10 replies to this topic

[TroyTempest]

Hi,

So, I'm in the market for a new burglar alarm, or will be soon, hopefully. What I'm after is the cheapest and easiest way to get a multi zoned system, where I get obviously protection from being broken into but something I can also arm while I'm in the house. That is something which has door open/close detection and broken glass detection. I've found a thing called a DSC Alexor, which has both audible broken glass sensors and slim window/door open/close sensors. I'm game for wireless despite what seems to be a massive ideological debate between two camps.

The question is, if I can arm the system so that all the windows and doors are secure, do I need to bother with PIR? I think perhaps not. Anyway, closet experts got any opinions? Oh yes and I'm talking over three floors + garage.

Cheers,
WAID

[pazza06]

If you want your house to be ultra secure, you could do or use them as a failsafe but I think you wouldn't really need them.

[TroyTempest]

Yeah, I was thinking that, it's more a case of I can switch on when I go to bed if I wanted to.

[gordon]

When I moved into my place I bought a multi-zone system from Maplins and wired it all up myself. Most systems allow you to have at least two 'on' settings, sort of full-arm and part-arm. So you'd put the outer sensors zones to arm on both settings and the inner/PIRs to arm only on the full-arm. Don't forget to turn the thing off when the postman calls in the morning though else the neighbours get very upset very quickly.

[Wrighty112]

I am an electrician an hate the wireless sets... Personally we use Veritas 8 alarm systems with either built in or remote key pads by entrances (max 8)... You have the choice of 8 zones and can omit zones and have a time delay on activation on entrance ways. There cheap to buy and easy to install but require 6 core alarm cable to be run. (little redecorating).

Average price for one bellow:
Alarm VR8 alarm with 5 PIR sensor, Two key pads, external sounder, internal sounder, 100m 6 core alarm cable and battery.

Est.£130 approx


Will take on average a competent electrician around a day to install and commission.

There the easiest and most reliable systems I've seen.

Edited by Wrighty112, 03 May 2011 - 04:34 PM.

[TroyTempest]

Yeah, don't really fancy wires that's all. Especially if I want door and window sensors. I've seen some quotes and the house builder want £900, which, I'm not going to pay. I can do it myself. I appreciate what people say about wiring but I accept the trade off. I'd also like one I can pull an RS232 off and have a bit of fun with.

[callsign-kid]

WAID I'd recommend actually making sure your doors are secure first. Ideally a door of timber construction should have at least a pin tumbler lock (night latch/yale type) and a mortice deadlock which should ideally be 5 or 7 lever. Also for when your in the house rackbolts, allow a fast exit and can not from the outside as there are no outward facing lock holes. The door frame should have a London bar on the lock side and on the hinge side a Birmingham bar to help stop kick in attacks. If you're going to do this you need to install a mortice reinforcer to prevent the door from splitting. Hinge bolts are also a good idea to minimise pressure on the hinges during a kick in attack. 75% of burglars come from a door.

[MrBlonde]

Best bet mate is go on Yell.com and get the numbers of a few local firms (NACOSS Gold certified) who do installs and get them over for a chat and a quote.
Without looking at the actual property it's impossible to make a sensible recomendation; depending on layout you might find two PIRs will cover the opening or breaking of 6 windows or doors, or you may need sensors at each one, you might find a PIR-triggered floodlght outside is a greater deterrent than an alarm box and some sensors; personally I'd spend the money keeping them off the property and on the otherside of the door, rather than picking them up after they get in

Once you've had some 'expert' feedback from the site survey, you can either go with their solution or source bits yourself and DIY but at least you'll be making an informed choice

Edited by MrBlonde, 04 May 2011 - 08:50 AM.

[Steve Collins]

Blond,

I thought you were more of a - coke can filled with stones and linked with a trip wire - sort of guy?

[TroyTempest]

Bloody hell, I don't want to go the way of DIY claymores!

Yes and the doors and windows are high quality and very secure but I do believe in defence in depth.

[MrBlonde]

Blond,

I thought you were more of a - coke can filled with stones and linked with a trip wire - sort of guy?

Like I said, keep them off the property - deal with them outside