Wireless Alarm for Retail Unit - sensor question

[dagoof]

I've got to sort an alarm for our shop, I'm hoping to go wireless (although the length of the L shaped unit spans about 40m front to rear, which I hope will be ok). So far I've been reading the Pyronix Enforcer and Texecom systems are good.

However, window contacts could be an issue - should every window be 'accounted for' or will a few + PIRs do? I've got about about 10 windows/doors, and at £50 a contact, I don't think that'd be viable!

Am I right in thinking, without an additional GPRS module, these systems rely on alerting you solely via the internet?

Is there anything else I should consider?

 

[The Pars]

I would go hardwired or a hybrid setup.

 

[dagoof]

Thanks Pars, what reasons are you thinking?

Annoying thing was, there was a wired version in already - the spark pulled it all out because it was hard to workaround with the renovation and said "put a wireless one in"

 

[bernardgreen]

the spark pulled it all out because it was hard to workaround with the renovation and said "put a wireless one in"

Find yourself a more knowledgable "spark". Always go for wired unless cabling is totally impossible.

 

[dagoof]

Thanks Bernard - he told me for all intents and purposes a modern wireless would be fine, that other electricians will push wired just to get a couple of days install fee out of me.
There's probably a shade of truth in that but I've since found other things he's told me have been nonsense though!

Regardless, what about the window contacts?

 

[bernardgreen]

The answer is that every point of possible entry should be protected. Windows do not need to be opened to allow an intruder to enter the building, breaking and removing the glass will permit entry without opening the window.

PIR sensors can be triggered by mice, spiders, the heat from a computor or other device or one of many other reasons for false triggering.

Well placed break beam detectors are often better than PIRs as they do not suffer from as many false alarms and one beam can protect several points of entry be it an opened window, removed glass, smashed in door or in through the roof.

Employ a registered security company to advise you on the best protection for your building and the type of business operated from it.

 

[dagoof]

Thanks Bernard, I realise every system has failure points and the ideal scenario is a specialist security company to make it like Fort Knox - but the renovation has already drained my funds, so I was looking for a best-case-scenario DIY option.

 

[scott1980]

Perhaps the first thing to do would be to speak to your insurer and see what (if anything!) they require. No point in wasting money on a wireless self installed system if the insurance company is looking for a grade 3 monitored system with police response (all dependant on what you're using the retail unit for etc)

Don't bother with contacts on windows, they're more likely to come through the glass than try to pry an opener (especially UPVC framed units) Good quality PIRs should not cause you any problems in an average retail unit if you do go down this route.

 

[dagoof]

Thanks Scott, that's helpful - insurance isn't set up yet but I planned to avoid any that stipulated monitored. Tbh, it's a safe area 5 minutes from my house...but obviously I want to take sensible precautions!

I do wonder if, instead of contact sensors, money would be better spent on window bars.

 

[secureiam]

well I recently put wireless in for a charity shop, manufacturer supplied foc for all the shops, the door contact battery on one shop is running out so quickly (3months ish) we are going to hard wire(hybrid system), hiding the cable is an issue, but they are aware of that.

anything where joe public is, not adviseable for wireless unless all detectors are set to work only when system set.

agree you should check on insurance requirements first

 

[Alarm Engineer]

Hardwire!

 

[sparkymarka]

As above

 

[Europlex]

ALWAYS......