Security System Control

Security is one of these topics which really depends on your circumstances and your life philosophy - literally.  Our general advice is to obtain protection against random criminal acts and minor targeted criminal acts — however, it all depends in your circumstances and additional protection can be obtained by installing air duct/ventilation protection, bullet proof glass, steel shutters, steel reinforced walls, weapon detectors, safe rooms/exits, etc. — and of course, hiring round-the-clock security personnel.  All of which is way outside the scope of this brief tutorial!

But you can make things really difficult for the potential random intruder by following some basic principles and installing reliable equipment all of which communicates with the Main Control Unit to provide additional deterrence, detection and recording functions and capabilities. Security firms talk in terms of deter, detect, delay, react, detain and record — as the different phases of a well-constructed security system.

Your final design will depend on the level of protection required and your budget. You may also want to check with your insurance company to see whether they have any specific requirements and any impact on insurance premiums.

Security systems have evolved substantially in the last three years and new alarm systems provide sophisticated features. Click here for a list of security features you may want to consider.

Security control panels and zones

The security expert will be able to advise on your requirements and suggest a suitable control panel and associated sensors. Not all the requirements list out in our security features page should be directly controlled by the security system: The security system will only monitor the inner perimeter (and any panic buttons). The outer perimeter is controlled directly by the Main Control Unit. The Door entry system and CCTV (usually now implemented with net cameras) is part of the telecommunication and networking subsystem.

A key factor in selecting the security control panel is the number of zones required. Contrary to heating or lighting zones, security zones do not actually refer to zones but sensors. A "zone" is required for each Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor, window/door contact sensor, vibration sensor, pressure sensor, IR trip sensor, fire/smoke sensor and flood sensor plus one each for each panic button. Because of this, do not be surprised if you end up requiring a 100+ zone system even though you only have 20 or so areas you want to protect. And when sizing, leave some room for future expansion.

A key requirement is the ability of the security control panel to communicate with the main control unit via a RS232, RS485 (best) or a TCP/IP link. And that the communicating method allows at least for the following remote functions:

• Remote Arm/disarm (usually protected with a passcode or password).
• Reports status (armed, partial armed, disarmed, etc.).
• Reports all triggers/events to main control unit - even when disarmed. And it does so with appropriate ids (so you can identify which sensor specifically has been triggered). This allows the main control unit to turn lights on/off or control CCTV recording based on presence. Presence sensors can also be used to fine tune heating and other functions.
• Can override or delay the siren. This allows the main control unit to deploy other intruder deterrent strategies before sounding the siren.

In some cases it may be possible to retrofit a lifestyle automation system by just upgrading the security control panel.

You can read more about the various security control panels manufacturers here.

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The Outer perimeter

Outer perimeter surveillance tends to be relegated to CCTV recording and sensor-activated lighting but there is nothing that prevents one from increasing the level of protection by earlier deterrence, detection and reaction through the use of other sensors and programmed actions, for instance:

• Electromagnetic car sensors are commonly used to activate gates. In "armed" mode, the same sensor can be used to turn indoor lights or even take a photographic record of the suspected vehicle registration number.
  
• Perimeter gates and garden doors can be secured using the same technology used for windows and internal doors.
  
• Fenced areas can be protected using linear microphonic sensors (but note that wildlife will also trigger these) or other "fence tampering" devices. Infra red beams can also be used.
  
• Detection of intruders on open spaces can be achieved by using microwave detectors.
  
• Likely "burglar" routes (paths, walkways, etc.) can be monitored by the use of pressure sensors.

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Fire alarm

Frequently, fire and smoke alarm is integrated with the security system. There are simple integration requirements that you may chose to take, but generally speaking these are much simpler than lighting, heating or security requirements and thus we will not cover them here in detail. A great guide on fire alarms can be found at TLC Direct Ltd.

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Other Considerations

• An innovative solution to intruder deterrent indoors is Smokecloak. This is unit projects smoke to the areas where the intruder has been detected making it difficult, if not impossible, for him/her to see his/her way and walk away with any valuables. The blinding effect can be enhancing using stroboscopic lights simultaneously.
  
• It is relatively easy to lock internal doors (if the door is actually closed) making the movement of the intruder between rooms more difficult.
  
• Another interesting solution is pneumatically activated mini bollards. These bollards can be installed wherever there is a solid (concrete-type) surface (both outdoors and indoors) and can deter and delay intruders or block driveways (which may prevent car stealing or "back of a lorry" break-ins). Various firms supply these, including Leda Int.
  
• Sophisticated security systems connect to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). This makes the telephone line the weak link. BT offers a GSM back up and you may want to consider hiding the phone lines underground and encasing them in armoured cable - to your main demarcation point.

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