Industrial Alarm Systems | What is best for your business?

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All businesses need a way to ensure the safety and security of their property, assets, and people against threats such as intrusions, break-ins, theft, burglaries, vandalism, arson, and fire.

It is a challenge faced by all, including businesses dealing with manufacturing goods such as factories and industrial properties.

One way to combat the issue is to use industrial alarm systems that have become an essential part of a business’s safety and security plan.

Industrial alarm systems are a series of sensors connected to a control unit that send alerts in the form of sounds, lights, messages, phone calls, or push notifications when activated.

While the type and use of the alarm system may vary depending on your business and its safety and security requirements, their importance is the same across all applications in keeping your property secure and alerting you and your staff of the possible dangers.

In the event of a security or safety breach, an alarm system is the quickest way to know about it and take the necessary action without wasting time.

Read on to find out why industrial alarm systems are so important, their different types, and how to choose the best one for your business:

WHY ARE INDUSTRIAL ALARM SYSTEMS IMPORTANT?

Industrial alarm systems are an integral part of a business’s operational strategy since they offer an extra level of security indicating any deviations in the normal conditions on the property.

They are not just used as a security measure against criminal activity or fire but are also extremely useful in the day-to-day operations around the business.

Alarm systems help bring the following to the notice of those in charge:

Issues that require attention and corrective action,
Intrusions, break-ins, and unauthorised access,
Hazardous conditions, and
Unsafe operating procedures.

In addition to providing important alerts, from a security standpoint, alarm systems also deter would-be intruders and burglars from breaking into your business and causing harm.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL ALARM SYSTEMS?

The benefits of industrial alarm systems for your business are wide-ranging. With the right systems installed on your property, you have an additional level of security that is a) not prone to human error, and b) always available.

They don’t just offer immediate alerts related to the issue on hand but, if you opt for monitored systems, they also inform the police or other emergency responders after they have been verified by professionals at an alarm receiving centre.

Modern industrial alarm systems also use smart technology that allows you to monitor, control, and manage the system remotely via an app on your smart device.

Some of the great benefits of installing industrial alarm systems for your business include:

Protection against theft, intrusions, and vandalism,
Early detection and warning for fires,
Round-the-clock security,
Great peace of mind,
Remote monitoring,
Reduced insurance premiums, and
Increased chances of the perpetrators being apprehended.

TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL ALARM SYSTEMS

There are two main types of industrial alarm systems: burglar alarms and fire alarms.

Burglar alarms

Burglar alarms are devices that use a variety of sensors such as glass-break, vibration, PIR, and door and window frame contact sensors to protect a business against break-ins and intrusions. When activated, the system sounds an alarm which is also sometimes connected to an external monitoring centre.

Fire alarms

Fire alarms, as the name suggests, are systems used to protect against and provide the earliest warnings against a fire. They are often made up of call points and detectors and are an essential part of a business’s safety plan.

INDUSTRIAL BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS

Burglar alarms use several different types of sensors to detect the presence of intruders and other criminals on your property.

The four most common sensors and detectors include glass-break, vibration, passive infrared (PIR), and door and window frame contact sensors, which you may choose depending on the type of intrusion you wish to be alerted for.

These sensors need to be placed on all the main entrances and exit points of the property and also along the perimeter to secure all the access points against unauthorised access.

There are two main types of burglar alarms: wired and wireless, both of which are effective deterrents against break-ins and intrusions.

Wired burglar alarms

Wired burglar alarms use cables to connect the system together and are generally seen as the more reliable option, although wireless systems have largely caught up over the years.

While they are cheaper to maintain due to less reliance on batteries and the need to frequently change them, their cost of installation is much higher due to more work involved and higher labour costs.

The wires and cabling make them difficult to disguise and act as a visual deterrent against crimes such as burglaries and intrusions.

Since the systems are fixed to the property, they cannot be moved easily and are good options for businesses that do not have plans of relocating in the future.

Wireless burglar alarms

Instead of using wires and cables, wireless burglar alarms use radiofrequency or Wi-Fi to connect the sensors to the system.

They are much easier to install as compared to wired systems and have a quick and simple installation process. However, they are more expensive to maintain since their parts are more expensive and the batteries need to be changed every couple of years.

They look much neater and have a cleaner finish, and are easier to add to and upgrade as per your requirements.

They can easily be moved and reinstalled on a new property, making them particularly suitable for growing businesses or ones that have plans to move in the future.

In addition to wired and wireless burglar alarm variants, there are two other ways that the systems can be categorised: unmonitored and monitored systems.

Unmonitored burglar alarms

Unmonitored burglar alarms, also called bells-only alarms, use sounders that are sometimes accompanied by flashing lights to raise the alarm.

They require to be deactivated manually and rely on either the intruders to be deterred by the loud sound itself or on passers-by to take action.

Unmonitored alarms are suitable for businesses situated in busy areas that are always either occupied by someone responsible and reliant or have the owners, managers, or employees living nearby the property to respond to them.

Monitored burglar alarms

Monitored burglar alarms have all the features of the bells-only systems with the addition of the alarm being monitored by an external alarm receiving centre manned by security professionals.

In the event of an alarm trigger, they are checked and verified and the relevant individuals and authorities are contacted right away.

Monitored burglar alarms are suitable for high-risk businesses since they ensure that the system will be monitored 24/7 by experts in the field and all alerts will be responded to.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Industrial fire alarm systems are another integral part of your business’s safety and security system and must be included in your fire safety strategy.

According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all businesses must conduct a fire risk assessment and have a responsible person for fire security.

You are responsible for fire safety in your business if you are the owner, employer, or anyone with control of the premises such as the business manager or risk assessor.

Your responsibilities include carrying out a fire risk assessment and reviewing it regularly, informing the employees and staff members about the risks you’ve identified, putting in place the appropriate fire safety measures (which includes installing industrial fire alarms), planning for emergencies, and training your employees with respect to the emergency response.

There are different types of industrial fire alarms and, regardless of the type you choose for your business, it is extremely important to regularly test and maintain them, as well as conducting regular fire drills.

This allows you to depend on the system if things go haywire and you have peace of mind that the fire alarms are operating safely and securely. Regular inspections also allow you to identify any potential issues and fix them immediately before they turn into safety hazards.

Fire alarm systems are made up of various components that include a control panel, power supplies (primary and backup), initiating devices that consist of manual pull stations, break glass stations, or automatic sensors, and notification devices such as bells, sirens, or lights.

The most common types of fire detectors include heat, optical (ionisation), photoelectric, and ionisation/photoelectric, which are used to identify fluctuations in the temperature or the presence of smoke or other gasses such as carbon monoxide.

When it comes to installing them on your property, there is a no “one size fits all” approach since each business is different and carries a different level of fire risk. One may be more prone to fires due to the materials used or the type of operations being performed as compared to others.

Careful planning and design are required to determine which sensors and detectors are best for your business along with their optimal installation positions.

Ideally, they must be installed on the ceilings across the property to provide full coverage and, depending on the size of the premises, more than one sensor may be required.

Fire alarm systems differ in the way that the components are connected to each other, how they alert the occupants of the building, and how well and precisely they can identify the source of the fire. The different types of industrial fire alarms systems include:

Conventional fire alarm systems

Conventional fire alarm systems are made up of call points and detectors that are all wired to a control panel. When activated, the sounders and flashers are used to notify people of the danger. With these systems, the area is divided into zones making it possible to locate in which area the fire has started.

Addressable fire alarm systems

Addressable fire alarm systems are similar to conventional systems with the key difference being that, with the former, it is possible to identify the exact location of the call point or detector where the alarm was raised. This great feature makes them useful for larger premises that need to identify the precise location of the fire without wasting any time.

Analogue addressable fire alarm systems

Analogue addressable fire alarm systems offer the most comprehensive coverage out of all the different types due to the increased number of detectors and notification devices the system can be connected to.

They are particularly suitable for large properties and are one of the most popular choices among industrial fire alarm systems.

Wireless fire alarm systems

These are the same as analogue addressable fire alarm systems except that all the components, such as the call points, sensors, and detectors are connected to the control panel wirelessly using radio signals or Wi-Fi.

These types of systems are more scalable and portable, making them ideal for growing businesses or ones that need more flexibility in terms of future additions, changes, and adjustments.

WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

While it is understood that alarm systems are an invaluable addition to the safety and security of your business, you must choose the right ones that are both reliable and efficient.

When choosing the best industrial alarm system for your business, you need to look at two main criteria:

The alarm technology and system type, and
Professional installation, maintenance, and monitoring

The NSI and SSAIB are two of the leading certification organisations for security and fire safety in the UK and it is important that whichever system you choose is approved by one of these organisations.

This way, you can be sure that your alarm systems adhere to the best practices and the relevant codes and legislation with respect to safety and security.

You need to think carefully about the type of system you wish to have installed, which can only be determined after conducting a thorough risk assessment of your property.

Consider the type of connectivity, whether a wired or wireless system would be more suitable, how the signals are received, how quick the system is from activation to notification, and also the visual aspect of the alarm system.

Even the best alarm system can be deemed worthless if it is not installed and positioned properly, which is why you must have your industrial alarm systems professionally installed since they are bigger and more complex and require expertise and skill.

Regular maintenance and inspections are also a major part of how well the systems work and whether they can be relied upon or not.

They must be inspected by the responsible person(s) on a weekly or monthly basis and periodic testing and maintenance by a competent person so that faults can be identified and preventive measures can be taken to ensure continued reliability on the system.

Also, with professional monitoring services, you can take the security and safety of your property to another level since it always guarantees response and will ensure that an activated alarm is never ignored.

Professional alarm monitoring doesn’t just give peace of mind but also significantly reduces the risk of potential loss and damage.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

Calder Security provides a comprehensive range of industrial security and safety solutions that include both burglar and fire alarms best for your business.

Our services include professional installation of the systems, regular maintenance checks and contracts, quick servicing, keyholding services, and 100% reliable monitoring services using Dualcom and BT Redcare GSM.

We are SSAIB approved installers and all of our installations are carried out by qualified, experienced engineers that comply with standards: PD6662: 2010, DD243, and BS8243, required to qualify for police assistance.

Our systems meet the stringent requirements of BS4737 and European Standard EN50131 (Intruder Alarm Systems in Buildings) and because of our extensive knowledge in the field, we can guide you on the best industrial alarm system for your business.

All our systems comply with business insurance terms, helping you make a claim in the event of a burglary or fire and our good knowledge of government regulations about industrial alarm systems helps you stay compliant with the law.

Photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash

Industrial Alarm Systems – What is best for your business?