Make doubly sure who is at the door
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A whole lot of state-of-the-art security systems are available to detect and scare intruders in your house
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CARTOON: RAVIKANTH NANDULA
Satisfied? Now, hang up and open the door. It's only me and not anyone else."
Peeping through the secret eye on your entrance door and talking with the visitor by partially opening the door (thanks to chain latch) has been the common mode of preventing strangers from entering your house. The market offers more sophisticated products and solutions to provide security.
Door alarms
There are two types of door alarms: audio and audio-visual. Those who opt for audio alarm can speak to the stranger, and let in only if his/her identity is established. With audio-visual alarm around, one can see the visitor on a monitor and let in or reject his/her entry into the house. These alarms are attached to controls that let you open and close the gates or doors.
Intrusion alarm system
This identifies the unauthorised entry of strangers from any point and scares them away. The gadgets form part of the system that can be customised to suit the needs.
The gadgets available in the market, separately and as package, are as follows:
Magnetic contacts: They detect forced entry of strangers. You can install them on doors and windows and also place them on cupboards, safes, air-conditioners, and also on the rolling gates leading to balcony.
Motion detectors: They detect even the slightest human movement and raise an alarm, alerting you about the prowler on your premises.
The detectors are placed at a height so that only the motion of a person is detected rather than an animal. While detectors work on infrared and microwave technologies, there are some detectors in the market which have an additional feature of giving the image of the field area, which is the area covered by the detector. Such detectors are usually placed near the opening gate and the corner areas outside the house.
Glass break detectors: They detect break-in through glass door or window.
Panic switches: Placed at strategic locations, these can be activated in case of an emergency and send an SOS at the press of a switch.
Silent alarm: These are usually used in apartment complexes and are found in the central security monitoring unit. They get activated when a button in the house is pressed, alerting the security personnel.
Smoke detectors: These are linked to the main security control to warn in case of any kind of smoke.
Heat and gas detectors: They are ideal to detect gas leakages and warn about potential fire hazardous conditions.
Closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) of different types are also used.
The alarm systems are connected to a control panel which receives the signals and report various types of emergency situations on one's premises. An inbuilt battery backup switches on automatically when power fails. The system can be connected, if required, to a central monitoring station (CMS) located at the headquarters of the service provider, which can receive signals from houses.
The station identifies the end user; his or her location; the type of alarm triggered; and passes off the information to the person concerned. It also informs the police/ambulance/fire brigade/personal doctor for further action.
The cost of intrusion alarm systems varies between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20 lakhs. They are available in wired as well as wireless versions. Bosch Security Systems (www.boschsecurity.com) has brought to the market a look-good Easy Series Intrusion Control Panel. According to the company, the panel's `intelligent threat assessment capability' minimises the risk of false alarms. The false alarms raised every time when one passes in front of the detectors or sensors are assessed by an oval-shaped device and a verified alarm report is created.
When fixed to the main doors, it gives adequate time for recognised users to get in and out. In case of delay (in closing and door and moving from its coverage area), the device alerts you with a soft tone first and then with increasing volume.
Godrej and Boyce provides different combinations of electronic alarm systems and access control systems, burglary and fire-resistant safes and cash boxes.
The cost
A simple intrusion alarm system provided by companies such by Eureka Forbes, which consists a control panel of six zones, a key-pad, one door sensor, two panic switches and a hooter, costs around Rs 10,500, says Narasimha H.S., Territory In-charge of the company. A video door phone costs around Rs. 10,150, door releaser Rs. 2,100 and CCTVs Rs. 4,000 to Rs 1.9 lakh. Some of these gadgets have helped police in catching persons involved in theft, says the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), G.B. Chebbi.
A video of a surveillance system installed in an ATM centre helped police to catch persons involved in the theft in a house in Viveknagar a year ago. Three years ago, the sound from a hooter of the burglar alarm installed in the house of a senior prison official made an eight-member gang run away.
RAGHAVA M.
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