What is a security system? This may seem like a silly question, but no two security systems professionals will give you identical answers. Here at Perfect Connections, Inc. we have spent decades defining what a security system is and how it changes people’s lives. Our team has been providing expert service to Northern and Central New Jersey businesses and homes since 1992. When it comes to security systems we believe there are key components, when combined, create a comprehensive system that will provide unbeatable protection for your business or home. Burglar alarms, access control, surveillance systems, and fire alarms are the major umbrella of ingredients for a comprehensive security system solution. Sounds good, right? What does it all mean? By examining how these different security features work together, and how they are applied in different situations, you will gain a better understanding of what a “comprehensive” security system is.
How do you define what a security system is? Let’s break it down. According to Dictionary.com, the word “security” can be loosely defined as freedom from care, risk, anxiety, danger, or something that makes you feel safe. A “system” is described as, “an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole.” Combine the two and you have an assemblage of parts that provide freedom from danger and make you feel safe. That’s exactly what the end goal of installing a security system is. Its making you feel safe, knowing you’re protected, and obtaining a peace of mind you can’t get from anything else.
Home Versus Business
While the combination of security features used in commercial and home applications are similar, they are not exactly the same. Nor should they be, a home is nothing like an office building, scrap yard, manufacturing or healthcare facility. There are different requirements and fire safety codes and standards for each, and they are dependent on the state and area you reside or run a business in. You security systems professional should know which rules apply to your specific situation. Rules aside, let’s discover the similarities/differences between residential and business security systems.
Access control, burglar alarms, surveillance systems, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are like the bread and butter of a comprehensive security system. In a residence, access control could mean entering a personal code on a key/touch pad in order to gain entry to your home. In some cases it could mean using a fingerprint to deactivate a lock. Door and window sensors can act as another layer of access control. For example, if someone were to break a window or kick open a door, the sensors would be activated and so would the alarm. This would help fend off the potential threat and prevent full access to your home. Depending on your business facility you might have similar features. A main difference between your home and your business is you likely have employees. Having employees could mean limiting access to different areas of your building/facility, dependent on an individual’s clearance level. In this case you might issue swipe cards or key fobs that would communicate with a reader at an entry way. These types of controls help limit who can enter, and sometimes exit, specific areas of your facility.
Surveillance equipment that is tied into your security system is a great crime deterrent, especially when visible or known to outsiders. It can help you and the local authorities catch criminals in action. Having cameras throughout your residence not only helps you feel more protected, but it can provide remote access to your home when you can’t be there. By using a mobile device and the Alarm.com app, you can communicate with your security cameras from virtually anywhere. This holds true for commercial applications as well; a major difference being a larger coverage area and camera size. Don’t worry, the size of a camera is not indicative of its quality- bigger isn’t always better. Your security systems professional will have better insight as to the type, size, and quantity of cameras to install at your home or business. Having cameras throughout your building/facility will also help decrease the chances of employee theft.
Having the proper fire alarms, carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke detectors in both a residential and business setting is not only a good idea, it’s required by state and local laws/codes. How does this tie into a comprehensive security solution? When deciding on features for your security system, you can opt to have fire alarms and CO detectors communicate with your central monitoring panel and your alarm monitoring service. This helps immediately alert police, fire stations, and ambulance at initial detection, preventing potentially life threating situations. What good is a CO detector or fire alarm if it’s beeping and no one is around to hear it? That’s where alarm monitoring services come into play. Having an alarm monitoring service means you and emergency responders will be notified of disturbances at your home or business, even if you’re not there.
Whether you are considering a residential or business security system for the first time, or want to explore your options, do not hesitate to contact our team at Perfect Connections, Inc.. We have been providing home and business security system solutions to Northern and Central New Jersey for 22 years. We’re here to help you protect what matters most.
If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.
Image Credit: Image By American Advisors Group-Flickr-Creative Commons