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With
the recent increase in false alarm
awareness, many people have been
either opting out or delaying the
purchase of a security system.
Others have distanced
themselves from the
decision-making process, by buying
the least expensive "Package
deal", without even considering
how appropriate this system is for
their needs and lifestyle.
Depending on who you ask,
the “main” cause of false alarms
varies.
Suspects include faulty
installations /equipment,
environmental conditions, pets, or
user error.
Although these are all
valid factors that should and will
be addressed, there is also the
problem of misapplications or,
simply put, improper selling.
In speaking with many alarm
salespeople, I have noticed a
disturbing trend of a lack of
industry knowledge.
Although some very
knowledgeable sales people do
exist, there is no official set of
guidelines or training.
Sure, if you ask them what
a motion detector or a door
contact is most will know the
answer - It is with assessing the
customers’ real security needs
that some tend to lapse.
This statement is not meant
to discourage you from purchasing
a security system, but mearly
intended to encourage you, as with
any major purchase, to know what
you are buying.
Be sure to visit Fred and
Gerry next month when I will
discuss determining your security
needs.
A few common causes of
user-initiated false alarms are:
windows left ajar; too short delay
times; taking too long to come in
or leave; re-entering the home
just after leaving without
disarming (assuming the exit delay
is long enough to compensate);
decorations hanging by or around
motion detectors; pets; and of
course improper testing.
I remember a particular
customer that would insist on
testing out her alarm system and
not notifying the monitoring
station, in order to measure the
police response time.
This caused absolute havoc
with both the monitoring station
and police to the point where her
system was disconnected from
monitoring.
Another common cause of
false alarms includes motion
detectors being installed with the
belief that they are “pet proof”.
I have yet to be convinced
that there is a good pet proof
motion detector on the market.
If you have a pet, either
keep the pet in an area away from
motion detectors when the system
is armed, or do not have motion
detectors installed and increase
your perimeter and pre-entry
protection (i.e. glass-break
detectors).
Then there is the problem
of faulty installations.
I read something a while
ago that is appropriate in this
case:
“It
is unwise to pay too much, but it
is worse to pay to little ...
The common law of business
practice prohibits paying a little
and getting a-lot in return -- it
just can’t be done. If you deal
with the lowest bidder, it is well
to add something for the risk you
run, and if you do that you will
have enough to pay for something
better.”
In short, you get what you pay
for.
Do not let price be the
sole determining factor in
choosing your alarm system.
I’m not saying that you
should choose the highest price in
order to get a decent security
system, instead, you may wish to
carefully consider what you’re
purchasing and from whom you are
purchasing it, keeping in mind you
are not only purchasing the
equipment but the proper
installation of it.
Questions to ask the company are:
-
Do they have a list of standards
that they follow (Solder all
connections, test all devices, run
individual cables to all devices,
don’t double up on devices etc.)?
-
Do they stand behind their work?
-
How long is the warranty and what
does it cover?
-
Do you feel comfortable with their
knowledge and the system that they
are selling you?
-
Does the company selling you the
system have an installation
license for the province, or do
they just “Farm out” their work to
whatever subcontractor is
available?
-
Most importantly, does at least
one of the technicians installing
your alarm have a security alarm
trade qualification ticket?
Finally, there is the
problem of faulty equipment:
Once again, the “you get
what you pay for” rule kicks in.
For the most part, the
professional equipment in use is
pretty much standardized.
As well, equipment
installed by most of the
professional security alarm
companies is run through stringent
industry testing procedures.
Now, I’m not saying that
all of the equipment sold on a
retail basis is low-quality, but
before you buy something you
should ask yourself why is this
equipment only being sold on a
retail level and more importantly,
does this system suit your needs
or are you only buying it because
of the price?
Once your system has been
installed, ensure that you
understand exactly how it works
and what you can do to avoid false
alarms.
The features and operation
of your security system may seem a
bit overwhelming at first, but as
with anything new, it may take you
a little time to get used to it.
Ensure that everyone who
will be using the security system
knows how to operate it and, if
you are monitored, how to cancel a
false alarm.
Also, don’t be afraid to
ask questions. If you are unsure
of any features, phone the
installation company’s technical
support line:
Most companies understand
the problems that you are going
through and have no problem in
helping a customer out.
Those are the basics of
false alarms and how you can help
reduce them by choosing a proper
system.
Next month I will discuss
some of the basic options
available to you and how you can
determine your own security needs.
If you have any questions
on this months article or on
security systems in general feel
free to contact me at
604-874-8772.
If I am not in please leave
a message and I will get back to
you.
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