Getting Quotations


COMMERCIALLY FITTED ALARMS

For the non do-it-yourself householder, the commercial alarm market can cater for all your security needs.

Companies range from numerous one man bands, to international companies such as ADT, SECOM, INITIAL and CHUBB etc.

If you require your alarm system for insurance purposes, only accept a quotation after your insurance company has seen and agreed it.

Most insurance companies insist that your alarm installing company is accredited to NSI / ICON / NACOSS or SSAIB. (Formally SSAIB----AISC---INTEGRITY 2000)

A list of registered companies is available from the relevant body. SEE USEFUL ADDRESSES.

When considering quotations, check what equipment you own and what is rented from the Alarm Company. Check for any call out charges-they can be as high as £100 per hour or free! Please see ALARM MAINTENANCE below.

There are two basic types of security system installation methods.

HARD WIRED

This means that each detector etc. is connected to the Alarm Control unit by cable A reasonable alarm company can hide practically all cables but this service is sometimes an additional cost---check your Alarm Quotation.

WIRE FREE (WIRELESS OPERATED ALARMS)

The simplest type of alarm to fit is the wireless (wire-free) system. Each detection unit, PIR or contact is a radio transmitter run from an internal replaceable battery. Each unit signals to the control unit via a built in radio transmitter.

The system control unit is wired to the mains supply and to the outside sounder.

A few outside sounders are also wire free, and are charged via built-in solar panels.

A radio operated remote control setting and unsetting device; also incorporating a personal attack button is also usually available.

The system is relatively quick to install and does not require much more than a screwdriver. Each unit must usually be programmed to work with the control unit before being finally fixed in place, but this is quite straightforward.

Most systems have a low-(failing) battery indicator on the main control unit and the systems are quite secure and reliable as long as the batteries are changed yearly.

The main drawback is the high cost of each unit compared with a standard wired type, and the size of each unit, especially door contacts (switches) as they contain a transmitter and battery.

The availability of spare parts must also be considered. Additional detector units must be compatible with the system. In a conventional hard-wired system, almost any make of detector can be fitted allowing the system to be maintained almost indefinitely. The cost of generic PIR’S and contacts (switches) is also very low compared with wirefree devices.

The handbooks on some wire free alarms often leave a lot to be desired, so ensure that a help line is available at a reasonable cost. SEE USEFUL ADDRESSES AND SITES

Advantages of wire free alarms is that they are relatively easy to move from premises to premises, and out buildings are easily connected to the main system, as long as they are in range of the main control unit. Wire free alarms will not usually be connected to the police.

CHOOSING AN ALARM INSTALLER

No matter what alarm installer you choose, check that you have access to emergency service 24 hours per day.

A one-man band alarm company will probably be cheaper than bigger companies and give personal service for years. He may also go out of business, and leave you without any service. In most areas another small company may well consider taking over your system0-at a price, which may mean changing the alarm control box or other components.

A medium sized local company may well be very competitive in price and service, and often combines the advantage of local knowledge, and reasonable to excellent service back up.

The larger national companies will have a vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise along with financial stability. They may not always give you the personal service that the smaller companies can give, although there is usually a local based service engineer on call, and unlimmited back up.

All types of companies are worth considering. Ask for advice from your local Crime Prevention Department also called Community Safety or Crime Reduction, if you are in any doubt. Most forces have an Alarms Administration department, which is responsible for the approval of alarm companies, and who can give expert advice.This source of expertise is being slowly lost, as it is now becoming the norm to replace Security System Managers, with valuable industry knowledge, with much cheaper clerks! (Most senior police officers are totally out of touch with the world of security systems)

At least 2 quotes should also be obtained. Don’t rely on alarms only. Good locks, lighting and basic physical security precautions are also necessary to give a layered security defence. A lot of alarm companies will also fit some or all of these extra facilities if asked. All police registered Security System Installers will comply with the latest European and ACPO Policies, and will belong to the NSI OR SSAIB inspectorate bodies.

ALARM MAINTENANCE and MONITORING CONTRACTS

All reputable Alarm Installing Companies offer a maintenance contract. The contract usually includes one or two service visit per year. A service visit should include a check on the condition of the stand by batteries, the sounders, both internal and external- a visual check of all wiring and detectors and a check on the correct operation and coverage of all detection devices. Most maintenance contracts also include free fault call outs, 24 hours per day, if the fault is caused by equipment failure. A lot of contracts allow for the free replacement of faulty equipment (parts and labour) -SOME DON'T! Control equipment and detectors are often updated free of charge, if they become obsolete, check your contract carefully to see what you own and what is covered by your contract.

Most maintenance contracts are bargains. They start at around £60-00 to £70-00 per year, in addition to the initial installation cost of around £500-00 or less, for a small house, audible only alarm system, in the North of England. The monitoring cost of a police calling system is quite a lot higher. If required an alarm engineer will usually attend within about 2 hours (maximum 4 hours) in non-office hours. At 0200 hrs on Christmas Day if needed, and will repair your alarm. Try this with a builder or plumber at this price!

Don’t let the contract lapse after 2 or 3 fault free years. The system can, and will start ringing at 1am on a Sunday or will not set as you are leaving for a holiday abroad. It will be very difficult, time consuming and expensive to get service without a maintenance contract.Also your insurance cover may be "void" if the system is not working and turned on! If your insurance company has specified a NACOSS / SSAIB alarm, your insurance will almost certainly be "void" if a current maintenance contract is not held.

In addition to maintenance contract costs a police response alarm also has monitoring charges, which vary considerably depending on the signalling system and monitoring station.SEE Remote Signalling Systems.

After a false alarm on a police calling system, most police forces insist that the system is reset by an alarm engineer. In some cases this reset can be made remotely by the alarm companies ARC. An owner of a police calling system is usually barred from resetting their alarm system after an activation. The advent of CONFIRMATION has allowed some discretion on engineer reset.It is now not always needed.

POWER POINT

When comparing quotes don't forget that a 240 volt, unswutched spur power point will need to be fitted adjacent to the alarm control unit. This is not ususlly included in the security system quotation.