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Wireless Perimeter Alarm System

Throughout history, people have built walls and fences to protect themselves and their properties from intrusions and invasions.

The Great Wall of China, which was originally built to protect China from intruders from the North, remains to be one of the most obvious examples of perimeter protection.

Securing the perimeter has always remained vital to security and it remains so to this date. While it is important to secure the insides of your property, it is equally important to focus on the exterior.

A secure perimeter is your first line of defence against intrusions, helping you keep all unwanted visitors out of your property.

It is important for all kinds of properties, especially those that are sprawled across a large area with many access points, such as farms, yards, and stables.

There are certain best practices involved in securing your perimeter, and one of them includes using modern security solutions such as wireless perimeter alarm systems that extend past the main property and cover the entirety of the premises, starting at the property line.

Read on to find out all about wireless perimeter alarm systems, how they work, and other great ways to maximise perimeter security:

PERIMETER SECURITY

Securing the perimeter of your property starts with being fully aware of the boundary and identifying all the high-risk areas. With this knowledge, you will be able to take the most appropriate security measures to keep everything protected.

You must:

  • Conduct a thorough survey and carefully examine all the areas of the boundary. When dealing with large properties with a big perimeter, it might be helpful to use a drawing or design plan as a reference.
  • Identify the entry points that include all the doors, windows, gates, and openings.
  • Assess the reinforcements such as walls, fences, gates, etc, for their strength, size, coverage, and height.
  • Determine vulnerabilities that might make your property more accessible to intruders, such as low walls and easily liftable or breakable fences.
  • Select the appropriate security measures to make the perimeter strong, secure, and impenetrable.

There are various types of perimeter security systems, each with their advantages and disadvantages. What may be perfect for one type of property may not be very effective for another.

As a general rule of thumb, a good perimeter security system must be:

  • Quick to be able to detect intrusions,
  • Comprehensive to provide full coverage, leaving no blind spots and vulnerabilities,
  • Concealed to protect the sensors from being tampered with,
  • Weather-resistant to withstand seasonal and environmental conditions,
  • Insensitive to non-threats such as pets and normal noises,
  • Stable against interference.

WIRELESS PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEM

A perimeter alarm system is a basic security system that works on the simple concept of securing all the entry points from unauthorised access. It uses several components that include a control panel, sensors, cameras, and a high-decibel alarm or siren.

The sensors are strategically placed on the perimeter to pick up on discrepancies, based on the type of sensor it is. They send the signals to the control panel, which is placed in a secure location, which then sounds an alarm to alert the people nearby and the relevant authorities in case of alarm monitoring.

There are different types of sensors that can be used for perimeter security. The most common ones include:

Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors

Also known as PIR sensors, these are the most common types of sensors used in alarm systems that detect, you guessed it right, motion.

They are a practical and affordable choice for perimeter security that works by detecting changes in the ambient temperature, as well as body heat, and an alarm is triggered if the sensors pick up any temperature spikes due to the presence of an intruder or foreign object.

Door and window sensors

These come in two parts, one of which is fitted on the door or window, and the other on the door frame or window sill.

When the door or window is closed, the two parts of the sensor are joined together to form a closed circuit. However, when they are suddenly opened, the circuit breaks and sends the signal to the control panel to sound an alarm.

Glass break sensors

Some criminals will go to any length to get what they want, and that includes causing damage to your property by breaking and shattering things.

Glass break sensors pick up on the varying bands of frequencies that are generated when a glass breaks and instantly trigger an alarm in case a door or window is broken.

HOW DO WIRELESS PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEMS WORK?

Alarm systems come in two basic variants: wired and wireless.

While wired systems make use of wires to connect the components of the system including the alarms and sensors, wireless alarm systems do so via battery-powered sensors using radio signals.

Wireless alarm systems work the same way a wired system does except for how they are connected and powered.

For perimeter security, it is more sensible to opt for wireless alarm systems since setting up a wired system may be a hassle, especially for properties such as farms and yards.

Wireless perimeter alarm systems offer numerous benefits over their hardwired counterparts which include:

Quick installation

The installation for wireless alarm systems is rather quick and easy and can be done within minutes, without having to make any substantial structural changes such as drilling holes and dealing with tricky wiring.

Portable and hassle-free

It is very easy to move around the components, such as the sensors and cameras, from one place to another. You can change their position or install them in a new location entirely, and it would take hardly a few minutes.

Remote smartphone access

Wireless alarms are state-of-the-art systems that don’t just offer ease of installation but also the convenience and added security in the form of remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app.

Battery backup

Although wireless alarm systems work using electricity, they can be switched to a backup battery in case of a power fault or outage. This way, you’ll be able to stay protected, even if the rest of your property has no power.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST WIRELESS PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEM?

The reason for investing in a security system is to ensure your property remains protected from threats at all times and, to make sure that happens, you need to install a system that is right for you.

When choosing the best wireless perimeter alarm system for your property, there are a few questions you need to consider before making the decision:

What is the reception range?

Since wireless alarm systems work using radio frequencies, they can work effectively up to a certain radius only, beyond which they might lose signals and valuable information.

Therefore, it is best to install a system with a long reception range, especially for expansive properties such as farms, storage yards, large warehouses, and stables.

Is there backup power?

As is with every major electrical device on your property, wireless alarm systems also work using the electricity from the main power supply.

However, you need to be mindful about what would happen during a power outage and whether the system is prepared to deal with the situation using a fail-safe such as backup batteries.

What additional features are there?

You may invest in an alarm system that has basic features such as motion sensors and alarms, or you may opt for an advanced variant with additional features such as CCTV cameras, smoke, flood, and carbon monoxide detectors, integration with other security systems, and professional monitoring.

Some alarm systems only trigger an alarm to scare away intruders, while others notify security companies and the relevant authorities as well. It all comes down to your security needs and the budget you have in mind for the system.

Does it integrate with other smart technology?

Most properties these days make use of smart technology and try to integrate every device so that they can be controlled via a single platform; your smartphone app.

If your alarm system has this feature, you can connect it to your smart security lights, CCTV cameras, and smart locks to make your property more secure and efficient.

PROFESSIONALLY MONITORED PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEMS

Instead of just sounding the alarm for people nearby to hear and take action, monitored alarm systems are connected to a central monitoring station where the alarms are first verified and, depending on the type of contract – keyholder or police response – the relevant people or authorities are contacted right away.

Monitored systems provide the highest level of protection and guarantee a response, despite the time of day (or night) and can always be relied upon.

They are a great choice for property owners looking to secure their perimeters and are particularly effective if the property is in a secluded area or is uninhabited, such as during the night.

OTHER PERIMETER SECURITY SOLUTIONS

In addition to wireless alarm systems, there are other measures you can take to secure your perimeter from intrusions and make sure intruders never even attempt to break into your property.

FIX STRUCTURAL WEAKNESSES

Burglars and intruders are always looking for opportunities, and leaving your property in a vulnerable state gives them an edge over you, making it easier for them to break in and reducing their chances of getting caught.

One of the first things that they look for when choosing a property to target is any structural weaknesses such as weak walls and fences, weak doors and locks, broken windows, loose boards, rotten wood, and an overall damaged exterior.

When securing your perimeter, you must ensure that the fence or wall is sturdy enough to not be easily dismantled and to reinforce them to strengthen them against attacks.

Wooden fences are a much safer option than wires since the latter can easily be clipped apart, and that too fairly quickly. You may combine the two, wooden fences and wires, and make it even harder for intruders to get in by running an electric wire along the wooden fence board.

You also need to ensure that the gates and fences cannot be simply lifted up and that the main doors and windows are inaccessible by reinforcing them with a sturdy frame, good quality locks, and steel bars.

SECURITY LIGHTING

For obvious reasons, burglars and intruders hate anything that draws attention to them and they look for poorly-lit properties to target since they provide them with the right amount of cover.

Illuminating the perimeter will help put everything in clear view, especially during the night when visibility might be compromised.

Motion sensor lights are an excellent choice for perimeter security and are an effective deterrent against intrusions.

They automatically turn on as soon as someone steps foot under them and can be placed along the entire length of the perimeter.

They can be particularly useful in not just scaring intruders from trying to gain access but also alerting the owners and neighbours of the intrusion.

CCTV CAMERAS

CCTV cameras are a great invention and a real contributor to security. They enable you to keep a vigilant eye on all areas of your property and their presence scares away potential thieves.

Used with an effective alarm system, they provide a great deal of coverage and help keep an eye on every inch of the perimeter.

Strategically placed CCTV cameras are highly effective at deterring anyone planning to carry out a crime owing to the fear of being watched, recorded, and possibly caught.

The most popular types of CCTV cameras include:

  • Bullet CCTV cameras
  • Dome CCTV cameras
  • C-Mount CCTV cameras
  • PTZ Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras
  • Day/Night CCTV cameras
  • Infrared/night vision CCTV cameras
  • Network/IP CCTV cameras
  • Wireless CCTV cameras
  • High Definition (HD) CCTV cameras

Choosing the best one depends on several factors including the camera’s resolution, the field of view, placement, power supply, budget, and additional features that include professional CCTV monitoring, smartphone notifications, remote access, and two-way communication.

However, if you intend to place a CCTV camera outside your property, certain legal requirements have to be met. Read all about CCTV laws for business and property owners here.

GET A SECURITY DOG

Used over centuries to guard all kinds of properties, dogs are intelligent creatures who, if trained properly, can pick up on discrepancies in their surroundings such as certain words, voices, and body language, and can evaluate situations to understand what is a threat and what isn’t.

Curious by nature, dogs love to roam and sniff around and are great at keeping a lookout for intrusions near the property perimeter.

They are intimidating and one of the best deterrents against intrusions. The mere sight of their strong jaw and sharp claws is enough to scare away intruders and, if triggered, security dogs don’t just bark at criminals but also attack them if need be.

The best dog breeds used for perimeter security include German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

We are professionals working in the security industry for over 40 years and our vast experience enables us to understand the various needs and requirements of different types of properties.

We know how important perimeter security is to your property and provide a comprehensive security solution that includes not just professional installation of security systems but also their monitoring, maintenance, and repair.

We are SSAIB approved installers and follow all the best practices in the industry. We do not compromise on quality and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security equipment.

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 maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities.

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.

Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts right away!

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash