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Fire alarms and security hardware, like intruder alarms, work together to provide comprehensive security for any commercial property.
Fire alarms protect from internal risks and threats that stem from electrical inefficiencies, human error, and substandard practices, while intruder alarms protect the property from external human threats.
By installing both systems, commercial property owners can not only increase the overall safety of their property, but they can also help in reducing business losses and rising insurance premiums.
However, can both these systems be integrated successfully without any interference? Read on to learn more about how these systems can work together, their benefits, caveats, and how to get the most out of comprehensive commercial security systems:
UNIFIED MONITORING AND INTEGRATED SECURITY
The modern business requires protection from all fronts. Whether it is from nefarious people who might intrude into the business and cause harm, or fire hazards that can destroy a business and cause significant losses to both life and assets.
In today’s modern business landscape, property owners must rely on a unified system that can help them tackle various security issues. This is where a unified monitoring and control system comes in.
You can find several unified systems that share signals with a central security panel or a Building Management System, or BMS. These systems enable property owners to combine fire alarms, intruder alarms, access control, and even CCTV security into one place.
First, let’s discuss how fire alarms and intruder alarms can work together:
- In the case of a fire, a triggered fire alarm can automatically send out a signal to the access control system in the building and unlock all doors to aid evacuation.
- In the case of an intruder, the alarm system can detect an unauthorised person on the premises and align the closest CCTV system to start recording. If the person breaks in, the system sends out a signal to the authorities and the stakeholders of the business. The system can also automatically go into lockdown and lock all entry and exit points.
SMART INTEGRATION – BENEFITS OF FIRE AND INTRUDER ALARMS
The way these safety and security systems can work together is through a technology called IoT, or Internet of Things.
IoT enables devices to “talk” to each other and communicate data. These systems use advanced algorithms to help determine and confirm threats and take actions that aim to minimise risk.
For example, when an integrated system detects a threat, it can use its pre-defined logic to send out a signal to multiple security systems in the property. In the case of a threat, the lighting system can be activated in zones where a fire or intruder is detected.
CCTV can also then focus cameras on the affected area, and the system can automatically send out a notification to authorised parties for further action.
This type of system makes managing incidents more efficient and can significantly cut down on false alarms and, of course, business losses.
In fact, integration has proven to be effective in reducing false alarm activations precisely because they rely on the input from multiple systems for cross-checking.
As in the example above, if there is a fire or intruder on the premises, the incident can be confirmed through motion, thermal, and smoke detectors in the area. The combined information from all relevant sensors can help prevent unnecessary fire brigade or police callouts and can save the property from excessive fines due to unwarranted callouts.
HOW THESE SYSTEMS CAN INTERFERE
Even though these systems are designed to be highly integrated and smart, they can also prove to interfere with the security of your property in some cases.
Let’s discuss a few ways this can happen:
Loophole Issues
In the above examples, we discussed how, during a purported fire, the system can automatically unlock all doors for easier evacuation. However, this can also prove to be a gaping loophole for nefarious people.
If an intruder is initially detected by the system, the property can go into lockdown. Unfortunately, the intruder will only have to start a small fire for the system to detect it and then open all entry and exit points, making it easier for the criminals to escape. In worst-case scenarios, the fire started by intruders (arson, at this point) can also cause significant damage to the premises.
Technical Issues
Security systems come in different forms and types. The problem is that some systems are notorious for lacking integration. This is especially true for legacy security hardware that uses old or outdated standards.
In this case, the system can interfere with multiple security functions. These systems will need to be upgraded, or you would have to invest in a series of hardware that uses the same protocols and standards for easier integration.
Complex Installation
The sheer complexity of these systems can make them harder to install and configure. While most modern systems are designed for easier integration, you can still run into several problems when installing these modern hardware products in your property.
The problem arises from the installation and maintenance of each system. Since all these systems are interconnected and depend on each other for cross-checks, they need to be fully functional and well-maintained for the system to work effectively.
For example, if the sensor of the motion detector is faulty or the lens of the CCTV is dirty, it can easily miss threats, and since the data from faulty hardware is unreliable, the property will likely remain unprotected due to these inefficiencies.
ADDRESSING INTERFERENCE
Now that you know how these systems can interfere with the security of commercial properties, let’s look at how these interferences can be addressed by combining the following strategies:
Using Advanced Logic Systems
Modern security hardware depends on algorithms or logic to determine threats. By tweaking the algorithm, you can significantly improve the security of your premises.
For example, instead of the system relying on just one set of hardware to detect threats, it can take a comprehensive approach and take in data from all sensors in the area to confirm an intrusion or fire.
For example, in the case of a threat, the system can use multiple CCTV, motion sensors, and smoke detectors to confirm the threat. If the intruder is picked up on one camera and is clearly closing in and is detected on other cameras nearer to the property, then the system can automatically flag the event and send out an alert.
Hardware Placement
Placing the hardware is just as important as anything else. The placement of the hardware determines the level of security provided at the premises. In the above example, we discussed loopholes and how intruders can exploit them to get out.
The way to address this is to install additional hardware just outside or near the entry and exit points of the property. For example, a combination of motion sensors, perimeter sensors, security lighting, and CCTV systems can be placed on the outside of the property. The combination of this hardware will act as a first line of defence and help protect the premises even before criminals can enter.
If the perimeter security system detects a threat that it confirms from other nearby hardware, it can send out a notification to the authorities, who can promptly be sent on their way.
This way, even if the intruders enter the property and try to get out by lighting a fire, they have a higher chance of getting caught since the authorities would already have been informed.
Using Professional Monitoring Services
Even with automation, it is best to protect your commercial property using a professional monitoring centre or Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
Using an ARC, a team of security professionals can keep an eye on your property 24/7 and ensure that the premises are safe and secure from all kinds of threats. These services can be extremely useful for highly valuable or large businesses and can help detect intruders before they even enter the property.
ARCs are the gold standard for reducing false alarms and are extremely useful in fixing any type of security loophole. Since the security team is watching over your property remotely, you can rest assured that every type of incident will be logged and reported as needed.
This type of service is also useful in manually controlling each security hardware in your premises. For example, in the above case where we discussed the loophole, if the criminals use fire to fool the system into opening, the security professionals at the ARC can redirect the criminals to another area of the premises by opening specific doors and locking the rest.
When the criminals are safe from the fire and are in another area, the system again goes into lockdown until the police and fire brigade arrive. If the fire gets out of hand, then the professionals at the ARC can also decide to completely open all doors in the premises to prevent loss of life. However, this is the worst-case scenario, and the authorities will likely arrive way sooner than this will happen.
Maintaining the System
Something as simple as frequent maintenance can also help increase security for your property and help you get the most out of your investment.
Commercial properties require frequent or at least bi-yearly maintenance of all security systems, especially fire alarms. By opting for a maintenance contract from installation companies like Calder Security, you can ensure that your system will be up and always running.
The benefit of maintenance is that it can aid in detecting issues before they become loopholes or problems. In the case of fire alarms, professional technicians can visit the property and inspect each system individually.
By assessing every hardware, the technicians can ensure that the sensors are calibrated and are sending out notifications properly, which can significantly help in cutting down any type of risk.
If you go with a smart or integrated system, then you can use maintenance services to keep all hardware in check. This includes testing and calibrating access control interfaces, cleaning the lenses of CCTV cameras, checking sensors, checking batteries, and optimising the system in general.
Professional maintenance also involves a lot of strategy, where the technicians can either conduct activities after business hours or during the workday, but in a way that allows the business to work seamlessly and keep up with its usual security measures.
The good news is that you can opt for maintenance contracts from the same company that does the installation. In the case of Calder Security, our technicians can not only work with you to install the perfect system for your needs but also help you get the most out of the system through continued services.
HOW TO INTEGRATE FIRE ALARMS WITH OTHER BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS?
Fire and intruder alarms can be integrated to form a comprehensive security system that is operated via a central hub or console. The integration process requires careful planning and consideration and includes the following steps:
Assessment
The first step is to conduct a thorough assessment of the existing security systems, including access control, CCTV cameras, and security alarms, and identify any areas of improvement. The assessment phase will help highlight what type of hardware to install and how the system can be tweaked to reduce loopholes and risks.
Planning
After the premises and hardware requirements have been assessed, the technicians will enter the planning phase, where the security company will work with the business owners to figure out their expectations for the security hardware and their special requests.
Selection
Once the plan has been finalised, the scope of the project will be locked, and the team will begin selecting the appropriate systems and technologies that are compatible and can work within a unified security panel. Security companies will select hardware as per your requirements and even help you futureproof the system so that it is scalable, easy to use, and modular.
Integration and Installation
When the hardware has been sourced, the team will visit the premises and begin installation. The team will use industry standards for installing all types of hardware. Please keep in mind that it is best to consult security specialists, such as the ones at Calder Security, to ensure everything works as it should and complies with industry standards.
Testing and Maintenance
Once the integration process is complete, thorough testing is carried out to ensure the proper functionality of the integrated systems. A maintenance schedule is also set up to ensure the system’s reliability and longevity.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards. We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
We understand the importance of having to regularly maintaining security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.
We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.
We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on how fire alarms and intruder alarms can work together or interfere in a commercial system.