in as well. Prefabricated guard house structures are most commonly regulated by the state programs that cover prefabricated homes, portable class rooms, job site construction trailers and the like. Par-Kut follows most model building codes such as IBC, and the National Electrical Code, but each state is different. Make sure the final location of the guard house building is made known up front during the specification process so that the particulars of that state’s codes are adhered to.


7) Finishes - floor, walls, roof, counters, etc. A standard Par-Kut guardhouse comes to location finished in a single color of choice using polyurethane paint. Upgrades can be as simple as two tone or multi color paint schemes (for example, two colors outside and a lighter color inside the booth). Or the finishes of the booth can include EIFS on the exterior to present a faux stucco or masonary finish, a brick veneer factory applied, or an exterior prepped for site application of brick, block or stone. Different roof lines and overhangs can be added for esthetic or functional reasons. Standing seam metal roofs are a very popular option these days. Booth interiors can include a finish floor such as VCT or sheet vinyl instead of standard treadplate. Alternately, PVC or rubber floor tile can be installed.

The best place to start when beginning to determine your specifications for a portable steel guardhouse is to seek out a professional with plenty of practical experience in the field. Visit www.parkut.com or call Par-Kut to speak with one of our sales professionals. Budgetary quotes and design assistance are complimentary.
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Bullet Proof Booth

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A BULLET PROOF BOOTH?

Bullet resistant booths are usually factory assembled structures used to shelter security officers, guards and attendants from the elements and occasionally from attackers. In most cases, “bullet proof booth”, or more accurately, bullet resistant guard booths are small to medium sized portable buildings that are prefabricated off site with the customer selecting floor plans and options to suit. Bullet resistant guard houses are either of standard designs, or built to specific customer request. The portable steel buildings can be as small as 4’ x 6’ for part time shelters or over watch booths, with full scale gatehouse bullet resistant enclosures being as large as 12’ x 32’ with restrooms. Larger foot prints can be created with modules being married together.

Guard Booth

Factory assembled bullet resistant security booths are commonly called bullet resistant guard houses, guard shelters, control booths, guard huts and even guard shacks. Technically, there is no such thing as a bullet proof booth as there is always a bigger bullet. What a bullet resistant building does offer to a customer or specifier is a level of protection that would be matched to the perceived threat level of the location. Well planned bullet proof security booths have a maximum amount of windows to provide the occupant a 360 degree field of vision. Additionally, a well built and carefully planned security booth will include sliding doors and/or windows to maximize efficiency of operation, reduce steps, and provide superior security operations. For example, if the bullet resistant guard house is centered in a traffic lane at the entrance or exit of a facility, the booth specifier or purchaser needs to know which side of the booth will serve as the primary side for visitor interaction.

High quality factory assembled bullet resistant guard booths require insulated walls and roofs, factory installed heating and cooling, pre-wired electrical outlets and lighting, phone and communication preps, electrical load centers with branch circuit breakers and a main disconnect, and all factory installed wiring should be routed within conduit . The entire system should have UL labeling to assure compliance with the National Electrical Code. At minimum, the guard houses should have tempered glass in the windows and industrial grade tread plate flooring for safety. A choice of colors is a must.

BULLET PROOF BOOTH APPLICATIONS

Bullet resistant security booths and bullet resistant guardhouses are being used in more settings than used for more purposes than security alone. These portable buildings are found serving in almost all industries and branches of government service. A few of the uses include park entrance and ticket booths, industrial control rooms or in plant offices, scale houses, transit or environmental shelters, parking cashier or attendant booths, and equipment enclosures.

WHAT ARE “BULLET PROOF” BOOTHS MADE FROM?

Low priced, economy units might be made from wood with screwed or riveted in ballistic panels, but experience has proven that construction type will not hold up to the rigors of guard duty and repeated moves like an all welded steel booth will. The highest strength and most durable bullet resistant guard booths are of welded steel construction, such as those produced by Par-Kut International, Inc. The entire bullet resistant guard house is made from steel, from the 14 gage sheet steel roof, to the 12 gage hot dip galvanized steel tread plate floor, to the rugged tubular steel frame, to the heavy steel bullet resistant plate used for the walls. The sturdy steel guard booths from Par-Kut are easy to unload from the truck on the day of delivery as they can be handled by crane or fork lift.

HOW DOES SOMEBODY GET THE SECURITY BOOTH THEY WANT?

To specify or purchase a bullet resistant building to best suit the project needs, research companies that actually manufacture their own security buildings. Narrow your search to two or three companies who have a solid reputation and good references.
After a floor plan has been selected and the window and door arrangements have been squared away, countertops and shelves can be located to suit. The counters can be rugged painted steel, or upgraded to stainless steel or covered with wood and plastic laminate. Cupboards and drawers can also be provided. Upgraded flooring and ceiling and window treatments are available as well. For example, a security booth can have plywood underlayment with a raised pattern PVC tile, an acoustical tile ceiling, and windows glazed with tinted Low E glass with mini blinds.

Additional interior upgrades include extra electrical outlets, wire mold, dimmable interior lights and recessed lights, and secure cabinets for storage of customer hardware.

Architecturally, these bullet resistant enclosures can be plain or quite “top end”, depending on the site, the customer and desired impact. Depending on the level of ballistic protection needed, the booth can be basic, or incorporate modern glass to glass corners, radius corners or even curved ends. Colonial, ready for brick and new custom exteriors are all possible. In addition to larger roof overhangs for sun and weather protection, roof treatments include flat, gable, hip, mansard and standing seam.

Speak with company representatives about your location, your needs and your budget. It shouldn’t take too long to establish a budget. Once you have your budget, contact the best solution providers in the bullet resistant building and security booth business. Par-Kut.
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Security Booths

What are security booths?

Security booths are typically small to medium sized portable steel buildings or aluminum booths that are prefabricated and factory assembled, either of standard designs, or built to specific customer request. The buildings can be as small as 3’ x 4’ and complete single units can be as large as 14’ x 34’. Modular, or split buildings, require some extra on site work, but the modules can be married together for even larger footprints than over the road trucking retrains will allow.

Factory assembled security booths are commonly called guardhouses, guard shelters, and even guard shacks. Typically, a good security booth has a maximum amount of windows in the walls to allow the security officer a 360 degree field of vision. Additionally, a well built and carefully planned security booth will include sliding doors and/or windows to maximize efficiency of operation, reduce steps, and provide superior security operations. For example, if the security booth is to be located in the middle of a traffic control point at a facility, and has traffic passing by on both sides, the booth specifier or purchaser should consider which side of the booth will primary guard to visitor interaction take place. Further, will the other side need provision for similar interactions?

Experienced purchasers of quality factory assembled guard booths want built in insulation and climate control, built in electrical outlets and lighting, phone and communication preps, circuit breaker panels, factory installed wiring within conduit and UL labeling to assure compliance with the National Electrical Code. Additionally, tempered glass in the windows, and industrial grade tread plate floor for safety should be insisted upon. Customers should be able to choose their own paint color as well.

Security booth applications

While primarily used for security applications, security booths and guard houses are used for more purposes than security alone. These portable buildings are found serving in almost all industries and branches of government service. A few of the uses include park entrance and ticket booths, industrial control rooms or in plant offices, scale houses, transit or environmental shelters, parking cashier or attendant booths, and equipment enclosures.

What are security booths made out of?

While a wide range of construction types and materials are now available, the most durable tend to be of single unit welded galvanized steel construction, such as those produced by Par-Kut International, Inc. The rugged steel guard booths from Par-Kut allow for simple offloading on the day of delivery as they can be handled by crane or fork lift. Later, when site needs change, or property changes hands or is re-purposed, the durable buildings can be moved easily.

What are the options?

After a floor plan has been selected and the window and door arrangements have been squared away, countertops and shelves can be located to suit. The counters can be rugged painted steel, or upgraded to stainless steel or covered with wood and plastic laminate. Cupboards and drawers can also be provided. Upgraded flooring and ceiling and window treatments are available as well. For example, a security booth can have plywood underlayment with a raised pattern PVC tile, an acoustical tile ceiling, and windows glazed with tinted Low E glass with mini blinds.

Additional interior upgrades include extra electrical outlets, wire mold, dimmable interior lights and recessed lights, and secure cabinets for storage of customer hardware.

Architecturally, security booths can be plain or quite “top end”, depending on the site, the customer and desired impact. The booth can be basic, or incorporate modern glass to glass corners, radius corners or curved ends. Colonial, ready for brick and new custom
exteriors are all possible. In addition to larger roof overhangs for sun and weather protection, roof treatments include flat, gable, hip, mansard and standing seam.

Bullet resistant buildings are available and typically include hardened wall construction, thick laminated ballistic glass, and special bullet resistant doors with extra heavy duty hardware and locking systems. Security options also include cash handling items such as transaction drawers and safes.

How does somebody get the security booth they want?

To specify or purchase a building to best suit the project needs, research companies that actually manufacture security booths. Narrow down your search to two or three companies who have a solid reputation and good references. Speak with company representatives about your location, your needs and your budget. It shouldn’t take too long to establish a budget. Once you have your budget, contact the best solution providers in the portable steel building and security booth business. Par-Kut.

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Portable Steel Buildings

Definition: Portable steel buildings are factory assembled structures, made from high strength, long lasting steel structural framing, roof and panels. The portable steel buildings are manufactured in the controlled environment of a factory specializing in the fabrication and finishing of special purpose enclosures For an even more convenient package for the specifier or purchaser, the portable buildings are shipped complete with factory installed electrical systems; including outlets, lighting, factory wired load centers, and HVAC. Doors and windows are located to suit and are factory installed and fully glazed per standards, or to meet project specifications. Customers are able to select their choice of paint color for the booth and can also specify tinted glass, customer countertops, and flooring.

To produce the most durable and long lasting structures, assembly by welding the frame and panels together is the time proven method. While more labor intensive than using mechanical fasteners and more expensive than using less durable materials such as wood or aluminum, welded steel buildings have a much longer life cycle and stand up to the rigors of time, environment and relocations much better. There are many companies who offer portable buildings. Fewer actually produce welded steel buildings. Of this handful, Par-Kut International developed the first portable steel buildings in the 1950's and has honed the design and manufacturing process to produce the best portable steel buildings available on the market today.

For the most durable buildings, Par-Kut uses galvanized steel in all their standard buildings. The benefits of zinc coatings for corrosion protection are well known. The framing is flow coated 14 gage structural steel tubing. The wall, ceiling and roof panels are prime galvaneal steel for longevity and quality finish and the flooring is heavy duty industrial grade 12 gage hot dipped galvanneal steel tread plate.

Uses/Applications
These portable steel buildings are commonly known as "security booths" or "guardhouses" and while those two names do cover the primary uses for the buildings, the uses for portable steel buildings run an extremely wide gamut. Typical uses include park entrance admission or stadium ticket booths, campus visitor information booths, factory or warehouse entrance security gatehouses, in plant offices or control rooms, landfill or industrial scale houses, parking or valet cashier booths, airport exit plaza toll booths, loading rack or truck driver waiting booths, equipment shelters, and transit or smoking shelters. Par-Kut also manufactures tower mounted observation and gun tower cabins, and bullet resistant and blast resistant check point and perimeter security enclosures.

Some unusual applications are: resort funicular cabins, crane cabs, ski lift attendant booths, roof top security post, drive thru coffee sales kiosks, train station offices, portable bank buildings, turnstile canopies, and track side VIP observation booths.


Examples

Par-Kut portable steel buildings are currently in use as border crossing inspection booths along southern and northern borders, and are providing reliable protection for U.S. military personnel around the world. Par-Kut enclosures are being used to secure sensitive government and utility plant sites, commercial and institutional locations and recreational parks and reserves.
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Whatever your portable steel building need, contact Par-Kut for long lasting solution.

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