Residential Security Systems

Residential security alarms require special design and installation considerations. Ease of use, convenience, and esthetics are important considerations. Additionally, the layout and design of the system (along with the specified devices) must, not only provide protection, but also be easy to use and be non-intrusive to the decorating scheme of the home. 

A) Keypad placement and quantity considerations (one is required, the rest are for convenience).

1) Hint ... Keypads should be placed at the most convenient areas that you will want to control the system from. Examples, near the garage and front doors, common entry / exit points, in the bedroom hallway (last thing you do at night is arm the system).

2) Hint ... Remember that with each keypad is an expense; try to design the system so that multiple areas can be serviced with one keypad if practical.

 3) Hint ... Unless there are unusual circumstances, you will probably not want a keypad installed in the master bedroom (use the hallway instead). On the Saturday morning you want to sleep in, the last thing you need is the kids coming into the room to disarm the alarm so they can go watch cartoon carnival.

4) Hint ... Under no circumstances should you place the keypads behind a door, (place them over a light switch so they will not be blocked) or, down low near the head board of the bed (inevitably the furniture will be moved and the keypad will end up behind a chest of drawers and be useless).

5 ) Hint ... Keypads should be mounted at about shoulder height ( remember that the keypad will need to be read to determine certain conditions and functions, and it is no fun having to bend over each time you need to check the display.)

6) Hint ... Remember that there are panic buttons on the keypad. This may be a consideration about keypad placement near a front door.  You could activate an immediate panic alarm if someone tried to force their way into the home.

7) Hint ... Remember that you are making a long term purchase. Take into consideration future conditions that may come about.  Young children get older and try to sneak out of the house. Can you hear the "tattle-tail" beep from the keypad?  Older children come home at all hours. Can they arm / disarm without disturbing everyone else?

B) Perimeter detection considerations...

1) Hint ... "total" perimeter protection consists of devices on all exterior openings, widows, doors, skylights, etc.  In order to "totally" protect the area, the devices must not only detect if a window or door is opened, but additionally, if there was glass breakage. This can be cumbersome if you like to open windows for fresh air, but, is often the only option if you have free roaming large pets.

2) Hint ... "partial" perimeter protection consists of devices on all exterior doors, coupled with some sort of interior detection as a backup. (More forgiving if you like fresh air, but not compatible with free roaming pets, unless you routinely keep the pet in a confined room or cage).

C) Interior detection considerations...

1) Hint ... Infrared motion detectors are the most popular. There are multiple versions with different detection patterns. Some detect 30' x 30' for average rooms, some detect 70'x70' for larger rooms, and yet others detect 5'x50' for long narrow halls.

2) Hint ... Under-floor stress sensors are compatible with smaller free roaming pets.  These detectors are sensitive to the flexing of the floor joists that they are fastened to. The sensitivity can be adjusted to allow small animals like cats and small dogs to roam freely without setting the alarm off.

D) Specialty device considerations...

1) Hint ... Do not be narrow minded about the capabilities of your security alarm system.  There are many accessory types of detectors that can be added to your system to enhance your security. Devices such as carbon monoxide sensors, gas detectors, high water sensors for floods or sump pump failures, portable panic alarms or pendant type systems ( I've fallen and can't get up ), power outage detectors, low and high temperatures, etc. All can add an additional level of detection to protect your loved ones or property.

E) Fire detection devices...

1) Hint ... Do not ignore fire detection!!! The average burglary loss is about $1,500.00 to $2,000.00, while the average fire loss is closer to $20,000.00.

Early detection of fire not only protects property but saves lives!!

 Smoke & heat detectors can be added to any security alarm system to give you an even higher level of protection.