Only a few years ago the police recorded over 100,000 burglaries annually[1]. Although currently the number of such crimes has dropped to several tens of thousands, the risk of losing property is still very high, especially if you do not have adequate burglary protection such as an alarm. It is worth knowing how to plan an alarm installation and what security measures to apply in order to minimise the risk of burglary.
Before we start preparing for a large investment like the installation of an alarm system and calculate its costs, we should carefully consider the planned system. Its particular elements should be individually tailored. Such factors as building location, neighbourhood, location (e.g. of the flat in relation to other premises) or the value of objects that could potentially be stolen are of importance. A basic level security alarm will detect both intrusion into the building through doors and windows and the movements of an intruder inside. If the detectors note the opening of partitions after the alarm has been activated or a moving object inside, the alarm siren will sound. In this case we speak of perimeter protection. Additionally, it is possible to equip this type of alarm with, for example, the function of informing about a burglary through data transmission sent to the company providing security or sending an e-mail or SMS message to a specified telephone number.
Modern, sophisticated alarm systems, however, offer many more possibilities for protecting property and assets. Apart from their basic function, i.e. detecting the presence of an intruder, they can also be equipped with, e.g. gas, carbon monoxide, smoke or water sensors, thanks to which the alarm will also be activated in the event of a fire or a serious breakdown in the house. What is more, the system may also activate special ventilation or cut off water supply. When planning an alarm installation it is also worth remembering that it can be integrated with a safe. A safe equipped with an electronic lock and a set of appropriate sensors will activate an alarm siren and notify the owner or the appropriate services in the event of an attempt at unauthorised opening by an intruder. It is even possible to use the function of a safe with a "silent alarm". When a special code is selected and the safe is opened, e.g. under the duress of a burglar, the system will automatically notify the company or security services without activating a loud siren.
Importantly, integrating an alarm system with a safe not only significantly increases security, but also allows you to store more valuable items in it. Such a safe can also be managed from a smartphone, with app-based access secured in the same way as online access to a bank account. Online access is particularly convenient if the safe is shared with other users – both at home and in the office (access to cash, important documents or car keys). Access times and methods are monitored in real time. The convenience of this solution is enhanced by the fact that, in addition to the safe, the same application can be used to open the front door, garage door, car park barrier, office door or safes located in other places, like a home safe.
There are also intelligent alarm systems integrated with a building automation system, such as KNX. The user can control it remotely, for example using a smartphone or tablet. He also has the option of activating or deactivating the alarm at the touch of a button. You can also watch what is happening in front of the building from a distance, if you additionally install a video intercom. All these functions are enabled by advanced communication connections, which allow for remote control and integration of the sensors with the burglar alarm system. However, this requires investment in sensors, signalling devices, fittings and wired installation. Therefore, you cannot do without hiding cables in walls or trunkings. If we do not want the alarm installation to involve renovation, it is possible to use wireless communication based on radio waves.
The choice of an alarm installation should therefore be dictated both by the available budget and preferences, e.g. concerning operation and control of the alarm system.
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[1] http://www.statystyka.policja.pl/st/przestepstwa-ogolem/przestepstwa-kryminalne/7-wybranych-kategorii-p/kradziez-z-wlamaniem/121941,Kradziez-z-wlamaniem.html
