The control panel is the "brain" of the operation which takes
the input from the sensors and decides what to do about it. This is the heart of your alarm system. It controls when and for
how long the siren will blast, when to communicate to the central station, and so on.
Keypads allow you to do more than turn the system on and
off. They display the status of the system, enable you to change arming levels and view the last event that took place. Keypads
come with either LCD or LED displays. An LCD display provides information in English, whereas the LED indicates the data via
light sequences.
Zones are functions or electrical circuits (loops). The more
zones a control panel has the greater the number of sensors to be individually reported. With smaller capacity panels, an
alarm installer would group sensors on the same zone.
Zones can be set to delay response or instantly activate the
panel. A delay zone would be used on a front door to allow the user to enter and exit without setting off the alarm. The zones
used for smoke detectors are usually instant and for 24 hour response. This means that the fire system is working even if
the control panel is not armed.
Grouping zones that are similar allow you to create arming levels.
This means that you can keep parts of the system working while eliminating areas that are in use. A business may keep the
storage area armed even during operating times. A homeowner might arm the perimeter and turn the space detectors off for security
while at home.
The back-up battery maintains the operation of the system during
power interruption.
The alarm control may be programmed for audible and silent functions.
Many hold-up and panic alarms are set up as silent. All of our systems provide these options.
The key component of any system is the communicator. Here are
some of the most popular reporting devices available for homes and businesses.
You are vulnerable to fire - unless you employ
the use of a rapid response fire system.
The purpose of a fire alarm system is to alert you to
the presence of a fire, but without the monitoring of such devices you are not safeguarded. Smoke detectors are mandatory
in virtually all locales, but monitoring is not.
Monitoring of fire systems is governed by locally established
codes and enforced by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Local codes follow national guidelines established by
Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These organizations set life safety standards
for the fire system industry. Two of the requirements for commercial systems monitored over a telephone are multiple line
access and daily test signals.
UL also regulates monitoring stations. Our central station affiliates
are UL Listed for Fire and Protective Signaling Services (UL S2299) and complies with all local, state and national fire alarm
monitoring requirements. A monitoring operator undergoes training on fire monitoring code and understands the critical nature
of quick and accurate fire alarm reporting.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are a key component in the detection of fires.
Some use the ionization method to sense the presence of smoke, and others use photoelectric sensing. Smoke detectors are either
physically wired to the alarm control box or can relay via radio the detection of a high concentration of smoke particles.
Heat detectors, manual pull stations, and sensors which detect the flow
of water through a sprinkler system are some of the other devices used in a fire system.
Magnetic contacts detect the opening of a door or window on
the perimeter of a protected premises. There are different types of contacts relating to size, color and mounting specifications.
However, they all share a basic technology of breaking or creating an electric circuit which sets off the alarm.
Perimeter protection is the most important function of any security
system. Sensors installed at every vulnerable door and window will immediately detect a break in. Opening a protected door
or window activates the sensor, which causes the system to sound a loud and instantaneous alarm.
Alarm screens are also perimeter devices. When the window screen
is removed or cut in order to gain entry, the change in that circuit sets off the alarm. Screens allow you to keep windows
open while keeping the alarm system armed.
This family of devices use a wide variety of detection technology
to detect an intruder within a defined space. Space detection may be used in conjunction with perimeter devices for a greater
level of security.
Passive Infra Red, known as PIR, is the most popular device
used for space protection. It works by sensing rapid changes in temperature in a defined area. For example, a human body at
98 degrees goes into a room that is 75 degrees, causing the PIR to register the difference in temperatures to set off an alarm.
In the highly unlikely event an intruder gets past the perimeter
system, interior sensors will pick up his presence. These use passive infrared motion detection technology, which is difficult
if not impossible to fool. Motion detectors are ideal for installation in hallways and other main access ways.
There are different PIR's to address the size and shape of the
area covered. A PIR can be set up so as to avoid a given area within the space to be watched over. For example, our "pet immune
detector" allows household pets to go into a room with a PIR without setting it off.
Motion Detectors sense movement in a defined environment using
passive or active microwave energy. They measure the rate of movement to report an alarm.
Glass break detectors
offer added protection.
Sound Discriminators "listen" for the sounds of breaking glass
and other sounds associated with forced entry.
Dual Technology is the term designated for more than one space
protection technology used in the same device. Dual technology is used to limit the potential for false triggering from an
environmental source.
The nature of the burglar alarm industry is changing. Years
ago almost all alarm systems provided complete security. Every man sized opening was covered and overlapping interior detection
was custom installed. Custom systems remain the preferred choice of security conscious buyers. However, basic starter systems
are now readily available.
Some of these programs are a good start for those who want a
basic alarm to build upon at a later date. It is important that you are not lulled into a false sense of security. Understand
that magnetic contacts on the front and rear doors plus a single PIR are not the same thing as a custom alarm system designed
around your real needs.
Communications
Digital communications is the number one means of signaling
an alarm. Like old fashioned tape dialers they access standard telephone lines, but unlike tapes they send an encoded message
that must be acknowledged by a host receiver in order to confirm communication. The place where those signals are processed
and and responded to is called a central station.
Our back-up cellular systems can be used for a higher
level of security. These devices address the weakest link in a system, your telephone, by operating over air waves even when
the line is compromised by the weather or a sophisticated thief. Cellular systems are becoming more and more popular as burglars
are cutting lines.
