INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEM

Case studies reveal most burglars are Be sure to check with your agent for
deterred by the mere presence of an alarm details.
system.
Burglars attack unprotected premises
Wired Versus Wireless
considerably more often than ones protected
“Wired” simply means all components of
by alarm systems, so an alarm system can
the system are connected to each other by
greatly minimize your losses.
electrical wire, usually offering more proven
reliability.
Though an alarm system is an excellent
defense, the best defense is through a
“Wireless” systems rely on transmitting
combination of efforts:
signals between components, much like
radio signals. “Wireless” systems are growing
‫סס‬Solidly built doors hung on well-fitted door
in popularity as the technology improves. A
frames.
good system costs about the same as a hard
‫סס‬Doors properly secured with high quality wired system. Things to look for in wireless
dead bolt locks. systems are:
‫סס‬A supervised system. The control panel
‫סס‬Windows that will resist forced entry via
and sensors are constantly sending
auxiliary locking devices.
each other signals.
‫סס‬Use of proper lighting.
‫סס‬The control panel is in a locked and
‫סס‬Use of a quality burglar alarm system. tamper-proof area.
‫סס‬The sensor sends two signals to activate
It is important that you get and maintain a the control panel.
good, reliable system.
‫סס‬The transmitters are tamper-proof.
The type of system that will be best for you
depends on many different factors – your
security needs, type of valuables, type of How to select an Alarm Company
premises to be protected, your life-style, and ‫סס‬Contact more than one alarm companies.
animals in the home, etc.
‫סס‬Are they members of SSSPL organization
It is important to select the proper product
in Lebanon.
and supplier. What may appear to be an
alarm system “bargain” could actually prove ‫סס‬Have each company appraise your
to be a severely compromised or extremely security needs and make suggestions
limited alarm system. on the system they recommend. Obtain
a written proposal that includes the
Advantages of an Alarm System recommendations and all associated
‫סס‬The mere fact that an alarm system exists cost factors of components, installation,
is often a sufficient deterrent to discourage service, etc.
a burglar even before he tries to force an
‫סס‬Contact previous customers of the alarm
entry.
companies, where possible, to obtain their
‫סס‬Knowing you and your property are secure opinion of the system and service they
increases peace of mind. have received. A member company of
the SSSPL will not hesitate to provide you
‫סס‬Most insurance companies give a
with names of satisfied customers.
reduction on homeowner’s insurance
when an alarm system has been installed. ‫סס‬Make sure you understand the system.

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 Be aware of what it can and cannot do.
Receive oral and written instructions
covering all circumstances involving the
system operation and instructions on
testing the system.
‫סס‬What services are offered, such as a
maintenance contract, 24 hour response
for repair service…
That can turn on outside and interior lights.
‫סס‬Does the company offer a written Other systems can be connected to an
guarantee? What is guaranteed and for automatic telephone dialing device that calls
how long? Are parts and labor covered? preselected phone numbers such as a local
police station.
‫סס‬What is the equipment repair policy? What
Generally, home security alarm systems
is the policy on service charges after the
are classified into two broad categories,
warranty expires?
perimeter systems and interior space
detectors.
Basic Parts
of and Alarm System
There are three basic components to
all alarm security systems. Sensors, or
detectors, are sophisticated devices that
detect unwanted entry. They do this through
various kinds of sensing instruments:
electronic, electromechanical, radar or
microwave, audio and motion/vibration,
photoelectric. Detectors work by either
breaking an electric current, completing an
electric circuit or transmitting a detectable Interior Protection
signal to a control unit. Passive Infrared Detectors
The passive infrared detector (PIR) is one
Control units are the core of most security of the most common detectors found in
alarm systems. They receive information household and small business. The term
of a disturbance from the sensors, and passive means the detector is able to function
this triggers an alarm or alarms. Also they without the need to generate and radiate its
provide power supply for all detectors and own energy . PIRs are able to distinguish
they are fitted with rechargeable batteries to if an infrared emitting object is present by
give continuous functionality for your alarm first learning the ambient temperature of
system if there is a power failure . the monitored space and then detecting a
change in the temperature caused by the
Alarms are internal or external bells, horns presence of an object. Using the principle of
or sirens, designed to make a great noise differentiation, which is a check of presence
and scare off the intruder. The noise is or non presence, PIRs verify if an intruder or
continuous or in timed sequences. Some object is actually there.
alarm systems include switching devices

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Photo-electric Beams Panic Button
Photoelectric beam systems detect the Panic Button allows you to activate an alarm
presence of an intruder by transmitting visible system manually with push of a button.
or infra red light beams across an area, where Either remote (wireless) or fixed station.
these beams maybe obstructed. To improve
the detection surface area, the beams are
often employed in stacks of two or more .
The technology can be an effective long-
range detection system, if installed in stacks
of three or more where the transmitters and
receivers are staggered to create a fence-
like barrier. Systems are available for both
internal and external applications.

Glass Break Detectors

Glass break acoustic detectors are mounted
in close proximity to the glass panes and listen
for sound frequencies associated with glass
breaking. Seismic glass break detectors
are different in that they are installed on the
glass pane. When glass breaks it produces
specific shock frequencies which travel
through the glass and often through the
window frame and the surrounding walls
and ceiling. Typically, the most intense
Microwave Detectors frequencies generated are between 3 and
This device emits microwaves from a 5 kHz, depending on the type of glass and
transmitter and detects any reflected the presence of a plastic inter layer. Seismic
microwaves or reduction in beam intensity glass break detectors “feel” these shock
using a receiver. The transmitter and frequencies and in turn generate an alarm
receiver are usually combined inside a condition.
single housing for indoor applications, and
separate housings for outdoor applications.
To reduce false alarms this type of detector
is usually combined with a passive infra red
detector or “Double Technology” alarm.

Seismic Detectors
The seismic detector is suitable for monitoring
armored cabinets, cash boxes, automatic
teller machines, night safes, armored safes,
and safe vault walls for all known burglary
tools such as diamond-tipped drills, hydraulic
rams, oxygen lances and explosives.
Mechanical vibrations caused by a burglary
attempt are detected and analyzed by the
seismic detector sensor, and an alarm is
triggered.

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Magnetic Contacts
Magnetic contacts most commonly used,
electromechanical device that activates
when the magnet and contact are separated.
Used mainly on doors and windows,
most magnetic contacts used in different Passive Magnetic Field Detection
applications are concealed. This buried security system is based
on the Magnetic Anomaly Detection
principle of operation. The system uses an
electromagnetic field generator powering
with two wires running in parallel. Both wires
run along the perimeter and are usually
installed about 5
inches apart on
top of a wall or
about foot buried
in the ground.
The wires are
connected to a
Perimeter Protection signal processor
These types of sensors would be found most which analyzes
of the time mounted on fences or installed any change in the
on the perimeter of the protected area. magnetic field.

Vibration or Inertia Sensors E-Field

These devices are mounted on barriers This proximity system can be installed on
and are used primarily to detect an attack building perimeters, fences, and walls.
on the structure itself. The technology relies It also has the ability to be installed free
on an unstable mechanical configuration standing on dedicated poles. The system
that forms part of the electrical circuit. When uses an electromagnetic field generator
movement or vibration occurs, the unstable powering one wire, with another sensing
portion of the circuit moves and breaks the wire running parallel to it. Both wires run
current flow, which produces an alarm. The along the perimeter and are usually installed
technology of the devices varies and can be about 800 millimeters apart. The sensing
sensitive to different levels of vibration. wire is connected to a signal processor that
analyses:
More sophisticated sensors use piezoelectric ‫סס‬Mass of intruder
components rather than mechanical circuits, ‫סס‬Movement of intruder
which can be tuned to be extremely sensitive
to vibration. These sensors are more durable ‫סס‬Time the intruder is in the pattern
and more resistant to tampering. These items define the characteristics of
an intruder and when all three are detected
simultaneously, an alarm signal is generated.

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Microwave Barriers phonic detection systems are installed
The operation of a microwave barrier is very as sensor cables attached to rigid chain
simple. This type of device produces an wire fences, however some specialised
electromagnetic beam using high frequency versions of these systems can also be
waves that pass from the transmitter to the installed as buried systems underground.
receiver, creating an invisible but sensitive Depending on the version selected, it can
wall of protection. When the receiver detects be sensitive to different levels of noise or
a difference of condition within the beam vibration. The system is based on coaxial
(and hence a possible intrusion), the system or electromagnetic sensor cable with the
begins a detailed analysis of the situation. controller having the ability to differentiate
If the system considers the signal a real between signals from the cable or chain wire
intrusion, it provides an alarm signal. being cut, an intruder climbing the fence, or
bad weather conditions.

Fibre Optic Cable

A fibre-optic cable can be used to detect
intruders by measuring the difference in the
amount of light sent through the fibre core. If
the cable is disturbed, light will ‘leak’ out and
the receiver unit will detect a difference in
the amount of light received. The cable can
be attached directly to a chain wire fence or
bonded into a barbed steel tape that is used
to protect the tops of walls and fences. This
type of barbed tape provides a good physical
deterrent as well as giving an immediate
alarm if the tape is cut or severely distorted

Micro Phonic Systems

Micro phonic based systems vary in design H-Field
but each is generally based on the detection This system employs an electromagnetic
of an intruder attempting to cut or climb field disturbance principle based on two
over a chain wire fence. Usually the micro unshielded (or ‘leaky’) coaxial cables buried
about 10–15 cm deep and located at about

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2.1 metres apart. The transmitter emits (e.g doors, windows…)
continuous Radio Frequency (RF) energy
‫סס‬Occupancy
along one cable and the energy is received
by the other cable. When the change in field ‫סס‬Key holding
strength weakens due to the presence of an
‫סס‬Locality
object and reaches a pre-set lower threshold,
an alarm condition is generated. ‫סס‬Existing security
‫סס‬Theft history
We believe that prevention, not paranoia,
should guide you to an effective program of ‫סס‬Local legislation or regulation
home and business security. ‫סס‬Security environment

When considering the element of risk in

the design of an intruder alarm system the The adoption of a risk assessment approach
structure of the premises to be supervised should lead to better designed system that
(protected) will be a major determining is commensurate with the risk and meet the
factor. customer’s and insurer’s requirements.
Issues should be considered such as :

‫סס‬Construction Systems and Equipment cannot be

‫סס‬Openings reliable unless properly maintained by
professionals on a yearly basis

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