Alarm systems and out buildings

In looking through my webpage stats, it appears there is quite a-bit of interest in monitoring workshops with existing home security alarm systems.

Is this possible? The answer is yes and it is quite common.

The term we use in the industry is partitions. Simply put, a partition is a separate are within a security alarm system which acts as if it were a separate security alarm system. Common uses include secondary suites; controlling access to different parts of an office; home vaults; gun closets; liquor cabinets; and of course workshops.

A partition is not to be confused with a zone, a zone is the smaller segment of a partition (door, window, motion detector etc) A zone on a security alarm system may contain more than one device, however this is not recommended. A partition consists of one or more zones on a larger security alarm system.

Now for the workshop scenario. If the workshop is connected to the home, it is simply a matter of running wires from the workshop to the security alarm system. If, on the other hand, the workshop is a separate building, I have an underground conduit run from the house to the workshop and then I install a sub-panel in the workshop.

At this point, it is a matter of how the customer would like to control the workshop. Some choose to have a secondary keypad installed in the workshop, while others prefer to control the entire security alarm system from inside the home. On the topic of controlling your security alarm system, if the workshop also doubles as a garage with an overhead door, another option could be wireless arm/disarm. This is simply an extension of the car alarm remote in which the homeowner carries a key fob remote which is designed to control the security alarm system. In some cases, the security alarm system can also be set up to open the garage overhead door, thus eliminating the need to carry an extra remote. If you really want to have some fun, you can even have one of the buttons activate a porch light, ensuring you have a safe pathway to the door.

Modern security alarm systems are all about designing the system around your needs. KeepSafe Systems is dedicated to providing customized security alarm solutions for the modern world. If you would like to talk about your security alarm system needs, please feel free to contact us at 604-874-8772.

So what exactly is a "prewired home security alarm system"

Many people are purchasing new homes in this vibrant interest driven marketplace. Most new homes today come with a pre-wired security alarm system. So what is this?
Many new home owners end up being shocked to find out how little this can actually mean. Pre-wired alarm does not necessarily mean the house is wired for what you would like in a security alarm system, in fact many are even wired below industry standards. For some basic information on security alarm systems and what is available, please feel free to check out our website at www.keepsafesystems.ca.

So what is a new homeowner to do to ensure the pre-wire they are paying for is up to standard? Well first of all, the industry has a term referred to as “Home run”. Basically this means all windows, doors; motion detectors, glassbreak detectors, water sensors, smoke detectors, keypads etc… have individual dedicated wires running back to one panel location. With the price of copper, many “security alarm installers” are saving money by looping devices in the field. What this means, is one wire will leave the panel location go to the first window, and then another wire will continue to the next and so on. The problem with this is if one segment of that run goes faulty, the entire set of protection devices on that run could be compromised. Furthermore, is the issue of control, once again, please refer to www.keepsafesystems.ca under the false alarm tab to find out more information about individual zoning.

So how does one determine if the security alarm system is installed properly? Well for one, you could contact a home inspector. Unfortunately not all home inspectors actually address the issue of security alarm systems and cabling. They are more concerned with the larger picture of “will this house fall down”. So what is one to do? Well first of all, count all the detection devices, keypads etc in the field. This means every window that has a contact, every motion, every smoke detector that is wired for connection to the security system. Once you have come up with a number, go to the main panel location and count the number of wires. There should be at least the number you counted as well as additional wires for telephone connection and a siren. Some security alarm companies will even run spares, just in case they are needed later.

If you are one of the unfortunate souls to have purchased a home not wired to standard. There is no need to worry too much, as a qualified security alarm installer should be able to hardwire most locations. Do not let this downfall push you into getting a wireless security alarm system, as you may run into more problems than it is worth. See the archive at www.keepsafesystems.ca to read more about wireless security alarm systems and their downfalls.

Keepsafe systems installs services and provides alarm monitoring services for security alarm systems in the Vancouver area of the Lower Mainland Fraser Valley British Columbia