What s in Your Unit? How to Avoid a Self-Storage Nightmare by Pete Lorenco

When a massive fire raged through 115 units of a self-storage facility in Connecticut recently, renters lost (among other things) irreplaceable family photos and mementos, pricey DJ equipment, and an entire cache of favors and centerpieces for an upcoming wedding.

Sadly, this is not a unique incident. Over the past few years, self-storage facilities have been the scene of everything from huge drug busts to illegal auto repair shops. Whether you're currently using self-storage to house your precious business documents or considering starting an account, you might want to ask any partners or candidates the following questions.

Q: What's lurking next door?

A: The more specific the answer, the better. However, that's highly unlikely at a self-storage facility. The two-alarm fire at the Connecticut facility was fueled by assorted flammable solvents and adhesives, exploding propane tanks and a cache of ammo-all prohibited items. Renters at other facilities have been known to store pipe bombs, grenades and assault rifles. If you're looking to store files instead of firearms, you need a vendor who vets the items it stores-and that's probably not going to be the self-storage place on the highway.

Q: Who's watching the night watchman?

A: Ideally, you want thoroughly vetted and professionally trained security staff. However, at many self-storage facilities, the only security may be the owner in the main office who occassionally tours the property at night. That's not enough.

Q: What if there's a fire? Flood? Earthquake?

A: Your essential documents should be protected from all potential calamities. Consider this sad case: Last month, a fire broke out at a self-storage facility in Florida that lacked both sprinklers and fire alarms. The incident occurred only three months after the same company had a huge fire at a similarly equipped facility in California. With this in mind, make sure that your vendor has up-to-date fire detection and suppression systems.

Q: Is this all the place does?

A: Most self-storage offerings begin and end with, you guessed it, storage. If you need any other help with your files and documents-accessing your files in an emergency, shredding documents you don't need-you're on your own. A multifaceted partner should do all this while also helping you manage the files it's safeguarding for you, which means nothing is ever lost.

Self-storage can be a great option if you need room in your garage for an actual car or two. But if you need a place to store and manage your essential records and documents, choose a vendor who has more to offer you and your business than a glorified storage shed.

Want more information? Learn how Iron Mountain stacks up against self-storage facilities with this guide.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2015/service-lines/small-business/whats-...
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