Commerical and Home Alarm Systems

:: Commercial alarm systems

Does it make sense to have tens of thousands of dollars of inventory but no way to protect it from theft or vandalism? Burglar alarm systems can prevent the havoc and disruption caused by theft and break-ins.

:: What do burglar alarm systems do?

Home and Commercial alarm systems helps detect unauthorized entry onto your company's premises. When triggered, the system sends a signal to a central monitoring center. These monitoring centers provide 24/7 service and will alert local police to dispatch authorities to the scene.

Has at ever occurred to you that you don't have to wait until you or your neighbor or a close relative will be a victim of burglary or break in?

:: Why Should I Have a Security Alarm System?

It is debated whether having an home or commercial alarm system decreases the chances of a burglary. In theory, if a burglar is aware a house has a system, he or she might move on to another home. Even if the alarm system does not keep a burglar from breaking in, the burglar has a tendency to stay a shorter amount of time. This may decrease the number of items stolen and the extent of damage done.

:: What Should a Security Alarm System Include?

Most home alarm systems rely on a combination of contacts placed at doors and windows and motion sensors. Motion sensors, however, do not detect someone until they are already in the house. Motion sensors should NOT be used as the primary means of detection. It is best that all exterior potential points of entry have contacts that sense when they are open. Glass break sensors are also available and recommended.

The basic elements of a standard home security system include:	Additional items that can be added to the basic system are:
Control Panel: This is the location where the system wiring terminates, the backup battery is located, and where it is connected to the phone lines if it is a monitored system. Keypad: This is where the system is armed and disarmed. Additional keypads can be installed. For example, a keypad can be installed next to the homeowner's bed. If the alarm sounds in the middle of the night and the security system had the capability, the keypad display could indicate which door, window, or motion detector caused the alarm. Siren: A loud siren sounds when there's been a break-in and it also lets an intruder know they've been detected. Inside Motion Detector: Passive infrared, microwave, or photoelectric detectors sense changes in a room caused by human presence. Special motion detectors are available for people who have pets. Door and Window Contacts: Magnetic contacts form a circuit between a door and doorframe or a window and a sill; when the door or window is opened (and the system is on), the circuit is broken and sounds the alarm. A Central Monitoring Station (Company): If the system is monitored, in the event of an alarm, the control panel sends a message over a telephone line to a central monitoring station, which is manned 24 hours a day. After attempting to contact the homeowner, the central monitoring station will contact the police, fire department, or medics. There is usually a monthly fee for this service.	Smoke Detectors: are required by many building codes. They can be wired to the security panel. If the smoke detectors go into alarm, the security panel will notify the central monitoring station if smoke is detected. Glass Break Detectors: recognize the sound of glass breaking and will sound the alarm. Panic Buttons: can be hand-held and should be located in strategic places such as next to beds and doors; just punching the button will send a message to the central monitoring station for help. Homeowners may choose to have the panic button send the alarm as a silent alarm or sound the alarms within the house. Pressure Mats: can be placed under rugs and react to pressure from footsteps activating the alarm. Closed circuit TV: is a private TV system which allows monitoring and/or recording inside or outside a home. Alarm Screens: are special screens for windows that have a special wire woven in the mesh that will activate an alarm when cut or removed.
	Monitored System or Unmonitored System?
	Monitored Systems: contact a monitoring company by telephone. The typical sequence of events is as follows: The security system senses something. The security system waits for 30 to 45 seconds before going into alarm allowing the homeowner a chance to deactivate the system to prevent false alarms. If not deactivated, the security system goes into alarm and sends a message to the monitoring company over telephone lines. The monitoring company receives the message, determines the nature of the alarm and verifies the alarm, generally by placing a phone call to the home. If they do not receive the proper password or do not receive an answer, they call the police. The police receive the monitoring company's call and respond.

Caution: During an alarm situation, the security system “seizes” the phone line to call the monitoring company. If personal safety is at risk when the alarm sounds, a homeowner will be unable to call 911 or call for help by phone while the security system is communicating through the phone line with the monitoring company.

The only way to keep this from happening would be to have more than one telephone line into the house or have a cellular phone available.

Caution: A monitored alarm system that uses the telephone line to communicate with the central monitoring station may have a compatibility problem with digital subscriber line (DSL) high-speed Internet service. This compatibility problem may prevent the security system from operating properly.

The DSL Internet service, because it transmits over the same telephone lines, may prevent the security panel and monitoring service from properly communicating with one another. This may cause alarm notifications to fail and interfere with phone line seizures by the security system.

This compatibility problem can be remedied by using a special filter on the telephone line to the security panel or by using a DSL splitter system. If you have a security system with a central monitoring service and you intend to get or have DSL Internet service, contact your central monitoring service to find out if you have a problem and how to remedy it.

Unmonitored systems typically have on-site alarms and/or flashing lights that indicate the security system has been breached. It relies on neighbors as the eyes and ears to see or hear the alarms and then to call police. Neighbors or passersby should never investigate an alarm themselves.

With an unmonitored system, it is best to have a combination of strobe lights and alarms. They should be located on the street side of the house and in an as-inaccessible spot as possible. Because it can be difficult to determine the location of a siren, it is best to discuss this with your neighbors and to place the siren and flashing light on the house where it can be easily seen.

The advantage of this type of system is that a burglar's primary goal is to gain entrance to the house, remove property, and do so without being noticed. Many burglars will leave once alarms and strobes are activated. The disadvantage to an unmonitored system is it relies on neighbors who may not be at home or may not want to become involved. This system is appropriate for a typical suburban setting but might not work as well for a home out in the country without close neighbors.

:: How to Choose an Alarm Company

Choosing an alarm company can be confusing and the technology complicated. Here are some suggestions:

Check with friends or neighbors for recommendations on reliable companies.
Find out how quickly the alarm company will install your system after purchase. See if the company sells systems faster than they can install them.
Determine how quickly they respond to requests for service after installation. Ask for references from some of their customers who have required service and call and talk to these people.
Ask about warranties.
Obtain quotes from at least three different companies.
Ask the alarm company what screening they do when hiring their alarm installers and salespeople. You want a company that screens for criminal backgrounds/records, etc.
Call your local police department and ask how long it takes them to respond to a home security system alarm. Don't be surprised if the estimated response time is as long as an hour. Also ask if there are any fines for false alarms.
Lastly, when comparing prices remember to compare detection coverage and features. The least expensive system could be all you need, or a waste of money. Not all alarms are created equal.

Here are some additional suggestions from the Arizona Burglar & Fire Alarm Association on how to select a security alarm company. (Most of this information would be applicable to other states that have similar registrars and licensing requirements.)

Contact several companies. Ask if they are members of the state Burglar & Fire Alarm Association. Most members in these associations agree to maintain a high level of conduct under state and national codes of ethics.
Ask each company if it is licensed through the state Registrar of Contractors. Call the Registrar to see if there are any unresolved outstanding complaints.

Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been filed against the companies.
Narrow the field to three or four companies. Arrange an appointment with each company when all members of your household will be present. Be sure to ask for the name of the person who will be calling on you, and verify his or her identification upon arrival.

Ask for an inspection, demonstration and a quotation in writing. Also, ask for and check references.
Study each contract to ensure you know exactly what you are getting. Consider the merits of leasing vs. buying.

Here is a few examples for a wireless alarm systems:


Motion Detector: recognizes pets motion and size.	Keypad: Easy to use highly programmable	Siren: warns occupants of intrusion	Glass Break Detector: Sense the sound of varity of glass


Remote Keyfob:	Smoke/Heat Detector:	Wireless door and window sensors:

:: How Do False Alarms Affect Service?

False alarms with security alarm systems are a significant concern. It is estimated between 95 percent and 99 percent of the alarms received are false. Because of this, most police departments require the system, if it alarms remotely by telephone, to first go through a monitoring company.

To combat the false alarm problem, some police departments are imposing fines for false alarms after a specified number of false alarms.

Things to Remember About Security Alarm Systems

Burglars realize most security systems sound inside the house and then the alarm is transferred to remote locations through the telephone lines. Most phone lines are typically exposed on the outside of the house in an easily accessible location where the phone line can be cut. If the telephone line is cut, the security alarm system cannot notify the central monitoring station of the break-in.

If the phone line is run underground until it is inside the home (with the main telephone junction box inside the home), the thief cannot tamper with the telephone line until after he or she has broken in. Having a protected phone line to your house is a good idea whether you have a security alarm system or not.

Burglars learn to adapt to security systems. In New Jersey, some burglars developed a unique break-in method. The burglars would rattle the windows causing the alarm to sound and then hide in the bushes, waiting for the police to arrive. Once the police found nothing and left the location, the burglars would proceed with the break-in.

The problem with security systems is that they don't necessarily stop people from breaking in. The security system is only activated when the burglar has broken into the house. Also, by the time the intruder is detected and someone responds to the alarm, there could be enough time for the intruder to remove items and leave. If the system does not cause visible or audible alarms to flash or sound at the site, or there is no one nearby to see or hear these site alarms, the intruder can leave without being seen.

Remember: Security systems do not prevent thieves from breaking into homes.

A good security plan should include strong window, door, and lock products; good security habits and lifestyles (for example, always locking doors at night or when the house is vacant); and natural surveillance, such as having neighborhood watches.

Here is a few examples for wired alarm systems:


Keypad: Easy to use highly programmable	Keypad Delux: Easy to use highly programmable keypad	Siren: Warns occupants of intrusion and size.	Motion Detector: recognizes pets motion and size.

Glass Break Detector: Sense the sound of varity of glass	Smoke/Heat Detector:	Wireless door and window sensors:	Wireless door and window sensors:

Remote Keyfob

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