What you can expect from your intruder alarm system
A question regularly asked of the security industry is: "What can I expect from a security system?" Fortunately the answer is not complicated and, once answered, a prospective buyer should be able to choose and appraise a system with confidence. The system not only refers to the physical system but also to the monitoring of the system.
Most individuals, companies or organisations that have goods, personnel or offer a service need alarm protection. This will include private users, commercial, retail, financial establishments, manufacturers and state departments. Insurance companies indirectly need security systems to minimise their risk. Direct and indirect users of security systems should expect the system to satisfy a number of requirements.
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A security system is expected to minimise the risk of loss and damage to property and in the event of personal attack be able to alert a third party so that the person under attack can be assisted.l The system must be designed, in conjunction with the client, by a consultant who is well trained in risk assessment. He must be able to advise and design a suitable system by taking cognisance of the risk, the environment and the capability of the user.
l The equipment and the installation must be of a very high standard as shoddy equipment and installation can result in malfunctions and false alarms.
l Security systems may have to operate under extreme temperature changes, dusty environments and in very hostile conditions. The system is often subjected to considerable wear and tear. In many instances door contacts are operated frequently during the day.
l The system is also in many instances, certainly in the commercial sector, required to operate 24 hours a day. A high standard of maintenance must therefore be expected by the user. If there is any malfunction that is not rectified quickly and efficiently the protection will be jeopardised.
l The security system is only as good as the response that it will generate. The user must therefore expect, if the system is monitored by a control room, to have information and instructions passed on with a minimum delay to responsible parties.
It is very important to note, however, that a security system forms part of the total protection and must not be seen to be a replacement for personnel and physical protection. The system, in conjunction with the other security measures, must improve the total security. Do not expect the responsibility of good security management to be replaced by a security system. It is the user’s responsibility to check the system and ensure that it is operated correctly.
Security systems have previously been considered by many to be an unnecessary expense, perhaps a "grudge buy". Fortunately, this attitude has changed and security systems are accepted as being a fundamental requirement for the protection of businesses, possessions and personnel.