Practical Use Of Wireless Z-Wave Lock

February 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Here is a really good application of an interactive alarms system.

We recently installed a 2GIG GO! Control Interactive alarm system powered by alarm.com in an older couple’s home. They have had an alarm system for a while but decided it was time for an upgrade and had read about some of the features available today in our newsletters.

One thing that I never thought of, but my customer did, is access to the house by emergency personnel in the case of a medical or other emergency.  He wanted to make sure that a Z-Wave enabled lock was included with the system for the front door.

He had thought this through. If something happened and neither he nor his wife were able to reach the front door to let emergency responders in, he could unlock the door from a keypad or his phone to allow access. We also provided the central monitoring center with the code for the door (the Z-Wave lock has a numeric keypad on it) and they would give that number to the police department when dispatching.

The emergency responders could gain access. Problem solved.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

52416_logo_final
Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Central Station Passwords

February 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Whether you have a residential security system or a commercial security system, in order for the central station to know that the person that they are speaking to is an authorized user of the system, a password is used.

A password is a word that is attached to your monitoring account which the central station asks for before they will give you any information or take instruction from you.  If you do not know your password, you will not be able to stop a false police dispatch.  For this reason, it is very important that every user of the alarm system has knowledge of the password.

This password can be universal, one that every user of the system knows, or the preferable way, each user having an individual password. The advantage of the individual passwords is better security. Since every person has their own word, they will safeguard it closer than if everyone is sharing a word.  Also, if you decide that someone no longer should have access to your premises, you can change the alarm system user code, (the code that is used to disarm the system) and the password.

If a disgruntled employee has a universal password, even if their code was taken out of the alarm system, they would be able to stop a police dispatch.  Since the password is universal, a name is not attached to it so you don’t know who in reality answered the phone and gave the password.

Password maintenance is simple.  Simply call your alarm company and they can take your changes.  We ask for it in writing, via email or fax. After that, we do all the work.

To recap, for added security every user of the alarm system should be given their own unique password as well as their own passcode for operation of the system.

There are exceptions of course, very often husband and wife use the same code and often the kids as well.  This is not a great idea since they may share that password with their friends. It is easier to change one person’s code then asking all users to remember a new one.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

 

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

 

52416_logo_final

 

 

Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Alarm System User Codes

February 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment

To operate an alarm system from the keypad you need a numeric code.  These codes are called passcodes, PINS, or user codes.  In all cases, to disarm the system, you have to enter a user code. Some alarm systems are programmed to require you to use a code to arm the system as well.

The main user code is the Master Code.  The master code allows you to make some basic changes to the alarm system and review history and trouble conditions. The master code is also the code you use to add and delete other user codes.

Typically, user codes (other than the master) can arm and disarm the system.  If selected they can do other functions, such as bypassing zones, as well. You can also program a code as a one time code, if you need to give someone access to your premises only once.

For various reasons is a good idea to give different users of the alarm system different codes. First, the alarm system can keep track of who disarmed the system.  You know who came in and what time. Second, if you fire the person or cleaning service, you don’t have to remember a new code, you simply have to delete the code you no longer wish to be in the system.

Most alarm systems have the capability for at least 12 user codes.  If you need more, make sure you tell your alarm company. It is important that you keep track of the user code position that any code is assigned.  Often you can’t see the codes from the alarm keypad so keeping a simple spread sheet is a good idea.  Make sure you are instructed as to how to add and delete codes. If you want to make sure that the system keeps track of arming and disarming, tell your installer. The newer systems we install, from 2GIG, keep track automatically.  With the interactive service, that information is available right from your phone.

When you have an alarm system installed, you will also need to have a password for the central station.  That will be the topic of the next post.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

52416_logo_final
Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What Kind Of Maintenance Is Necessary For Alarm Systems?

January 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

So you bought an alarm system, what kind of maintenance and service should you do?

Really, not much. It should work flawlessly for quite some time.  The first thing to go will be batteries.  All systems will have to have their system battery replaced after 3 to 5 years.  When the battery is low, the keypad will notify you as will the central station. The batteries for most alarm systems in service today are 12 volt and 4 to 7 amp hour. Newer graphic self-contained systems have different smaller batteries, the 2Gig GO! Control has a 7.2 volt back up battery.  All batteries should give you 24 hour back up. It is not a bad idea to schedule replacement of your battery every 3 years to preempt any possible issues.

If you have a wireless alarm system, you will also need to replace the batteries in the various devices such as door and window transmitters, wireless motion detectors, wireless glass break detectors, wireless carbon monoxide detectors, wireless smoke detectors, key fobs, panic buttons, and other wireless devices.  Most of the new devices use lithium batteries, from CR123 3 Volt lithium batteries to lithium watch sized batteries.  The smaller the device, the smaller the battery.  Typically the bigger batteries last longer, 3 years plus, while the watch type batteries last 2 years plus.  Devices that are used most often, like entry doors, drain quicker. On the newer systems, the keypad tells you which transmitter has a low battery, making replacement easy.

Make sure your alarm company shows you how to change the batteries during the installation.  You should also get a list of the batteries required for all the various devices you have so you don’t have to scramble to find out when they are low. If you choose not to replace your own batteries, the alarm company should be happy to replace them for you.

Older systems use typical alkaline batteries, 9 volt, AAA and AA are common.  These need to be replaced more often. Many older systems don’t tell you when the batteries are low so regular replacement is necessary.

Other than changing batteries, not much else is necessary. Make sure devices such as motion detectors and smoke detectors are clear of spider webs and that’s about it.

If installed and programmed correctly, your alarm system should monitor all parts and devices on the system, as well as services it is connected to, like power, telephone, and cellular. If any of these systems go down, your alarm system should alert you to that fact. The first reaction is to think that there is something wrong with your alarm system, when in reality it is working correctly.  It is supposed to tell you when it is compromised when a service it relies on is not working properly.

Even though the system monitors itself, testing the alarm system is something that you should regularly do. You depend on your alarm system and you should make sure that it is working properly all the time. The best way to test the system is as follows:  Call the central station and put the system on test. Arm the system and then trip a zone. Reset the alarm and then call the central station to make sure they received the right signal. Next week put it back on test and trip the next zone.  Go clockwise around your house and you will eventually check all your devices and then start again. It is worth the effort to protect your home and family.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Filed Under: Home Security Systems

How Long Is The Warranty?

January 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

What kind of warranty do alarm systems come with?

The answer to this question is a really short blog post because the answer is quite simple. Most alarm companies offer a 90 warranty on alarm systems. Common practice is to sell you a service contract when you are buying the system.

We feel that 90 days is nonsense.  We take pride in our work and do a professional installation following all recommended techniques and best practices.  We use high quality components and installation materials. All of our installers have a minimum 5 year experience installing alarms and are good at what they do.  We offer a full one year warranty on everything we sell. If anything breaks or stops working, we will repair or replace it within a year at no charge. The only exceptions are damage caused by external reasons, some examples are lightning, water, and vandalism. Other than that, it is covered.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Do Alarm Systems Work And How Well?

January 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

First a couple of statistics.  In 2007 according to the FBI, 17.5 million property crimes took place in the United States.  That breaks down to one burglary every 14 seconds.  Though the majority of burglaries take place during the day, 60% to 65% of burglaries take place between 6am and 6pm, close to 40% happen at night when victims are sleeping.  81% of intruders enter through the first floor and 35% of all burglaries are through the front door.

The average loss during a burglary was $2,000.

Typically burglars spend less than 60 seconds breaking into a home. The more difficult it is to gain access, the more likely a burglar is likely to reconsider the attack

Historically speaking, when the economy is not doing well, property crime and burglary have increased

Less than 13% of burglaries are solved.

Without a doubt, there are many factors that can reduce your odds of being burglarized. Adequate lighting outdoors, lights on inside the house, locked doors, shrubs and trees trimmed so windows are not blocked, all help. Protecting your home is a combination of factors, not any single thing.

The biggest factor, however, and most interesting to anyone considering a security system, is that homes with monitored alarm systems are 3 times less likely to be broken into than homes without. Burglars are not stupid and call tell when it is more likely they will be caught. By making it harder, you are encouraging the burglar to pick a different place to break into. It is estimated that 74% of uncompleted burglaries can be credited to an audible alarm

90% of convicted burglars say they would avoid homes with alarm systems and said that if they did pick a home with an alarm system, they would abandon the break in.

Alarm systems provide a psychological deterrent to crime.

As we have seen, alarm systems do work. If a burglar breaks in and realizes the alarm is contacting the police department, they tend to flee. If you have yard signs and decals indicating that your home is protected, the burglar tends to move on to the next house.  This combination, along with other security measures, is a potent way to safeguard your home against break in.

So to answer the question, alarm systems do work.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , ,

What’s The Deal With False Alarms

January 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Through the years, people have mentioned to me that they are reluctant to get an alarm system because they are afraid of false alarms. With today’s modern alarm systems, for the most part those fears are a thing of the past.

There are two main categories of false alarms: equipment failure and user error.  Progress has been made in both areas. First let’s discuss advances in equipment and techniques used for installation.

In the beginning of monitored alarm systems, they simply reported that an incident was taking place with no way to verify if an alarm was actually taking place or if it was simply a mistake. Today alarm systems communicate to the central station and then the central station calls the premises to verify the alarm. When monitoring is set up a password is established.  The central station calls, asks if everything is OK and asks for the password.  If the proper password is given, that’s where it ends.  No authorities are notified.  Some localities have added an additional step, called advanced verification.  That is, if no one answers the first phone number, the central station calls a second phone number for verification.  If no answer, then the authorities are dispatched. Often the second phone number is somebodies cell phone who would know if there is supposed to be activity at the premises or not. This has helped with false alarms.

Still in its infancy, video verification has promise in cutting down on the number of false alarms as well. Basically a motion detector with a camera, if the alarm is tripped, the camera takes 2 or 3 still images and transmits them to the monitoring center.  The operator can then determine whether it is a legitimate alarm or not.

Other advances in equipment have helped dramatically as well.  Motion detectors now have microprocessors built into them to analyze what they are seeing.  This eliminates alarms caused by dust and bugs.  Dual technology motion detectors require two sensors to see the same alarm condition before reporting an alarm.  Motion detectors have come a long way but can still be fooled by Mylar balloons or being installed improperly. That’s where professional installation comes in.  More on that later.

Other devices have improved as well.  Glass break detectors are also microprocessor controlled.  In past years, foil used to be attached to windows and required quite a bit of maintenance to remain in good working order. The new glass break detectors ignore everything except the frequency of glass they are designed to detect. Even switches for doors and windows have improved.  Their reliability has improved by better design, manufacturing process, and a larger selection.  Switches are now available for virtually every possible application.

Professional installation by licensed alarm companies has led to a significant decrease in the number of false alarms.  Proper installation techniques coupled with knowledge of the right equipment available for the application at hand, makes a substantial difference.  Knowing where a motion detector should or shouldn’t be mounted can be the difference between having false alarms or not.  Some devices can work reliably below 32 degrees, others cannot.  That knowledge shouldn’t be discounted. Some detectors should have all their holes plugged so nothing can get in.  Installation directions for each unit should be followed.

The proper installation of switches (contacts) in doors and windows is also important.  Care should be taken that the switch and magnet line up properly in 20 degree, as well as 95 degree temperatures. Wood doors also shrink and expand, when installing contacts that should be taken into account.  Metal doors are also a variable that should be dealt with properly.

Smoke detectors and heat detectors also should be installed properly.  They have different applications and are not interchangeable.  Smoke detectors, in particular, if not properly installed can false alarm. It is vital that all construction and fire codes, as well as manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. Smokes Alarms, as opposed to Smoke Detectors, must be replaced after 10 years.  Carbon Monoxide detectors also have a life expectancy which should be adhered to.

In the past “swingers” were a big cause of false alarms.  Simply put, if a switch failed, it would “swing” causing multiple alarms when no threat was present. There was no mechanism to stop this and it wasn’t unusual for multiple alarms to be transmitted to the central station causing multiple police dispatches. To eliminate this problem, the alarm system will stop transmitting that devices signals after a certain number of activations, often 2.  This can save many false alarms during a long armed period.

The vast majority of false alarms are user caused. Proper education from your alarm company can help eliminate this cause. You should be educated on the proper operation of the system, how to arm and disarm as well as which arming mode to use when.  The other thing you should know is what to do when you set the alarm off by mistake. You can stop a false dispatch. Everybody who operates the alarm system should be properly trained in its operation and given a central station code to stop the dispatch in the event of a mistake.

One option that is available that we don’t recommend is the dialer delay. The control panel simply waits 30 seconds to 5 minutes before contacting the central station. If the proper code is entered within that time, the alarm panel never dials out. We think the panel should communicate every time an alarm is detected, and then with proper education and a little care, a false dispatch can be averted.

User operation of alarm systems has become easier and more intuitive. If you are staying home, alarm systems will automatically default to stay mode (no motion detectors active). This eliminates you walking in front of a motion detector and tripping the alarm. Alarm systems also beep while arming in away mode and when you enter after the system was armed.  This is to remind you to leave in a timely fashion and to enter the code when coming home. Entry and exit times are also programmable to give you enough time to comfortably enter and exit the home.

Modern systems have graphic displays that prompt you to enter the right code.  No longer do you have to remember or instruct someone a series of numbers to arm or disarm the system. Now if you want to disarm the systems, the display simply says “Enter Code To Disarm”. To make it even easier, you can use an app on your smart phone to control all system functions.

False alarms are bad and can become expensive. Reducing false alarms comes from a partnership between the alarm company and the user of the alarm.  Proper installation of quality equipment and proper education in the alarm system use is the responsibility of the alarm company. Maintaining the system and making sure that all users are trained is the responsibility of the alarm owner. Maintenance means calling the alarm company to repair the systems if damaged and repairing or replacing defective devices that are causing problems. It also means informing the alarm company if any phone numbers for verification or notification change. And remember your password.

Reducing and eliminating false alarms is important and by following simple steps, can be accomplished. Fear of false alarms should not stop you from protecting your home, family or business with a modern security system.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What Are The Differences In Arming Modes In Alarm Systems

January 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment

What are the differences in arming modes of alarm systems.

Most modern alarm systems have three arming modes: away, stay (or home), and instant. Each mode should be used in the regular operation of your system.

Before we go into the arming modes, let’s discuss the three most used ways various zones can respond to being opened while armed. If a door or window is set to perimeter mode, if the alarm system is armed, as soon as the door or window is opened the alarm goes off immediately.  If a door is set to delay mode, when the alarm system is armed there is a predetermined time that you have to enter the code into the keypad before the alarm goes off.  This time is usually set from 30 to 60 seconds but can vary from that. Interior protection is often used for motion detectors. Interior mode automatically bypasses that zone when the alarm system is armed in stay (or home) mode.  Often motion detectors are set for interior follower mode, which we will discuss in a minute.

Stay mode means simply that you are arming the system and staying in the house.  You will be walking around so the motion detectors do not turn on.  That is why they are set as interior protection, so they don’t cause an alarm while you are home.  In stay mode, the doors that have been defined as entry/exit, or delay zones, still have the delay time.  This allows someone to enter the house, while armed in stay and disarm the system.  This is very practical if someone is home and wants the protection that the alarm system gives, but is waiting for someone else to come home.

Instant mode (no delay) is used when everybody is home for the night and no one is expected to arrive.  If any door, whether defined as a perimeter or delay zone is opened, the alarm will be tripped. The motion detector is still not active in this mode.  This is the mode to use and night when everybody is home, particularly when sleeping.  You don’t want to give an intruder 30 to 60 seconds to enter the house in this case.

Away mode is used when the house is empty.  Once the system is armed, the motion detectors are activated. Here is where the interior follower setting comes in.  If the system is armed in away and the motion detector is the first sensor to see an intruder, the alarm will trip immediately. Interior follower means that the motion detector follows an entry/exit door. If a door set to delay is opened, the motion detector will not trip until the delay time is over.  That makes it possible to have the motion detector see the door that is being opened and not cause an alarm.

In order to reduce false alarms, alarm systems today automatically default to stay mode if the system is armed to away and nobody leaves the house. The system knows this because the doors were not opened while leaving.  If you want a motion detector to turn on in stay mode, make sure you discuss that with your alarm installer so it is programmed correctly.

It is typically a good idea to keep the delay leaving and entering times as short as possible, yet still being comfortable to get to the keypad in time. It is also a good idea to minimize the number of delay zones in a system.  As few points with time to enter, the better.

Alarm systems typically do not require a code to arm the system, but all systems require a code to disarm. Audibly, systems beep while arming in away mode but just give a short series of beeps when arming in stay or instant mode. When a delay zone is entered, the alarm system beeps during the delay time until the code is entered to disarm.  The last ten seconds the beeping is faster to let you know time is about to expire and the alarm will sound. It is important to know that the delay times for both entry and exit are programmable, so pick a time you are comfortable with.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Business Security Systems, Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Battery Back Up

January 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment

When you have an alarm system installed, you should make sure that it has 24 hour battery backup. Simply put, if the power goes out for any reason, your system will continue to operate without interruption for 24 hours.

The control panel needs a battery.  The biggest determining factor on the size of battery required is what the power draw of all the devices that the control panel powers use.  These are measured in amp hours and the total tells you how much power per hour is used and you multiply it by twenty four.  You also have to factor in the siren being active for a set period of time. This calculation will tell you what size battery you need. You cannot put too large a battery in the control panel because the charging circuit will not be able to charge the battery properly.  Most control panel batteries are 4 to 7 amp hours.

Every other device in your system that has a power supply should also have a battery backup.  If you have remote power for additional devices, that battery should be properly sized as well.  Cellular communicators should also have a backup battery matched to work for 24 hours as well.

Most homes now have phone service provided by their cable company, or some sort of Voice Over IP Service.  VOIP will be a topic for an upcoming post but for today here is the important part – most modems do not have a battery backup built into them and shut down when there is no power. If there is a battery built in, it is only calculated to work for 8 hours. This renders your security system unable to communicate in the case of any emergency unless you have a cellular communicator attached to the security system. You should consider buying a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) and plugging your modem into it.  This will give you some protection during power failures.

As batteries age, their efficiency deteriorates and they cannot hold their charge as long.  That is why it is important to change your backup batteries every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if you receive indications that the battery is low.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What Kind Of Alarm Sensors Are There?

January 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment

An alarm system is comprised of three basic parts – the control panel (the brains of the operation including the communicator), the siren (the mouth of the system) and the detection devices.  Today we are going to talk about the detection devices, commonly referred to in the industry as sensors.  Many times these names are used in a presentation without proper definition.  Here are definitions of the most common sensors so that when you are talking to an alarm professional, you won’t feel he is talking a language you don’t understand. I am going to list them in no particular order.

Contact                A switch that is used on windows and doors to notify you if they are opened or closed.  Contacts come in many shapes, long and skinny 2 piece designed to be mounted on a window to short and stubby that are designed for door jams.  There are also metal contacts for overhead doors and more risky, vandal prone areas.  These switches, also knows as reed switches, are usually magnetic.  There is a glass tube with metal in it and when a magnet is in close proximity, the switch either allows current to pass or not.  Whether or not the current passes is call either a normally open or a normally closed circuit.  When the magnet is moved away from the switch, the circuit either opens or closes causing a signal to be sent to the alarm panel.  Most contacts used today are normally closed.  This is the most common device, found on windows and doors.  They usually, but not always, come in two pieces, the switch and the magnet.

Motion Detector              A detector that can detect motion of a body in its field of view.  Most motion detectors are passive infrared detectors, that is they measure heat.  If the  room is 70 degrees and a human body enters the space, it will detect that 98.6 degree presence and trip the alarm. This type of device is considered interior protection.

Dual Technology Motion Detectors          A detector with two types of detection.  Both must see activity for the detector to trip and cause the alarm system to go off.  Most dual technology sensors consist of a passive infrared detector and a microwave sensor.

Pet Immune Motion Detectors         Typically a passive infrared detector that processes what it sees through a computer chip.  The size of a human is translated to a infrared image and that information is programmed in.  Since the size and weight of the human is known, an algorithm is written so that anything under a specified size, 25, 30 50 or even 90 pounds can be ignored.  That is why pet immune motion detectors will not detect dogs.

Glass Break Detectors                    They do exactly what their name says, if glass breaks, a microphone tuned to the frequency of breaking glass hears it and sets off the alarm.  Glass break detectors are considered perimeter protection, as opposed to motion detectors which are interior, because they  catch an intruder before they enter the home.  They are very effective protection, and computer technology has made them quite false alarm resistant.

Shock Sensors                   Used around window and door frames, they detect shocks around the opening and set off the alarm.  They come in both passive and active versions, and both are quite effective.

Water Sensors                  These devices also come in active and passive versions.  Strategically placed in areas of the house where water may be present, they can alert you if pipes burst, the water heater gives out or your sump fills above the level it should.  These devices can save thousands of dollars in damage.

Temperature Sensors       They can detect temperature when it rises or drops below certain set points.  Very useful for houses that are empty for prolonged periods of time, when notified you can respond before serious damage is caused by bursting pipes.  These devices come in analog and digital versions.

All these devices come in wired and wireless versions and both are equally reliable and effective.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

 

Sign up for our Email Newsletter  

Filed Under: Business Security Systems, Home Security Systems Tagged With: , , , , ,
«Previous Page
Next Page»