Home Improvement Advice for Alarms
Intruder Alarms Basics Do it Yourself Tips for Alarms
Basic Advice.
The three key words to remember when choosing an intruder alarm are; designed, installed and maintained..
Designed - a system designed for your own unique requirements during a visit to you home by a professional alarm surveyor..
Installed - a system fitted by an alarm technician from the same company as the surveyor that designed it..
Maintained - a system inspected and serviced at regular intervals by the installing company, who itself is audited by an approved inspection body..
Don't worry about all the confusing information you've heard about alarm door contacts, 'magic eyes' and infra red sensors. None of these things involve any magic. A reputable installer will give you nothing more than the equipment you need, and tell you everything you need to know about how it works, which is very little..
Your Questions Answered.
Isn't an alarm complicated to use? - modern systems are rarely complicated to use, you can even get control panels that will tell you the cause of any alarm, whether the system has gone off in your absence, etc.
What is a 'bells-only' alarm? - a 'bells-only' alarm is designed to activate a bell or, more usually these days, a siren in case of intrusion, but there is no direct link to the police.
What is a monitored alarm? - monitored alarms are linked via a communications line to a private monitoring station, where 24 hour operators can notify the local police in the event of an intrusion. Special signalling options are available to activate the alarm if anyone cuts the line.
Is a monitored alarm expensive? - a basic monitored alarm costs relatively little more to install than a bells-only system, although an annual maintenance and monitoring contract is mandatory to qualify for police response. Installation in a typical three-bedroomed house might cost in the region of $600-$1,000.
What about false alarms? - modern systems tend to be user friendly and should not cause problems, provided they are well maintained. Also, a professionally installed system will incorporate an automatic cut-out that will silence the alarm after 20 minutes.
Can I have an alarm if I have a pet? - a combination of basic operating procedures and system design can usually prevent any problems with household pets.
Can't I just buy a DIY alarm? - DIY intruder alarms can be purchased for $150 or less, however, the low price means that the best equipment is rarely, if ever, used. A DIY system cannot, ever, qualify for police response through a 24 hour monitoring station. The design and installation of an alarm system is a skilled task, so if you want reliable protection, leave it to the experts.