Burglar Alarm System Types

Which is the ideal system for me?

The ideal system is one that has been designed specifically for you by our surveyors during the survey and security risk assessment visit. It may be that a relatively basic “bells” only audible system is sufficient or due to the type of property and value of the risk a fully monitored DD243 compliant system is essential. If your insurers have insisted on an alarm then it must meet or exceed the requirements they have stipulated. Our job is to ensure that you have the most appropriate system available without loosing sight that you are the customer and that it’s your property we have been invited to secure.

All professionally fitted systems must now be installed to European standard EN50131 of which PD6662:2004 is the UK interpretation of that standard.

This standard requires each property to be assessed for the risk of intrusion and burglary based on a number of factors such as the crime rate in the area, the physical security of the property and the contents to be protected. From this, our surveyors will offer their view on which grade of system should ideally be installed which will fall into either grade 2 or 3 with a sub division applied for the type of signalling recommended.

The following brief guides outline the various types of system you might encounter in your search for the ideal security system.

Audible or “bells” only systems (Grade 2X)

These are exactly as the description implies, a system comprising of a suitable control panel, a number of detection devices with audible warning devices fitted both inside and outside the premises to alert you, your neighbours and the intruder themselves that the alarm has been tripped.

GardTech 480

Audible only systems are the most common type of alarm fitted as they provide excellent protection for a much lower outlay than monitored systems. The sudden loud sound of the external alarm encourages the intruder to vacate the scene of his crime in case he is observed or caught in the act. The control panel required is normally less expensive than for a monitored system as the features and function required are less extensive than a control panel designed to accommodate a remote signalling device.

Typical of these types of control panel are the GuardTech 480 and Texecom Excel control panels shown here. Fitted with a combination of quality passive infra-red detectors movement detectors, contact switches and other devices as required, they provide an excellent reliable, easy to use system and at a surprising competitive price. As with all of our systems a comprehensive minimum 12 month warranty and service package is provided free of charge, extendable with an on-going service contract.

Veritas 'Excel' Control Panel

Audible Plus Systems (Grade 2B Key holder response systems)

This term best describes those systems that fit between and audible only system and a DD243 compliant fully monitored system designed to summon assistance from the Police.

These control panels have the capability to communicate remotely by sending either a text message to a number of mobile telephones, a pre-recorded voice message from an automatic dialler or using our low cost key-holder only monitoring service via a digital communicator to our 24 hour alarm receiving centre who will contact your key holder by telephone to advise them of the alarm activation. With any of these options you are not permitted to contact the Police until after a key-holder has attended the premises to verify that the activation is due to a genuine break-in.

SMS Text Technology

Premier Large Text Keypad

With a more sophisticated level of control panel being required to meet the needs of the communications equipment above, the solution is found in our Gardtech 490X and Premier 24 systems. The 490X is a remote signalling compatible version of the 480 and offers an automatic speech dialler and built-in digital communicator as standard. When connected to the Intemac Home Monitoring Service, up to 6 “land-line” telephone numbers can be called and 6 SMS text messages and 6 emails sent to pre determined key-holders.

The Premier 24 is an absolutely superb control panel offering many functions and features including remote programming, testing and historical log retrieval via a telephone line to our office. The Premier 24 as its name implies can accommodate up to 24 separate and individually programmable circuits making it suitable for all but the largest of domestic dwellings and most small to medium sized commercial premises. Fully Monitored DD43/PD6662 Compliant Systems

Veritas 'Excel' Control Panel

When the risk is sufficiently high or for your peace of mind, we can provide a fully monitored system linked to our alarm receiving centre or ARC who after carrying out checks for false alarms will contact the Police to request an officer attends the premises.

Due to the requirements of PD6662:2004 and DD243 the signal has to be confirmed and although we can offer both Visual and Audible confirmation technologies, by far the most effective and reliable is the Sequential signalling system favoured by the majority of alarm system providers and insurers.

Sequential signalling is achieved when an “unconfirmed” or initial signal is generated by the activation of a detection device followed by a secondary “confirmed” signal from another device within a period of 60 minutes. On receipt of the unconfirmed signal the key holders are informed and in the event of the confirmation signal being sent the Police are additionally called.

To ensure that both signals are transmitted in the event of an attack on the telephone lines, the telephone line signalling path is backed up with a wireless or radio signalling path using one of the following products:- DualCom GPRS, DualCom Plus. RedCare GSM or RedCares latest signalling service, RedCare “Agile”.

The process of installing a system to the exacting standards of DD243 is more complex than is briefly mentioned above and full details will be provided by the surveyor and in our comprehensive system specification which will be forwarded following the survey visit.

To meet the requirements of a DD243 system only the best quality equipment will suffice which is provided in the form of the complete Premier Range of control panels from the Premier 24 up to the powerful Premier 640. Features available include area setting options, multiple user’s codes and extensive historical log facilities. Additional keypads can be added which are available in a number of formats including extra large LCD readout and flush fitting versions. All have up/download capabilities.

Other Equipment

No control panel can function without a range of detection and warning devices.

At Care Guard, our aim is to provide a reliable and false alarm free system. Whilst neither our customers or ourselves are naive enough to believe claims of totally false alarm free systems, we do believe that by a combination of quality equipment and a careful design and build approach, we can and have achieved a false alarm free rate as close to that magical 100% as can currently be achieved and in the unlikely event that your system should false alarm, we will deal with this promptly and efficiently to ensure you do not lose confidence in your investment.

Only by using quality equipment can we make this claim of which a sample is detailed below:- External Sounder The purpose of the external sounder is firstly to provide a deterrent to any would be intruder or burglar that the premises has been protected by a professionally installed system. This is your first line of defence as most burglars will move on to a less

challenging property, one without an alarm system! Secondly if the intruder or burglar should attempt to gain access, as soon as one of the detection devices is triggered the control panel activates the sounder and strobe light simultaneously, giving a high decibel siren and powerful flashing light. Sounders are tamper protected and have their own standby battery should the cable be cut between the sounder and the control panel. All installations are fitted with at least one external sounder or “bell box” to provide a clear and unambiguous indication of the alarm activation.

Passive Infra-Red (PIR) Movement Detectors These devices detect a moving source of infra-red emissions given off by a body crossing the field of view of the detector, or by a rapidly changing heat source in the range of the detector. If sufficiently large, the detector will signal an alarm activation to the control panel.

Combined PIR and Microwave Movement Detectors Similar to PIR’s, these detectors commonly known as dual-technology detectors are used when the environment is too hostile for a standard PIR. Both our “Prestige” PIR’s and Dualtechs have the same case which makes the requirement for one of each detector to be fitted in the same room in a high security installation much more ascetically pleasing.

Shock Detectors These small devices use a seismic or vibration detector to sense an intruder using force to enter a premises through a locked door or window. Fitting these to the complete perimeter of for example, a domestic property, can enable to occupants free and unrestricted movement within the property whilst maintaining the integrity of the secured premises.

Glass Break Detectors

As the name implies, these sensors can detect the frequency of glass being broken and like the shock detectors above will normally activate the alarm before full entry is achieved by the intruder.

Door Switches (Contacts)

The simplest, yet one of the best detection devices, the humble door contact has been available since the very first alarms were fitted and still have a major part to play in the protection of property. When fitted to a door, the contact will signal to the control panel when that door is opened, either as a positive signal for entry/exit purposes or as an immediate alarm depending on the purpose required.

Panic or Personal Attack Buttons

Designed to activate the alarm regardless of whether set or unset, these devices are used to summon assistance or let others know that all is not well within the premises. With police attended systems, activation will send a special duress code via the monitoring or alarm receiving centre (ARC). Generally incorporated into the remote keypad, wired stand alone buttons are still available.

Smoke and Carbon-Monoxide Detectors These detectors can be added to an intruder alarm system to give added protection to the occupants of the property, sounding an alarm and where connected to remote signalling, forwarding the call to the ARC or other third parties as appropriate.

Wireless Options

Hybrid wireless detection options are available with many of our systems and devices above, giving an alternative to wired systems. These systems are now as reliable as their wired counterparts and offer a viable alternative to traditional cabled systems. Whilst cables to the detectors are wire free, cabling is however still required to keypads and internal and external sounders, hence the reference to the hybrid system. This gives the best of both worlds and speeds up installation time.

Maintenance & Service

We provide a comprehensive service and maintenance program on all new systems as well as offering servicing and upgrades to older systems whether installed by ourselves or other professional companies who no longer look after that system.

Bells only systems are maintained once per year whilst monitored systems using police approved alarm receiving centres have to be serviced twice annually. Not having a system regularly maintained can not only result in faults and false alarms occurring but can lead to further damage to the systems as demonstrated in the picture of the battery below and resulted in the customer having to have a complete new system. It may also be a requirement of your insurance to have a maintenance contract.

Costs for servicing and maintenance vary depending on the type and size of the system, however we believe our prices to be fair and competitive.