Understanding Security Systems
Peak Alarm web site ask for Larry Love
Understanding Security Systems
Main Security Control Panel with back up battery (Often in an electrical closet/sometimes combined with the keypad in one)
Keypads –Used to arm and disarm(Many systems will allow you to use your smart phone to arm/disarm)
Motion detectors – Many will detect heat and motion. There are different brands and qualities
Door and Window Contacts report if a point is opened (devices can be wireless or hardwired)
Glass Break and Shock sensors – Detects the frequency of breaking glass or vibrations
Panic buttons – can be programmed for medical alert or duress situations
Smoke/Heat/Freeze detectors – These report to the Central Station and the Fire department will be dispatched. 120 Volt smoke detectors in your home do not report to the central station they are made just to wake you up.
Flood and Temperature sensors can often save you just as much or more in the long run than a burg system. Detecting that the home or business is below 41 degrees will allow you to mitigate damage before pipes freeze or burst. Security systems have additional sensors such as tilt sensors for artwork or specialized equipment for specific circumstances including pressure sensor mats, bill traps etc…
Additional items can be controlled by your security system such as Locks, Cameras, Lighting, Garage door, Thermostat control just to name some of the items all can be added to your security system. Notes:
Geo-fencing can be set up so when you get close to your home the lights come on the temperature is adjusted. The same geo-fencing can be set up so when the last cell phone leaves the area of the home or business the system will arm, garage door will close, lights will come on or off and the temperature can be adjusted.
A basic security system that has contacts for the entry and exit doors and one strategically placed trap motion can be purchased with the control panel, 3 Door Contacts and a motion for a very economical price and Peak Alarm offers very competitive monitoring rates.
The cost of the sensors will depend on the quantity and the quality and features that you decide upon. Additional services can also affect the monthly cost depending on your needs. When a higher down payment is made the monthly can often be reduced and when the monthly is higher we can lower the down payment that is required.
You can contact each and every window and each door and put motion detectors in all the rooms although in most cases this is not necessary.
Recommendations:
1. Peak Alarm recommends that you have at least one smoke detector on the top floor and one on the bottom floor. This is not referring to fire code requirements for businesses or placement since the 120 volt smoke detectors will be in each bedroom and in the hallway outside each bedroom. Businesses will need to be designed per code whereas the additional smoke detection added to a home can be done without fire marshal approval and this is in addition to code requirements.
2. We recommend that trap motions be placed in areas of the home where burglars would most likely access. This reduces how many motions you install and still gives you coverage. If however you are concerned that someone may break into one room and then leave without going anywhere else, we can design a system with complete coverage.
3. It is recommended to install a water sensor in the area where the washer is, where the dishwasher is and anywhere you feel pipes could have issues such as water heaters etc…
4. It is recommended that you contact your garage door so when you check it remotely you can tell if is open or closed. You could also have Peak install a garage door module that would control your opener so you could remotely close the door if it were open.
5. Adding a repair/extended warranty onto the monthly fees is an option that will help you avoid paying hourly service rates when a covered issue occurs. This repair agreement also covers the replacement of batteries.
Older security systems were tied to phone lines which could go down or be cut by burglars Security systems that are being monitored by 2G cellular will stop working next year in 2017 or this year because the cell towers will no longer support the 2G technology.
New Security Systems give you the ability to monitor them via Radio or Cellular Communicators
Cellular Communicators allow you to arm and disarm your system from your smart phone remotely
Most of the time your insurance company will give you a discount when your central station verifies that you have a monitored system that protects against burglary, temperature fluctuations, fire and flooding.