NCJ Number
61272
Date Published
1979
Length
43 pages
Annotation
TO PROVIDE BUSINESSES WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEMS AND THEIR POTENTIAL USE, THIS GUIDE EXAMINES THE TYPES OF PROTECTION AFFORDED BY ALARM SYSTEMS AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY OPERATE.
Abstract
IN DECIDING WHETHER TO INSTALL AN INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEM, BUSINESSMEN OR WOMEN SHOULD BASE THEIR DECISIONS ON ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS WHETHER POTENTIAL PROPERTY LOSSES JUSTIFY THE EXPENSES INVOLVED; THE POTENTIAL THREAT, DEPENDENT UPON BUSINESS LOCATION, TYPE OF BUSINESS, ETC.; ALTERNATE SECURITY PROCEDURES, WHICH MAY ALREADY PROVIDE AMPLE PROTECTION; AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FALSE ALARMS FROM THE INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEMS, A SOURCE OF CONCERN FOR MANY LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. ALL INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEMS CONSIST OF THREE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS: A SENSOR THAT DETECTS THE ACTION OR PRESENCE OF AN INTRUDER; A CONTROL UNIT THAT TURNS THE SYSTEM ON AND OFF, RECEIVES THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR, AND PROCESSES AND TRANSMITS THE ACTUAL ALARM SIGNAL; AND A DEVICE TO SUMMON ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE ALARM. THE SENSOR AND CONTROL UNIT COMPONENTS CAN BE ASSEMBLED INTO A VARIETY OF CONFIGURATIONS TO PROVIDE FOUR BASIC TYPES OF PROTECTION: (1) POINT, SPOT, OR OBJECT--USED TO DETECT THE ACTION OR PRESENCE OF AN INTRUDER AT ONLY A SINGLE LOCATION; (2) PERIMETER OR LINEAR--USED TO DETECT THE ACTION OR PRESENCE OF AN INTRUDER AT ALL VULNERABLE BUILDING ACCESS POINTS SUCH AS DOORS, WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS, ETC.; (3) AREA, SPACE, OR VOLUME--USED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF AN INTRUDER ANYWHERE WITHIN A SELECTED AREA; AND (4) HOLDUP--ACTIVATED DURING THE DAY BY AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE SCENE, AND TRANSMITTED TO A REMOTE LOCATION, SUCH AS A POLICE STATION. BECAUSE SELECTING THE PROPER SENSORS FOR AN INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEM IS COMPLICATED, THE MOST COMMONLY USED TYPES OF SENSORS ARE DESCRIBED: SWITCH SENSORS; PRESSURE MATS; METALLIC FOIL; WIRE SCREENS; MICROWAVE, ULTRASONIC, AND INFRARED MOTION DETECTORS; INFRARED PHOTOELECTRIC SENSORS; SOUND SENSORS; VIBRATION SENSORS; AND CAPACITANCE SENSORS. OTHER FACTORS THAT BUSINESSES SHOULD CONSIDER INCLUDE SYSTEM DESIGN (THE FLOOR PLAN, CONTROL UNITS, TAMPER PROTECTION, INSTALLATION, AND POSTINSTALLATION FACTORS), AND SOUNDING THE ALARM (FOR LOCAL ALARM SYSTEMS, CENTRAL STATION SYSTEMS, AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALERS, AND DIRECT CONNECT SYSTEMS). TABULAR DATA COVER THE APPLICATIONS OF INTRUSION ALARM SENSORS, COMPARISON OF INTRUSION SENSORS, AND RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE GUIDE IS ILLUSTRATED.