Home Alarm system

sudored

Hi we got a quote today for a new alarm system, the guy that came out suggested that we go for just window and door sensors downstairs and dont bother with PIRs.
we have 5 windows down stairs and two main doors.
on these he is going to fit door an window sensors and vibration sensors?
does this sound as though it will be as secure as having PIRs in all downstairs rooms?
upstairs he said there was no need for sensors at all.

muckybutt

Providing the vibration sensors are calibrated correctly they will work fine, however having said that if you go out and inadvertantly leave a window open then the alarm wouldnt operate as no glass or frame vibration will be detected thus allowing free roaming access into and around the inside.

sudored

muckybutt wrote: »

Providing the vibration sensors are calibrated correctly they will work fine, however having said that if you go out and inadvertantly leave a window open then the alarm wouldnt operate as no glass or frame vibration will be detected thus allowing free roaming access into and around the inside.

he mentioned something about not being able to do that as i would get a warning if one of the sensors/contacts were not connected??

sudored

i might ask him to put 2 PIRs in the hallway and landing just in case?

A.Penny.Saved

Is the intended installer NSI NACOSS Gold approved?

NSI NACOSS approved companies, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

I had an alarm fitted by a NSI NACOOS Gold approved installed about 6 years ago and they wanted to fit only PIR sensors to lounge, Kitchen and one on the landing and magnetic sensors on the two access doors. I asked for additional window magnetic sensors on the rear downstairs windows to sound the alarm if they were opened to give a slightly more advanced warning.

Having a PIR on the landing should be sufficient, depending upon the property and possible access to the upstairs from outside. It's usually quite difficult getting into a house via the upstairs. One it is much more visible and two it's difficult getting up there unless you leave a ladder unchained in the garden. Hanging onto a drainpipe while trying to open a double glazed window is not very likely IMO.

I think that having a PIR internal sensor can be useful as magnetic windows sensors need the window opened a fair amount before they register so they are not really that good IMO. They could easily be defeated with a magnet and not opening the window too far.

PIR aren't good if pets are at home or even flies can sound the alarm if they fly around the sensor. I had that happen once while I was in bed, minutes after going upstairs.

A few things for you to think about.

After the install, speak to your neighbours and tell them that if the alarm sounds for more than 30 seconds, ask them to call the police and if it is still ringing when they get to speak to someone to report it. It will probably take you time to get used to having an alarm and forgetting about it and accidentally going downstairs while the alarm is activated is likely. I had to put a cord across the stairs to remind me that the alarm is activated and prevent me from going downstairs without de-activating it. Since doing that I don't have a problem, but before I certainly did on quite a few occasions.:o

izzeyb

I would go for PIRs as well. We have an sensor on the patio door and it has never been right, At least with the lounge sensor it is a back up. We also have a sensor near the front door which goes 'bing bong' noise when the door is opened, this is more for peace of mind in case so you know when the door has been opened.

sudored

rang up today and asked for 2 PIRs one in the hallway and one on the landing upstairs

quote is

£630

thats for
7 window and door contacts
7 window and door vibration sensors
2 PIRs hall and landing
bell box on front of house
dummy bell box at back of house
plus all usual control panels and wireless keypad.
3 year warranty

other quote we had was off another local alarm engineer and that was for

£600

that was
5 PiRs Living room, hall, kitchen, utility room and landing.
and bell box at front of house
and dummy box at back.
plus all usual control panels
3 year warrenty

Dan_Iggulden

I agree with the others, PIR's are the way to go in my opinion. The level of protection a door contact or vibration sensor gives you is quite narrow, where as a PIR gives a much broader range of detection.
In my house I have both, but the PIR's are the bits I consider most important, I have Door contacts on every entrance into the house, front door, back door, side door, garage door, then a PIR in front room, kitchen, hallway. This way, either if an intruder gets access into one room, a PIR will always pick them up in the next.
I would stay away from vibration sensors too, my experience with them was that they were too sensitive, we had one on the front door and a salesman set the alarm off by knocking on the door at 8am in the morning, wasn't impressed!

Slinky

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

PIR aren't good if pets are at home

You can get pet-proof PIR detectors now. We've had all bar one of ours changed. Thought the cat wouldn't walk in the sight line of the one remaining old style detector - found out too late that he does. Have to keep a door shut when we go out to stop him setting that one off. He's fine going anywhere else though, so these pet-proof ones do work properly (we've set the alarm off by accident so it does see humans!)>

Dan_Iggulden

Yes that's right, the PET PIR's are usually ok for a pet weighing up to about 6KG. I know some PET PIR's are adjustable too so can be suitable for heavier and larger pets.

sudored

sudored wrote: »

rang up today and asked for 2 PIRs one in the hallway and one on the landing upstairs

quote is

£630

thats for
7 window and door contacts
7 window and door vibration sensors
2 PIRs hall and landing
bell box on front of house
dummy bell box at back of house
plus all usual control panels and wireless keypad.
3 year warranty

other quote we had was off another local alarm engineer and that was for

£600

that was
5 PiRs Living room, hall, kitchen, utility room and landing.
and bell box at front of house
and dummy box at back.
plus all usual control panels
3 year warrenty

ok found a guy threw ratedpeople 100% positive feedback off 60+ jobs on there he has quoted

£295

Materials
5 x Pet PIR detectors
2 x Door contacts
1 x main battery backup
1 x fused spur outlet
1 x main end station control unit
1 x remote keypad
1 x internal speaker
1 x external main bellbox
1 x external dummy bellbox

All cable, fixings and installation
Total labour cost: £120.00
Total material cost: £175.00
VAT: £0.00
Total cost: £295.00

http://www.idealalarmsystems.co.uk/