Frequently Asked Questions

 

Alarms

CCTV Surveys

Access Control & Entry Systems

General FAQs

Alarms

What's a 'NSI NACOSS APPROVED' alarm?

NACOSS is an independent regulatory body that oversees the security industry. NACOSS is an abbreviation of National Approval Council for Security Systems.

Only a company that has NACOSS approval for Intruder Alarms can issue a certificate to prove the system is installed and maintained to the standards required by NACOSS.

Most insurance companies will require your Intruder Alarm system to be installed and maintained by an approved company.

Lynx Security have NACOSS accreditation for Intruder Alarms and are regularly inspected for our 'on and off site' standards.

^ Back to top

What is an Intruder Alarm 'system'?

An Intruder Alarm system is made up of four main sections. These are explained below.

1. Control Panels, or where do all the wires go?

What are the control panel and the RKP?

This is the 'heart' of the Intruder Alarm system itself. All the decisions are made here. All the parts of the Intruder Alarm are linked to this box; this is why it is usually hidden away! The control panel is connected to the mains electricity and has a battery fitted inside to run the system in the event of a power cut.

A Remote Keypad (RKP) controls the Intruder Alarm system. This is fitted somewhere near the exit point, it is mainly used to switch the system on and off but is also where information is entered or extracted.

The wiring is generally hidden within the fabric of the building, however conduct and trunking may be used together with running low voltage cables in domestic properties on the inside of a carpet gripper rod.

2. Detection Devices, or how is an intruder detected?

What is door contact?

A contact (in its simplest form) is a metal switch, fitted to the doorframe that is kept closed by a magnet fitted to the door. In most cases these are fitted flush into the frame and door but some are fitted surface. Heavy Duty contacts can be fitted to large doors (e.g.garages) and special contacts are available for Roller Shutters.

What is a P.I.R?

A P.I.R or Passive Infrared is a device that detects infrared movement (heat). It is the most common form of movement detection fitted to an Intruder Alarm system.

Because the detectors are 'passive' they detect rather than emit infra-red energy. P.I.R Detectors can cover ranges over 60 meters.

What is a Quad P.I.R?

A Quad P.I.R is very much like the standard P.I.R but uses two circuits instead of one (each circuit is 'Dual Element', hence 'Quad'). These types of detector are far more resistant to causes of false alarms e.g. draughts, small animals and insects etc. These detectors look similar to a P.I.R. Lynx Security installs Quad P.I.R's as standard.

I have got pets; won't they set off the alarm?

Cats and dogs have always made it difficult to design effective and economical Alarm systems. Fortunately there are now 'Pet Immune' P.I.R detectors which can provide similar protection as a standard P.I.R but will ignore cats and small dogs. These detectors do need to be sited carefully; our surveyors have been fully trained to do this.

What is a 'Dualtec' or Microwave Detector?

A 'Dualtec' is a detector that has two detection devices. The most common type is a Microwave/P.I.R but can be any combination of detection devices (Ultrasonic and Seismic being the other most popular). A Microwave detector works by sensing the physical movement of an object (person). These units would be installed in an area that may be prone to temperature fluctuations as the P.I.R and the Microwave circuits need to be activated simultaneously to cause an alarm.

What is a Personal Attack Button?

A Personal Attack button, often called a 'panic' button is a small unit that has two recessed red buttons. When pressed it causes the alarm to activate immediately. If the system is monitored a signal is sent to the receiving centre and passed to the police.

Remote personal attack buttons called pendants can also be used. These devices can be worn around the neck or clipped to a belt or clothing. See section Wirefree.

What is a shock sensor?

This is a small device usually fitted to a window or doorframe, properly known as a seismic detector. This detects vibration caused when a door or window is attacked.

Are there other types of detectors?

Yes. There are many other types of detection devices that can be connected to alarms. Glass Break detection, Smoke detection, Ultrasonic, InfraRed beams are just a few. A detection device can be found to suit any situation.

3. Sounders, or how do I know the alarm has gone off?

The Bell Box

Every Intruder Alarm system will have an outside sounder usually fitted at high level and which makes a lot of noise. It has anti-tamper protection and a separate battery fitted, it also has a Strobe light that flashes when the sounder activates. The outside sounder will ring when the Intruder Alarm has been activated and must switch off after twenty minutes.

The Internal Sounder

The internal sounder is fitted somewhere inside the protected area. This will indicate fault conditions as well as full alarm activations. There may also need to be more than one internal sounder fitted in larger buildings.

4. Monitoring Stations, Remote signalling, Remote reset, what does all this mean?

When an Intruder Alarm is fitted it immediately becomes a very powerful deterrent. Remote signalling, or a 'connection to the police' as it is more commonly referred to, is a way to ensure that, should the Intruder Alarm be activated, someone is notified.

This is where the Monitoring Station or Alarm Receiving Centre comes in. This is a secure manned building that monitors all the signals sent by Intruder Alarm systems. These signals include activations caused by break-in, personal attack, fire etc.

When a signal is received from your system the appropriate action is taken. Relevant authorities can be sent to site and keyholders contacted. There are different methods of Remote Signalling, below are four of these.

1. A Digital communicator will dial the Monitoring Station to transmit a signal. This monitors the telephone line locally and will generate a 'Fault' on the Control Panel should a line fault occur.

2. RedCARE transmits its signals over the telephone wires, not making a call (this is why it is not affected by any phone number changes). The telephone line is monitored both at the Control panel and at the Central Station; this is a more secure option.

3. Redcare GSM or Dual Com (Dual Path Signalling) this utilises standard Redcare or Digicom with the addition of a radio link. This type of system is usually a requirement of an insurance company.

4. Transmission over I.P. This form of signalling is new to the alarm industry as a means of transmission to an Alarm Receiving Center and uses the internet as a signal carrier.

CCTV Surveys

Are all cameras the same?

No. There are many different types of CCTV camera. Monochrome (Black & White) and colour are the obvious differences but there are also low and high resolution. Higher resolution cameras produce a much sharper picture but are more expensive. Most CCTV installations now use colour cameras as the costs have fallen, but Monochrome cameras are still used for low budget systems or for night time use where Infrared lighting is required. There are now even cameras that are colour during the day and change to monochrome at night.

^ Back to top

Where can cameras be fitted?

A CCTV camera can be installed just about anywhere but care does need to be taken that privacy is not invaded. Cameras can be fitted internally on brackets or externally in weatherproof housings. Powerful lenses can be fitted to enable distant objects to be viewed in detail!

^ Back to top

I have heard about 'hidden cameras' what are they?

Covert or 'hidden cameras' are small CCTV cameras that can be fitted inside everyday items such as clocks or fitted above false ceilings. These are often used to detect fraud or theft and can secretly record people's actions. As most covert CCTV systems are only required for short periods of time Lynx Security can hire as well as install them.

^ Back to top

Not all lenses are the same, why is that?

Some of the most important parts of any CCTV system are the lenses. These come in many different designs suitable for any application. The main types of lens are the 'fixed iris', 'auto iris' and 'fixed focus' or 'zoom'. A 'fixed iris ' lens will have the light level set during the installation but the picture would follow the brightness of the viewed area. The 'auto iris' lens again is set during installation but will automatically adjust to varying brightness levels.

The difference between a 'fixed' or 'zoom' lens is quite simple. The 'fixed focus' lens is set up and focused during installation. The 'zoom lens' can be adjusted by the user to move closer or farther from the object.

There are two important rules to remember with lenses:

  1. They can only focus on one point at any moment in time
  2. The larger the viewing area the lower the detail and vice-versa.

^ Back to top

What about recording the pictures?

EarlierCCTV systems used a VCR to record the images. These differd from the VCR found in the home because they are designed to operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The VCR also runs a lot slower and can make a standard 3 hour VHS tape last over a month! Usually though this is a 24 hour time period. As a result there is far more wear on the tape and it is recommended that the tape is not used more than 12 times (at 24-hour rate).

Other methods where available, Super VHS being the most common and more recently digital recorders are being introduced. Pictures can also be sent via telephone lines and recorded remotely. Recording onto DVD is now available. The great advantage with digital recording is that the pictures can be re-recorded many times without loss of quality and special events can be indexed for rapid playback. Also with today's technology these pictures can be sent to anyone with a compatible computer via e-mail or the Internet.

^ Back to top

Can a camera look at more than one area?

Yes. The main reason for wanting to do this would be to get a more detailed view of a larger area. There are units which can move cameras, these can be as simple as a simple left to right 'panning' motion or as complex as a fully controllable 'PTZ' (pan-tilt-zoom, a camera which can be moved in all directions and zoomed in and out). It is important to remember with CCTV cameras that the greater the viewing area the lower the detail and vice versa.

Another advantage with panning or PTZ cameras is that a large area can be covered with fewer cameras reducing installation costs.

Access Control & Entry Systems

What exactly is Access control?

Access control is exactly what it says, a method of controlling access to an area. This can be anything from the front doors of a large building to a small stationery cupboard.

There are hundreds of different types of access control systems available to suit all requirements.

^ Back to top

Entry Readers

These are devices that are located on the outside of the controlled area. They are available in three main types and in many different designs.

The first type is a Keypad or Coded unit. This will be a keypad that requires a code to be entered to allow access into the controlled area.

The second is a Magnetic Swipe reader, this device will read small credit card size cards with a magnetic stripe and if this is valid access is permitted.

Finally the third is the Proximity reader; this will be a blank box fitted outside the controlled area. Small key fobs or credit card sized tokens are presented to the reader to allow access. This is the longest lasting of all the three options as there is no physical contact required producing any wear.

^ Back to top

What do you use to secure the doors?

The two most common methods of securing doors are either by an electric release (rim lock) which allows a normal Yale type catch to be used to secure the door. The other method is a Magnetic Lock that is secured to the doorframe and a metal plate is fitted to the door. When the door is closed an electrical charge powers the magnet and holds the metal plate tight preventing the door from opening.

^ Back to top

Exiting or how do I get out!

To exit the secure area there are again three main methods. The first is by opening the door from the inside via a handle or snib.

The second is via a Request to Exit (R.E.X) button located near the exit door. This about the same size as a light switch.

The third would be another reader usually the same as the Entry reader. These are used where higher security is required or when details of who is on site are required.

^ Back to top

So what is the difference between Access control and entry systems?

Entry-phone systems differ from Access Control systems as they are manned i.e. they require human intervention to operate. Entry-phone systems are most common in offices where the entrance door is secured but access for a visitor is required. A two-way speech unit with a call button will be mounted outside the entrance door and a handset with a door release button is located conveniently within the building. There can be any number of handset and call button combinations.

^ Back to top

Video-entry system, what's that?

Video-entry systems operate in the same way as Entry-phone systems but have a camera built into the door unit and a small T.V. monitor built into the handsets. These provide a much higher degree of security as the person at the door can be identified visually as well as via speech.

^ Back to top

What if I have a large building with a lot of people, isn't that complicated?

No. With the latest Access control equipment the administration can be easily done via a P.C. So after the installation is complete and the software is set up adding or deleting a user onto the system is as simple as a few mouse clicks. Reports on user activities and door opening/closing can be run. Systems with over 200 doors and 10,000 users are incredibly easy to maintain!

General FAQs

The day of installation, what do you do?

Most importantly when Lynx Security carry out any works the utmost care is taken to ensure that there is minimal disruption. Any cable runs or siting of the equipment will be checked with the customer, this may involve lifting carpets and floorboards. This is usually discussed during our survey or prior to the work commencing.

Our Engineers usually start at 08:30 or alternatively at a time mutually agreed with our customer. The Engineer will confirm the works to be carried out. At this point the customer may discuss any special requirements or areas of concern (if not already discussed with the surveyor).

All our engineers have been thoroughly vetted and will carry identification cards. There is no need for the customer to be present during the installation, in fact many would rather not be! It may be advisable to pack away any delicate items.

The equipment is then installed as per the specification or quote detail. The Engineers will clear away all mess and remove any rubbish from site daily (where the works are scheduled for more than one day) or before handing over the completed system to the customer.

Once the system is completed the Engineers will fully test and commission the system to ensure that it is fully operational. When our Engineers are happy that the system is ready they will 'hand over' the system.

To 'hand over' the system the customer will be shown the extent of the protection provided. The system will then be fully demonstrated and any relevant documentation and user guides will be supplied. Only when the customer is happy with installation and the training given will they be asked to sign the Engineer's paperwork.

^ Back to top

I had a system fitted, it's 3 o'clock in the morning and I need help, what do I do?

Lynx Security operates a 24 hour emergency service that runs every day of the year. If any of our customers have a problem they can always contact an Engineer, any time of the day, or night.

All Emergency out of hours numbers are provided to customers as part of the 'hand over' documentation.

3 years parts and labour guarantee - wee wont be beaten on price.