Choice of control equipment

The choice of control panel will depend on what you, and perhaps your insurers, expect to happen if the alarm activates. The following 3 options will provide brief explanations.

(1) Audible Only Alarm

Do you want the alarm to just make a noise and frighten the burglar off? We call this type an 'Audible Only' alarm. This is the simplest and usually the least expensive. The majority of small houses will have this sort of alarm fitted and in most cases it's all that's needed to deter burglars. The method of setting, or unsetting this type of alarm is a 4 digit code which is entered into a keypad. The keypad will usually be installed in the hall to enable the alarm to be set, either when leaving the house or when going to bed.

(2) Audible Alarm with a Dialler / Communicator

Do you want to be notified on your mobile phone, or office phone if the alarm activates? We call this type an 'Audible Only' with a 'Dialler / Communicator'. This option has become a standard feature of many control panels in recent years. Most modern domestic systems will now have the ability to communicate if a suitable telephone line is available for connecting to. However, if you also have a Broadband Internet Connection through the same telephone line you will need to obtain a suitable filter, or ask your telephone company to install a Terminal Block for the alarm. The method of setting and unsetting the alarm will usually be a keypad as above but the system may also be operated with a key ring 'Keyfob'.

(3) Monitored Alarm

Do you want the system to notify an 'Alarm Receiving Centre' who in turn would call your Keyholders and the Police where appropriate? We call this type a 'Monitored Alarm with Police Response'. Owners of larger houses, houses with an office attached, or houses with a history of burglaries may choose this type, or may be forced into choosing this type by insurers. Again a suitable telephone line will be required and a Terminal Block installed by your telephone company. The method of setting and unsetting this type of alarm will usually be a key ring 'Keyfob' and not a keypad. The reason for this is a requirement of The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) who in their document DD243:2004 require that alarms are not to be unset by means of a 4 digit code as above claiming that most false alarms are caused by people forgetting their code!

Alarm Monitoring can be achieved by using a number of different communication devices designed to suit all situations and levels of risk. The most basic being a 'Digital Communicator' and at the top end 'Redcare GSM'. See our page dedicated to alarm monitoring for details.

Choice of Detection Devices

Detection devices include Door Contacts, Movement Detectors, Perimeter Beams, Seismic Sensors and Glass Break Detectors etc. However to keep this page simple we will concentrate on the type mainly used in a domestic environment. These will fall into two main categories:

Passive Infra-Red Receivers (PIR)

PIR's have been available for many years and over the years the manufacturers have made hugh improvements in avoiding false alarms whilst effectively detecting intruders. Basically, a PIR is a detector that picks up movement of heat in an area approximately 15m by 90° and the best type are 'Digital Quad PIR's'. This type of detector has a degree of intelligence to enable it to make an informed decision, based on what it is seeing and greatly reduces false alarms. There are many manufacturers of such detectors but we find Pyronix KX15DQ to be the best we have ever used. There are also PIR's with 'Pet Immunity' so you can have both security and a pet, see the Pyronix KX10PI for details.

Dual Technology Movement Detectors (DualTec)

Like PIR's DualTec's have been available for many years.They are used mainly in areas where there are likely to be extremes of temperature or possible draughts. In such conditions a PIR might false alarm but a DualTec will generally handle the situation. They use two technologies as the name implies with a PIR that detects movement of heat and a Microwave transceiver that detects movement in a similar way to Radar. An alarm condition will only occur when both elements are triggered making a DualTec very stable. For more information see Pyronix KX15DT

Location of Movement Detectors

Ideally you will want a movement detector in every room of your house. However this can be expensive and therefore they should be installed in all ground floor rooms with windows, except bathrooms or toilets, and perhaps a single detector on the landing and any first floor rooms that might be easy to enter from outside.

A movement detector will usually be mounted in a corner at a height of approximately 2.3m which is just under the ceiling line in most modern houses. The corner chosen will usually be adjacent to the door from an adjoining room or hall. However care must be taken not to mount a detector looking at an open fire to avoid false alarms.

Door Contacts

The door that is used as the main route into the house is called the entry / exit door. This will need to be fitted with a Door Contact together with other doors that open to the outside if no movement detector is covering the area the door opens into. A door contact is a magnetic switch with a discrete magnet fitted to the door and a reed switch fitted to the door frame. The switch is activated by the door opening and closing.

External Sounder (Bell Box)

The external sounder, or bell box, is way of advertising the fact that you have an alarm fitted. A potential burglar on seeing a bell box has to make a decision, whether to break in hoping he won't set the alarm off or whether to try somewhere else and common sense usually tells him to try somewhere else. If that happens the advertising has worked and a burglary has become someone else's problem, not yours. However don't be fooled into thinking that any old bell box will work. Burglars are not daft, they know a DIY alarm from a professional alarm and they know a dummy bell box from the real thing.

Internal Sounder

An internal sounder, or speaker, is usually installed close to the entry / exit door. The reason for this is so it can be heard from the outside when you are setting the alarm and have closed the outer door. The speaker tells you audibly that the alarm has set or if it has a problem. In addition it will alert you when you are in bed if someone is breaking in, a very important fact.

Prevention is better than the cure

If you don't already have an intruder alarm, get one. Burglaries are a distressing fact of life and they are happening all the time, every minute of every day. Take action now and contact us, we are professional and we can help you achieve peace of mind with the knowledge that your security is taken care of.

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