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How to get started with your wireless alarm system today!
Getting started
The first thing to consider is, what is the alarm system going to be used for?
Seems like a simple question I know, but you would be amazed at how many people get it wrong.
Is it going to be used for...
1. The protection of property against theft for more security?
2. The protection of people against physical harm?
3. The protection of property against damage? (fire & flood)
The answer to these questions will determine what type of equipment is to be installed, and how much will be installed.
1/ The protection of property against theft.
Let’s say that you’re trying to protect your valuables against theft only. In that case PIR motion detectors alone can be used in order to save money. They can cover a large area, and are easy to install. Place them in areas where there are valuables – lounge, family room, study and main bedroom. You should also consider placing one or two detectors in a main hallway that several rooms lead onto.
As a rule rooms such as bathrooms, spare bedrooms etc can be left without a detector, because once the intruder is inside, if he doesn’t find what he is looking for, he will move on – hopefully through a hallway that is protected.
2/ The protection of people against physical harm?
Now this is where many people make their first mistake. They think that just having an alarm system with PIR movement detectors will also protect them against home invasion and physical harm. It won’t!
If you just have internal PIR motion detectors, it means that the intruder is already inside when the alarm is triggered! Not really where you would like him.
Although home invasions can occur to anyone at any time of the day, they are most common during the night. Many alarm systems that are installed with just internal PIR motion detectors will need to be set (we call this stay or home mode) with some of the detectors isolated at night, to allow movement during the night by the occupants.This allows the intruder further freedom to get to the occupants before being detected.
The only truly effective way to protect the occupants at night is to have wireless door/window switches installed on all easily accessible doors and windows, in addition to internal PIR motion detectors. This then allows the system to be partially armed at night, with all the PIR’s bypassed and all the windows and doors active.
If an intruder even attempts to enter, the alarm will sound while he is still outside, and there is a far higher chance he will not proceed.
Switches should be installed on all easily accessible doors and windows. Upstairs windows without a balcony, extremely small toilet windows and any non open able plate glass windows need not be protected.
Having effective perimeter protection installed in additional to internal PIR motion detectors provides complete and effective protection against burglary and home invasion.
3/ The protection of property against damage? (fire & flood)
When we talk about property protection we are talking about wireless smoke alarms and flood detectors.
Even if your already have smoke detectors you should consider installing one or two wireless smoke alarms. The existing smoke alarms you probably already have are excellent for warning occupants of a fire threat if they are inside, but no good at alerting you at work that your house is on fire. Wireless smoke alarms connected to your alarm system are active 24 hours a day. You can never have too many smoke alarms!
4/ Now let’s look at how the system will operate.
Firstly, delayed versus instant zones.
One luxury that a wireless alarm system has over a hard wired alarm system is that all of the zones (detectors) can be instant. In a hard wired system there needs to be a delay at the main entry exit point to allow the user time to get to the code pad to turn the system off.
In a wireless system, all the zones can be programmed as instant because there is no need to have a code pad. Users will most commonly have a small wireless keyfob to arm and disarm the system from outside. Arm and disarm chirps are heard from the outside speaker confirming you request. Similar to a car alarm. When arming the system in “partial” mode at night, these chirps will only come from the main panel inside the house.
If you choose the two-way key fobs these chirps can be removed because the key fob itself will confirm your request via the LCD display – very neat!
My personal recommendation is that you have all detectors in your system set to instant for a more effective alarm system.
5/ How many detectors do I need?
As described earlier, take each area one at a time and take note of what’s there. A family / lounge room would normally have a TV, stereo and so on, and is generally at the back of the house, hidden away from prying eyes. This is a good place to install a PIR and door and window transmitters (if you budget will allow). The main bedroom is another area that needs specific attention as this is where jewellery is most likely to be found. Another area often forgotten is the study, allow a detector here too.
The general rule of thumb that I use is “is there something of such value in this room that a would-be burglar would break into that room only and flee?” If the answer is yes - then it at the very least this area/room needs a PIR detector.
6/ Upstairs?
If you have a two storey home chances are that most of the windows and doors would require a ladder to enter. These need not be covered – unless you are in the habit of leaving a ladder within easy reach. You don’t see too many burglars walking down the street with a ladder under their arm after all! On the other hand if the burglar could gain access to an upstairs window via say, the garage roof, you'll need to cover that window/door.
7/ Do I need a monitored alarm system?
The Visonic alarm system comes with a ready-to-go alarm dialler installed. It can be programmed to dial an alarm monitoring station or just to phone numbers like your work number, mobile phone, friends number.....but not the police, this is up to you. The police do not accept calls directly from an alarm system. You will need to inform them what area has broken into, the address and how soon a key holder will be onsite. Only a monitoring station can call the police, fire brigade or ambulance based on the information they receive from your alarm system.
Many people chose to "self monitor", but there are hazards. If you are on the phone when the system calls you, you won't know. If somebody answers the phone that doesn't understand what is required of them, you won't know. What happens if it is a home invasion? Not much good calling your mobile. You already there and you know what's happening. That system does work, it's just that the responsibility falls on your shoulders what to do. Other than the cost of the phone call (up to 10 depending on how soon the system gets confirmation) there are no on-going charges. Insurance companies however, will not give discounts for "self monitored" alarm systems.
A back-to-base monitored system costs on average about a dollar a day to run.
The wireless alarm system phones the central controll room, and based on information supplied by you and programmed into the alarm system, will set the wheels in motion regarding who they alert and in what order. Police, ambulance and fire brigade. Something a "self monitored" system can't do.
The choice is entirely yours.
If you’re still not sure you can email or phone us, and we’ll be happy to guide you through.
Just ask yourself this very important question...
Where do I want the burglar to be when the alarm first sounds?”.......outside obviously!
PIR detectors are excellent for covering large areas, but what they can't do is detect movement outside the house. A door/window transmitter will detect the attempted breakin BEFORE they get inside!