Burglar Technology In The Home Essay, Research Paper

Introduction There have been a number of burglaries in the area

in which the Peterson family are living; thus they have become increasingly

interested in Control Technology in their home.? They have contacted me, and my task is to prepare a report,

which advises them upon various alarm systems, also considering fire detection

systems. I am going to provide the Peterson?s with two reports, one

outlining a basic security system for the family, and the other a more advanced

top of the range system. This will give the family the necessary information to

decide which system would suit their needs the most as well as being within

their price range. In the reports I shall inform them in detail what should go

into the system, prices, and the best places to install the various components

in their home. SensorsMany different types of sensors could be used for

various security and fire systems. There are sensors that detect movement, or a

change in light, or temperature. Below is a list of some that could be used.Mercury Tilt Switch ? This is placed inside a device, and

if that device is moved or tilted in any way it causes a blob of mercury to

complete a circuit by touching contacts. This is often used in vending

machines, or machines that contain money or goods that might cause people to

tilt the machine to attempt to get the goods out. In the Peterson?s home this

type of sensor could be used on doors or windows to detect whether they are

opened. Light Sensor ? This is a sensor that can detect a change in

lighting levels. These types of sensors are often used with streetlights, and

detect when it is dark enough for the streetlights to be turned on. This could

also be used for a security light outside the Peterson?s house, which will

switch on when it is dark. Push Sensor ? These sensors create a circuit, which can turn

on a light. These are often used on car or fridge doors, switching a light on

when the door is opened. Temperature Sensor ? A sensor that detects a change in

temperature, they are often used to within central heating systems to help in

keeping the temperature of a house constant.?

This could be used to detect a fire, as there will be a rise of temperature

in the event of a fire.Sound Sensor ? Used to record the level of sound, usually

from places where loud music is being played.Proximity Sensor? -

These sensors are made in two halves, and a signal is activated if the two

halves are moved away from one another. They are often seen on windows. The

Peterson?s could use sensors like these to activate a signal if their windows

are opened when the alarm is set, as this could indicate somebody trying to get

in. ? Basic Security

System This basic security system is designed for somebody

that simply wants and needs a basic level of protection, and/or may be unable

to afford a costly top of the range system. The equipment which is to be included in the basic

security system is as follows: Basic control panel (1) The basic control panel more or less operates the whole

system. Usually it would be about the size of an A4 piece of paper, and 2

inches thick. It would need to have a keypad, which would allow a unique PIN to

be set so that the alarm system can be switched on and off. It will need to be

connected to the sensors and the bell box so that the sensors could send

signals when movement was detected, and so that it could send signals to the

bell box to activate the alarm. This may result in a lot of unsightly wiring

around the house, which could cause problems. There would only need to be one of these in the house

because only one control panel is needed per system. This would be placed in

the cupboard under the stairs, so that the alarm system could be accessed easily

so it can be switched on and off, as it is fairly close to both the entrance

and exits of the house. It also will be hidden from view in the cupboard, so it

will not clutter up any other area of the house or be an eye sore. Infra red movement sensor (4) These sensors will detect movement in a room when the alarm

system is on. They send an infrared beam into the room and when this beam is

broken a signal will be sent along a wire to the control panel, which in turn

will set off an alarm. They should be placed in key areas, which could be

containing important things that the family wants to protect, or leading into

areas containing important items. I have decided to place them in 4 rooms, but

not areas that the main doors lead into the house, as somebody could come into

the house and not have chance to deactivate the alarm system before the alarm

is set off. They should be placed away from windows so that they cannot detect

movement outside the house and set off the alarm when there isn?t an intruder. The

areas I am going to place these in are the living room, the dining room, the

upstairs landing and the hall. I only placed one upstairs because it is more

likely any intruders would enter via a door or window in the lower part of the

house, since climbing in through an upstairs window takes longer, and would

mean that they would be very visible and more likely to get caught. The PIR on

the landing upstairs will immediately detect them should they venture upstairs.

If a family have pets, it is possible that they could

actually set off the alarm by the PIRs detecting their movement, so something

named a pet guard is available. This only sends the infrared beams above a

certain height, so that they cannot detect animals fairly low on the floor. Alarm box (Self-actuating sounder) (1) It is essential that an alarm box be placed in the system,

as otherwise there will be no alert to possible break-ins. This will also have

a flashing light, which will allow it to be seen by people also. If, for

example, one of the movement sensors detects a movement inside the house, it

will send a signal to the control panel, which will send a signal to the alarm

box meaning that the house alarm will be set off. There only needs to be one, as two might create more noise

and attract more attention, but it is unnecessary. This will be placed outside

on the front of the roof, above the two top windows of the house. This is

because it will then be more likely to be heard by more people in the area when

it is activated, and even when the alarm stops the flashing light will be very

easily visible. Magnetic door contact (2) When a door is either opened or closed, this creates a

circuit that will set an alarm off. These would be useful at night so that the

family would know when anybody was entering the house, or if an intruder

somehow managed to obtain a house key then this would alert the family/people

in the area that somebody was entering the house that shouldn?t be. I am going to place these on the two main doors which lead

into the house, as they would be no use on any doors inside the house since

that would mean that the intruder was already in the house.Stand by battery This will be needed in case of a power cut, as if there

wasn?t a stand by battery then the alarm system would be rendered useless in

the event of a power cut since it does depend upon the house having power. If

the is a power cut then the stand by battery will be activated meaning that the

house will still be protected. This shall be kept in the small cupboard under

the stairs, along with the control box, as then it will be out of the way but

still accessible if need be. Smoke detector (2) These will detect any smoke in the house and activate an

alarm. Smoke alarms are fairly small, and they are usually placed on the

ceiling, since smoke rises. Being placed on the ceiling they are fairly

discreet and unnoticeable. I am going to place them on the landing, and in the hall. On

the landing because smoke rises, and also if I just placed one downstairs and a

fire begins upstairs then the fire would not be detected. In the hall so that

fires downstairs can be detected. I chose the hall because it is near enough to

the kitchen that a serious fire beginning in there could be detected, but far

enough away that simply cooking dinner would not set off an alarm.The inputs and outputs of the equipment in the system,

including pictures System Equipment Input To Equipment Output To Equipment Picture Control

Panel Signals

from sensors or button presses Activation/deactivation

of alarm system, signals sent to alarm box Movement

Sensor Movement Signal

to control box Alarm Box Signal

from control box Activation

or deactivation of siren Magnetic

Door Contact Door

opens which creates a circuit Signal

to control box which activates siren Stand By

Battery Power

cut Activates

stand by battery so system can continue running Smoke

Detector Smoke Alarm Advantages

of the basic system·

The system will be easy to set up, and inexpensive,

and also will protect the family.·

As well as being easy to set up, the system is fairly simple

for the family to learn how to use, as well as protecting them to a basic level

of security that would be enough for most families.·

People will be alerted to both fire and break-ins in the

house, and the alarm will definitely deter burglars if they see the box at the

front of the house. Also in the event of a burglary, there?s more chance of it

being stopped due to the sirens.·

The back up battery protects the system against power cuts,

so the system will always be working and protecting even in events such as

power cuts.·

The magnetic door contacts mean that if an intruder managed

to obtain a house key, then the alarm system would still go off if they did not

know how to deactivate it.·

Smoke detectors pick up and alert people to any smoke in the

house, as smoke means fire. This is an advantage over having no smoke

detectors; as if a fire began whilst the family were sleeping then they would

be alerted to it hopefully before it got out of hand.·

Since the family would start with a basic system, this could

always be upgraded to a more advanced system, which would protect the family to

a higher level if they felt it was necessary. Disadvantages of the basic system ·

The system is a basic system, which means that it is more

likely that burglars could get past the system than with a more hi-tech

security system.·

Having a pet guard on the PIR detectors means that if an

intruder were to crawl across the room at the height of an animal then they

would not be detected by the PIRs and the alarm would not go off.·

The smoke alarm must be tested regularly to ensure that

batteries are still working. If this is not done, and the batteries run out

then the families smoke alarm is useless, and fires would not be detected.·

After the alarm has been set off once then the system is

deactivated. This means that if a burglar came back to attempt to enter the

house again the alarm wouldn?t go off and the house could be burgled.·

It is likely that a lot of wires would need to be lain

around the house for the system to work, although some of these could be hidden

some of them probably wouldn?t be able to be hidden, and these could be

unsightly.·

The alarm system needs to be activated by different codes,

which could be difficult for the family to remember, and if they forget them

then they could set off the alarm trying to deactivate the system, or not be

able to activate the system at all.·

Most of the equipment in the system doesn?t actually prevent

fire/break-ins, it just alerts people to them whilst/after they happen.

Therefore theft could still happen even with the alarm system installed. The

smoke alarm also does nothing whatsoever to prevent fire.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

???????????????????????????Considerations of installing the

basic systemBelow is a list of all the things that the family should

consider before deciding to install the basic security system.·

Timing to switch the alarm off – When the family enter or exit

the house, they don?t want the alarm to go off before they have change to

deactivate the system, or to get out the back door. Therefore setting entry and

exit times is a good idea, so that the alarm doesn?t set for say 30 seconds

after it is activated, and go off for 30 seconds after somebody entering the

house. This will give them time to set or unset the system.·

Sensitivity of sensors ? If the sensors are highly

sensitive, it may mean that they do pick up things outside, or movements of for

example curtains in a room due to the window being open. To combat this it

needs to be made sure that the sensor is not set up pointing out of the window,

and the family should try to remember to close windows of the rooms that

sensors are in before leaving the house. ·

Activating and deactivating the system ? This can be done

either through a password, a code, or a key. The family need to think about

which would be easiest for them. A key might seem the easiest, but each member

of the family would need one, and they could also be lost or taken by somebody

else. Passwords and codes may also be easy to forget which would mean that the

system couldn?t be used.·

Cost ? The family need to make sure that they can afford the

initial costs for the system, as it will cost nothing to very little once it is

installed. They should plan to purchase a system that will be the best for

them, and within their price range.·

Trial runs – All of the equipment should be tested and

checked to make sure that it works, as if it didn?t it would be useless. Advanced Security SystemThe advanced security system is designed for a family

that need a large amount of protection and want a top of the range system. The

amount that could be spent on this type of system is almost unlimited. Below

are my suggestions for a top of the range security and fire system for the

Peterson family.Discreet control panel (1) A discreet control panel is like the basic control panel,

in that it is the ?brain? of the entire system, controlling everything, and it

is through this that the family activate and deactivate the system. A discreet

control panel is smaller, and it doesn?t have a keypad, instead using remote

keypads, which I shall explain later, controls the system. Since it doesn?t

have a keypad there isn?t any reason for the family to use it apart from

maintenance, which means that it can be put away somewhere such as the loft, if

they do not wish for it to be seen. It will be activated by signals sent to it by the remote

keypads, PIR detectors, panic buttons and any other system components connected

to it by wires. These will either cause it to activate/deactivate the system,

or send a signal to the bellbox to produce a siren. I am going to place this in the cupboard under the stairs,

as I did with the control panel for the basic system, simply because I feel

that this is the best place for it. It will be convenient and easy for the

installation workers to get to, to install the control panel, and should it

break or need servicing it?s also easy to get to. It will also need to be

connected to the bellbox, PIR sensors, remote keypads etc so that the system

works, so there may be wiring around the house, but I feel that placing it here

will minimize the wiring, as if it was placed in the attic the wiring would be

more obvious exiting the attic and difficult to route downstairs.Remote keypad (3) A remote keypad is instead of a keypad on the control

panel, making it smaller and more discreet. They are about the same size as a

standard calculator. It will be used mostly to activate and to deactivate the

alarm system, as it will send signals to the control panel upon buttons

presses, which will cause the main control panel to either activate or

deactivate the system, or to send a signal to the bellbox to sound an alarm if

the wrong code is entered. The keypad is attached to the control panel by a

cable, which can be hidden under carpets etc, and this cable helps it to retain

contact with the main control panel.? There can be as many remote keypads as you wish around the house, they are

simply to make it more convenient when setting the system, so that you don?t

always have to go to wherever the control panel is to set the system. They can

be placed next to your bed, so that you can set the system before going to

sleep and deactivate it before you get out of bed in the mornings, or by the

doors so that you can immediately deactivate the system upon entering the

house. The system could also actually be set up so that pressing

two certain buttons together on the remote keypad would act as a panic button,

and activate the alarm even if the system was not set. I am going to place three remote keypads in the house,

one by the front door and one by the back, so that the system can be set/unset

upon entry or exit to the house without having to go to where the main control

panel is. Also this means that the entry/exit time could be decreased thus

making the house more secure. The other one I shall place on the landing

upstairs, so that the system could be partially set before going to bed, or if

for example, somebody went out without realising that somebody was still

upstairs in the house, that person could quickly deactivate the system before

the alarm was set off. Placing just three means that there shouldn?t be too

much unnecessary wiring around the house connecting the control panel and the

remote keypads.Zones of protection (4) You can actually set up zones of protection in your house,

so that when the alarm goes off, LEDs can indicate which zone the problem was

meaning that you know exactly where the intruder entered. Or if for example you

are having difficulties with the alarm consistently sounding for no apparent

reason then you can find out which zone the alarm is being set off in and discover

and fix the problem. Also when you set the system, you can set only certain zones

of the house to be protected. I am going to set up four zones of protection in the house,

with the kitchen garage and hall area being zone one, the living room and dining

room area being zone two, the bathroom and landing area upstairs is zone three,

and the three upstairs bedrooms are zone four. This is so that the things that

need to be protected most are grouped in zones, and when only certain zones of

the system are set then the family could easily just set the system to protect

the two zones which contain the items that most need to be protected inside the

house.Shock sensors on windows (7) A shock sensor, or vibration detector will actually

detect any vibration upon the windows they are placed on, and send a signal to

the main control panel to activate an alarm. These are very useful because they

attempt to stop anybody actually getting into the house, rather than simply

setting off a siren once somebody has already entered. Vibration or movement of

the windows activates them, such as that from somebody attempting to smash the

window. There is a picture of a shock sensor in the table below. I am going to place 7 shock sensors on windows throughout

the house, on all of the four upstairs windows, and on the kitchen lounge and

two upon the large patio windows in the dining room. This is because I feel

that shock sensors are very useful since they set off an alarm before entry to

the house is gained, and not after somebody is already in. I am not placing

shock sensors on the porch windows, or the window of the back door because

somebody just knocking on the door could set this off. PIR detectors (6) Passive infrared detectors, or movement sensors detect any

movement in the room they are placed. An infrared beam is sent into a room, and

when this beam is broken, for example by a person walking across the room, then

if the system is activated a signal is sent to the main control panel which

then contacts the bellbox and sets off a siren. These should be placed in areas of the house that contain

important items that need protection, or items which would be expensive to

replace. They should also be placed in the main areas of the house that an

intruder is likely to enter into. They should also be placed so that the infrared beam does

not pick up movement through windows, as this could then set off movement

outside the house. I am going to place seven PIR detectors around the house.

These will be placed in the hall, lounge and dining room downstairs, but not

actually in the kitchen since there are very few objects of importance that

could be taken from the kitchen. Upstairs I shall place PIR detectors on the

landing, so that anybody venturing upstairs will immediately be detected, and

in each of the three bedrooms so the contents of these rooms are protected, and

anybody climbing through the windows in these rooms will be detected. If a family have pets such as dogs or cats in the house when

the alarm system is set then these animals by movement could set the system

off. The way that I have placed the sensors, the pets could be in the kitchen

while the system is on without setting it off, but if the family wished for

their pets to have the run of the entire house then a pet guard is available,

which stops the infrared beams below a certain height so animals low on the

floor cannot be detected.Internal alarm sirens (2) An internal alarm siren is basically a siren that can be

set up inside the house, so that when the alarm goes off it can be heard

clearly inside the house also. These will be activated by a signal from the

control panel to activate an alarm. They could be necessary if the family sets the alarm system

whilst sleeping, so that they could definitely hear the alarm if it went off.

Also when an intruder enters and the alarm goes off they may not always hear

it, but if an intruder hears an extremely loud siren inside the house this may

encourage them to leave. I am going to place two of these in the house, one in the

hall downstairs, and one on the landing upstairs. This will ensure that they

can be heard from any area in the house.Rearm facility Within alarm systems, once the alarm has been activated

it is only allowed to sound for twenty minutes, due to regulations and noise

pollution. After this time a light on the bellbox will continue to flash. After

the siren has stopped, the system is often deactivated, meaning that if a

burglar comes back after twenty minutes, they have already gained entry to the

house and will be able to quickly get in and take what they want without the

system sounding an alarm because it has been deactivated. However it is

possible to have a rearm facility on the system, so that once the system has

been activated it will rearm itself, and not be deactivated so that if the

burglar does come back the alarm will sound again. This will be set up within the control panel in the

house, as I feel that this would be necessary in case of an intruder actually

attempting to enter twice. Panic/personal attack button (2) A panic button can be placed anywhere in the house, or the

remote keypad can be set up so that when two set buttons on the keypad are

pressed together a siren will sound. This will work even when the system is

deactivated. I believe that a panic button would be necessary in the

house because when people are in the house it?s likely that the alarm system

wouldn?t be activated, meaning that if there was a break in no alarms would go

off, so they could press the panic button to set off a siren so that people in

the area would know there was a break in. I am going to have two panic buttons in the house, one in

the hall and one on the upstairs landing. This is so that there is one within

easy reach whether you are upstairs or downstairs in the house.RedCARE There are a number of options instead of RedCARE, and I

have outlined some of these before describing RedCARE. A speech dialler could be used, which is activated by the

system alarm going off. A message can be recorded, for example ?10 Oak Street

is being burgled,? and up to five telephone numbers can be dialled to relay the

message to. Mr Peterson could set this up to dial the number of a security

company, who upon receiving the message would come to the house. However

monitoring station and callout fees would have to be paid. A speech dialler

would be connected to a telephone line, which means that it does rely 100% upon

the telephone line being open. A speech dialler is less reliable than a digital

communicator, which also does rely on a telephone link between the alarm and a

commercial monitoring station, but what a digital communicator does is send a

signal to an alarm receiving centre, who contact a responsible person (key

holder.)? The key holder could be a

security system that will come and check the house for you; this means that

callout fees will have to be paid. A digital communicator also does rely upon

the telephone line not being cut, which is where RedCARE comes in, which I will

explain next. A digital communicator is activated by a signal from the

control panel, or a siren being set off in the house. I have decided that a digital communicator is necessary

because if there is nobody in the area to hear the siren, the burglar could

just take whatever he or she wants and leave, with nobody realising or knowing

who it was, but with a security company actually coming to check the house the

burglar could be stopped in their tracks. RedCARE will monitor BT telephone lines that are

connected to alarm systems. When an alarm is set off, then a signal is sent via

the actual RedCARE network within seconds to the monitoring centre. This

monitors 24 hours a day, and if the line is cut then this can be instantly

detected. Again, monitoring station fees and callout fees are applicable, but

this is much more secure than any of the other options, since it will detect

line cuts so the house is certain to have somebody checking it in the event of

an alarm going off or a telephone line being cut so that an intruder can

attempt to enter without the security company being called.Heat detector (2) A heat detector or temperature sensor does a similar task

to a smoke alarm. They are commonly a bi-metallic strip. When the temperature

rises, this cause the strip to bend, which will meet a contact and create a circuit,

and an alarm will sound as a result. As the temperature will always rise in the

event of a fire, these are very useful. I am going to place two of these inside the house, one on

the landing and one in the hall. I am placing them here so that they can detect

fires both upstairs and downstairs. One should not be placed in the kitchen,

since normal cooking temperatures could cause the strip to heat up and set off

an alarm. These should be in the house, as fire protection is

extremely important. Floodlights (1) Floodlights can be placed outside the house, and activated

from a movement outside. These are useful as you can see if anybody is outside

the house from whether there is a light, and if there is a light you can

clearly see whoever is outside. They are also useful when coming home in the

dark, so that you can see where you are going once you enter your back garden

where there are no streetlights. One floodlight should be placed outside the house, above the

bathroom window, so that the back garden will be lit up if any movement is

detected out there. These will be good for seeing people outside and being able

to see outside in the dark yourself, as the light can also be set to not switch

off. The lights will only be activated due to movement in the evening and night

times, and not during the day when it is light and you do not need a light.Magnetic door contacts (2) These are made in two halves, and when a door is

opened/closed this will create a circuit as the two halves join together, and

an alarm will be set off. If somebody obtained a house key, then these would be good,

as they would set the alarm off since the person entering would not know the

security codes for the alarm system. Also if the family were to set or partially set the system at

night then they would be aware if anybody was entering the house while they

were sleeping, because an alarm would be set off. These should be placed on the front and back doors to the

house; so that they can detect people entering the house, if they were placed

on doors inside the house this would be useless because the intruders are

already inside. These are activated when the door is either opened or

closed, depending on which way that they are made, and they send a signal to

the control panel, which will activate an alarm.Perimeter protection Infrared protection is set up by transmitters, which look

a little like posts, placed around the area that you want to protect. Infrared

beams being broken activate it. Several beams are transmitted between the posts

at different heights, and if all of the beams are broken together an alarm will

be sounded. All the beams have to be broken at once so that animals such as

cats or birds do not set off the alarms by travelling through the beams and

breaking them, as the only thing large enough to break all the beams would be a

human. This will be set up all around the house so that if anybody

enters into the area around the house when the perimeter protection is on an

alarm will be set off. This is the only place it could go, since it wouldn?t be

any use inside the house. It is good at stopping people before they actually

get close to the house. CCTV cameras (2) A closed circuit television camera can tape everything that

is in its view. It can tape all the time, or just be set to tape at certain

times. CCTV cameras that sense movement can just tape when they sense a

movement. Cameras can be fitted with the facilities of panning,

zooming and tilting; they can also operate in low light. CCTV can also interact with the alarm systems, it can be

connected to the system, and when the alarm is activated the camera will begin

to record. They may also relay information to somebody whom would then sound

the alarm. The cameras that I feel would be best for the house are one

placed on the back wall of the house that is activated by movement, so it would

be able to record anybody in the back garden of the house, and one at the front

of the house that will tape at certain times of the day. CCTV cameras are very good if you want high security, as

even if somebody does manage to get into the house you do have them on tape

which could aid you in finding out who they are.The inputs and outputs of the equipment in the advanced

system, including pictures System

Equipment Input To

Equipment Output

To Equipment Picture Discreet control panel Signal from equipment in the system or remote keypad Signal to bellbox to set alarm off or activating/

deactivating system Remote keypad Key presses Signal to control panel to set/unset system Shock sensors Vibration or a shock Signal to control panel to activate alarm PIR detectors Movement Signal to control panel, alarm activated Internal alarm sirens Signal from control panel Siren activated Rearm facility Alarm set off once, signal from control panel Sets system again Panic/personal attack button Pushing of button Signal to set siren off Heat detector Heat Metal strip makes circuit, alarm goes off Floodlights Movement, or switching on Light comes on for a period of time Magnetic door contact Opening/closing of door moves contacts apart Signal to control panel to set off siren Perimeter protection All of the beams being broken by somebody passing through

them Siren activated CCTV camera Movement or camera set to record Records whatever is in view RedCARE Phone line cut or alarm activated Sends message along lines to monitoring station Advantages of the advanced

security system ·

This system is top of the range, and will protect the family

very well from a lot of eventualities to an extremely high standard of

protection.·

Even if somebody did manage to get past the security, then

there are CCTV cameras, which will film everything that they can see, so they

will have pictures of the intruder on tape that should aid them in discovering

exactly who it was. ·

If the family do think that the system doesn?t provide

enough security, which is unlikely in this top of the range system, then they

could upgrade it very easily to something more suitable to their needs. The

same goes the other way; components can be removed if the family feel that it

isn?t necessary in the system. ·

Perimeter protection stops anybody coming close to the house

without an alarm being sounded when it is set. This is very helpful if people

want some privacy and/or do not want people attempting to enter their home. ·

The rearm facility means that if a burglar tries again to

enter the house the system will not be deactivated, and a siren will still

sound. ·

The panic buttons mean that if the system isn?t set and

somebody enters the house when others are in there, they can still get help by

simply pushing the button. ·

RedCARE will mean that if the phone line is cut, or whenever

the alarm goes off there will be somebody there checking the house and what has

happened to cause the alarm to be activated. ·

The vibration and movement sensors will detect anybody in

the house or trying to break the windows to get in, the shock sensors will stop

anybody before they actually do get into the house. Disadvantages of the advanced

security system ·

Cost ? although this system does provide top of the range

protection and security for the family it could end up costing a huge amount of

money.·

If an intruder knew there were perimeter protection beams

they could crawl through them, as then they would just be breaking the bottom

beam meaning that the alarms wouldn?t be set off because all of the beams need

to be broken for a siren to be sounded. ·

The alarm may go off when there isn?t an intruder, for

example movement outside may set off the movement sensor, and the alarm going

off would mean that the monitoring station would be contacted and the family

would have to pay a callout fee although nothing was wrong. ·

If somebody were to knock on the windows of the house, this

may make the vibration sensor go off, and again the monitoring station would be

contacted although there wasn?t an intruder. ·

CCTV cameras would need their tapes changing regularly to

make sure that the tape doesn?t run out, and the tapes would also need to be

checked. If the camera happened to be set to the wrong angle, or somebody

knocked it so it was filming at the wrong angle then intruders wouldn?t be

captured on film. ·

The system would need continuous checking to make sure that

everything is running smoothly otherwise there is little point in having the

system. This could be time consuming. ·

There would probably need to be more wires within the

advanced system than the basic, and these being laid around the house would be

unsightly. ·

The system is very good, but it may take a lot of time to install

correctly and servicing would need to take place at least once a year also. Considerations of installing the

advanced system Below is a list of things that the family will need to

consider if they wish to install the advanced system.·

Training of the family ? With the system being so hi tech,

the family will certainly need training so that they know how to use it

correctly and to avoid unnecessary errors within the system.·

Changing the system codes ? The codes should be changed

regularly, to be sure that nobody obtains them that shouldn?t and enters the

premises. However the disadvantage of this is that the family may forget the

codes with them being changed regularly.·

Trial runs ? The system will need to be tested to be sure

that it is all working, and a test run with the RedCARE monitoring station

should take place to be sure that everything will run smoothly should the alarm

be set off.·

Power cuts ? The family need to plan for power cuts, by

making sure that a stand by battery is included in the system. If there isn?t a

back up battery, then the system will not work in the event of a power cut

making it susceptible to burglars.·

Sensor sensitivity ? It needs to be made sure that the

movement sensors are sensitive enough to pick up people in the rooms, but that

they do not pick up things moving outside. The vibration sensors should be

sensitive enough to pick up somebody rattling and attempting to break the

glass, but shouldn?t set the alarm off just because somebody is knocking on the

window.·

Cost – Although it is the best security system available it

will cost a huge amount of money. The family need to decide whether it will

really be worth it, or if they should purchase a system more suited to their

personal and financial needs.