6 Langlands Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 2AH
T: +44 (0)845 241 8046
F: +44 (0)1563 532656
E: sales[at]fortresssecurityltd.co.uk
Fortress Security Frequently Asked Questions
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS - FAQs
Please find below a list of our most frequently asked
questions on our home and commercial burglar alarm and fire
alarm systems. We hope this answers any queries you have but
if you require any further assistance then please Contact us.
For a quote, please visit the Security System Quote form.
- Bells Only Intruder Alarm System
- False Alarms
- Alarm Installations
- Keyholders
- Monitored Alarm Systems
- Pets
- Wireless/Wire Free Systems
Bells Only Intruder Alarm System
"Bells Only" refers to the type of intruder
alarm, burglar alarm, or fire alarm system that uses audible
and visual signalling only –i.e. an external Siren and
Strobe – and is not connected to any monitoring station.
Such burglar and intruder security systems can still be registered
with the Police but it is optional and police response is dependant
upon a neighbour or passer by hearing your alarm ringing and
raising the alarm.
False Alarms from your System
Due to the serious nature of intruder alarm systems,
there are strict rules affecting false alarms.
Very few false alarms arise due to technical problems –
most are due to simple human error or miss-use of the system.
For monitored intruder alarm systems the police can refuse to
respond to a premises after there have been three false alarms
during a 12 month period. Up to a further 12 month period, free
from false alarms, is then required in order to reinstate police
response.
Alarm companies are required to ensure that the reason for a
false alarm can always be identified. If the reason is not immediately
apparent then an engineer should visit the premises to investigate.
In the event of repeated false alarms, even where the reason
is known, the alarm company must work with the client to resolve
the problem either through training or changes to the system.
Installations of Security Systems
Alarm system installations take approximately 1 day
for a small shop and 1.5 to 2 days for a 4 bed detached house.
Installations requested outside normal office hours are subject
to a surcharge.
The majority of our installations are fully hardwired to minimise
interference and false alarms and ALL wiring is monitored against
tampering. Every possible effort is made to conceal wiring under
floor boards and carpets and we pride ourselves in the quality
of our work. We never forget that it is your property we are
working within.
However, where wiring is simply not an option, Wire Free door
contacts, motion sensors and smoke detectors are available at
additional cost.
Keyholders
For monitored intruder and fire alarms a minimum or
2 keyholders are required. Keyholders are people who do not
live at the alarmed premises but have access to it. For commercial
premises keyholders can be the owner (provided they don't live
at the premises), Store Manager, etc. For residential premises
keyholders are neighbours or friends/family living locally.
If the alarm is activated the monitoring station will call the
keyholders who will then be required to attend the premises.
Keyholders must live within 20 minutes of the alarmed premises
and have their own transport and set of keys to the premises.
They must know how to operate the alarm including knowledge
of passwords used by the alarm monitoring station.
There are specialist companies available who, for a fee, can
act as keyholders.
Monitored systems are linked by your phone line (or, in the
case of high security systems, phone line and wireless transceiver)
to a remote Monitoring Station. Each time the alarm is set,
unset or activated signals are sent to the call centre. For
all alarm activations, the call centre will first try to contact
the protected premises and then, if they cannot get a satisfactory
response, they will call keyholders. A password is used to ensure
security of communication with the Monitoring Station.
If the alarm is activated and two devices are triggered, the
call centre will, in addition to the above, immediately summon
the police to the premises.
Pets and False Alarms
Pets are a very common cause of false alarms. Most alarms use
motion sensors and whilst these can be configured and positioned
so as to minimise the risk of false activation by pets, the
risk can never really be totally eradicated. If at all possible,
pets should be restricted to one or two rooms (i.e. the kitchen)
whilst the alarm is set. These rooms could then be protected
by non-motion sensitive devices such as door contracts and window
sensors.
In extreme circumstances, where large pets cannot be restricted
at all, devices utilising detection features such as "audio
verification" can be used but this and other such devices
significantly increase the cost of the overall alarm.
Wireless/Wire Free Systems
Historically, wireless systems have proved to be more
prone to technical problems and false alarms than wired systems,
not to mention the problem of replacing batteries.
However, in January 2005 Siren Security have launched a range
of Class 6 Wire Free devices which can entirely replace, or
be mixed with, wired detection devices. The devices have interference
monitoring, a range of up to 400m, and innovative "sleep"
technology which can give a battery life of up to 5 years!!