SSAIB accredited. We design, install, maintain and repair intruder alarm systems throughout Suffolk.
We offer hard-wired, wireless and hybrid alarm systems
Whether you’re protecting your home, or business, we all sleep easier knowing our assets are protected. An alarm system must be properly designed to ensure there are no exploitable weaknesses.
We understand price is always a factor. It should not be the only factor. When choosing a system, the following should be considered:
First and most importantly, you should always go with a reputable company. You should use an SSAIB or NSI approved company.
The main reason for this is that ALL staff have been security vetted. You would have to be mad to let someone come into your property to assess your security vulnerabilities without the correct vetting, or possibly none.
Any unspent criminal conviction will mean refusal of a job or instant dismissal from an SSAIB or NSI company.
The company designing and fitting the alarm system should be approved. Not their ‘monitoring centre’, as a very sneaky
multi-national that rhymes with ‘Very Pure’ is advertising.
Design
- Are all points of entry to the premises covered? This should include coverage of windows or doors using door contacts, shock sensors or movement sensors. Any window or door that can be accessed from a roof should also be covered.
- How will the system communicate an alarm condition? External sirens are the standard warning device. You can also have communication devices. Communication units may use GSM, Wi-Fi, or both to provide redundancy. All modern alarm systems can be linked to Smartphone apps. You could also have the system remotely monitored. A monitored system could alert the police if 2 or more alarm sensors are activated
- A Grade 2 system should be specified as a minimum. A graded alarm system has been designed and manufactured to meet with European standards.
- Will you own the system upon completion of the installation? Many companies charge a monthly fee and ‘loan’ the equipment. If you stop the monthly payments, or want to change the maintenance provider, your system becomes worthless, and cannot be ‘taken over’ by another company. You would have to start from scratch.
- An outright purchase of the system will be much cheaper in the long run, over a monthly payment for an unlimited term.
Installation
- It goes without saying the alarm system installation should be neat and tidy.
- We recommend the control panel and keypads are located separately in most cases. Any integrated panel with keypad will be on the entry route, making it easily accessible to an intruder. They could simply rip it off the wall meaning the system may not communicate out.
- The control panel should be hidden away out of sight, this serves two benefits, firstly, out of sight out of mind for an intruder, plus most cables go back to the control panel. A hidden control panel means hidden cables.
- Any keypads should not be facing a window.
- All devices should be physically fixed with screws. Double sided tape is not sufficient and does not conform to standards.
- The system should be fully tested and signed off on completion. A full demonstration of the system must be carried out. All user manuals left on site.
- Do not leave any factory default codes in the system.
Maintenance
- The installation company should always offer a maintenance contract.
- The system should be serviced every 12 months.
- Remotely monitored systems should be maintained every 6 months
- A maintenance ensures the full and correct operation of the system. For wireless systems especially, they will require replacement batteries at regular intervals to ensure uninterrupted operation of the system.
- If your system goes wrong, will you have 24 hour emergency callout cover? SSAIB or NSI companies have to respond to an emergency within a 4 hour window.
We’re all cost conscious. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner working within a budget, that’s to be expected. However, you cannot put a cost on some things – your property and people.
Buy cheap, buy twice. Get in touch with Suffolk Fire and Security if you want security done right the first time. Fill out our contact form or book a quotation visit
Installation process
To begin with, we will arrange a site visit to do a survey. We will assess the risks and ask you a few questions to find out your needs. Once we have these details, we will design a system bespoke to you. We will send a detailed ‘system design proposal’ with a quote, so that you see exactly what you are getting. We do not rely on pushy sales tactics, our professionalism is what we rely on.
Upon the quote being accepted, a date will be agreed to carry out the works. Once complete we fully test the system. We show you how the system works and ensure that you are happy and ‘hand over’ the system.
If you have issues down the line we find that 95% of these can be resolved with an engineer over the phone because we know the systems so well.
You can find examples of previous work in the link below, so you know what you can expect:
https://suffolkfireandsecurity.co.uk/news
http://orisec.co.uk
Unhappy with your current maintainer?
Furthermore, if you already have an existing burglar alarm and it has developed a fault, we can repair your existing system.
Finally, we take over existing alarm systems.
Is your system overdue a check?
Are you unhappy with your existing provider?
If any of the above scenarios sounds familiar get in contact with us.
Contact us by telephone on 07866 889407 or email us at info@suffolkfireandsecurity.co.uk
