Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ
 ·Verizon Online DSL
2 edits | reply to silentlooker
Re: Looking for security alarm advice
You don't need to duplicate all your smoke detectors for the alarm system. The primary purpose of smoke detectors is to wake you up so you don't die. As long as you have a couple additional ones as part of your alarm system, you'll get extra protection to have the monitoring service call your fire department.
We can't tell you how to lay out motion sensors without seeing your house. It really depends on the areas a burglar would travel. It's quite possible you only need one or two.
For finding a company, check out the alarm company stickers on some major businesses in your area. See who they use.
Meanwhile, check with your town to see if registration is required. Some towns won't respond unless your system is registered with them.
EDIT: Were you asking about alarm system manufacturers? Check out the Honeywell (Ademco) Vista systems. A Vista 15 or 20 may work for you. Other people here may have more suggestions.
See - »www.security.honeywell.com/hsc/p···dex.html |
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Jtmo
Premium
join:2001-05-20
Novato, CA
 ·Comcast
| reply to silentlooker
#1 Are you using this for when you are away, or when you are home. That would determine whether you can just use wireless PIR's or need window sensors etc.
#2 Pets? Need to take that into account.
#Fire, you say your smokes are all wired together, that means they are likely an AC vs. battery type. So, if true, you need a LOCAL company who does fire and will monitor. YOU cannot do this, and there are codes that your local AHJ may need you to follow.
#4 Do you have sprinklers and a flow sensor? |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| 1)Both, I would like to be able to have it monitor my house while away and also provide security while i am home.
2)No pets
3)All smokers detectors on a/c and also have back up battery in each of them.
4)Yes have sprinklers, not sure what you mean by flow sensor? |
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Jtmo
Premium
join:2001-05-20
Novato, CA
·Comcast
| said by silentlooker  :1)Both, I would like to be able to have it monitor my house while away and also provide security while i am home. Then you need a fair amount of hardware and programming. You don't want the PIR's going off when you get a midnight snack. You also want the second floor to be separate so you can have a window open at night. 2)No pets Easier, but you need to take it into account for the nextt homewowner. 3)All smokers detectors on a/c and also have back up battery in each of them. This is a life safety device and setting this up is best left up to a professional if it will be monitored. 4)Yes have sprinklers, not sure what you mean by flow sensor? Again, life safety. Plus, if you are away and a sprinkler fails and starts to flood the house while you are in Hawaii, you want the flow sensor to send a Fire flow signal. Again, best left up to a professional. |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| Thank you for your reply, i see no reason to hire a pro for something that is pretty easy to install. After doing some more reading i see there are wireless smoke detector being they are all chain connected, if one goes off all of them go off.
I found that DSC has Alexor 2-Way Wireless system, fully wireless. I will either get this or vista 20p. Can't tell yet how expensive the DSC system will cost, as otherwise it's perfect system. |
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Jtmo
Premium
join:2001-05-20
Novato, CA | reply to silentlooker
Vista is a decent brand.
But, if you do the work, will anyone monitor it? |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
1 edit | said by Jtmo :Vista is a decent brand. But, if you do the work, will anyone monitor it? From the reading i done, yes. There are plenty UL rated monitoring center that will monior DYI system |
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Dan_D
Premium
join:2002-11-19
Riverside, CA
| reply to silentlooker
I just replaced my Brinks system with a DSC.
»www.alarmsystemstore.com/DSC-32-···01nt.htm
Brinks had installed the system with wired contacts on almost every opening with heat and heat/smoke detectors. This system allowed for the connection of all existing zones plus the added benefit of being able to add wireless to it.
The alarm system store was helpful and will even program it for you ahead of time for $55 if you choose. I opted to program it myself and it wasnt difficult; however, I was able to call them for assistance with the finer points that I was not clear on for no additional charge. The price was right and the customer service was excellent!
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^^There's no place like 127.0.0.1 ^^ |
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Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Jtmo
said by Jtmo :Then you need a fair amount of hardware and programming. You don't want the PIR's going off when you get a midnight snack. You also want the second floor to be separate so you can have a window open at night. The Vista systems provide for both of these functions.
1. The Vista systems have AWAY and STAY arming modes. If configured properly, the motion detectors will be ignored in STAY mode, but all exterior zones will be active (including the normal exit and entry delays). There are two different interior zone settings available, depending on the physical layout of the house.
2. The Vista systems allow you to bypass a zone before arming, so you can leave a window open. Or, for windows that are routinely left open, you can define them as a Vent Zone; an open window will be ignored when arming, but if the window is later closed, it will be protected; opening the window again causes an alarm.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. |
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Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to silentlooker
said by silentlooker :Thank you for your reply, i see no reason to hire a pro for something that is pretty easy to install. I would recommend having someone install and program it. It's a lot more complicated than it looks. |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| reply to Dan_D
that is the same one i got. i HIGHLY recommend you get at least a 7.5aH battery, as the 4aH is only code legal for the included devices in the kit. if you add any extra motions/smoke/keypads then teh included battery is not large enough to run the panel long.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| reply to Dan_D
Thanksx for that link, i am looking at getting Alexor 2-Way Wireless Panel PC9155. It appears you got the dsc 1832. A little different system. Still will look around the website to see if they have anything that will work for the system i am looking at buying. |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| reply to Bobcat
said by Bobcat :said by silentlooker :Thank you for your reply, i see no reason to hire a pro for something that is pretty easy to install. I would recommend having someone install and program it. It's a lot more complicated than it looks. I am confused on what is complicated to install it and program it? The Alexor 2-way wireless system is all wireless and it's easy to enroll the components. |
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joako
Premium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to silentlooker
Honestly if you don't have any experience with installing alarm systems I would recommend you hire a professional. And it's not as if you had a system working well and just wanted to e.g get away from ADT. If you install it yourself already as was pointed out you are leaving your upstairs area unprotected... guess what I could get a truck with a cheap magnetic sign that says "Joako Windows" and nobody will think anything of it when I am breaking into your house through the front 2nd floor windows, the alarm would only go off after I walked downstairs with all your jewlery, by the time the "Joako Windows" van is started and at the stop sign down the street is about the time the alarm company would have gotten the alert and would start to call you which they will do before they dispatch the police.
Avoid all the large national companies such as ADT, Bellsouth Security, Brinks, etc. They will all charge you too much and provide poor service (not monitoring service but when it comes to customer service or service calls)
If you are going to skimp on sensors why don't you just buy an ADT sign on eBay?
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PRescott7-2097 |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
1 edit | I am actually rethinking of not doing second floor and likely will add sensors to all windows. I will also add motion sensors in the hallway and likely in some of the rooms, maybe even in all bedrooms upstairs. I can't stand adt, bell south security, broad view security or any other national wide security that run ads all day.
Edit:Regarding installation, being that it's all wireless I personally do not see the problem in installing windows/door sensors, motion detectors etc. I could be totally wrong about this and it might end up costing me more because i will have to hire a pro but time will tell. |
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cabot
join:2002-07-11
Apo, AE
| reply to silentlooker
IMHO, for a DIY'r the GE 3 (now simon) is the easiest to install. As far as sprinklers, are these fire sprinklers or lawn sprinklers? If fire protection you really need to monitor it, 1 head flowing for 1 min does a lot of damage, especially if you are not home. |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| said by cabot :IMHO, for a DIY'r the GE 3 (now simon) is the easiest to install. As far as sprinklers, are these fire sprinklers or lawn sprinklers? If fire protection you really need to monitor it, 1 head flowing for 1 min does a lot of damage, especially if you are not home. Its fire sprinklers that are in every room. If the sprinklers go off, it will automatically set off the smoke detectors |
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Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to silentlooker
If you have a sprinkler system, you really should have it tied into the alarm system. I have a BSEE degree, and I wouldn't trust myself to do something important like that myself. Using an experienced fire and alarm company would ensure there aren't any compatibility problems. |
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cabot
join:2002-07-11
Apo, AE
| reply to silentlooker
If it sets off the current smokes, great, if you are home to hear them. How about you are out to dinner and the head(s) flow for 3 hours? Lots of damage there. Chances are slim, but there. As far as installing the flow switch, any reputable sprinkler company would/should do it, not plumbers but fitters. Monitoring the switch is a breeze, its just a NO switch. |
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silentlooker
join:2009-11-01
| said by cabot :If it sets off the current smokes, great, if you are home to hear them. How about you are out to dinner and the head(s) flow for 3 hours? Lots of damage there. Chances are slim, but there. As far as installing the flow switch, any reputable sprinkler company would/should do it, not plumbers but fitters. Monitoring the switch is a breeze, its just a NO switch. I am going to tie in the smoke detectors in to my alarm. Would that not solve the problem with sprinklers in the event of leak? |
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