SECURITY

These have developed from a very limited specialist element of electrical installation work in
high security buildings to the much wider market of schools, shops, offices, housing, etc. It is a
response to the increase in burglaries at a domestic level and as a result of sophisticated
technology surpassing the efficiency of manual security. (Fred & Roger, 2009).

Alarm components are an alarm bell or siren activated through a programmer from switches or
activators. Extended links can also be established with the local police, a security company and
the facility manager`s central control by telecommunication connection.

Selection of switches to affect the alarm will depend on the building purpose, the extent of
security specified, the building location and the construction feature. Popular applications
include; micro switch, magnetic reed, radio sensor, pressure mat, window strip, taut wiring,
acoustic detector and vibration, impact or inertia detector.

The alternative which may also be integrated with switch system is space protection. This
category includes; ultrasonic, microwave, active infrared and passive infrared.

Circuit wiring may be open or closed.

The grade of intruder alarm system will depend upon the performance required as determined by
the location survey.
Relevance

The key purpose of an intruder alarm system is to monitor and detect unauthorized entry to
premises consequently alerting other response services as first responders and or authorized
people

The micro switch used in intruder alarms activates an alarm siren which aids in detection of
intruders in the building.

Inertia detectors are ideal to detect the levering or bending of structural components such as
window sashes and bars.

Challenges
In case of an open circuit, if an intruder knows the whereabouts of the cables, the detector circuit
can be cut to render the system inoperative.

Constant movement and associated wear, exposure to damage for some components for example
the micro switch thereby rendering the security system ineffective.

False alarms and failure of alarms to operate as planned due to poor installation by unqualified
professionals

Bad location of intruder detection and alarms making maintenance of the alarms very difficult
since its hard to access them.

Failure to conduct a full risk assessment of the building content so as to indicate the level of
security needed. For example, the total value of target items like electrical goods, jewelries, etc.

Failure to conduct a risk assessment of the building fabric and structure to determine how easy or
difficult it might be to wire the entire building, level of physical security, location of break-in
history, etc.

Positioning of the Intruder alarm system components

 Pay attention to avoid blind spots when positioning sensors.
 install the sensor at a height of 3m-2.7m
 Avoid direct or reflected sunlight remembering that the sun moves around during the
year!
 Position the sensor away from windows and heating/cooling devices such as radiators and
fans.
 The sensor must have a clear line of sight to the protection area.
 Always adjust the sensitivity of each sensor once it is mounted, taking into consideration
the lighting, the proximity to radiators, windows, mirrors and other external influences.
References
Fred, H., & Roger, G. (2009). Building Services Handbook. Oxford: Elsevier Limited.