Whether users are new homeowners or have recently acquired new business premises, a prime concern will be how to keep their property safe. And of course, it’s not just the building and its contents that APE is thinking about; keeping the family and employees safe is going to be a top priority too.
Functioning alarm system
With research amongst previously convicted burglars indicating that they are least likely to target a property they immediately see to be protected by a fully functioning alarm system, this is where home and business owners alike are turning increasingly to security systems billed to keep them, their property, their loved ones and their employees safe.
In terms of security systems on the market, users need to choose between a monitored or unmonitored alarm system. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, however, APE Fire and Security is going to concentrate on monitored alarm systems and present a mini guide as to what they are about.
What is a Monitored Alarm System?
For use as the property owner, this affords peace of mind, 24/7 surveillance, and immediate notification
A monitored alarm system is exactly what it says on the tin: a system that is monitored externally by a professional and dedicated response team, otherwise known as an Alarm Receiving Centre, or ARC for short.
Connection to the response center means the property is being actively monitored at all times. For a user as the property owner, this affords peace of mind, 24/7 surveillance, and immediate notification should the alarm be triggered.
Monitoring package
Depending on the monitoring package users have with the company users have chosen, as soon as their response center receives a signal via the communications device in the control panel, immediate notification of any alarm being triggered will be sent either to the user, their nominated key holder or directly to the police assuming user have purchased a police response package.
Police are informed only in the event of a confirmed intruder alarm activation i.e. two individual devices (such as two motion detectors) being triggered in close succession. This latter system reduces the risk of false alarms and any ensuing wasted police time.
Benefits of a Monitored Alarm System
- Comprehensive
When users opt for a monitored alarm system, in the majority of cases, the provider will supply the equipment. The system will be installed by professionals and will generally be far more comprehensive than any system they might have purchased independently, particularly if the company carries out an audit of their property before installation.
The company users choose will also know their equipment inside out, making maintenance and any presenting issues quick, easy, and therefore cost-effective to sort.
Wired or wireless alarm systems
A professionally checked and maintained alarm system can reduce the cost of home and contents insurance
Alarm systems may be either wired or wireless, with wireless systems being easier to install. When users opt for a monitored contract, they can rest assured that both the alarm and installation process conform to particular standards.
The contract will also mean that the system is checked once per year for functionality; twice if the user has a police-monitored call-out. Of course, having the alarm checked professionally will tackle any danger of false alarms. A professionally checked and maintained alarm system can also significantly reduce the cost of home and contents insurance depending on the policy user have and the area in which they live.
- Convenience
Whenever users are away from home, they are no longer burdened with the angst of the system being triggered in their absence.
Monitoring is left to the professionals giving users peace of mind and the opportunity finally to switch off and take that much-needed break from the daily grind.
- Response time
Because the alarm system notifies the response center immediately, no time is lost in the event of any intrusion or even fire alert. With an unmonitored system, users rely entirely on the alarm bell to alert neighbors or any unsuspecting passerby.
A monitored system triggers an instant response even if the intruder manages to silence the alarm once they’ve gained access. This quick response will reduce the risk of a burglar locating the user's most valued possessions and will reduce the risk of damage likely to be caused over a protracted period of non-intervention.
Unmonitored alarm systems
Unmonitored alarm systems are undoubtedly less expensive than monitored systems
Unmonitored alarm systems are undoubtedly less expensive than monitored systems, but it is down to the user to respond each time, or down to the chance of a neighbor hearing the alarm and investigating.
And the expense is a highly subjective consideration: if users' property is accessed, they may well be able to claim for physical possessions on their insurance, but what about the violation of their property, living with the fact someone has broken into their home or office and rooted through their most personal of possessions?
Selecting an alarm system
Ultimately, it is down to users what they are looking for in an alarm system. If users are happy to monitor an alarm system themselves or have named contacts close to hand who can step in if they are away from home or live near their business premises, then an unmonitored alarm system may well work for them.
If, however, users want absolute peace of mind and know their loved ones would benefit from complete “downtime” when they are away on holiday, then a monitored alarm system is a complete no-brainer.
state-of-the-art monitored alarm system
For what can be an almost negligible monthly fee when balanced against the confidence users' property and contents are fully monitored at all times, they can have a state-of-the-art monitored alarm system installed and fully maintained and serviced by the professional team at APE Fire and Security.
With over four decades of experience, APE Fire and Security are experts in the field of reliable and innovative fire and security systems and products.
