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The Experts Know! Alarms
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Where Alarm Consumers & Security Alarm Dealers Become Empowered With Expert ALARM Knowledge
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A security alarm system is an important part of your home security plan. If you would like to add your question or suggestion, so that you can share it with our visitors in the future, there is a form to do so on the previous Q&A page.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
I am considering three different security companies. They are Brinks, ADT, & Slomins Shield. I wanted to know, from your professional opinion, which company is the best to go with and the reason why you think this. I have just heard mixed reviews from a lot of the neighbors, so your input would help a lot. Thank you, Bob
A: - Hi Bob, There are too many variables involved in order for us to pick one of the three out of a hat. Here are some facts that will tell you why it is important to review the best offer from each and make an educated decision.
Both Brinks and ADT work off Corporate Sales and Authorized Dealership Programs. These “Authorized Dealers” are independently owned and operated alarm companies who sell the monitoring contracts they sign up to ADT or Brinks Corporate. Out of these two choices Brinks are mostly corporate owned offices around the country with a smaller number of authorized private dealerships. ADT is mostly authorized dealers with corporate presence in the larger cities. (In the residential market)
ADT has 5 monitoring stations around the country and so has always had a built in redundancy system due to the multiple stations and that is considered a good thing. Brinks have always had two monitoring stations in Texas and has just opened a third in a different state.
Both ADT #1 in the Nation and Brinks#2 in the Nation, are only as good as the independent dealer that installs you if using an authorized dealer. I know of some that are the finest and only deal in top quality equipment and service and some dealerships with both that frankly are disgraces to the industry. In either case you get quality monitoring, so the work to be done is finding out what quality equipment and install your local dealership is willing to supply you with. The more you know the more you get, that's why I'm attaching a copy of my guide to knowing the difference, to this response. When you deal with the corporate offices of both, you get consistency in the proprietary equipment you get, as opposed to the authorized dealers who choose which equipment they like to work with. However with the best authorized dealers you might even get better equipment.
Slomins is a family owned business out of Hicksville New York that works the Eastern Seaboard. They are actually a Heating and Air Conditioning company that had the forethought to offer alarms to their very large customer base. Since then they have grown tremendously and are #6 in the Nation as per SDM's Annual top 100 alarm companies report. That is outstanding for a company that started out as a heating fuel company in Long Island NY and must be due to their mom and pop mentality, driving their growth. They are installing aprox 30,000 new customers per year. They have 2 monitoring facilities in Connecticut and Manhattan.
ADT & Brinks ask for a 36 month contract for monitoring (24 in California) with a move clause that will give you a like system if you move after 6 months in return for a new agreement. At that time you are no longer responsible for the old agreement. They cover the whole country and many other places as well. Slomins asks for a 5 year agreement and has a fee for moving within that time period if you will be moving in their service area.
After considering these differences, you should simply negotiate the best quality equipment you can with each. I would also check the BBB for the performance of the installing authorized dealership you are considering.
After all that is sorted out, all three can provide you and your loved ones with quality UL listed monitoring at anywhere from $25.00 to $39.00 per month. All 3 would be willing to give you free equipment and install in return for your monitoring contract and a $99.00 activation fee in some cases.
I hope this helps you make the best decision for you. I am unbiased when it comes to what neighbors are saying because the odds are good, that if they are complaining, they didn't make an educated choice and were taken advantage of. Knowing what your possibilities are will get you the best from any company you choose to deal with. All of these 3 are capable of pleasing you. Regards, Matthew
Q:- How long have Alarm Systems been around? Do you have any information on the earliest Systems? Any information you can share with me would be helpful. Afolagbade
A:- Hello Afolagbade, Interesting question you raise! Security alarms have been around for centuries in one form or another. The earliest ones were simple strings ran across doorways with cans or a bell to advise the resident of a violation.
Many persons built steps leading to the home with a burglar step of a different and unexpected measurement every so often in the sequence, this would cause anyone who was not use to going up and down the steps to trip and hopefully make noise.
Farmers and ranchers incorporated certain animals into their security plans. Geese are famous for making noise when someone comes around.I guess that's a big reason that many cultures employ dogs as house pets these days.
The earliest modern system to the best of my knowledge began simultaneously with the invention of the telegraph system over 120 years ago. American District Telegraph would expect a signal to be sent from banks and other guarded facilities on the 1/2 hour. If the OK signal was not sent on time the Sheriff would be dispatched (also via telegraph) to the site. This early company is still in business and goes by the acronym ADT.
In more recent years, simple relays were used to design systems that would cause a closing of an electronic circuit if a device opened or closed. The invention of the microchip and the processors they control have changed the industry in ways we could have never imagined just a few years ago. I hope this information helps you with your research.
Q:- I am replacing the storm and screen windows in my house and just heard about window screen alarm systems. Where can I find out more about this type of system? Eileen
A:- Hello Eileen, Window Screens are one of my favorite alarm devices. I posted an article about them, and you can read it on our alarm articles page. (7th article down) Alarm Screens After you read it I will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
Q:- I have 5.8ghz cordless phone with answering machine. The phone works fine but when you try to leave a message the caller only gets squeaking high pitch noise instead of greeting message before they can leave a message. I have a home security system and I was suspecting that may be the reason for the trouble, is this possible? Mieko
A:- Yes it is possible Mieko. The way to check is to go to the alarm control (Main Box) and unplug the phone cord from the jack that was installed next to it ,or in it. Make a call to your answering machine from a cell phone or other line, if the problem still exists, it is your phone and not the alarm. If it goes away I would suspect that you added DSL to your phone service after the alarm was installed. You will need a DSL filter installed at the alarm control if this is the case.
DON'T FORGET TO PLUG THE ALARM PHONE JACK BACK IN!
Q:-Are there any alarms on the market that will not only set off an alarm
but also take still or video picture's when activated. To me this would make sense, so that the Police have a better chance of getting the sod's.
I know this question comes from little ole New Zealand, but hope you can help out. Cheers, Greg
A:-Hello Greg, This technology has been around for quite some time and is very affordable. You can now purchase a combo video camera / motion detector and transfer the picture over your PC to the monitoring station and or police. Here is a link to a nice example of some of the great products that are available for you. Video Motion Detectors I like the units that look like a clock or an air purifier (Very James Bond Like!) These units are even wireless.
PS: What does sod’s mean? Matthew
Thanks heaps for the reply, FYI- Sod's I think stems from a sod of dirt, so used to describe a useless piece of dirt. Cheers, Greg
Q:-Dear Matthew, What is your suggestion for home alarm system that will work best with VoIP? I am using ADT now and I just change my phone to VoIP and realized that my ADT system doesn't work with VoIP. Could you give me your suggestion? Thank you. Julianto
A:- Hello Julianto, The best system I have found to use when using VoIP does not depend on phone lines of any type. Check out their site at Alarm.Com to see if service is offered where you live. If you are not in an area that they serve, look into one of the alternative sources such as cellular communicators or separate phone lines with minimum usage, for whatever system you choose. VoIP is not a dependable service for alarm communication yet. I suspect that this will change as new technologies are discovered in the near future. Another company that is taking the lead on the Alarms & VoIP battlefield is NextAlarm Read about them at this provided link.
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Q:- I have an existing Ademco 4140xmp wired system that came with the house I bought. I am tired of running to the keypad to disarm/arm the system and wanted to use a wireless key fob. Can this be done and is it a DIY job? –Tom
A:- Hi Tom, If your Ademco 4140 xmp system is already wireless, you will simply need an Ademco brand wireless remote. If your system is hardwired you will need both a wireless receiver and remote. Note: If there are wireless transmitters on your doors, it would be probable it is already wireless. Either way there are programming sequences that are necessary to get your system to recognize the desired functions of the remote, such as on, off, on in the stay mode and panic. If your alarm is being monitored, there are also programming entries needed for reporting of the panic modes. All the programming manuals are available if you are savvy when it comes to reading and understanding technical manuals. If not, you would be better off having an alarm dealer do it. Approx cost of DIY: Remote- $ 30.00 Receiver- $ 75.00 Approx cost of alarm dealer install should be: $ 275.00 Place where you can purchase on line: Home Security Store
Q:-Hi! I’ve got a defective 3/8 door contact, do you got a trick to remove it? Thanks, - Luc
A:- Hello Luc, Pry up with a tiny flat head screwdriver just enough to get a pair if 5" diagonal cutters around the cylinder. If it will not budge, screw a small sheet metal screw into the top of the contact, enough to use it as a leverage point to pull up on. Careful not to cut wires low enough so that you will have a hard time putting the new contact on.
Q:-Great Website - THANKS! We recently signed up for a system and monitoring by APX ALARM - still don't know a lot about them but they seem to check out (comments on them?). My home was prewired and set up with a DSC system, APX replaced it with an ADEMCO/Honeywell VISTA-20P. They added a few wireless devices (fobs, fire and 2 Motions) - the question is whether I can replace the 20P's with ADEMCO's 6270's? I don't believe that APX carries them (although I don't know if they would install them for us?), but I can get them (eBay or elsewhere) and easily install the keypad myself. Do I have to do anything special with the monitoring people when I install it? Thanks! Again Great site! – Sam
A:- Hi Sam, Thank you for your nice comment about the Experts Know site. I built it for the consumers of home security systems, so it is always nice to hear from those that appreciate it. Your alarm company APX Alarm is a national company with 80,000 clients and memberships in all the appropriate professional organizations. They have been around since the late 90's and promote free installs in return for monitoring agreements as do some of the largest security firms in the world. They certainly did right by you in their choice of installing the Vista 20P, as it is one of the controls recognized as on the highest end of the quality spectrum. It cost them more to put in than many of the other choices available to them. The Vista 20P now supports up to (2) 6270 or 8132i Graphic Touchpad's. You can find them on E-Bay as you already know or you can buy direct from sources such as:Home Security Store
Q:- I am interested in installing security window film (4-6 mil)on my home that will provide a few more minutes of delay should an intruder attempt to break through a window. I am also considering having glass break sensors added to the current system. My question is: How will the sensors capability be affected by the security window film, which holds broken glass together. Will the sensors still be able to detect the glass breaking?
A:- It is my experience that the window blast film needs to be hit very hard several times to break through and is a great deterrent. Glass breaks come in several forms. If you are using audio sound discriminators that listen to the frequency of breaking glass milliseconds after a thud, you would most likely loose effectiveness by applying the film. It is not the glass hitting the floor that makes a frequency hit as much as it happens at the point of shatter. The film would likely muffle the cracking enough to prevent a proper frequency hit.
If you are using the shock sensors that detect vibration of the hit glass, the vibration would be enhanced by the need to hit harder to break the film. This would allow a technician to tune the shock sensors low, so that false alarms could be avoided during storms, etc. I would choose audio, without film 1st and shock, with film second.
Q:- I was looking on your website and I have been doing some research for my job. As far as the technical side of things why is it that an alarm system cannot communicate over a VoIP system? And what is the filter that some alarm companies require? What does it do? I have been working with our Comcast Digital Voice product and have had many questions about alarm systems and why they need this filter.
It is a true VoIP network from the embedded multimedia terminal adapter to our system then if needed goes to the telephone switched network. It never touches the open internet it stays on our own private network. I have been encountering more and more issues with security systems and have no one to go to for technical info that knows these systems and how they work. As well if you have any questions that I can answer about CDV please let me know and I can answer them to the best of my knowledge. Thank you for your time and hopefully your answers. –Tyrell
A:- On the Comcast digital voice product, the cable system works just fine with a DSL filter. This filter simply reduces any static on the line that may interfere with a digital signal being communicated to the receivers that decipher them. This is true of all DSL lines. On the true VoIP product that does take a digital signal and repackages the signal for broadband and then re-opens the digital packet on the receiving end there is liability in a few areas.
1st of all the signal comes through most of the time, but when there is a lot of activity the signal slows down just enough to distort the signal every so often. Since there is a possibility of the signal not being received when it may be a true emergency, no responsible alarm company would be willing to accept the signal.
2nd problem is in the use of line seizure. The phone lines are set up to be seized when the alarm needs a dedicated dial tone. This assures a clean line with nothing else attempting to use it, and distorting the signal. As cable is always active, there are many things between the alarm and receiving station that can place chatter on the line. Also the ability to shut down the line is destroyed by the fact that it is always on and no relay exists that would allow the alarm to shut it down, for its own use and nobody else's.
I hope this answers you question and I will hold on to your name as offered, should a question arise that can be handled by your expertise.
Q:- I would like to get a home alarm system. However, I do not have a phone line. We have cell phones and high speed internet (through the cable company). What are my options for a home security monitoring system? Thank you.- June
A:- Hello June, If your cable company provides a DSL service and not VoIP, your alarm can be monitored with just a DSL filter on the line. If it is VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) it can't be monitored properly over the internet. You can add a cellular communicator to your system, however you will have to purchase the additional equipment and pay an additional monitoring cost. You can also order a minimum use phone line from your local Bell Co. and use it only for the alarm. If you are in or near a major city, some alarm companies monitor with long range radios. These are all of your options! Regards, Matthew
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Q:- Sir, I have read some of your articles with great interest. Your knowledge of the industry is indeed unquestionable. I must pose a question however. You speak of alarmed homes being bypassed by potential intruders. If this is true, it can only be true IF a would-be intruder knows the alarm is there. He can only know it is there by SEEING the visible external components of the alarm system. This is restricted to a siren box and warning signs/ stickers. It is my observation that a large number of the "free" alarm systems have no external siren, hence no siren box.
Many alarm owners (from my research), choose not to have warning signs /stickers, in the belief that it somehow denigrates the visual presentation of their properties. Often when warning stickers are affixed to windows, they are in the bottom or top corners of windows as though housebreakers are dwarves or giants, rather than at average eye level.
My research suggests the industry is re-active rather than pro-active. Your average alarm salesman knows all about his equipment, how and why it works, and how it and the monitoring company ,will react in the event of activation. He knows little or nothing about deterring the event, which is, in my opinion, the major factor in crime prevention. The contractors who install the equipment, rarely consider the visual presentation of the externals...I have seen siren boxes "hidden" by down pipes and foliage, or worse still down the side of the house, and it appears, in many cases ,that convenience of installation is more important than high visual impact.
My observations are based on the industry in Australia, however my research on the web, does`t lead me to believe that there is any great understanding of the power of deterrence that an alarm system is properly installed for visual impact. I conducted an experiment by installing 100 alarm boxes and signage at homes with a high rate of domestic break-in. My only weapon was visual impact to DETER break-in.
Over a period of 2 years not one of these 100 homes suffered a break-in. During the same period 6 alarmed homes did suffer a break-in, (reported to police). My investigations showed they all had poor (or no) visual presentation of their siren boxes and/or signage. My conclusions are that an empty siren box and good signage is far more effective than a poorly installed alarm system at preventing home break-in.
Monitoring is only reacting to an event that has already occurred and will add something only if mentioned on signage. A 2 colour a4 sign saying ...."WARNING...rapid armed response to monitored alarm activation" along with artwork of a man in a uniform with a gun proved to be a good deterrent. The general public have no idea of deterrence as a frontline crime prevention tool...it is up to the industry to exploit this powerful tool when selling and installing an alarm system by ensuring the client understands the vital importance of supporting the system with high impact visual presentation and highly visible signage....your thoughts please. Regards... Nick
A:- Hello Nick, Thank you for your thought provoking contact on the use of visual deterrence as it applies to the electronic security industry. I am interested in what capacity you served as you did your 2 year control on the use of visuals and lack there of. Are you an independent who has interests in security or an alarm dealer yourself?
I will agree with you about the lack of knowledge that a typical alarm salesperson possesses, when mass marketing their products. It has always made me feel that they are degrading an honorable profession in order to turn a fast buck. This is precisely why I became a consumer advocate. An educated consumer has the ability to recognize a quality dealer of alarm systems while holding a spotlight on those that are one dimensional.
The best systems are the ones where you don't put all your eggs in one basket. As your study has proven to you, a well thought out and balanced group of visible deterrents is and always should be the first line of defense when designing a security plan. Here in the States the FBI statistics on the test you did is that you are 400% less likely to be a victim of a break in, if you have a security system. This means that 1 in every 400 burglaries have occurred in a home or business with a system.
As per outside siren boxes, they are seldom used here due to noise ordinances preventing the use of them. While they are handy on farms and ranches to notify an owner in an outbuilding that there is a problem, they would be a nuisance in a neighborhood and might cause a response in a neighbor to investigate, bringing them into a life threatening situation. Today's systems are mostly designed as life safety devices and should notify an owner of an attempt so that they can prepare to defend themselves, while hopefully scaring off the burglar, as they know that they have been detected. This is the thought behind a loud interior siren.
Studies show that professional signs and stickers that match, have a valid phone number or license number on them and are placed properly, are always beneficial to both the company that insists they are there in order to place a system and the home or business owner that displays them. Any company that doesn't explain this in detail with a potential consumer, is most likely a poor quality company that hires untrained consultants and is only concerned about making another recurring revenue account.
Studies also show that the best placement for a sticker is bottom center of every few windows, on all sides of the premise. When placed in the corner the sticker blends in with the window frame. When placed on the bottom, the eye always goes there to see if the window is closed tightly. A yard sign should be visible from the road and not hidden. As a replacement to the siren box, I like a visible strobe light. This device will latch on after an alarm has cycled, informing a returning home or business owner that there was a violation and preventing entrance into what might then become a dangerous confrontation. Of course exterior lighting plays a large role in prevention.
We must be careful to realize that your thoughts on visual deterrence as an effective and well designed first defense are both correct and necessary, however if used as a stand alone system (due to it's effectiveness and low cost) ,will leave life safety issues vulnerable and without protection should an attempt be made anyway. I have learned in my career that the burglar is somewhat predictable and can be deterred, but the sexual predator is both abundant and without concern of the usual deterrents. I would like to post your comments and our responses on our site as I feel that it would be helpful to our visitors. Thank you again for making contact.- Matthew
Response:- Hi Matthew, Please feel free to use my observations on your site if you so wish. My findings came as a result of market research in a feasibility study of entering the industry about 9 years ago. I found a large number of alarm owners who didn`t bother to activate the systems, other than when away for extended periods. They were scrupulous for the first year or so, and then complacency appeared to set in.
Initially I planned to set up a business that merely "advertised" the presence of an alarm system with signage, siren box and strobe light (the bits a potential intruder expects to see on an alarmed home). My 100 installations were done at cost to provide data on the effectiveness of deterrence as a legitimate weapon in preventing home break-in. In fact I offered a money back guarantee in the event of a break-in occurring as a means of monitoring those installations. Believing I was onto a winner I set about marketing my low cost "alarm system" that had zero operational problems, zero false alarms, and zero ongoing costs, yet was highly effective at deterring home break-in.
My biggest problem was getting people to understand the concept of deterrence, they seemed unable to get beyond the "bells and whistles" of an alarm system. In the end I gave up and created a niche business upgrading the visual impact of existing alarm systems for existing alarm owners. I have managed to create a successful business doing what the alarm companies should have done when first installing the systems. I put up siren boxes and strobe lights where there are none...They are not connected, being there only to send a message to potential intruders. I affix warning signs and stickers that tell the potential intruder the system is monitored, whether it is or isn`t.
In my travels I am constantly amazed by the ignorance of established and respected alarm companies, in their knowledge and application of deterrence principles. Until the industry understands it as I believe I do, I will continue to educate alarm owners in how to maximize the effectiveness of their systems by spending just a few more dollars on "advertising" its presence. At least in this way, it is still providing a powerful deterrent, even when not switched on.
Matthew, I take onboard your comments about alarms being primarily for personal safety....Australia does not yet have the problems you confront in the USA...alarms are still primarily installed for protection of property rather than the persons. Home invasion is still fairly infrequent and sexual predators entering the home are not common. I`m sure they will become a problem in the not too distant future.
Australians do not have the right to bear arms as you do....the policy here generally is, don`t resist, give them what they want. Response times here vary greatly, my observations are that commercial clients have priority. Domestic security patrols are a new thing here, but struggling to get off the ground. A general apathy exists "it will never happen to me" is the all too common attitude. I find it easier to deal with people who have already spent the money on alarm systems and simply add on my deterrence package where applicable. It`s largely an educational process, but suits me, because I am, as I suspect you are, a teacher at heart. Regards, Nick
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Q:- I am a fire investigator in Houston Texas. It has been asked of me many times in building fire that have no heat and smoke detector if the infrared motion detector should have detected smoke, flames or falling objects during the fire. If you have any insight on this I would certainly appreciate your input. Lloyd
A:- Hello Lloyd,
I served many years myself as a firefighter, with Klein TX VFD. Over the years I have been asked this question many times by homeowners looking for ways to save money by not investing in a system monitored smoke detector. First I will give you a basic rundown on PIR technology.
Passive Infrared Motion Detectors - These detectors are also known as PIR detectors. The technology they utilize is “passive infrared”. The device is mounted on a wall or in the corner of a room. It sends invisible fingers out into the covered area in several layers.
The top layer goes the furthest and averages about 60 feet straight ahead and 35 feet on the sides. The center layer of beams spreads the area about mid way and the bottom layer sweeps the room closest to the detector.
These beams individually measure the infrared temperature of what ever they land on and look for a clash of temperature against that point. For example if a beam lands on your couch and knows what temperature it is, when you walk in front of the couch your temperature is different and causes a violation. You would be hard pressed to match the temperature of everything in your home as you walk about and that makes motion detectors hard to compromise.
Now pertaining to fire: It is possible that in the earliest stages of the fires development that the scenario you outlined in your question would trigger a violation. It is more likely however not to violate due to the fact that the operating range of the average PIR Motion detector is 30F to 110F. If the motion detector finds itself in conditions outside of this temp. range, it will go to sleep, as it can no longer recognize the defining temperatures of each beams landing point. As you and I know the extreme temps. that occur in a house fire, it is likely that the temps are way outside the working range of the device by the time things start falling in that room. If the fire started in the room that the device is protecting and the alarm is armed, you would have a high probability but no guarantee of violation.
As an investigator you should keep in mind that 60% of alarm owners don't arm their systems all the time, due to poor training by the installing alarm company. As opposed to fire devices such as smoke/heat detectors which are armed 24/7 a motion is only on while the system is on.
Motion detectors are wired NC which means "Normally Closed". The device is a closed or shorted circuit and the relay opens the loop upon violation. This makes it highly improbable that the relay will open if the device melts. A smoke/heat on the other hand is wired NO "Normally Open" and will most likely short in the event of a fire melting the device. A fire device will detect rising heat and smoke long before getting to the melting point. A motion device detecting heat signature clashes is a crap shoot due to the rapidly declining range of normal operating conditions in the average fire.
Q:- I am building a new house and want to know if I can wire my garage doors for security contacts. There are a total of three of them. Also I have French doors in the master leading out to the patio. I was told I can wire one home run to the door and wire them in series...if this true...how do I wire in series...thanks for your time.
A:- Hi Jeff, Yes you can wire you Overhead Doors (OHD) and regular garage doors alike. If you are talking about the OHD's I like the contacts to be about two ft. up on the right side track (looking out). Run an 18 or 22 G. two conductor wire to the first one. Leave about two feet of extra wire to work with. Run an additional wire to the next one. ( It will be seriesed before putting the contact on.) Repeat process to each door from the last. The contacts on the OHD are metal cased and have large magnets (so that the steel track will not keep them from working properly). They are called Overhead Door Contacts.
Remember: Your garage door when opened, will be activating your entry delay of the system. In order to eliminate a too long delay time, you will need a way of turning your system off sooner. Key chains and a wireless receiver or a keypad run into the garage will solve the problem.
If you are running a keypad it will be a 22 g. 4 conductor run to the control panel. To wire in series to an existing contact circuit, cut only one side of the existing 2 conductor and tap onto each side of the cut side with the new wire.
To do it with new runs, let’s assume our wires are black and red. Tie red of one wire to black of the next, tie black of that wire to red of the next etc. When you are done you have a daisy chain and you will tape each tie individually leaving only the ends to be tied to the wire that goes back to the control. This is a series circuit and will leave your devices NC (normally closed) which means that the circuit will be closed until something violates it (like opening the door) and then it will open. The alternative is a parallel circuit. All reds tied to reds and all blacks tied to blacks. This circuit is NO (Normally Open) and will be sitting open in normal conditions and close or short when it is violated. Most burglary devices are wired NC and most fire circuits are wired NO. I hope this helps and I haven't confused you.
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