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Callum_62
04-02-2020, 09:47 PM
Hi all,

Does anyone have a burglar alarm installed in their house?

Im looking at the smart wireless ones rather than the typical wired alarms

ADT Smart home, Yale Smart Sync and the Y-Cam systems seem to look pretty decent and easy to install

Does anyone use one of these, or something like it?

Thanks

StevieC
05-02-2020, 12:28 AM
Hi all,

Does anyone have a burglar alarm installed in their house?

Im looking at the smart wireless ones rather than the typical wired alarms

ADT Smart home, Yale Smart Sync and the Y-Cam systems seem to look pretty decent and easy to install

Does anyone use one of these, or something like it?

Thanks

I install alarm systems for a living, have been for 30 years.
Steer clear of ADT, that’s my first piece of advice.

First question though, what do you want from an alarm system?

HH81
05-02-2020, 06:00 AM
I have one in mine. Wireless one mostly and its decent.

ADT was expensive and I would stay clear. We got a local guy who was recommended and he was superb so much so that we have got others to get CCTV and alarms from him. Know it's not going to help given he is from down here but research them.

HH81
05-02-2020, 06:07 AM
Just noticed you're the guy who baught a new build house. First thing I'd do is get locks and handles changed as the new build houses locks are minimum standard. If you have patio doors at the back the get them upgraded and put some sash Jammers on them.

You want three star locks and I'm sure you will find more info online. We learnt hard way.

Callum_62
05-02-2020, 06:54 AM
I install alarm systems for a living, have been for 30 years.
Steer clear of ADT, that’s my first piece of advice.

First question though, what do you want from an alarm system?Thanks Stevie. Just a basic level of security really. Don't need all the bells and whistles and wouldn't want to pay for a monitored service. No pets to worry about setting them off accidently either

New house will have 3 doors on first floor to cover

Do you have a preference over wired and wireless? I'm guessing wired is always a better option but I gather much more expensive and labour intensive?

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Callum_62
05-02-2020, 06:56 AM
Just noticed you're the guy who baught a new build house. First thing I'd do is get locks and handles changed as the new build houses locks are minimum standard. If you have patio doors at the back the get them upgraded and put some sash Jammers on them.

You want three star locks and I'm sure you will find more info online. We learnt hard way.Thanks for this - we have a site meeting on Friday so will check this out


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StevieC
05-02-2020, 07:23 AM
Thanks Stevie. Just a basic level of security really. Don't need all the bells and whistles and wouldn't want to pay for a monitored service. No pets to worry about setting them off accidently either

New house will have 3 doors on first floor to cover

Do you have a preference over wired and wireless? I'm guessing wired is always a better option but I gather much more expensive and labour intensive?

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I always go in thinking wired because that is the best, I sometimes feel a bit old school though because a lot of alarm companies are using wire-free as their default option. If it’s a new build, and it’s not too late, get the wiring done at the first fix stage. If it’s too late for a first fix then wire-free might be your only choice, although see if you can at least get keypad and external siren wired.

The reason I asked what you wanted from an alarm system was you mentioned CCTV. It’s the alarm that protects your home, so do you have a need for CCTV?

I use a Pyronix hybrid system that offers both wired and wire-free options. It’s a more expensive route to take, than using their wire-free Enforcer panel, but gives you a better system.

Regarding glass patio doors, most supplied now are toughened glass so they will smash the glass and walk straight in. Paying extra for new locks on them may be a cost better going towards your alarm system. It’s the alarm that is the deterrent.

Wired is more labour intensive, but wire-free equipment is more expensive so you might find the difference is closer than you might have imagined.

I agree with post above, local recommended company over a national company every time.

danhibees1875
05-02-2020, 07:53 AM
I have one of the wireless Yale ones.

They do the job of a normal alarm but it's nice to know if you're sitting on the bus wondering if you put the alarm on that you can just check on your phone.

I didn't look into non-smart ones, but I assume they're cheaper if nothing else.

It was easy to install too.

patch1875
05-02-2020, 09:31 AM
I used a local company to fit a wireless one pretty standard covering movement and the doors.

Sure it was about £500-£600 fitted and we pay about £70 for a service every year.

Callum_62
05-02-2020, 10:26 AM
I used a local company to fit a wireless one pretty standard covering movement and the doors.

Sure it was about £500-£600 fitted and we pay about £70 for a service every year.What wireless one did you get?

Definately going to contact a few local companies to see what they can do



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Callum_62
05-02-2020, 10:28 AM
I always go in thinking wired because that is the best, I sometimes feel a bit old school though because a lot of alarm companies are using wire-free as their default option. If it’s a new build, and it’s not too late, get the wiring done at the first fix stage. If it’s too late for a first fix then wire-free might be your only choice, although see if you can at least get keypad and external siren wired.

The reason I asked what you wanted from an alarm system was you mentioned CCTV. It’s the alarm that protects your home, so do you have a need for CCTV?

I use a Pyronix hybrid system that offers both wired and wire-free options. It’s a more expensive route to take, than using their wire-free Enforcer panel, but gives you a better system.

Regarding glass patio doors, most supplied now are toughened glass so they will smash the glass and walk straight in. Paying extra for new locks on them may be a cost better going towards your alarm system. It’s the alarm that is the deterrent.

Wired is more labour intensive, but wire-free equipment is more expensive so you might find the difference is closer than you might have imagined.

I agree with post above, local recommended company over a national company every time.Thanks for the detail. House is almost complete so definately past the wiring stage

We don't have patio doors but French doors, same rules apply I guess

We will contact some local companies that I find on Google and see what they come back with

Thanks

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Allant1981
05-02-2020, 10:48 AM
We have the yale sync ia 340 system in our house, not sure how much is cost as the wife dealt with it but she can use it through her mobile phone which is handy

patch1875
05-02-2020, 11:25 AM
What wireless one did you get?

Definately going to contact a few local companies to see what they can do



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Think it’s a pretty standard one they all seem to use can check the make later.

I used Watchman Alarms good guy never had an issue.

Callum_62
05-02-2020, 11:28 AM
Think it’s a pretty standard one they all seem to use can check the make later.

I used Watchman Alarms good guy never had an issue.Thanks,. I've emailed 2 companies. Might contact watchman too

https://www.safesimplesecure.com

http://alarmexpert.co.uk


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H18BYM
05-02-2020, 11:30 AM
I used IQ Alarms, who advertise at Easter Road. They've been great to deal with and there's been no issue with the system at all in the 4-years we've had it.

HH81
05-02-2020, 12:09 PM
Thanks for this - we have a site meeting on Friday so will check this out


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I.meant locks and handles upgraded on them not the actual door.

Wembley67
05-02-2020, 12:21 PM
Not much else to add but we got this lot out to kit out the alarm when we moved in https://contactsecurityservices.co.uk/. Seem to be a decent bunch.

StevieC
05-02-2020, 02:15 PM
I.meant locks and handles upgraded on them not the actual door.

That was a point I made. If it’s a main door with very little glass then upgrading locks is worth it. If it’s a full glass patio/french door then they are coming in through the glass regardless of the lock on the door .. unless you have a professionally installed alarm system.

G B Young
05-02-2020, 02:18 PM
Hi all,

Does anyone have a burglar alarm installed in their house?

Im looking at the smart wireless ones rather than the typical wired alarms

ADT Smart home, Yale Smart Sync and the Y-Cam systems seem to look pretty decent and easy to install

Does anyone use one of these, or something like it?

Thanks

Circle Security, based in Currie I think, do a lot of business near me and seem to be a well regarded local business.

Just Alf
05-02-2020, 05:20 PM
One worth checking out is DSM, owner's a big Hibby and the box has a nice green flashing lens/light :-)

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jonty
06-02-2020, 07:40 PM
And i you have a system, remember and get it regularly serviced.







which reminds me........ :hide:

Callum_62
06-02-2020, 08:03 PM
Just got a quote through for the Pyronix V10 Enforcer alarm

Around what I was expecting in the £600-700 range

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Allant1981
06-02-2020, 08:46 PM
Just got a quote through for the Pyronix V10 Enforcer alarm

Around what I was expecting in the £600-700 range

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You can buy the alarm for less than £200, is that it being fitted by a company?

Callum_62
06-02-2020, 09:13 PM
You can buy the alarm for less than £200, is that it being fitted by a company?Yes it's supplied and installed

2 door contacts
4 Pirs
1 external sounder plus 1 decoy
2 four button fobs

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vein
06-02-2020, 09:46 PM
Yes it's supplied and installed

2 door contacts
4 Pirs
1 external sounder plus 1 decoy
2 four button fobs

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I used same company as Wembley67 mentioned above, Contact Security. For the same as you are getting less 2 PIRs it was fitted for about £100 but I pay them £20 a month for monitoring. The idea is that if the alarm goes off their call centre will try to get a hold of me, if no answer it’s a 999 to the police.

It’s an other option worth investigating anyway, £600 looks steep to me. Good idea getting one installed right away though. Loads of new builds round here and there have been loads of break ins too, well worthwhile making your house look less appealing than others if there’s a visible alarm.

StevieC
06-02-2020, 10:46 PM
Just got a quote through for the Pyronix V10 Enforcer alarm

Around what I was expecting in the £600-700 range

It’s the panel of choice for a lot of alarm companies just now. Mainly because it’s all wire-free and fitted in less than a day.
To be fair, Pyronix panels are decent. I use Pyronix panels, I’ve just never taken to the Enforcer. Maybe I’m too “old school” when it comes to alarm installations :hmmm:

StevieC
06-02-2020, 10:55 PM
I used same company as Wembley67 mentioned above, Contact Security. For the same as you are getting less 2 PIRs it was fitted for about £100 but I pay them £20 a month for monitoring. The idea is that if the alarm goes off their call centre will try to get a hold of me, if no answer it’s a 999 to the police.

It’s an other option worth investigating anyway, £600 looks steep to me. Good idea getting one installed right away though. Loads of new builds round here and there have been loads of break ins too, well worthwhile making your house look less appealing than others if there’s a visible alarm.

Not entirely true .. they can only phone the police if it is a “confirmed” alarm activation (ie more than one detector triggering). And it’s highly unlikely the police will give it 999 status.

Some Companies will offer heavily subsidised installation costs in order to get you signed up for more expensive monitoring. Doing it this way they will break even within 3 or 4 years and then it’s a nice profit on the monitoring charge for doing very little. ADT are the worst for this .. £99 installation and then £300 a year for monitoring (often rising a small percentage year on year).

£600 is not too expensive for a professionally installed and certificated audible only alarm system.

vein
06-02-2020, 11:31 PM
Not entirely true .. they can only phone the police if it is a “confirmed” alarm activation (ie more than one detector triggering). And it’s highly unlikely the police will give it 999 status.

Some Companies will offer heavily subsidised installation costs in order to get you signed up for more expensive monitoring. Doing it this way they will break even within 3 or 4 years and then it’s a nice profit on the monitoring charge for doing very little. ADT are the worst for this .. £99 installation and then £300 a year for monitoring (often rising a small percentage year on year).

£600 is not too expensive for a professionally installed and certificated audible only alarm system.

Fair enough, I’ve seen you post enough about this subject over the years to recognise you are the resident expert on alarms :-)

Spot on about the confirmed activation which I had forgotten about, I’ve got mine placed in such a way that anyone breaking in will easily be picked up by at least two of the devices.

Personally I’m happy paying a monthly fee knowing that if it is valid and they can’t get me then the police are called. I was fairly sure it was a 999 call but may have that one wrong, I’ll need to dig out the documents to have a look again.

Allant1981
07-02-2020, 06:32 AM
Not entirely true .. they can only phone the police if it is a “confirmed” alarm activation (ie more than one detector triggering). And it’s highly unlikely the police will give it 999 status.

Some Companies will offer heavily subsidised installation costs in order to get you signed up for more expensive monitoring. Doing it this way they will break even within 3 or 4 years and then it’s a nice profit on the monitoring charge for doing very little. ADT are the worst for this .. £99 installation and then £300 a year for monitoring (often rising a small percentage year on year).

£600 is not too expensive for a professionally installed and certificated audible only alarm system.

£600 still seems a bit expensive though, if I was the poster I'd still be getting another few quotes

Callum_62
07-02-2020, 08:41 AM
£600 still seems a bit expensive though, if I was the poster I'd still be getting another few quotesYeah I am. First quote that came in was in was £821 [emoji15]

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Allant1981
07-02-2020, 09:30 AM
Yeah I am. First quote that came in was in was £821 [emoji15]

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Well it's getting cheaper so that's a bonus!!

StevieC
08-02-2020, 02:19 PM
Personally I’m happy paying a monthly fee knowing that if it is valid and they can’t get me then the police are called.

I always say to my customers that its not for me to decide what level of security they get, but what level they feel most comfortable with. If a customer wants monitoring I will provide them with monitoring.
I do fully explain the implications of monitoring, and that there is the possibilty that they may not actually get police response in certain circumstances.

GlesgaeHibby
22-05-2020, 05:31 PM
Looking into getting a burglar alarm - DIY job. Currently swithering between either SimpliSafe or Ring. Has anybody on here gone for either of these systems?

StevieC
22-05-2020, 09:43 PM
Looking into getting a burglar alarm - DIY job. Currently swithering between either SimpliSafe or Ring. Has anybody on here gone for either of these systems?

Do either of them have external siren units with additional dummy unit?
If burglary is your main concern you would certainly be wanting to have some sort of visual deterrent externally to put them off even trying.

Callum_62
23-05-2020, 08:44 AM
I think simplibsafe just comes with extetiour signage?

That's what a house near me has anyway

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GlesgaeHibby
23-05-2020, 09:46 AM
Do either of them have external siren units with additional dummy unit?
If burglary is your main concern you would certainly be wanting to have some sort of visual deterrent externally to put them off even trying.

They don't. I've gone with Ring as I'm getting a couple of external cameras and an internal camera as part of the kit which should act as a deterrent.

For £80 a year or £8 a month you get 30 days cloud storage of video footage and calls to designated numbers if the alarm goes off. Plus the system is DIY too.

patch1875
23-05-2020, 09:55 AM
Don’t have the Ring alarm but have the bell and camera whilst it’s good they have big issues with WiFi, even a couple of metres from the router it struggles sometimes.

StevieC
23-05-2020, 11:02 AM
I see a lot of talk these days about external cameras and often get enquiries about them for protecting homes, so I thought I would give my perspective on them as an alarm installer. I’m not really putting them down, as they certainly have a place, but more of my opinion of where they sit with regards to protecting your property.

I don’t really get involved with domestic cctv because there are so many cheap and easy to install kits available now that very few would be willing to pay the additional costs of quality equipment and the labour costs of a qualified engineer to install.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the “boys and their toys” aspect of dialling into a camera and seeing what is going on around my house, but I suspect the novelty might soon wear off .. and I wouldn’t go without my alarm system.

My personal view is that audio doorbells and interlinked wifi cameras are the modern day equivalent of what PIR floodlights were 30 years ago. New on the market, cheaper than an alarm system, and promoted as protecting your property against thieves.,Yes they are a deterrent, but won’t necessarily prevent a burglary. More suited for neighbour disputes, vandalism problems or anti-social behaviour than protecting against a burglary.

Lots of cctv footage on YouTube of break-ins, which to me shows that it’s not preventing the break-in. There may be a better chance of catching them afterwards (assuming image is clear enough in bad light), but I’m not sure how much consolation that brings to those that were broken into.

The Ring doorbell and camera is a good idea if you want to know who is at your door, and maybe relay instructions for parcel delivery, but I don’t feel in itself it’s going to prevent a burglar from entering a vacant property.

Moving on to reliability .. it seems that some kits that have issues with WiFi signal strength. You may find that you might not be able to place them where you want without additional WiFi boosters installed around your house. Does the camera alert you to movement? If it does would you get your phone going off every time the neighbours cat jumps the fence, if not how do you know if a break-in is in progress? Does it have the ability to backup recording locally ie SD card or is it depending on a cloud backup. How does your broadband enter the property (are cables visible and could they be cut)?
I also can’t think of anything that would be more frustrating than being on the receiving end of a break-in with footage of it actually taking place.

Not trying to put off anyone investing in good cctv protection, just making sure you get the right product for what you are hoping to achieve.

Obviously as someone that has installed security systems for the last 30 years, you would be expecting me to promote an intruder alarm, but in my honest opinion it is without doubt the best way to protect your property against a burglary. Once installed though, nothing wrong with adding on whatever cctv, audio, external protection you want to compliment it.

patch1875
23-05-2020, 01:20 PM
We had an attempted break in a few years ago, we were in the house with the alarm set downstairs that didn’t seem to put them off!

Got the Ring bell and camera mainly for the motion detection. Our garden is fully enclosed and we have it set larger motion which seems to work well and only occasionally the cats going in and out of the house set it off. It is handy for deliveries also as you can tell them just to leave it hidden somewhere.

Nothing will really stop determined ****bags but I see it as a.helpful deterrent and hope they go elsewhere with less security.

StevieC
23-05-2020, 01:54 PM
We had an attempted break in a few years ago, we were in the house with the alarm set downstairs that didn’t seem to put them off.

The main word there is “attempted”.
Did the alarm activate and scare them away?

There are a lot of houses with old, outdated, down-powered alarm systems. You can usually tell by the type/condition of the external siren which houses might fall into this category. In these situations a burglar might think it’s worth an “attempt”, but if there is a working system (that is armed) and it goes into alarm the “attempt” will be aborted very quickly.

This is obviously domestic properties, commercial is a different ball game because the potential haul could make setting off an alarm worthwhile.

As I said above .. search YouTube for burglary on camera and you will find lots of footage of houses getting ransacked .. search again for burglary setting off alarm and pretty much all the footage is of would be thieves scarpering empty handed.

This clip is in America (whole different ball game) but it does show burglars that pay no heed to cameras but bolt as soon as they set off an alarm. The guy does get alerted on his phone and phoned the police, but you would assume there is every chance they’d be long gone before police arrived.

https://youtu.be/h0ZDImo11cU

I’m not trying to be obtuse about a particular route anyone might want to go down regarding the security of their property, security means different things for different people. I’ve even said earlier in this thread that I always ask customers what they want from security rather than try and tell them what they should have. Piece of mind is a very important factor in security, and people have to be comfortable with what they decide to do. I’ve actually had some potential customers that have come across as more scared of setting an alarm off than the thought of a break-in, and if I can’t alleviate that worry (I always take a demo system and spend time discussing their concerns) then an alarm might not be for them.

patch1875
23-05-2020, 03:05 PM
No didn’t activate as the door never opened, tried to break the rear door glass but couldn’t get through the lamination. They then tried the front door glass and when they couldn’t break that they tried to kick it in but the door held.

It’s a pro fitted alarm now added a panic remote so I can trigger it.

speedy_gonzales
23-05-2020, 03:34 PM
Obviously as someone that has installed security systems for the last 30 years, you would be expecting me to promote an intruder alarm, but in my honest opinion it is without doubt the best way to protect your property against a burglary. Once installed though, nothing wrong with adding on whatever cctv, audio, external protection you want to compliment it.

It's the business you're in, so you have a very qualified opinion and no doubt vast experience in this field.
Frustratingly though, I'm hearing a lot more cases of burglary where the main goal is car keys. In these cases, traditional alarms (and I will bow down to your experience) just don't seem to have the same deterrent. The criminals who specialise in this will take the 30 second hit if the prize is worth it. The Police are even advising people to not overly hide your car keys because if they are desperate, they will threaten violence and no car is worth that. Obviously, you try your best to not leave them in plain sight.
My sister-in-law was broken in to up at Bonaly, prize was a VW Golf GTD. She has a house with traditional alarm. The crooks burst through her uPVC door in no time and snatched her bag in the hall with keys. For whatever reason, the door alarm didn't trigger, (I think they might have crawled through a panel) it was only by virtue she had two dogs that woke up and started making a commotion that caused the guys to flee with nothing more than her bag/cards/keys but no car.

patch1875
23-05-2020, 03:45 PM
It's the business you're in, so you have a very qualified opinion and no doubt vast experience in this field.
Frustratingly though, I'm hearing a lot more cases of burglary where the main goal is car keys. In these cases, traditional alarms (and I will bow down to your experience) just don't seem to have the same deterrent. The criminals who specialise in this will take the 30 second hit if the prize is worth it. The Police are even advising people to not overly hide your car keys because if they are desperate, they will threaten violence and no car is worth that. Obviously, you try your best to not leave them in plain sight.
My sister-in-law was broken in to up at Bonaly, prize was a VW Golf GTD. She has a house with traditional alarm. The crooks burst through her uPVC door in no time and snatched her bag in the hall with keys. For whatever reason, the door alarm didn't trigger, (I think they might have crawled through a panel) it was only by virtue she had two dogs that woke up and started making a commotion that caused the guys to flee with nothing more than her bag/cards/keys but no car.

That was the reason for my attempted break in the Golf R on the drive.

StevieC
23-05-2020, 04:05 PM
EDIT: this was a reply to SG not to patch (in case you think it was a response to your attempted break-in)

Yes, I think you’re right about cars sometimes being taken after a break-in. Hard to say whether the car or the contents would have been the initial target, but leaving keys out in plain view won’t help.

You are also right about doors being a problem, and you should back up door protection with movement detection if it’s a vulnerable area. Last year I would say 90% of the alarms I fitted to properties, after a break-in, the break-in was through a french door with full glass. The glass in them will shatter into very small pieces, making little noise and providing a full frame to then step through.

I try to design my systems so that all vulnerable areas are covered with motion detection, and that it’s a simple procedure to do a night set so that they are covered at all times.
I also cover any entry doors with contacts and promote the “door chime” feature of the alarm to alert people to the potential of the “sneak thief”, that will look for unlocked doors and grab items from halls or kitchens.

speedy_gonzales
23-05-2020, 04:32 PM
EDIT: this was a reply to SG not to patch (in case you think it was a response to your attempted break-in)

Yes, I think you’re right about cars sometimes being taken after a break-in. Hard to say whether the car or the contents would have been the initial target, but leaving keys out in plain view won’t help.

You are also right about doors being a problem, and you should back up door protection with movement detection if it’s a vulnerable area. Last year I would say 90% of the alarms I fitted to properties, after a break-in, the break-in was through a french door with full glass. The glass in them will shatter into very small pieces, making little noise and providing a full frame to then step through.

I try to design my systems so that all vulnerable areas are covered with motion detection, and that it’s a simple procedure to do a night set so that they are covered at all times.
I also cover any entry doors with contacts and promote the “door chime” feature of the alarm to alert people to the potential of the “sneak thief”, that will look for unlocked doors and grab items from halls or kitchens.

Yup, you can even pull out a whole frame from french doors if they have external beading!

My S-I-L's alarm was set with night protection, but the hall PIR was covering the panel and not the door :rolleyes:

Re modern wired alarms, do they have better protection against getting defaulted. Used to be the case you could enter a property, set the alarm off, but get to the control box, remove ac & dc power and short out the relevant jumper? In a previous life I had to do this to the alarm that protected Haymarket Station booking office (legitimately off course!).

StevieC
23-05-2020, 05:04 PM
Re modern wired alarms, do they have better protection against getting defaulted. Used to be the case you could enter a property, set the alarm off, but get to the control box, remove ac & dc power and short out the relevant jumper? In a previous life I had to do this to the alarm that protected Haymarket Station booking office (legitimately off course!).

I’m assuming you are talking about resetting a panel to default?

For modern systems, even if you know what you are doing, it is not an easy task to default an alarm that has activated. And bear in mind that there are dozens of different types of alarm systems, all with different defaulting procedures.

If the alarm is set then the siren will be screaming from the second you trip the alarm till the time you can complete the default procedure. As an installer I have the advantage of knowing which cupboard the main panel is situated in (not the visible keypad), what the default procedure is and what codes might be needed after the correct default procedure has been completed, and it will still take me a good few minutes to complete a default procedure.

So short answer .. it’s too risky for an intruder to waste time trying to shut down an alarm system and the best course of action is to bolt. 😉

You’d be surprised at the amount of people that phone me, with an alarm screaming in the background, asking how they can silence it. 🙄

green&left
24-05-2020, 09:17 AM
It's the business you're in, so you have a very qualified opinion and no doubt vast experience in this field.
Frustratingly though, I'm hearing a lot more cases of burglary where the main goal is car keys. In these cases, traditional alarms (and I will bow down to your experience) just don't seem to have the same deterrent. The criminals who specialise in this will take the 30 second hit if the prize is worth it. The Police are even advising people to not overly hide your car keys because if they are desperate, they will threaten violence and no car is worth that. Obviously, you try your best to not leave them in plain sight.
My sister-in-law was broken in to up at Bonaly, prize was a VW Golf GTD. She has a house with traditional alarm. The crooks burst through her uPVC door in no time and snatched her bag in the hall with keys. For whatever reason, the door alarm didn't trigger, (I think they might have crawled through a panel) it was only by virtue she had two dogs that woke up and started making a commotion that caused the guys to flee with nothing more than her bag/cards/keys but no car.

When my flat in Craigentinny got robbed I had a good chat with several police who visited the property. The wee fanny's in the scheme robbing houses and sheds for drug and bevvy money should be put of from PIR lights and alarms, professionals wanting something specific like a car or expensive watches won't give a **** purely because they'll be aware that in cities and other built up areas, when alarms go off generally speaking neighbours and people around don't bother checking them out.

Also mentioned the same thing about car keys, don't leave them by the letterbox but don't go stashing them. If someone wants the car let them have it... Seems to be Golfs and Audi S/RS models that were the targets.

Regarding alarm systems as has been mentioned already avoid ADT like the plague. They installed the kit which was fine but one afternoon I entered through the back door (out mountain biking and didn't want to drag manky gear through the house) and sat and wandered about the house all afternoon. Then later tippled the alarm was still set and not one of the sensors picked me up! They've since been sorted (apparently) and they gave me decent compo and free for another 12 months but as soon as that is up i'll be out of there.

StevieC
24-05-2020, 09:33 AM
Regarding alarm systems as has been mentioned already avoid ADT like the plague. They installed the kit which was fine but one afternoon I entered through the back door (out mountain biking and didn't want to drag manky gear through the house) and sat and wandered about the house all afternoon. Then later tippled the alarm was still set and not one of the sensors picked me up! They've since been sorted (apparently) and they gave me decent compo and free for another 12 months but as soon as that is up i'll be out of there.

Couldn’t agree more.

That sounds like it might have been a programming issue. I often takeover alarm systems installed by other companies and I will always reprogramme them. One of the biggest issues is badly programmed alarms. It’s amazing how many so called engineers will programme up a panel incorrectly, and do something like omit all the zones in a part set, or programme zones up incorrectly.
ADT have a lot of engineers and not all of them are knowledgeable with alarm programming. They’ve maybe been trained in fire alarms and moved over during busy times, or sometimes just not very good at their jobs. Big companies don’t always mean best service, despite the higher prices that they charge 🙄

StevieC
24-05-2020, 10:42 AM
skyehibee I tried to reply to you query by PM but your inbox is full.
Clear some of your messages and I'll be happy to help answer your queries :aok: