NCJ Number
84355
Journal
Security World Volume: 19 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1982) Pages: 23-33
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A 1982 reader survey of over 300 corporate managers and security directors provides a view of the advantages and problems of integrated security systems and types of equipment in use. Managers also comment on selection criteria and system expansion.
Abstract
An integrated system combines electronic monitoring and control of security, fire, access control, surveillance, and/or energy management functions in a building on a large or small scale. Computerized integrated systems are expandable with additional sensors and changes to controlling software in central processing units. Representing commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors, most respondents indicated they had some form of integrated building monitoring system, and nearly one-fifth had fully integrated systems. Approximately half planned to add an integrated system within the next 5 years, due to the system's proven cost effectiveness and local building code requirements. Responses concerning purchase decisions suggested that authority was decentralized among corporate managers, security executives, and senior operations personnel. About 38 percent of the respondents planned to use proprietary rather than contract monitoring, but almost half were undecided. Primary information sources on the system were the company's own engineering department, the system manufacturer, and the vendor or installer. Local alarms, fire and smoke detectors, fire extinguishing equipment, and temperature rise detectors headed the list of equipment more frequently included in an integrated system installation. Primary considerations in selecting a system were improved monitoring capability, single control points, and ability to expand the system. High initial cost was cited as the major drawback. Tables of survey responses are provided.