Securing Large Areas of Your Business

Last week, we touched on the ways that you can use a monitored burglar alarm to help secure the outside of your business. We did so because so many people have a very specific idea about the purpose of a burglar alarm. Namely, most people think that these systems secure your doors and windows against a break-in. While this type of “inner perimeter” security provides value, these systems can do much more than that. As we mentioned, our previous post focuses on exterior security. This week, we shift our attention to securing large areas of your business with interior security contacts.

First, we’ll review the role of commercial security systems, and how they create security. From there, we’ll look at a few specific sensor types in detail. We’ll begin with a focus on different types of motion detectors. While problemantic in some applications, we still lean heavily on these detectors in the right setting. Then, we’ll look at glass break sensors, one of the lesser-known components of modern alarm systems. Finally, we’ll also see how getting creative with door sensor usage can secure important internal areas of your business. Now, let’s dive in with a look at the basics of alarm-based security!

The Basics of Alarm-Based Security

When we install a security system, we create a design based on your business’s layout. First, we must install the alarm’s main panel, which communicates with the rest of the system’s components. In many cases, alarms have a panel inside of a protective box. From there, we generally run wiring to the alarm’s keypads and sirens. We then have the option of installing hardwired or wireless contacts, based on the building’s size and layout. However, in some cases, the alarm’s panel unit also contains the system’s main keypad and siren. These “All-in-One” units, such as our preferred QOLSYS IQ Panel 4 model,  provide extremely efficient installation. These panels also contain a wireless transmitter to communicate with the security devices in the field.

At the minimum, we always install sensors on a building’s exterior doors. This ensures an alarm activation when someone breaches these doors, which represent the biggest security threat of any property. From there, we must come up with ways to secure the rest of the building. Sometimes, we install window contacts to catch anyone trying to climb through a window. However, these contacts do not secure casement windows or windows large enough to climb through without opening. In these cases, we use some of the sensors described below. Let’s move on with a look at how motion detectors can help with securing large areas of your business.

All About Motion Detectors

Motion detectors have long represented one of the most popular ways to secure a home or business’s interior. When used properly, these devices have great security potential. However, when used without proper thought, they can turn into a headache. In fact, motion detectors represent the number one cause of false alarms. Part of this lies in the fact that most motion detectors use “PIR” — or Passive InfraRed — technology. Instead of sensing motion itself, the detectors actually sense a distinct change in a room’s heat index.

For this reason, motion detectors facing windows can cause false alarms if cloud movement causes a quick release of sunlight and the breath of warm air that comes with it. This means that we must position these devices carefully, preferably in corners that do not directly face windows. Small animals getting into warehouse spaces can also cause motion detector-based false alarms. We can combat this threat by installing “pet-immune” detectors. These devices require a truly significant change in an area’s heat index to cause an alarm. This helps relieve customers from small animal-related alarms.

We offer a large variety of these sensors. Long-range motion detectors can cover impressive areas with just one detector. Ceiling-mounted 360-degree detectors can catch motion in all directions, creating an effective circumference of motion detection around them. When used properly, these detectors make your alarm all the more effective. Now, let’s shift our attention to a slightly more obscure piece of alarm security.

The Glass Break Detector Advantage

A little earlier, we touched on the fact that window sensors do not secure your business against breaking glass to attempt a break-in. Of course, this type of brute-force entry represents a true threat to your property’s security. In environments that present criminals with this opportunity, we rely on glass break detectors. These sensors catch the sounds and air impact related to breaking glass. Generally speaking, they create roughly a 20-foot circumference of detection capability around them. In offices or other areas with casement windows, this provides tremendous security!

In addition to installing glass break detectors around casement windows and other large windows, we also install them behind aluminum doors. These doors, found in many storefronts, allow burglars to break the glass and walk right in. Glass break detectors can deter these attempts by creating an alarm response before anyone enters your business uninvited! For this reason, we depend highly on them to secure commercial properties with large and accessible glass windows and doors. Let’s now examine how securing large areas of your business can be partially accomplished through the use of interior door sensors.

Interior Door Sensors for Added Security and Activity Tracking

As we’ve already pointed out, we install security contacts on the exterior doors of every business we secure. Additionally, we can also get creative and install sensors on interior doors for activity tracking. Our preferred monitoring method involves connecting your alarm to our central station using the Alarm.com cellular dialer. This form of monitoring allows you to control your security system remotely using the Alarm.com smartphone app. Furthermore, you can also set up alerts regarding the use of any door on your alarm system. This allows us to get creative in securing the interior of your business.

For example, if you have doors that guard safes or other sensitive areas, you can install sensors on these doors and create instant alerts if someone does open them. This allows you to immediately check on the situation. We often also install door sensors on “border” doors that lead from one area of a commercial building to another. This can allow you to know if someone from a warehouse area enters the office area, for example. Finally, we often install these sensors on important office doors themselves, or even on office drawers and closets. This can help you see when certain very important areas of your business have been approached. If anything ever goes missing, you’ll have a good clue as to when. This measure proves especially helpful when you have cameras that you can use to search video after you’ve tracked down potential times for the crime!

Putting it All Together and Securing Large Areas of Your Business

We hope that this post helps you see how we go about securing large areas of your business. Of course, we invite you to contact us with any questions this post raises for you. We will happily answer any and all of your security-related inquiries. Furthermore, we also encourage you to take advantage of our free site survey program. We offer complimenary security audits and equipment quotes to both new and existing customers alike. While on site, we can address any and all of your existing security concerns. Moreover, we can also make our own suggestions based on the obervations that we make during our visit.

Perhaps you have a security plan in place, but wish to add some of the devices mentioned in this post. Or, maybe you have very little in the way of security equipment at this point. Either way, we are here to help! We’ve worked with over a thousand customers to help them secure their business effectively, while providing the security experience they desire. Together, we can help you keep your property — and everyone on it — as safe and secure as possible.