Security Systems in Utah
call Larry Love 801 428 1384 Larry@peakalarm.com for pricing
GENERAL OVERALL INFORMATION : Many important issues are normally overlooked when you purchase a security system. Peak Alarm can help you design and configure a system to meet your needs. We do not offer free systems nor does any company really because they charge you quite a bit more in monitoring per month to make up the cost over time so you end up paying for the system now or later. Call 801 428 1384 and ask for Larry. We deal with all sizes of homes and commercial work.
EXPANSION A.Purchase a Security System in Utah that can expand to meet your needs. Don’t get a six zone system if you have a large home or business just because it is a free system. The systems that are “On Sale” can still have 12, 24 or 32 zones if you make sure you tell the Salesperson that you want the ability to expand. GET PRINTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCTS - You get what you pay for. Require UL listed equipment this will give you assurance that the products are high quality.
PREWIRE B..Having the PREWIRE done at the correct time is essential. The prewire should be done while the building is in stick phase so all of the wire can be installed, hidden and labeled. If the prewire is not done correctly and if the correct wire is not installed this can cause problems that will be difficult if not impossible to correct. Low voltage wire is not as strong as high voltage wire to be careful during install.
MONITORING C.If you are paying $26.99 per month for monitoring you should get your full value out of the system by monitoring SMOKE (FIRE), CARBON MONOXIDE, FLOOD (WATER), TEMPERATURE and BURGLAR. If you are paying more than this you either have special features such as two way voice, guard response, you are paying for the system over time or you are paying too much. Many companies charge over 30 or 35 per month for 24 hour monitoring. We have stayed at $26.95 per month and our customers stay with us and refer AS&F to others. This helps us keep our rates low. We do not lock you into a contract as most others do. We also offer High Supervision Monitoring where the cell phone dials out every 5 minutes so over 4000 times a month and there is a cellular bill included with that as well so plan on an extra $600 in equipment as well as another $30 per month for the cell bill on top of the monitoring cost. You can also have your monitoring done via radio but that costs a bit more for equipment (apx $1,200). www.PeakAlarm.com
Peak Alarm can have a radio communicator installed for about 1/2 of what the normal cost would be so call us for a quote.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT D.A professional Security Installer will take time to walk through the project with the owner and discuss their needs before recommending an exact panel or system. The owner should be encouraged to ask questions as well as providing the information needed for the assessment. Paying a professional electrical engineer is another option for your commercial project. Even when you do this it is wise to have an alarm company review the specifications and the plans before you put it out to bid since many of the engineering specifications are older boiler plate specs that are missing information because technology changes every few months.
HARDWIRED VS WIRELESS SYSTEMS E. There are systems that need to be wireless such as systems installed in historical buildings and areas that cannot have wire installed. The newer wireless systems by Inovonics and some of the other high end brands work quite well. The drawback is that you need to change the batteries every few years. Hardwired security is preferred where possible. If the wire is cut you will know immediately at the panel. We have long range wireless systems but repeaters are needed in some cases.
Communications: Cell phone backup, Radio communication and Internet communication of your systems is now available so ask your dealers about this. High Supervision Cellular dials out every 6 min so normally this will allow you to get rid of the phone lines altogether and just use Cell. Internet also poles every few minutes unlike the old POTS lines (once a day) Keep in mind there is a Cell phone bill with the service so you would pay about $30 for your monitoring and as much as $30 for the cell bill, Peak offers Standard cell service for as low as $10 and high supervision for $22 per month. If it dials out once a day it could cost a bit less. If you are paying for your equipment with the monitoring you monthly bill may be higher.
SECURITY - Doors, Windows, Glass Break detection, High Security Contacts for the vault, gun storage, sirens, keypads. ( Motion Detection is offered as an option but not recommended. )
1. Contacts for windows are now available that will allow you to open a window several inches without setting off the perimeter alarm. This will allow you to have fresh air and still be protected by the system. If the window is opened more than a few inches the alarm will go off. (It is extra for this type)
2. Understand that Motion detectors tend to produce more alarms caused by user error, animals, spiders, balloons moving around and several other causes. It is best if you can have contacts installed on all windows and doors. If you cannot afford this then install one or 2 motions strategically placed in rooms that are shut most of the time to trap an intruder rather than having motions installed in each room. We do have more expensive motions that are less likely to activate with pets, spiders etc…(ask about these)
Watch Points 3. Your security company can turn certain points on as “Watch Points” this will make the keypad beep whenever this point is set off. You may want to have the front or back doors be watch points so you know when people are coming in and out of the building while the system is off. Windows can also be on watch point so you know if your teenager is going out a window.
Partitions 4.Partitions allow you to use one panel like it was several different security systems. The code for the main system may or may not be programmed to work on a vault or other area. You could also have partitions on your system so you could arm and disarm the vault separately with a different keypad. This can also be done with special areas such as gun safes or areas of the building that need to be kept secure.
Paging 5. Certain security panels can be programmed to page you if certain events occur. Many of the systems can also be programmed to page you in the event of other problems such as flood, fire or security breach. Central stations can now send out texts or email as well and some systems interact with your smart phones.
Gates or Doors with Electric locks 5A. We can install an access control system controlled by a keypad, proximity reader (Where you just pass your card by the reader and the door or gate opens) or a Biometric reader (You simply place one of your fingers on the reader and the gate or door opens) These keypads can also be used to arm or disarm your system. The same holds true with the eye scanner.
Additional Lighting recommended 5 B. Motion lights are always a good addition to your home especially in dark areas such as back yards or pool areas. Ask your Electrician about these options.
Pool Sensors 5. C. Pool sensors can be installed to inform you when someone gets into the water. Motions can also be used and contacts on the gates.
Barn or workshop sensors 5. D.It is a good idea to add sensors to the areas that you don’t normally think about such as tool sheds or barns. These sensors may or may not be programmed to dial out. You may just want to know that you left the barn/shed door open. Security Systems in Utah and Salt Lake City.
ENCRYPTED SYSTEMS 6. Encrypted systems cost a bit more but give you the peace of mind that hackers are not defeating your system from out front of your home or business. DMP, Bosch and Qolsys are encrypted systems and Peak Alarm is a dealer of these manufactuers. www.Qolsys.com