Why Should I Have a Security Alarm System
(Continued)..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 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:
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.
Additional items that can be added to the
basic system are:
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.
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.
A unmonitored system, is not recommended as
it leaves your property and safety at the mercy
of neighbors calling the police.
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 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.
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.
