Alarm Guide 2019
Alarm Guide 2019
Alarm Guide 2019
ALARM
GUIDE
This guide has been designed to help you understand the workings of a modern Intruder Alarm
System.
It should be appreciated that this is only a guide and as such it should not be regarded, nor was it
intended, to be an authoritative document on the subject.
No such guide can fully explain and detail all of the many and diverse components and functions
available in modern Intruder Alarm Systems.
We are also able to conduct commercial investigations and we even provide other security companies
with highly specialised technical support services.
Our customers include a large number of ‘Blue-Chip’ companies, who rely on us to secure their assets
both material and physical.
Professionally installed Intruder Alarm Systems have to be installed to a certain standard and the
installing company has to be accredited and inspected to ensure compliance with those standards.
The standard was ‘British Standards 4737’ but has now been replaced by European Standards BS EN
50131.
(European Standards are not retrospective, therefore systems which are currently installed to British
Standards will continue to be maintained and updated to that standard).
The European standards have been under development for some time, and not all of the standards
are complete, but work on these standards continues.
However, there are a suite of European Standards available to enable companies to install to. To
enable this, the European Standards will include a document PD 6662:2016.
This is a Published Document (PD) and is used to call up parts of the current British Standards where
European Standards are still under development. As new parts of the European standards are
completed, they will eventually replace those parts of the PD6662, which will eventually be phased
out.
Risk assessment
One of the most significant issues within the new EN standards will be evaluating the risk
associated with the premises and determining a grade of system. This is because once the grade of
a system is determined it will define the extent of the system, it’s signaling and tamper security
requirements.
The risk assessment is a process undertaken by the installer. It is basically the process by which
he/she gathers the information necessary to design a suitable intruder alarm system that is
commensurate with the risk and which meets the needs of the client, i.e. the grade of the system.
• Location/Building survey
• Technical survey
The technical survey looks at those factors than might influence the choice and design of system
and the final system design proposal. It will look at any aspect that might impact on the
performance of the system such as electrical interference from local plant or machinery.
The grade of intruder alarm system will depend upon the performance required as determined by
the location survey.
SECURITY GRADES
One of the most important aspects of the EN 50131 requirements is the concept of a security grade.
For each installation the grade of system has to be chosen according to various factors. In the EN
the grade is described in terms of the type of intruder and how much effort they would put into a
burglary.
Most domestic installations will require a Grade 2 system, with larger homes falling into Grade 3.
Most commercial premises will require a Grade 2 or 3 system. The majority of insurance companies
normally require a Grade 3 system where the system is a requirement of insurance cover.
On completion of the Survey/Risk Assessment we will provide you with a full and detailed ‘System Design
Proposal’ detailing our proposals and listing the equipment we intend to install and where it will be
installed etc.
A quotation will also be prepared and supplied along with our Terms and Conditions of business.
NPCC Security Systems Policy
Police Response
In accordance with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Policy, the Police in the UK will only
offer a response to verified alarm signals from systems which have been granted a Police URN
(Unique Reference Number). With this approach, the Police aim to provide an effective response to
genuine intruder alarms. Monitored systems can only be installed by certificated providers and
must be subject to a maintenance agreement. Excess false alarms will jeopardise Police response...
We are currently on the list of 'Compliant' companies of the Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Surrey,
Sussex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Kent, Essex, Thames Valley, Cheshire, West
Midlands, Greater Manchester and London Metropolitan Police forces.
Police Accreditation
Under the NPCC policy we are regarded as a Police 'Compliant Company' and will therefore be able
to provide 'Remotely Monitored' alarm systems with Police response.
During the annual inspections carried out on us by the SSAIB, they look at examples of our
installations and our administrative processes, raising any ‘deviations’ they discover from
regulations, their own stringent requirements and other regulatory factors.
We have not had a ‘Deviation’ raised against us under this inspection regime since 2005.
Types of Alarm Systems
This is a cheaper option than having a monitored system. With a Speech Dialler, when the alarm is
activated, pre-programmed numbers of your choice will be dialled and a pre-recorded message
alerts you, your keyholder or neighbour to the alarm. (If the phone line is cut or disabled no signal
can be sent). Speech Diallers are becoming less popular now, with customers preferring a
monitored system, with or without Police response
Under no circumstances are police telephone numbers allowed to be programmed into the auto
dialler.
Monitored systems
Monitored systems do not guarantee a police response, which is governed by their workload. If,
however it is reasonably certain that someone has entered the premises, it will be flagged as a
priority call.
However, if a system has three false alarms in a year the URN will be revoked by the police. To be
reconnected, evidence that the problem has been resolved must be provided to the police within
three months.
Having a monitored system without Police response is also becoming very popular rather than a
speech dialler which requires someone to answer the all and take appropriate action. If you have a
Non-Police monitored system, on receipt of an alarm call, the monitoring centre will contact your
keyholders until someone responds and deals with the situation. Such systems are cheaper to
monitor and maintain than a system with Police response.
Whenever your alarm is activated a notification is sent to your smartphone advising you of the
activation.
You can also turn the alarm On and Off when you are away from home and have complete
control of your security system.
Please Note: This service is provided ‘Free of Charge’ by Texecom Ltd (The alarm equipment manufacturers)
and its operation is wholly outside the control of Wilton Security Systems Ltd. Please be advised that no
guarantees are given on system performance in relation to any ‘downtime’ etc on their servers, nor can we be
responsible for any notification failures of this system.
WHAT DOES AN ALARM SYSTEM CONSIST OF?
Regardless of the size, type, complexity, or sophistication of the Intruder Alarm System that you
might require, it will consist of three basics but distinctly separate sections:
Now called ‘Control & Indicator Equipment’ under the European regulations
In simplistic form, the Detection Devices are those items of alarm equipment that 'detect' the
presence of an Intruder, and 'signal' that information to the Control equipment, which in turn
operates the Warning equipment.
The design of any Intruder Alarm installation is dependant on a number of factors, from the type
and size of the building to the individual requirements of the occupants. It is vital that before any
installation of an alarm system is undertaken, your property should be subjected to a professional
survey to determine the exact security requirements of both the building and the occupants.
Modern Intruder Alarm systems are very flexible in the functions and facilities that they are able to
provide. The alarm system specified should be no more complicated that it needs to be to provide
the level of protection required.
Therefore, the survey of your property should result in a written report specifying the exact
position, type and performance criteria for each component part of the system, enabling you to
fully evaluate the level of protection that the system will provide.
Before choosing an alarm system you should consider the quality of equipment that is to be
installed and the standard of workmanship available from the installer.
You are now helped in this as your system will be installed using equipment that fully complies with
the European Standards, that specify those items of equipment that have been tested and comply
with their exacting standards, equipment reliability, build quality and the way that such equipment
should be installed are all covered.
INTRUDER ALARM SYSTEMS
This guide will now attempt to describe in more detail but 'basic' terms the way that various aspects
of your alarm system operate and to describe some of the functions available to you. You will
appreciate that there are very many different types of equipment available; this guide deals only in
broad terms and specifically with the more common equipment types.
Despite the apparent complexity of the different systems, rest assured that the operating
procedures have been designed to be as simple as possible for you the user.
Often described as the 'Heart' of any Intruder Alarm system, but perhaps better described as the
'Brain', modern control units feature the latest in 'Micro-chip technology' to enable them to perform
many complex functions whilst still being easy to operate by the user.
The control unit will operate on mains derived 240-volt electricity, although the actual alarm
circuits and wiring operate on a low-voltage of 12 volts. In the event of a 'power-cut' the system is
fitted with a standby, rechargeable battery that will take over and operate the system for a
prescribed time (depending on system Grade etc), until main's power is restored. When the mains
supply is restored, it will automatically recharge the battery.
The alarm system will have several different 'User Functions' available. A general description of
the most common features is now given. Not all of the described functions are available on all
control panels.
All Control Panels today are operated by the use of a numerical keypad, you use a four (or six)
figure 'User' code to 'Set' and 'Unset' the system.
An example of this would be at night, when you could switch on the unoccupied part of the premises
(downstairs) whilst you occupied the upper part of the premises. (Bedrooms, etc.).
If required, provision can be made to enable you to temporarily 'omit' certain zones from your
system, when setting. This might be useful if you need to leave an animal in a room protected by a
movement detector.
Having entered your 'user-code' and selected either 'Full' or 'Part' system (depending on which parts
of the premises you wish to be protected), you will hear a low audible warning tone informing you
that the system is setting.
Assuming you intend to leave the premise’s empty and have selected 'Day' or 'Full' system, the tone
will continue to sound until you have left the premises and the pre-programmed 'Exit' time has
expired. (Or Front door has been closed depending on system programming)
On re-entering the premise’s, you will again hear the warning tone, which reminds you to 'Unset'
(Turn Off) the system within the pre-programmed 'Entry' time.
Another timer within the system controls the automatic reset of the alarm system should it be
activated. In the event of your alarm activating it will sound the alarm for a pre-set period of time
(normally 15 minutes). After which the audible alarms will be silenced. The strobe light will
continue to flash until the system has been reset.
On all of the panels that WILTON SECURITY SYSTEMS install, provision is then made for the system
to perform an 'automatic reset' of the system. That is to say that all detection devices that are not
in an alarm condition, will reset and continue to operate should the intruder re-enter the premises.
(If your alarm is remotely monitored it will not signal again to the Alarm receiving Centre until it has
been reset)
Another function found on most systems is 'CHIME' Certain zones can be programmed to generate a
'Bleep' tone whenever that zone is activated.
An example of this would be in a shop, where the front door can be so programmed to 'Chime'
whenever it is opened, thus indicating a customer has entered the premises.
The Operators Keypad is able to display its status and will show when 'Setting', if any part of the
system is in a 'Fault' condition.
On most panels we install today the operator’s keypad is fitted with a display which has a full
alphanumeric display that will display in plain text something like 'Front door open'.
Various electronic audible tones are also generated to indicate the status of the system.
The keypad is not normally fitted to the control panel, but is a much smaller, self-contained unit
fitted remotely from the control panel at some convenient position, from which the user can
operate the alarm system. E.g. near the front door.
More than one such keypad can be installed if system design or the user requires it.
This provides an invaluable record of events in the case of an Intruder or other emergency. If you
assign a separate 'User-code' to one of your members of staff, it will enable you to interrogate the
log and determine the time they entered or left your premises!
This 'Log' also provides a valuable technical record for the engineer in the event of a system
malfunction. Most panels will enable us to produce a hard copy 'Print-out' of the 'log', in order that
the events can be recorded or the system parameters viewed.
As you are probably now aware the functions available from most control panels are many and
varied. It is therefore vital that when your survey is carried out, full discussion between you and the
surveyor results in a system design that fully meets your requirements.
WILTON SECURITY SYSTEMS use such electronic sounders, which are housed in a Polycarbonate
cover (no rusting box in years to come!)
External sounders are designed to be 'Tamper-proof' and 'Weather-proof' and feature 'Self-
Actuating' electronics, which will operate the sounder if removed from the wall or separated
electronically from the control unit. (They are also designed to provide resistance against sabotage
caused by foam injection, by having no louvers on the box to facilitate the injection process).
A high-intensity flashing xenon strobe is also incorporated in the external sounder. This will flash
in conjunction with the audible alarm thus enabling easy identification of your premises if your
neighbours have similar alarms. The strobe will also continue to flash, after the audible warning
has reset, thus providing continued indication of an alarm condition at your premises without
infringing noise abatement regulations. (Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005)
Your external sounder unit is fitted with two LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) 'Confidence Lights' that
produces a small and discreet alternating flashing light from within the unit. This shows the box is
'real' and enhances the deterrent value of the system.
An identical box, without any sounder or electronics is normally positioned on the rear elevation of
your property, to further increase the deterrent value of your alarm installation. These 'Dummy'
boxes are identical in appearance to the main sounder, but normally without a confidence light
being fitted.
Legislation also requires for provision of a separate timer to be fitted within the external sounder.
This timer must prevent the sounder from operating in excess of 15 minutes regardless of whether
the control panel has a 'reset' facility. All external sounders fitted by WILTON SECURITY SYSTEMS
fully comply with these requirements.
An internal sounder is normally fitted within the protected premises to supplement the external
alarm and to provide the warning tones associated with Faults and the Entry and Exit procedures.
Costs involved in this service include an annual 'Monitoring Fee' payable to the Alarm Receiving
Centre. Also, to comply with European Standards and Police regulations we are required to 'service'
your alarm every six months. (Audible Only systems & Non-Police systems only require one annual
service visit)
We are also obliged to make your system 'Engineer reset' which means if activated (including
accidental activation's) you will not be able to reset the system yourself and normally an engineer
will need to reset the system for you. However, normally your system can be reset 'remotely' if the
cause of the activation is known and there is no need for your system to be checked by an engineer.
(This saves time and money).
If you are considering 'remote monitoring' please ask us for our information booklet on Remote
Monitoring which will fully explain the various systems in more detail.
These are the devices that detect the presence of an intruder and signal that information to the
control equipment. There are numerous different types and principles; these are the most
common;
MOVEMENT DETECTORS
The most common method of intruder detection today is the movement detector, of which the
'Passive Infra-Red' movement detector is the most common.
Typically, the P.I.R. Detector is about the size of a cigarette packet and is mounted in a room to
provide "Volumetric" protection to that area.
Unlike the other types of detectors including "Microwave" and "Ultrasonic" technologies, it is
'Passive' that means that it is not sending out any 'signal' or radio-wave that can be the subject of
various types of interference and resultant false alarms.
The P.I.R. Detector monitors the level of Infra-red radiation within its field of view, and detects the
increase caused by example, by someone walking into the room.
Although P.I.R. Detectors are suitable for most applications, if the environment is not conducive to
P.I.R. technology, then there are 'Dual-Technology' detectors, which incorporate P.I.R. and a second
type of detector, normally Microwave, which together provides a very high immunity to false
alarms.
DOOR CONTACTS
Perhaps the oldest and most well-known detection device is the magnetic 'Door Contact’. This
comprises of a magnetic reed switch fitted in a door frame with a magnet sited alongside it in the
actual door. When the door is opened and the magnetic field removed from the area of the reed
switch, then the alarm signal is generated.
Use of these switches today is normally limited to the final exit door (Front door) to provide an
indication to the control unit when the 'User' leaves the premises, thus activating the Exit/Entry
warning tones.
BREAK-GLASS DETECTORS
These units are basically a special microphone and amplifier that are tuned to the specific
frequency to that generated by breaking glass. They 'Listen' for that unique sound and ignore other
normal sounds within its detection area.
INERTIA DEVICES
There are numerous types of Inertia or vibration detectors available that are able to react to
'vibration' associated with forced entry into premises. Electronics within the units are able to filter
out normal background disturbance and determine when the device registers a sudden increase in
vibration that might be associated with the violent vibration caused in forcing a window open
against its frame etc.
These buttons are connected to your alarm system and are 'Active' at all times, even when your
alarm system is not ‘Set’.
In the event of an emergency they can be operated to cause a full alarm condition. They are most
frequently sited adjacent to the front door or adjacent to a bed.
A much more flexible Personal Attack facility utilises a small radio transmitter, which is about the
size of a cigarette packet. This button can be used to send a radio signal to a dedicated receiver to
operate the alarm from anywhere within the protected premises or grounds, (typical range about
100 metres). This of course means the Personal Attack alarm can be activated from any part of
your property without the requirement of having to be in reach of a fixed, wired button.
This system has obvious advantages to people living alone, as it may be taken with you if you leave
the premises, at night for example, to protect you when returning to the premises if you need to
negotiate a dark or secluded area before entering your house.
If you feel vulnerable and intend to open the Front door at night, or go out to your car or put the
rubbish out, you can carry the transmitter in your hand for instant operation!
If your system has 'Remote Signalling' to our Alarm Receiving Centre, Personal Attack alarm
signals are normally 'transmitted' silently, if providing Police response.
GENERAL
There are of course many other specialist devices available that can be incorporated into any
installation for specific and unusual applications. Your surveyor will be able to advise you if your
circumstances dictate this.
WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS
The use of radio for Personal Attack Buttons has already been discussed. However, it is now
possible to have an Intruder Alarm system that relies totally is totally ‘Wireless’ to enable the
detection devices to signal an alarm condition to the control equipment.
Small radio-transmitters are placed inside, for example, P.I.R. detectors along with a battery. If
activated the signal is transmitted to the control unit, which incorporates the radio receiver.
The system is still connected to the main's electricity supply and the external sounder and the
Operators Keypad are normally still 'Hard-Wired' but ‘Wireless’ options are also available.
The most obvious advantage of this type of system is the fact that with the absence of wires, it is
often possible to achieve a neater installation. (Although it goes without saying, we always
endeavour to achieve the neatest possible installation and conceal the wiring wherever practical).
Another advantage would be that outbuildings like garages etc. could be included on the system
without the problem of having to run cables externally.
Broadly speaking a complete radio-alarm installation will cost a little more than an equivalent,
'hard-wired' system, due to the additional technology built into the sensors etc. The system will
also need to have new batteries fitted periodically, (normally annually) in each of the transmitters.
Radio systems are becoming increasingly popular among people who have homes in which it is
virtually impossible to hide wiring and prefer the neatness that radio devices allow.
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Well, that is it! If you are more confused now, that before you read this booklet, then we apologise.
You will at least now realise that having an Intruder Alarm System installed, involves careful
planning and understanding of your particular needs, this is why it is vital that the system is
designed only after a thorough site survey by one of our experienced surveyors.
We have not even mentioned yet, details of our after-sales service and maintenance programs.
Briefly, your Intruder Alarm System will be unconditionally guaranteed for 12 months from the date
of installation. In the unlikely event of a breakdown during the first 12 months, we will repair or
replace the offending part of your system completely free of charge.
At the end of the year of installation, we will attend your premises and complete a 'Preventative
Maintenance' inspection of your system. We will correct any problem found and give you a written
report on the condition of the system. This is also Free of Charge.
For the following year, and successive years, we will offer you a competitively priced 'Maintenance
Contract’ that will guarantee the services of our engineer should your system develop a fault and
provide you with an annual inspection of the system.
We offer three different levels of maintenance cover so you are able to select the one that best
meets your budget and requirements. On ‘Audible Only’ (Non-Monitored) systems, they are not
mandatory, so the choice is yours.
If your alarm system is connected to our Alarm Receiving Centre, (Monitored) having such a
maintenance contract is a Police requirement and must involve 6 monthly preventative
maintenance inspections.
On 'Audible only' systems where your Insurance Company requires that you have an alarm system
fitted, they will normally insist that you have a maintenance contract with an Annual maintenance
visit.
Finally, we hope that this guide has gone some way to answer some of the questions you may have
had about Intruder Alarm systems. However, this is not intended as a substitute for discussion and
if you require any further help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us or ask us to come and
complete a security audit/survey of your premises.