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Home owners’ FAQ on
landed home security systems
Introduction
Q: What are basic systems which need to be installed in
new or retrofitted homes to enhance the security?
A: A basic landed home security system will consist of a
burglar alarm system. The basic system can be further enhanced by installing an
automatic gate entry system with/without intercom system and a CCTV monitoring
system.
Q: I would like a home security system, but due to
budgetary constraints which system should I install first?
A: The first priority is to install a burglar alarm system
to secure all the entry and exit points of the house.
Q: What problems will I encounter if I decide to install
the security systems over a period of time instead of installing all of them in
one exercise?
A: If the homeowner does not want to integrate all the
security systems together, there is no necessity to install all the systems in
one exercise. However it is advisable to install all the necessary wiring for
all the systems during the retrofitting exercise so that these wiring can be
properly concealed to enhance the aesthetics of the house. The biggest issue
encountered in piecemeal installation is to conceal the wiring so that it does
not spoil the aesthetics of the home. Most of the home owners prefer not to have
the wiring laid externally in PVC sheaths, but to cut into the walls to embed
wiring subsequently is messy and expensive when the home is fully renovated.
Q: We are in the process of retrofitting a landed
property with a proper home security system. Can your company undertake to
provide a comprehensive home security system?
A: Yes. The Company’s core business for the last 18 years
is to provide security solutions to clients from home, commercial, industrial,
manufacturing and Oil and Gas industries. Our solutions will cover alarm
systems, intercom/automatic gate systems, CCTV monitoring systems and a host of
other systems specially tailored to the requirements of that particular
industry. The company’s representatives will meet up with the home owner and to
discuss with them as well as to assist them to package a home security solution
which will meet their aspirations and to fit their budget.
Q:
From your website, we are aware that your
company provides high end systems to the various industries, how does the
pricing of your products and services compare with other vendors in the home
market sector?
A: The Company provides different types of security
solutions to meet the requirements of the clients in the various industries and
markets. The prices of the solutions are dependant on the requirements and the
budget of the home owners. We will recommend equipment that is suitable to the
home owners’ requirement. The pricing of the Company’s system solutions reflect
the quality of equipment supplied, installed and proper after sales warranty and
backup support. The home owner has to compare the type of equipment and after
sales support between the various vendors and to decide on the competitiveness
of the pricing of their solutions.
Home
owners’ FAQ on pre-installed home alarm system
Q: The 10 year old house which I bought has a
pre-installed alarm system Can I change the system by just changing the keypad
and the control panel?
A: Yes, you can change the alarm system by changing the
keypads and the control panel. Our technician will do a throughout test on the
wiring and sensor system installed previously before changing the control panel
and the keypad. If the sensors and wiring are intact, the new system will
interface with the existing sensors. You may need to change the other
proprietary sensors like smoke detectors, PIR motion detectors etc. if they are
not compatible with the new alarm system.
Q: I do not have the installers’ and user manuals on the
pre-installed alarm system; can your company assist us to rectify any
programming and operational issues?
A: We will try to locate the manuals from our professional
partners provided that you can provide us with the brand and model of the system
and it is not a proprietary system currently maintained by the manufacturers or
proprietary systems integrator. We can provide trouble-shooting and programming
services provided we have access to programming master codes of the system.
Q: The pre-installed alarm system has been deactivated
by the previous owner and it goes off when the system is activated?
A: A working alarm system is NEVER deactivated. We
recommend doing a complete service of the system which includes troubleshooting
the errors, system reset and system reprogramming with the faulty components
replaced.
Q: There is a small white box installed at one of the
upper corners of the ceiling. You can see a red light coming on and off when
someone passes through that area?
A: That is a PIR motion detector to detect movements
within the home when the home alarm system is armed
Q: There is a white box with a strobe light installed
on one of the wall outside the house?
A: This is the external siren which will sound when the
home alarm is triggered.
Q: What are the small wired plastic attachments fixed
onto the window and door frames throughout the house?
A: These are the door and window sensors hard wired to the
home alarm control panel to secure the home when the system is armed.
Home Alarm system FAQ
Q: How does a security system work?
A: The control panel is the "brain" of the system. Various
sensors are connected to the control panel from various locations throughout the
home. When a sensor detects an abnormal condition, it sends a signal to the
control panel. The control panel sends signals to trigger a siren, the central
station (CMS) if it is linked to a 24-hour monitoring facility as well as to
dial pre-programmed telephone numbers to alert the respective persons or
authorities.
Q: Is it difficult to install a security system?
A: The installation and programming of the system done by
the company’s technical staff that are properly trained and have been installing
and managing these systems for a number of years.
Q: What type of sensors that are installed in the home
alarm system?
A: The sensors installed to monitor the home security
system include magnetic contacts, glass-break sensors that are mounted on
vulnerable entry points such as doors and windows. PIR motion detectors are
installed in halls and stairways to pan a big area to detect motion from body
heat from intruders when these sensors are armed. Specialized sensors like gas
leak detectors, smoke detectors and flood detectors can be installed and linked
to the control panel as well.
Q. What is a Central Monitoring station?
A. A central monitoring station (CMS) is a facility which
will monitor your home alarm system continuously throughout the day. When your
alarm is triggered, the staff in the CMS will notify the relevant authorities as
well as to inform the home owner. This service is provided with an annual or
monthly fee to be paid by the home owner.
Q. What does the keypad do?
Keypads are used to program and operate your system. They
are usually installed next to the main door to facilitate arming and disarming
the system when the home owners enter and leave their home. The system is armed
and disarmed by punching in the respective pre-programmed codes.
Q: Do I have to be licensed to install my system?
A: NO. Currently it is not a requirement; however it may be
changed at a latter date. But getting a professional installer will save you
time and money.
Q: How does the system connect to the
phone lines?
A: The alarm system has an output which can be connected
to an extension of a PSTN (existing telephone) line. The alarm system is
programmed to dial certain pre-programmed telephone numbers to alert the CMS,
relevant authorities or home owner when the home alarm is triggered.
Q: Should I use a CMS to monitor my home alarm system?
A: We strongly recommend that a Central Station monitor
your home alarm system. In the event of an alarm trigger, the Central Station
can contact the police or fire department or even a relative living close by.
These kind of service come with an annual cost of a few hundred dollars.
Q: If I do not want to use a CMS service is there other
alternative?
A:
Yes your alarm system can pre-preprogram to your
mobile phone to alert you when there is a break-in.
Q: What happens if my phone
line is out of service?
A: In Singapore, there is a very low incident of having the
phone line out of service. An alternative is to use a (Cellular Alarm
Transmitter) which is a GSM transmitter and it can be ordered from
http://www.securitex.com.sg or
http://www.secureciti.com.
Q: What happens when a phone line is cut can the system
detect this?
A: Yes a good alarm system will be able to monitor the
phone line integrity if the line is been cut, the local alarm will go off and if
the system is also connected to the Cellular Alarm Transmitter, the CAT will
call the owner.
Q: What if my
electricity service is down?
A: The system comes with a backup battery system as
standard package. The backup time is dependant on the number of devices
installed in the system. The backup battery will power the whole alarm system
for a limited time until the power is restored.
Q: Will the home alarm system affect the occupants’
lifestyle materially?
A: No, your system can be programmed to suit the home
owners’ lifestyle. Delays on entry and exit doors can be programmed to suit the
home owners’ entry and exit preferences. Our consultants will help you decide on
the arm/disarm timings which will suit the home owners without compromising
their security. These timings can be changed as and when it is necessary
Q: How long does the back-up
batteries last?
A: The backup battery in the control panel should be
changed every two years. Wireless transmitters use alkaline batteries and they
should be changed once a year. The control panel of the alarm system will notify
the home owner to change the battery of a particular sensor when its battery is
low.
Q: Is there any special wiring
needed in the system installation?
A: Our consultants will recommended wiring for each
application. Generally, 22 gauges, 4 conductors are used for keypads and motion
detectors. 20-gauge zip wire is used for window and door switches.
Q: How secure is my
personal information?
A: At SecureCiti International and Securitex your security
is our business. The information gathered on our members is held in the
strictest confidence. All information is password protected. Information are
never sold or distributed outside our company or its affiliates.
Q: How can you offer the systems that the
Professional alarm companies install?
A: The Company installs and supports alarm systems which
has a track record of reliability. These systems are manufactured by Digital
Security Controls Ltd. GE Security, Scientech Electronics Co Ltd, Kantech and
SafeLink, the world’s largest manufacturer of security devices in the world.
Although some basic features may vary, the main system features and the
accessory devices (motion detectors, contacts, sirens, and glass-break
detectors) are exactly the same.
Q: Do I own my system?
A: YES, we release all the access codes of the system to
the homeowners when the system is handed over to them in good working order.
Many companies have a hidden "lease" and charge you a fee for installation. We
have a "No strings attached" policy. The systems you purchase is yours to keep,
you choose the protection and monitoring that’s right for you.
Q: Is my system connected to the
Police Department and Fire Department?
A: No, unless your system is linked to a Central Monitoring
Station. A Central Station is manned twenty-four hours a day and is the facility
that acts as the link between the protected premise and the authorities.
Q: Can I use a motion detector if I have
pet dog or cat?
A: Yes, The development of "Pet-immune" or "Pet-friendly"
motion detectors will actually ignore up to an 80lb dog or five cats!
Q: Is my system on all the
time?
A: Your smoke detectors, panic buttons and tamper switches
are "on" all the time (we call it instant zone which will trigger the alarm
instantaneously went compromised). You have the ability to arm and disarm your
system with the use of a keypad, remote key fob device or even through a
touch-tone phone.
Q: How much does a system cost?
A: Depend on your system configuration a basic home
protection alarm system can cost as low as $500 to S$800. The average packaged
system equipment cost is around $2,000 from singles story home with basic
setting and up to Ten thousand for huge landed home like Terrace, Semi-detach
and Bungalows of more than 4000sqft upward with 3 storey protection. The cost is
usually inclusive of installation and programming.
Q: Is there a charge for
programming the system?
A: No, all of our systems are preprogrammed to your
specifications before handing it over to the home owners. In the event that
additional programming is needed on site a nominal fee will be charged on a case
by case basis.
Q: How much noise
does the system make?
A: Each keypad produce a beeping sound when operated on,
which is to ensure all input is confirmed. External sirens produce about 110dB,
one siren per 3000 square feet is recommended.
Q: What is false alarm?
A: False alarms are triggered accidentally by the home
owner or when the system is not stable. These alarms are annoying and also cause
unnecessary noise pollution. All the systems installed by us will be tested
thoroughly before handing it over to the home owner. In addition, we provide a
training session to familiarize the home owner on all the procedures which will
be essential for them to know so as to operate the system efficiently.
Q: Is there an automatic
shutoff for the siren?
A: Sirens can be programmed to sound for two or more minute
intervals. Most ordinances required the external siren to shut down after 30
minutes. The siren in the home alarm system will be programmed to sound for a
certain time period after which it will sound again when there is another
triggering of the alarm system.
Q: If there is a break-in
attempt will the system re-arm?
A: During an attempted break-in, the system will trigger a
siren. The system remains armed until it is disarmed by an authorized user. If
there is a subsequent breached, the system will trigger the siren again.
Q: Can I use the system when I go to
bed at night?
A: YES. The "Stay" mode give you the freedom of arming the
perimeter of your system (the doors and windows), while ignoring the interior
protection (motion detectors and interior doors).
Q: How do I test my home
alarm system?
A: Your system can be programmed for automatic test on a
daily, weekly or monthly schedule. You can manually test your system by pressing
in your code and the test button.
Q: What kind of things can
my system "detect"?
A: Door, window can detect intrusion when the doors and
windows are opened and PIR motion detectors will detect movements during ‘armed’
state. Smoke and heat detectors can detect a fire. The systems can detect
flooding and low temperature with the necessary sensors. The systems have logs
to check the arming and disarming activities of a particular user.
Q: What is the chime mode?
A: The chime mode gives you the ability to know when a door
or window is opened in the disarm state. This is widely used by families with
small children that need to know the whereabouts of their children around the
home.
Q: What is a system
"user code"?
A: Each person using the system can be issued with a
four-digit code that can arm and disarm the system. The type of system you
install dictates the number of users on a system. Each user code number can be
changed locally through the keypad or through remote programming. The log will
indicate the arming and disarming activities of each individual user.
Q: I want someone to be able to arm my system
without giving him or her my code?
A: The Quick-Arm feature is your answer. When programmed,
you can use the "#" + Function buttons to arm in the Away, Stay or Instant
modes.
Q: What happens if I
forget my user code?
A: Your security information is pass code protected and
proprietary to you. If you forget your user code, we can re-establish a new one
for you by doing a factory default on the system to restore the pass code
default. Of course you can let us have your pass code for safekeeping so that we
can remind you of your old one as long as you have your pass code. But this is
not recommended.
Q: What if I forget to
turn
my system on?
A: There’s an option to add a voice prompt module to your
system, These will enable you to arm and disarm your system with any touch-tone
phone on or off premise. In an emergency we can even arm your system remotely
from our programming center for you if authorized.
Q: After sales backup service?
A: All the systems installed come with a 12 month warranty
against manufacturer’s and installation defect. We will replace all defective
equipment and rectify all installation defects at our costs.
Q: Can I get an insurance
discount?
A: YES. The amount of homeowner’s insurance discount
depends on your carrier.
Q: Are these "Free
Security System" offers some kind of scam?
A: Not necessarily, many companies have underwritten the
cost of the equipment in order to have you sign a long monitoring contract at
$24.95 or higher. BEWARE! Many of these companies charge an "Installation fee"
and lease the system to you or they use the "Free System" offer as a tool to
"up-sell" you on additional protection. Our program is straightforward. We help
you along the process from installation to monitoring – no strings attached.
Q: Can my system call a pager
/ hand-phone?
A: Our systems have the ability to call a pager and
hand-phone. When the Central Station monitors the system, the system will dial a
pager after information is sent to the Central Station. You will receive the
system ID number, the user number and alarm event (alarm, trouble, open or
close)
Q: I have a parent, who is homebound,
how can your system help him?
A: When most people think of security they think of
burglary or intrusion. These are valid concerns, but when we consider the needs
of the homebound, the ability to summon help in the event of an emergency
becomes a daily concern. Our Senior Care System can provide your loved one with
an emergency pendant that is fully supervised for system check-in and battery
condition. The system can summon the Central Station that in turn can call you,
or any authorized response agency.
Q: What is Two-way voice?
A: This is a system option that gives the Central Station
the ability to speak directly to the person in the home to verify an alarm
condition. This verification method is handy with any home bound or potentially
incapacitated person. A microphone / speaker unit is placed in the home and is
activated only when the system goes into an alarm condition.
Q: What is the range of
the wireless transmitters?
A: The wireless door/ window transmitters have a distance
rating of one mile "open air". Depending on the structure of the protected home,
the range will be between 500 ft. and 1000 ft.
Do I need a permit for my security
system?
A: No
Q: What if we decide to move after we
install our system?
A We can relocate the control panel and the keypads for
the home owners. New sensors need to be installed at the new locations.
Q: I have a
battery-operated smoke detector, why do I need a monitored detector?
A: Battery-operated detectors have two problems. First,
they are rarely connected to other detectors, remote warning devices, or a
central monitoring station. If they are located outside a bedroom, a sound
sleeper may not hear hem, especially if the bedroom door is closed or just
partially open. If detectors are located on a different level of a residence
that the bedroom level, then the likelihood they will wake up sleepers
diminishes further. A second problem with batter operated detectors is their
batteries – if they are not periodically replaced, detectors will not work!
Q: I have an AC powered
smoked detector why do I need a monitored detector?
Many AC powered smoke detectors are not connected to other
detectors or remote warning devices. Even those that are only connected to other
devices can provide a local warning of fire. If no one is home, a fire can
develop without anyone taking action to protect valuable property.
Q: Do I have know
whether I have enough smoke detectors?
A: The National Fire Protection Association’s 1993
"National fire Alarm Code" specifies the following for adequate household
protection: " Smoke detectors shall be installed outside of each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces
and unfinished attic. In new construction, a smoke detector also shall be
installed in each sleeping room."
Q: Should I use an
Ionization or Photoelectric smoke detector?
A: Either technology can detect a fast flaming or slow
smoldering fire, but response times can vary. Here are the characteristics of
each:
Ionization- Ionization detectors respond well to
fast flaming fires, such as paper.
Photoelectric- Photoelectric detectors are well
suited to detecting slow smoldering fires, which are often generated in
households. For additional protection, photoelectric detectors are available
with an internal heat sensor that triggers an alarm when the temperature at the
detector reaches 135° F.
Q How much time will it take
to install the security system?
A: You should be able to install the control panel and
final connections within 120 minutes. The keypad should take another 30 minutes,
the siren about 30 minutes, motion detectors 20 minutes and each door and window
about thirty minutes. Your total installation time will vary depending on wire
runs and whether you take advantage of wireless detectors (big labor savor)-the
time to install the hardware is very fast but the laying of cable can takes
weeks and sometime months.
Q: Do I have to be
licensed to install my system?
A: Many country allow homeowners to install their own
system without a licensing requirement. Check with your local community for the
latest information.
Q: How does the system connect
to the phone lines?
A: The security system has the ability to separate your
home phones from the telephone companies’ incoming line. This is accomplished by
installing a RJ31X jack. You can install the jack yourself with our instruction,
or have your local telephone company install it.
Q: What are points of protection?
What are Zones?
A: Points of protection are individual devices that detect
an opening or condition. Zones are groups of protection points. For example,
entry/exit protection points maybe grouped into a single zone on a system.
Generally more zones will need a higher capacity control panel.
Q: We will like to install a security light that can be
automatically turn on when it detect movement can your company do this kind of
system?
A: Yes we can install such system for you. The system you
just mention is call Motion detection Light. This is usually install at the back
yard and car pouch of the house.
Home
owners’ FAQ on pre-installed automatic gate cum intercom system
Q:
There are handsets at the kitchen and other locations
in the house. There is a speakerphone at the main gate.
A: The item you just describe is an intercom system used
for communication between the visitors at the front gate with the occupants in
the house.
Q: We could open the automatic gate by pressing a button
on the handset.
A: The intercom system of your home is integrated to the automatic gate system.
The visitor will call into the house via the door station at the main gate. The
internal handset will ring and you can speak to the visitor and open the
automatic gate by pressing a preprogrammed button on the handset.
Q: Can I replace a worn out handset easily?
A:
Yes you can replace it with a similar handset if
it is still available.
Q: Can I mix different brands intercom system together?
A: No you cannot.
Q: My intercom has a monitor on the handset but the
monitor is not working, can I get a replacement set?
A: Yes you can but must be same brand and model.
Q: I cannot open the automatic gate with my intercom
handset?
A: The type of handset installed does not have the feature
to open the automatic gate or the automatic gate system is not integrated to the
intercom system.
Q: If this is the case can you integrate my intercom to
my Automatic gate?
A: Yes if there are spare pairs of cables linking the
handset to the door station at the main gate. We can use the spare pair of
cables to connect the handset to the automatic gate controller board.
Q: What are the 2 pieces of metal covers on the road by
the edge near to the gate post?
A:
These metal plates cover the metal casing in
which the motor and gear system of the automatic swing gate is housed.
Q: What is in the weather proof box mounted in the
inside pillar of the main gate??
A: The multi-voltage transformer, Master controller board
of the swing gate system and the remote control receiver is housed in this
weather proof box.
Q: What is the black stopper fixed onto the center of
driveway and the black box mounted on the right sleeve of the swing gate?
A:
The black box is the
Electromechanical solenoid
lock and black plate on the drive way is the lock/stopper plate.
Q: The remote control units cannot open the automatic
gate when the buttons are depressed?
A: Check to ensure that the
automatic gate is powered ON
and is working properly. You can manually open the gate by depressing the gate
open micro switch on the controller board. If the system is working fine,
replace the batteries in the remote control transmitter and if it still does not
work, call a technician to check the remote controller receiver board as well as
the remote control transmitters.
Q: Can I buy extra remote control transmitter for my
system?
A: Yes but you need to purchase these remote control
transmitters from the same manufacturer or from Securitex. The new remote control transmitters
need to be programmed into the system.
Q: One leaf of the automatic gate is not closing and
opening properly?
A:
The most common cause of this type of problem is
due to wear and tear due to usage over time. These motor can be repaired or
replaced depending on the age of the system. Normally when the system is more
than 5 years old, we recommend the home owner to change the motor and/or gear
system unless the system is a high end automatic system where it is very
expensive to replace.
Q. We understand that all the automatic gate system
come with a bypass key. Can this key be replaced if it is lost or damaged?
A. Yes. But we will have to replace the whole cam lock
set and issue new keys this service cost S$ 180.00.
Q: Can the automatic gate system be configured to open
on 1 side instead of opening both sides all the time?
A:
Yes. The controller board can be replaced with
one which give the option to the home owner to open either side or both sides
at the same time type.
Q. Can the automatic gate be configured to swing inward
into the driveway or outward onto the road?
A. The automatic swing gates can be configured to swing
either outward or inward. Unless the house has a long driveway, it is normally
configured to swing outward provided that the gate will not disrupt traffic or
to hit a pedestrian. Depend on where is your boundary line and if the open out
will disrupt traffic or hit someone. If the site condition allow of course you
can reorientation the motor to open out.
Q: Does your company service sliding automatic gate
system as well?
A: Yes please provide us with the brand, model and year of
installation (for year of installation estimate will do) and we will check the
availability of spare parts.
Q: What happen if I cannot provide the brand and model
because there are no indications?
A: You can take a photograph of the system and email to us
sales@securitex.com.sg
Q: My Autogate is a sliding system and is not working
can I get your company to check for me?
A: Yes you can but you need to provide use the brand and
model there is a service charge when we go to troubleshoot the system.
Q: My sliding gate has this 2 small black box on both
side of the gate post. Can I check with you what this item is?
A: The item you just mention refer to the safety
photocell / safety beam sensor it prevent the gate from closing when the beam is been block.
Q: My auto swing gate is not the normal conceal motor
system, it is the arm unit, can we get your company to service and maintain for
us?
A: Yes you can.
Q: Our new house has a door bell push button and a bell
unit in the house can we get your company to upgrade them to an intercom system
with door bell function without laying new cable?
A: Yes you can. In fact we have the kind of intercom that
can use the door bell cable for communication.
Q: Does Securitex handle all brand of system in the
market?
A: Yes, almost all brand and make that is available in the
market.
Home
owners’ FAQ on home surveillance system
Q: Why do people install CCTV systems in their homes?
A: The following are some of the reasons that home owners
install CCTV systems in their homes:
·
To monitor the well being of either their aged parents or their
young children.
·
To monitor expensive antiques or high value personal effects kept
at home.
·
To monitor the activities of hired care givers or hired domestics
·
To monitor the movement of outsiders and guests in and out of
their homes for security purposes.
Q: What is the basic
configuration of a home CCTV system?
A: A basic home CCTV system
consists of 4 units of CCTV cameras linked to a 4 channel digital video recorder
with the option of remote viewing via the internet.
Q: How are the images
captured stored and how long can the records be stored?
A: The images captured by the
cameras are stored on a hard disk in the digital video recorder. The time span
on which these images are archived is dependant on the size of the hard disk
installed and the quality of the images captured. A normal quality recording
with 6 frames per second recording will store the captured images up to 4 weeks
on a 160 gigabyte hard disk.
Q: What do you mean by remote
viewing via the internet?
A: The captured images stored in
the digital video recorder can be retrieved, viewed and saved by the home owner
at a remote site via the internet. The digital video recorder needs to be
connected to the internet via a broadband gateway. The remote viewing is done
via dynamic IP forwarding using proprietary web server software which is bundled
with the networked digital video recorder.
Q: Can I use wireless CCTV
cameras instead of the wired versions? It will reduce the necessity of running
cables all over the house?
A: Wireless IP cameras can be
used; however the wireless signals are not very stable and is subjected to all
kinds of electromagnetic interference. The home owners has be aware of the
interference and signal stability issues else there will be perpetual disputes
with the solutions provider. The company does not install wireless systems until
the newer generation of wireless equipment can provide a more stable system.
Q: We just move into our new house which is 10 years
old. The previous leave behind a CCTV system with Video Recorder, can I get your
company to covert them for us to Digital Hard Drive Recording?
A: Yes you can. Our Security consultant will visit your
premises and make an evaluation.
We will compile more FAQ to help
home owner like you as and when more question and answer is available. Or you
can email us at
sales@securitex.com.sg
if you have any question that you need us to assist you.
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