When people think of security they think alarms

An alarm system should deter would-be burglars, detect an intruder, and set off an alarm that scares them away and summons assistance. If your alarm system is part of a monitoring service, it should also alert a central monitoring station and set a response in action.

There are many home alarm and commercial alarm systems available. Again, the choice will depend on what is most effective for your building, your lifestyle or work patterns, and your budget. There is also a range of personal alarms as well as smoke alarms and fire detectors.

Here's just a glimpse of what's available.

Home alarms

Home alarms consist of:

• Detection devices - detect motion, forcing of doors or windows, breaking glass, explosions, smoke, heat or gas. Devices may use infra-red and/or microwave technology, magnetic reed switches, audio or vibration sensors, photoelectric beams, smoke or heat detectors.
• Control panel - receives the message from the detection device that something is up, also allowing you to enter a code to turn the system on/off.
• Signal - the method of alert - may be a loud siren or a signal to a monitoring or response service.
• Monitoring system - loud sirens may not be totally effective - people are so used to sirens they tend to ignore them. Increasingly, alarms are being used as part of an overall security system that includes central monitoring.

Smoke alarms and fire alarms
In Australia each year there are more than 10,000 house fires, causing more than 1,500 injuries and 70 deaths. Most house fires can be prevented.

Smoke alarms are required by law. They detect smoke and sound an alarm that gives people time to get out. This early warning saves lives and minimises property damage by enabling a fast and early response.

While smoke alarms are the most effective way of detecting a fire, they may not be the best option in areas where there is likely to be dust, smoke and steam, for example in a kitchen. In this case, use other options such as heat detectors, ionisation smoke detectors or photoelectric smoke detectors.

Fire alarms are generally used in larger buildings and have a control panel that is linked to smoke and heat detectors that cover several zones. Fire alarms can be incorporated into security systems.

 

Personal distress alarms

Personal distress alarm systems are ideal for elderly or frail people. The alarm button is worn by the person and activated if they have a fall or a medical emergency and can't get to the phone. The alarm sends an alert to a central monitoring service which then calls the relevant contact people - so help is quickly on its way.

Monitoring systems

An alarm monitoring system takes security a step further - from detecting to responding. The alarm does more than make a noise and hope that someone acts, it sends a message to the monitoring station and activates an immediate response. Depending on the alarm, that response may be alerting the police, fire brigade, ambulance, security patrol, technician or authorised person. Central monitoring stations are constructed and fitted out in accordance with Australian Standards AS2201.2

10 things to consider when choosing an alarm system

1. Do you need a hardwired or wireless system?
2. Do you want the alarm linked to a monitoring service?
3. Should the alarm be able to detect fire or flood as well as intruders?
4. Does the security company offer a 24/7 service?
5. Will the security company install the alarm to ensure that it complies with Australian Standard 2201?
6. Does the system have its own power source or radio back-up in case of power failure?
7. Does the security company test the system regularly?
8. Does the security company offer annual maintenance to test and clean the system?
9. Does the alarm system include a panic button in case you are on the premises when someone breaks in?
10. How will the alarm be activated - by keypad, remote?