The information in this booklet is meant to be a brief overview of alarm systems,

and can be used as a reference guide when planning a security system for your
home or business.

If you are considering buying a security system, it is important to contact only

properly licensed, bonded and insured professionals to discuss your particular
needs.
Understanding Alarm Systems
Interview at least three different companies and get everything they recommend or
promise in writing. Compare all of the proposals, and take some time to decide
what will work best for your situation.

Don’t allow any of the companies to pressure you into buying a system right at that
moment; any company that insists you will only get a “good deal if you sign up right
now” , or that tells you their system is the only one law enforcement takes seriously,
should be disqualified from your consideration.

Once you determine which system you want installed, and the company you want
to hire, before you make arrangements to have the work done, contact the Florida
Department of Business and Professional Regulation to check the license status
and complaint status of the company. Also check with the Better Business Bureau
for any unresolved issues, and for the BBB Rating of the company. This information
may be accessed by visiting ocso.com/securityalarms and clicking on the “useful
links” tab.

In addition to installing an alarm system, consideration should be given to other

aspects of residential or business security such as proper lighting, doors, locks,
landscaping and fencing. If you would like additional information, please call us at
407-836-3969, or visit our Crime Prevention webpage at www.ocso.com.

A false alarm occurs when an alarm signal designed

to elicit an immediate emergency Law Enforcement,
Fire, or Medical response is activated, when in fact no
emergency exists.
For False Alarm Ordinance information and tips for
false alarm prevention, call 407-836-3969 or visit
www.ocso.com/securityalarms.
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What are the different components of an alarm system? How do they work?
Ultrasonic Detectors are motion detectors that emit ultrasonic sound energy into an
area using air as its medium, which travels in a wave type motion. The sensor
An alarm system is made up of a control panel, arming stations/keypads, sensors, “hears” a certain pitch characteristic of the particular environment. If an intruder
sirens, and special lighting or vibration pads if necessary. enters the room, the wave pattern is disturbed and reflected back more rapidly,
thereby increasing the pitch and activating the alarm.
The control panel is the “brain” of the alarm system. It is usually installed in a Dual-tech PIR/Microwave and PIR/Ultrasonic detectors use a combination of both
closet or other out of the way place. passive (PIR) and active (Microwave or Ultrasonic) sensors, and provide the low-
est false alarm potential as signals for both heat and motion must be received by
the processor before the alarm is activated.
When any sensor that is part of the system activates, it transmits a signal to the
control panel. The control panel then activates the audible sounding device, and Audio detectors are comprised of two modules; a microphone that “listens” for
the communicator if the system has one. noise, and an amplifier that includes processing circuitry to analyze the sounds.
The amplifier is calibrated to a noise threshold that is characteristic of an intrusion
attempt, and activates the alarm if a certain amount of noise is detected from a
The control panel turns the system on and off via remote arming stations. It also monitored area within a pre-set time period.
includes the alarm system’s power supply and standby/backup battery.
Photoelectric detectors, also called “beams”, are most often used in commercial
applications such as garages, warehouses, schools and office buildings. Beam
The arming station, also called a keypad, can be either a key operated arming systems consist of a transmitter that uses LED as a light source, and a receiver
station, requiring the use of a high security key, or, most commonly used, a digital that contains a photo-electric cell. An infrared beam is sent from the transmitter to
key pad, similar to a touch tone phone. A pre-set combination number is entered the receiver, essentially creating a “trip wire”. If the beam is broken or interrupted,
in the key pad that arms and disarms the system. Some keypads allow the user or if the receiver fails to receive at least 90% of the transmitted signal for a pre-set
to assign a temporary code to a babysitter or houseguest, and then delete the period of time, the alarm is activated.
code when it is no longer needed.
Beam systems require routine maintenance, especially when used in an outdoor
application, and the alignment should be checked and calibrated monthly.
The keypad is used to turn the system on and off. The user selects a function and
enters a personal code to validate the entry. Most keypads also have a “panic”
button or number sequence that will immediately activate the alarm and alert the
monitoring service. This button or number sequence will function whether the
system is on or off.
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Alarm Systems-What You Need to Know

What are motion detectors and how do they work? Are there different types of Some keypads allow the use of a hostage, or duress, code, which is different than
motion detectors? Can I use them if I have pets? the normal everyday code used. This feature can be utilized if the user is being
held against his will, or if an intruder orders him to deactivate the system so an
alarm signal cannot be sent.
Motion detectors are used to signal the entry of an intruder into a specific area.
They are typically mounted on a stable interior wall or ceiling, and can be set to
cover areas of various sizes. Some have a “pet alley” built in, which is designed to By using the hostage code instead of the normal code, it appears as if the system
eliminate false alarms caused by pets moving in the alarmed areas. has been deactivated; however, the system will actually send a silent signal to the
monitoring company, who in turn will call the police immediately. The monitoring
company will not call inside the premises to verify the alarm if a hostage code is
There are several different types of motion detectors, and which one to use will be received.
determined by the area that needs to be protected.

For most residential applications, a Passive Infrared (also called a PIR) sensor is The siren is an electronic component that emits a loud, hard to ignore sound when
used. The sensor head is typically divided into sectors or zones, with each cover- activated by the control panel if an intrusion is detected, or when an audible panic
ing specific areas with specific boundaries. button is pressed.

PIR sensors detect the change of thermal radiation that occurs when an intruder
enters a covered zone. They see “hot” images by sensing the contrast between
the “hot” image and the cooler background. When the radiation change captured
by the PIR exceeds a pre-set value, the thermal sensor produces a signal that is Sirens can be mounted in plain sight, or they can be concealed in an overhang,
sent to the built in processor for evaluation, and if appropriate, the alarm signal is soffit, attic or other out of the way place.
activated.

Microwave sensors are designed to flood a designated area with an electronic field Strobe lights flash and can use various colored lenses to indicate different events,
and are programmed to recognize the Doppler shift frequencies that are most for example, fire vs. burglary. The flashing can attract more attention than just a
closely associated with human movement. When movement occurs in the area siren, and can help make it easier for emergency personnel to locate an alarm.
and disturbs the electronic field, the processer determines whether the signal being
received falls within a pre-set limit, and if appropriate, the alarm signal is activated.
Strobe lights are also used in combination with a vibrator pad or pager for the hear-
ing impaired, so they are able to “see” or “feel” when their alarm is set off and take
the appropriate actions.
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What are door sensors and how do they work? How many do I need to install? What are glass break detectors and how do they work? What is a dual -tech glass
break detector?

Door sensors are magnetic switches that activate an alarm signal when a door is
opened, after the system is placed into “armed” mode. They are also commonly Glass break detectors, also called acoustic sensors, are used to monitor glass
called contacts, and can be used on windows as well. that is likely to be broken in an intrusion. They are a good choice for protecting
large spaces with multiple, fixed windows, or areas where individual contacts are
not desired or practical.
The switch is mounted to the door and the magnet is mounted to the frame directly
in line with the switch. This holds the switch in a closed position.
The sensors are housed in a single unit, and are mounted on a stable interior wall
or ceiling, facing the main glass surface that needs to be protected.
When the door is opened, the switch moves away from the magnet, causing the
switch to open, which in turn causes the alarm panel to activate an alarm signal
indicating an intrusion. An acoustic glass break detector “listens” for the high frequency sound, also called
pitch, typically created when glass is broken. When impact with the glass is made,
the high frequency sound created travels out away from the point of impact. The
Door sensors should be mounted on all ground floor entry/exit doors and any upper frequencies are passed through a filter in the sensor, and an alarm is activated if a
story entry/exit doors that are accessible by a staircase or permanent ladder. match to the frequencies of breaking glass is found.

Because these sensors are subject to repeated opening and closing, as well as A shock, or seismic, sensor “feels” the typical frequency shock wave that is created
various weather conditions, they should be checked on a semi-annual basis to be when glass is broken. When the processor detects this shock it signals an alarm.
sure the alignment is still correct and the switch is still functioning properly. These sensors are usually installed on the glass pane if they are single tech detec-
tors.

This is especially true if the sensors are placed on a newly installed door, or during A dual-tech glass break detector provides the lowest false alarm potential,because
any new construction, as normal settling may have an effect on the alignment. is uses both acoustic and shock technologies in one unit, and requires both signals
Replace worn switches, and realign them as necessary to maintain the integrity to be activated before an alarm signal is sent. These sensors are housed in a
of the system. single unit, and are mounted on a stable interior wall or ceiling.