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Demystifying intruder alarms

Burglar alarms do not have to be unreliable devices that may or may not enhance security. The right device can make all the difference.

Days of unreliable burglar alarms are long gone. Not even 10 years ago, burglar alarms were perceived simply as an annoyance to which no one paid very much attention. They were deemed a nuisance, overly complicated to use and interpret. There are number of key elements of today’s intruder alarm systems which dispel many of the common myths set by their predecessors.

MYTH: Intruder alarm systems are more renowned for false alarms than for catching intruders

This was true 30 years ago, however modern technologies such as K band microwave technology and dual microwave and PIR technology have largely eradicated occurrences of false alarms. Rather than detecting one element, be it heat or movement, today’s sensors utilise a combination of both heat and movement to verify a genuine alarm threat before triggering a signal to the alarm panel.

Other technologies such as glass break, magnetic and shock sensors have also been upgraded and use vibration, microphones and transceivers to detect changes in the external and perimeter environment.

MYTH: There is no point in having an intruder alarm if you keep a pet in the house

With over 55 million households in Europe owning a pet, intruder alarm manufacturers have developed an intruder alarm solution to respond to customer demand.

Some sensor manufacturers have developed pet tolerant sensors which allow animals to move freely around the house without triggering an alarm.

MYTH: The intruder alarm goes off when the property is empty and you do not know why

Most modern intruder alarms are programmed with event memories which can be interrogated to give information including the date and time that the event or alarm took place, the cause of the alarm – ie, fault, technical problem, the zone location which triggered the alarm, as well as providing information on who armed the system, what time alarm users/operators entered and exited the building and so on. Modern alarm systems can also relay this information remotely and directly to the installer so that appropriate action can be taken.

MYTH: Alarms are just a nuisance when they go off as they ring all day

By law in many countries, intruder alarms must employ cut-off timers which limit the duration of the alarm siren or bell sounds. Most will time out after a maximum of 20 minutes.

MYTH: Alarms are so unreliable that no one pays attention anyway . . .

An innocent neighbour or passer-by may not always have time to investigate or report a ringing alarm. However, if a prospective intruder is attempting to break in to a building and hears an alarm, they generally do not wait around to find out if anyone is going to check it. More and more intruder alarms are now linked to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) or monitoring station which manages and actions alerts from alarm systems.

MYTH: You need to remember a long number to arm and disarm an alarm

This is incorrect. Most PIN operated systems require only a four digit number to be entered into the keypad. This can be a memorable PIN such as the one used for bank cards etc. For people who simply do not wish to use a PIN operated system, there are also intruder alarm systems that operate using keyfobs or tags.

MYTH: You only have a few seconds to disarm the alarm before the alarm goes off

The length of time you have to enter a property and disarm the intruder alarm can be pre-programmed to give you the desired time to disarm the system, if the keypad or control panel is not located close to the entrance of the building.

With clever radio systems, it is possible to arm and disarm the intruder alarm system from outside the building using a radio keypad.

MYTH: Movement detectors emit harmful rays?

Normal passive infrared (PIR) detectors receive heat energy only and do not transmit any rays. These are used purely to detect body heat in the surrounding environment.

In microwave detectors, the amount of microwave energy used is so small that it does not cause any problems to humans or animals even after prolonged exposure. The more modern K band detectors use a higher frequency which has even less effect as it does not penetrate through windows and walls in the same way. These detectors can be switched off if required when the building is occupied.

In reality, most of the myths perceived by people – be it security managers, business owners or home owners – are easily dispelled. If the correct intruder alarm system is specified for the owner/property at the outset, and it is installed and maintained by a professional installer who provides the user with the appropriate guidelines and training, then intruder alarm issues will become a thing of the past.

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