Security and Alarm Systems Blog

So many people have a monitored security system, and don’t know exactly what the monitoring entails. Well, here it is in summary. Security systems signal an alarm when tripped. This signal sends data which makes it’s way to a central station via one of three methods. The traditional method is through a land line, and many people still have land lines ONLY for their security system. The second method is through a cellular device, using cellular towers. This technology is not completely developed yet, so we only recommend using cellular as a back-up means of signaling in case phone lines are cut. And, the third method of security data transmission is over the internet.

Once the alarm signal is sent to the central station, they take predetermined actions based on a protocol made by the customer. For example, the protocol might be to call the business owner first, the VP second, and then call the police if they are both inaccessible. A common protocol for a home security system is to call the homeowners cellular and home, and to only take action when directed. This prevents false alarms, but can be dangerous if the homeowner is not always around their cellular.

The entire transaction is recorded by the central station, so in case there are any issues with the following of the protocol.

Any burglar alarm installation is not complete without the bare necessities. What are these necessities, though? The first, of course, is a control panel and at least one keypad. These are the brain of the system, taking in the programming from the technician, and acting intelligently based on information given by equipment. The Equipment is the second security system necessity. Security equipment such as door and window contacts, infrared motion detectors and glass break detectors alert the control panel that something fishy is happening. The third, and final, very necessary part of any alarm is a well-trained user. Without a person to arm and disarm the system, it is useless. I hear some of our customers here in San Diego tell me that they don’t use their system. This breaks my heart, because (1) they pay for it and (2) they are susceptible to a burglary which could be avoided (or at least minimized) by their security system. So, What Equipment Should Come Standard With Any Home Security System? A Control Panel, keypad, security equipment, and person that uses the system.

Falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths among people over the age of 75 and the second leading cause for those aged 45 to 75, according to the National Safety Council. There are also other medical emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks. Many elderly people live alone, but a medical emergency can happen when their spouse is away or even asleep. This is why it may be helpful to add medical alert functionality to your security system. Imagine a man having a heart attack in his mobile home, and having no way to call for help. Having a wireless medical alert transmitter could save his life.

A man was shot about 100 yards from our office. There’s a park across the street where kids play and gang members sometimes hang out. Everyone was working as usual when we heard 3 gunshots. I saw the man laying on the ground, but didn’t think anything of it because there’s usually people laying down on the grass. Then I was one of our neighbors running to him, and I knew this was bad.

A bullet was found in the doorway 3 doors down! Looking at the trajectory, it must have shot straight over Shaunde’s car, gotten slowed down in a tree, and finally hit a storm drain and ricocheted around a sheltered doorway.

The Police were here quick, and they stuck around for hours. One of the investigators noticed our CCTV system, and asked to see the footage, but unfortunately we were in the middle of switching out a DVR, and the Cameras were turned off. It happened too far to see anything clearly anyways, but it would have helped some. We definitely feel bad, its not every day your surveillance system cameras are pointed at an attempted murder.

I read that the man lived, and is going to be OK, and The police arrested a gang member shortly after the shooting.

the State of California has been cracking down on unlicensed contractors for years. Now, the Department of Consumer Affairs offers an “Inquire before you hire” website offering information to enable consumers to hire licensed contractors. A section of the website even has horror stories from people who hired unlicensed contractors, which includes a story about an electrician who was caught installing spy cameras in peoples bathrooms.

In the Security Industry, there is a different spin to this problem, however. This is because sub-contracting is an industry standard, where you might sign a contract with ABS security company, who then hires Joe Smith to install the system. There are very few companies who don’t practice this in the security industry. It is important to verify that your security company is licensed AND that they are going to have their own employees install your system.

We have an Alarm Company Operator Permit and a C-10 electrical license. Its not easy obtaining these, but we enjoy having the support of our state behind our business.

We have noticed a spike in the need for businesses to protect the data centers or server rooms in their offices, especially in Irvine and San Diego, California. There are several forms of security we offer in this area. The most common needs involve a door access control system, so that only authorized personnel may enter the room. There is also a helpful option in surveillance, where the server room is secure by recording the area with security cameras. Often times, it is possible to add door access equipment long with an existing security system, which will save you a good amount of money. Another great addition to server room security is a temperature sensor. Everyone knows that computers generate heat, yet they are also sensitive to high temperatures, so it is important to keep your server room temperature controlled. If the server room’s temperature reaches a certain temperature, a signal will be sent through your security system, and you will be notified immediately. This will keep your data safe, and prevent a gigantic headache, or even worse a complete loss of your companies information.

If you are interested in a free consultation, call us at (800) 577-2527.

In a case that will likely change the face of the security industry (in a good way), a settlement by a nationwide alarm company will offer refunds to over 1,200 customers who bought security systems from unlicensed salespeople. Attention was drawn to the sales force for this security company when Washington county was flooded with complaints of “pushy” salespeople.

This is the first time I have heard of any refunds being offered to customers based on a company not being licensed, and some experts have even claimed that any contract signed by an unlicensed alarm salesperson could be void.

What does it mean to be licensed? Well, the security industry is one which is obligated to exclude people with a felony, misdemeanor or any questionable judgments in their past. This is for obvious reasons. An Alarm license involves a background check. Most companies (i hope) get their state’s proper alarm licenses for their installers and managers, but there are some companies that choose to bypass this procedure.

In my own experience, it costs about $100 per employee, and takes as long as 6-9 months. But, California is not known for having a speedy administration.

There is a secret that not many people know, and it is a way to get much more out of your security system. The secret is that almost any sensor or electrical measurement component can be wired into a security system. This allows for an almost limitless array of add-ons, but specifically for you there are probably only a few.

An almost universal add-on is a panic button. We have added many panic buttons into existing security systems here in the San Diego area. Most offices have a lobby with a desk, so it makes sense to put a panic button under that desk to notify the police as soon as a situation begins.

Other add-ons we have installed are very specific to an industry or need. In one case, we installed temperature monitoring sensors in massive refrigeration units to detect when a refrigerator has failed, and needs to be fixed. This install was for a major food distributor, and it saves them thousands in lost inventory when a refrigerator fails because the food can be moved quickly and saved from exposure to heat. What is great about this is that we were able to save then money by tying their specialty sensors into their security system. This arrangement allowed them to avoid having to purchase an entirely new system.

Another case where a security system add-on helped a customer was for a maritime museum in San Diego. There are two boats the have fire systems. They are floating in the harbor, and have visitors daily, so a fire system is a requirement. However, they also need to know if the ships are taking in water. We installed water sensors at the bottom to give an early notification if there maybe a leak. Again, this is tied into a Fire Alarm system, so our customers didn’t have to buy an entirely new system.

Call us today if you would like to talk about adding some specialty equipment to your existing system, or if you need a security system in San Diego or across California.

Many City and County police departments now fine households when the police are dispatched due to a false alarm. The cause of the false alarm can be from faulty equipment, operator error, pets set off security system, or a number of other causes. All will lead to a fine. This makes it so much more important to do business with a reputable security installation company. Ask to see their state license, and ask for a clients list.

After the system is installed, false alarms can be prevented by putting time and thought into your call list. If the central station only has your cell phone, and the line is busy, then the next step is to send the police. But, if your list includes your home phone number, spouse’s cell phone, your cell phone, and several neighbors or friends, then there’s a much better chance that a false alarm will be caught by someone before the police are sent. The video below is definitely worth watching if you wish to learn more about false alarms.

I just came across a comprehensive study of five years of statistics by researchers at the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) in Newark, New Jersey. Their research found that residential burglar alarm systems decrease crime. While other studies have concluded that most burglars avoid alarm systems. Other studies have concluded that most burglars avoid alarm systems or displace burglaries to other cities, this is the first study to focus on alarm systems while scientifically ruling out other factors that could have impacted the crime rate.

Specifically, a house with a burglar alarm system installed is less likely to be burglarized. The study also found that a neighborhood with more houses with security systems installed is targeted less by burglars. One of main reasons the study attributes lower burglary rates to homes with security systems is the availability of higher technology equipment in home alarm systems. In recent years, security equipment that was only in the price range of commercial security applications a few years ago.

Of course it is common sense that if a burglar sees a house with a security system sign, they are going to burglarize their neighbor with no security. However, this study looks at several areas that go beyond common sense, and dives into the probabilities of burglary in certain neighborhoods. If you would like to view the full report, click here.