Commercial Alarm Systems: An Inexpensive Way Of Securing Your Business

Without commercial alarm systems, businesses are leaving themselves wide open to vandalism and theft. Billions of dollars worth of equipment are stolen each year with companies also forced to pay the costs of cleaning and repairing when criminals are allowed run riot. Even worse, the personal and private information of customers is also compromised and organizations lacking commercial alarm systems are at fault for not protecting the interests of their clients. An even more disturbing trend is the increase of internal theft. Employees take a liking to a piece of equipment and decide to bring it home with them. The costs of replacing goods lost due to internal theft is considerable.

Burglar Alarms

Monitored burglar alarms are the most common name for commercial alarm systems. The vast majority of companies who purchase a burglar alarm are either doing it for the very first time or else they have just been the victim of theft and hope to prevent it from happening again. These alarm systems are the perfect way to deter both internal and external thieves as well as providing security for employees. This alarm system is made up of numerous components and is activated by unauthorized entry. It immediately sends a signal to its central monitoring station which is manned 24/7. The station’s staff contact the police who are directed to the location.

Equipment

Commercial alarm systems are normally made up of several different pieces of equipment. Its power source are the control panels which are hidden away in a server closet. The panels are connected to all other parts of the alarm. Security keypads only allow authorized personnel to enter and exit the building with a digital display note showing the employee if the alarm is on or off. Some keypads have a two-way system which enables members of the central monitoring station to speak to the person who has tripped the alarm and ascertain if he/she is allowed to be there. It is possible to set up these keypads throughout an office though you can expect to pay $100 per keypad.

Motion detectors use infrared technology to trip the alarm when an intruder is in the area. You could also purchase magnetic devices which are placed on window frames and door jams. When the door or window is opened, the alarm goes off. Glassbreak sensors know when glass is broken due to the acoustic shock and activate the alarm accordingly. One final option with commercial alarm systems is the use of loud sirens which create a cacophony of noise accompanied by strobe lights when someone tries to break into a building.

You may have a choice between hard wired and wireless commercial alarm systems. Buildings that are wired from a previous alarm system should probably elect to use the existing wires for the same type of system. Otherwise, it is recommended that your business uses wireless technology. The keypad will be in the open so to speak because it needs to be used by employees. However, the central control system will be hidden in a place where it cannot be accessed by unauthorized personnel.

Loud vs. Silent

Companies typically use loud commercial alarm systems that create a wave of noise once an intruder tries to break into their building. While this system works well in homes, there is a strong possibility that your business will not have neighbors willing to call the police on your behalf. Besides, most people who hear an alarm emanating from a company building assume it is either a false alarm or there is a security guard on site dealing with the problem. This is why more companies are opting for the audible delay alarm system. This is a silent alarm that alerts the authorities who can then catch the perpetrator unawares.

Cost

A host of commercial alarm systems are run by companies who claim it costs just one dollar a day to protect your business. This is not strictly true because the different materials needed increase the cost. In general, you will be charged $40 a month by a company with $10 a month extra for a two way communication system. Tracking systems could cost up to $600 a year also. The cost of installation varies from just $200 for a basic setup to more than $4,000 charged for high-tech systems. A standard small building can be equipped in hours but larger organizations can expect a week or more to pass before the system is fully operable.

Although it is possible to purchase commercial alarm systems on a monthly basis, most companies seek security in the form of a three year contract which should guarantee that the fees remain the same. Equipment such as door sensors and motion detectors should come free with the system though organizations that lease equipment may have to pay $500 a year. An annual permit is also necessary in order to legally own commercial alarm systems but this does not cost more than $40 a year. Also, make sure your system has a warranty of at least 90 days. Although the total costs are well in excess of a dollar a day, they are still small change for businesses seeking protection from both internal and external criminals.