(Digital communicators had largely replaced tape diallers and RedCARE was a cheaper alternative to a direct line system, reported central station MD Paul Miller ...)
"These systems are all well known and offer very reliable remote signalling, but they all suffer from the same vulnerability – wire connections can easily be cut. Over the past few years the number of attacks on alarm systems has steadily increased, generally by cutting the BT line.
"A signalling method is now available which relies on radio transmission from the protected premises to the central station via a data communication service – Paknet, a joint venture company owned by Racal Telecommunications plc and Mercury Communications Ltd.
"Specifiers have shown a positive attitude towards alarm signalling via Paknet, and will be looking to installers to take full advantage of this new technology."
Training was initially confusing!
(Training was a hot potato in the security industry, said Editor Joss Joselyn. For a long time people had been saying things like 'It's the cowboys who give us a bad name'. Everyone was concerned with establishing NVQs as soon as practicable ...)
"Sets of initials like SITO, NCVQ and ILB frequently crop up when some new step is suggested or actually taken towards this goal. Now there is a new set of initials – EAST, which stands for Electrical And Security Training. What is behind this latest acronym? It is a scheme devised by George Carroll who is Group Training Manager for the Loss Prevention Council – that is LPC and another set of initials.
"With NACOSS support he is setting up a consortium of colleges where alarm engineering is currently being taught and the aim is to develop a reasonably priced national apprenticeship scheme.
"The advantage for the security industry is that every time a youngster qualifies another cowboy bites the dust."
Looking at locks
(Locks and alarms should work together – every installer knew that – but you need to know how to locate the right hardware. We had some suggestions about door and window security, including five-lever locks, weak links, rim and mortice locks, patio problems and package deals ...)
"Awareness of the need for quality locks has increased in recent years with pressure being put on builders, through trade bodies such as the National House Building Council and the police-initiated Secured By Design schemes, to improve levels of security in new build. The evidence shows, however, that there remains a large proportion of your customers without locks on their windows, or appropriate door locks.
"Using stronger materials and incorporating features which makes locks more difficult to attack, plus an increased range of finishes to keep up with design-conscious consumers, have been the priorities of designers and marketing departments throughout the industry."
Alive and clucking
(The lives of thousands of unborn chicks were being protected by a Genesis "intelligent" security system from Securicor Granley ...)
"Genesis is used by Mayfield Chicks Ltd to monitor temperature levels in its incubators. A temperature or power failure in any one of the incubators could destroy thousands of pounds worth of eggs. The eggs are incubated for 21 days before they hatch.
"If the temperature rises too high over a two-minute period, threatening the unhatched chicks, Genesis automatically alerts the Securicor control room in Manchester."
Source
Security Installer
