With inexpensive options and the improvements in technology against false
alarms, more and more dealers and systems integrators are expanding their
security to the perimeter. While interior protection will always be a part of a
complete intrusion detection system, perimeter security allows end users,
on-site guards and remote monitoring centers to know the moment an intruder
steps onto the property. Below are ten tips to remember when planning a
successful perimeter security system:
Stay current with technology. Your manufacturers should provide in
house training at your office for your sales and installation teams at no cost
while updating you on trends, technology, and the latest equipment. Successful
dealers work directly with the manufacturer's sales personnel to help design,
propose, train, and even close your projects for you. Including your
manufacturer in the sales process, including sales calls, will lend you instant
credibility and close more sales all at no cost to you.
Assess how your client intends to use the site. Make sure that your
client understands how the products you are recommending work. This will help
to avoid any future problems such as the client moving things around the site
and accidentally blocking AIR paths or creating dead spots in front of PIR
detectors.
Become certified. Many times a manufacturer will provide
certification training on higher-end perimeter detectors at no cost. This not
only allows you to become familiar with the product and its applications, it
gives you the opportunity to offer more options to the client.
Use the tools available to you. If the manufacturer has
tools/appliances recommended to use during set-up, use them. Not only will they
make sure the products are set-up/calibrated correctly, they are often a huge
time saver during the installation process.
Confirm your design/site plan with the manufacturer. It's important
to do this before quoting your customer. Oftentimes the manufacturer will find
something you missed or ways to save you money with a different design.
Use recommended manufacturing mounting hardware and accessories. When
bundled with photobeam towers, premier manufacturers will mount and assemble
your perimeter detectors at no additional cost. This allows for a tremendous
amount of savings on labor and opportunity cost. The cost of driving to your
local hardware store and standing in line to buy simple items can be saved many
times over by having the manufacturer assemble and ship your equipment directly
to your job site. This also provides a professional look to your installation.
Go wireless! Eliminate the additional expense of costly labor and
wiring to gain more jobs and provide a better-designed system. There are many
options for reliable wireless detection for outdoor/perimeter applications.
Utilize video monitoring/verification where possible. When
you're dealing with outdoor systems, legitimate activations by an animal or
person can often be considered "false alarms" when there is no
evidence as the police or client responds 30 minutes later. The majority of
photobeam and PIR detectors can easily be set up to trigger a camera.
Strategize and plan your detection coverage. Use redundant measures
for true security such as double stacking your photoelectric beams to keep
intruders from “jumping over” or crawling under. Along with protecting the
perimeter, use rugged outdoor high mount PIR detectors with false alarm
prevention technology for spot protection – they are low cost, reliable, and
provide a interior trap.
Verify your perimeter's limitations. For example, when using
Photobeams as a perimeter, make sure you have enough space between the wall or
fence and the detector so that an intruder cannot jump over the beam and bypass
the perimeter. If using PIR devices as your perimeter, allow yourself ample
room to make sure there will be no bleed-thru beyond the fence line.
Following these simple tips can mean the difference between a problem free
perimeter security system and one that will cause headaches for you and your
client. With the assistance of a quality manufacturer and advancement of new
technologies, there is no reason to not have a successful install.