Rather than go into detail about the various models and configurations of systems that I sell and install, I thought it would be more useful to go over some of the typical components so that you can decide first what might be appropriate for you.
The first thing to look at would be what constraints do you have? The most obvious of which is usually budget. While we want to have the best system, you will also have to pay for that system. Be prepared to compromise, but also be prepared to spend a little more than planned if there is a good cause.
The next consideration is the location of your home.
If you live rural, strobe lights and a siren will not be of any use, and you will need a back to base or phone alert of a break in. Apartment buildings do not do well with sirens either because it can be hard to tell which apartment the siren is emanating from, and can often just be ignored. In both these situations though you should consider the deterrent effect of a siren going on upon a break in.
Another constraint might be the design and construction of the building the alarm is to be installed into. Some older style homes may provide challenges in terms of where and how to install sensors, power may be an issue in the best locations and compromises reached.
All of this aside, we can look at the components that could make up your security system for your home.
There are a few broad areas that these will fall into.
They are:
- detectors: these will indicate if you have an issue that needs to be dealt with, such as an intruder
- ongoing information once the danger is detected, such as cameras
- alerts: these indicate who and what the danger might be in various ways
- control panel: to tie it all together and provide various functions.
- miscellaneous items, such as a panic button, medic alert and others.
Looking first at detectors. These are the various pieces of hardware that let you know that there is an issue is present. They are your first line of defence. These will include:
- Motion sensors
- heat detectors (can be used to detect the presence of a body when there should not be one, or as a fire detector)
- chemical and smoke detectors (for fire protection)
- floor sensors (detect pressure on a floor)
- door and window detectors – show when a door or window is opened or broken.
- Cameras do not usually fall into this category, as they need to be constantly viewed, which rarely happens, even in the most secure of locations. A camera that starts recording upon one of the above alerts is very useful though.
Ongoing detection once an alert is discovered:
- this is most typically cameras to track a threat or record for evidentiary purposes.
- Other sensors can be used to track the location of an intruder in real time as alarms are triggered in different rooms etc.
- physical security guards can be dispatched if an alarm is triggered and can monitor an ongoing threat
- phone apps can be used to remotely monitor cameras or other sensors to track a break in and to determine if the threat is real or a false alarm before calling security guards or police and incurring extra expense
Control Panel:
- this is usually installed within the home in a location that is easily accessed but not obvious
- should be pin or biometrically armed and disarmed by the user
- needs to have a secure battery back up in the event of power failure
- can have a sim card to directly contact a security base in the event of an alarm trigger
- can have a wifi connection to communicate with devices such as sensors, lights, cameras, and then relay this information across the internet to a mobile phone app or security control room. Be aware that the in order for this to work the wifi network needs to be secured as well. I recently found a homeowner whose system failed because the security system was battery backed up, but the wifi router was not. When the power was cut by a burglar (remember this is as easy as flicking a switch in the outside exterior located power box), the system was rendered useless.
- there are many functions that can be provided to your control panel, and complexity of reporting available. Many of these functions can be offloaded to a phone app, and this is often more cost-effective and even secure.
Remote access:
- You can, as mentioned, perform functions from your remote device, such as a phone app, including arming and disarming the system, monitoring camera feeds and receive alerts from sensors.
- You may wish to have these same functions available to a security control room who will monitor your sensors and react if there is an alarm. Reactions could include sending guards, police, or just alerting you for action
Deterrents and alerts:
- The traditional ones are blue strobing/flashing lights exterior to a property if a sensor is tripped
- loud sirens doing the same
- silent alarms to a control room or direct to you
- obviously located stickers or placards warning of security systems
- obvious, but not accessible, alarm systems such as a siren
Each new sensor or level of complexity adds an element that can go wrong, increasing the risk of false alarms or system failure at a critical moment. So maintenance is a factor, as is professional installation (DIY will work up to a level). And there is the obvious element of cost.
I wanted to provide a list here of typical items. You may not need all of them, and there are certainly others that I have not listed here. It should give you a good start so that when you talk to a home security technician you have a starting point to discuss to work out the best security system for your home.