We also have to provide practical 'hands on' installation suggestions in order to help installers at all levels look at alternative techniques through which they can expand their operator base.
This is essential if we are to make the most of all the electronic security techniques that are available to us. With this in mind the development and progression of wireless systems within our industry gives us an ideal opportunity to illustrate a number of important issues.
Firstly, we can say that wireless alarms are becoming increasingly refined and open up new business opportunities for installers. These systems help to maximise profitability as they now include all of the conventional outputs for the connection of signalling devices.
The Class of product to BS 6799 can be selected to suit the application. Class 3 for instance is a cost effective unsupervised bells-only system whilst Class 6 is supervised for police response via an Alarm Receiving Centre providing the installation satisfies the local/national police force criteria. For those installers who have never had an active involvement with radio systems but want to make casual inroads in recognition of the potential they have in reduced installation times there are two main starting up options available.
These are:
fitting a wireless interface to an existing hardwired control panel and then adding wireless detectors;
or installing a generic control panel that uses a mix of hardwired and wireless techniques.
Wireless interfaces … a good starting point.
These are available as a receiver for the connection of radio detectors or panic buttons and can be either single or multi zone. It is sited adjacent to the existing hardwired conventional panel and connected to it by clean relay contacts. The state of the detector is analysed via the receiver by a wireless technique and is then interfaced into the existing conventional control panel by the traditional hardwired method.
In practice the signal from the wireless detector is changed in state from wireless to conventional hardwired and then opens a normally closed circuit zone loop in the control panel so the attributes otherwise do not change.
This technique can be applied to any security control equipment or panel as illustrated in Fig 1.
Employing interfaces is an ideal first step into an involvement with wireless components as it means installers continue to use the traditional hardwired equipment with which they are familiar. Only a small system part using a new technique is additional.
The installer can think in terms of fitting an extra part to any original system, such as a detection device within a remote garage or small premises, which is difficult to run cables to or would be time consuming in trying to do so.
Alternatively, it is possible to offer existing customers the benefits of a portable PA/medical alert for the times they must attend a remote point so that emergency signalling or zone activation is available immediately at the push of a button.
Generic control panels …the next stage
Even though we accept that wirefree technology allows systems to be upgraded efficiently and with the minimum of disruption, there are still occasions when hardwiring remains the only option because specialist detection or remote keypads must be installed.
The needs for both technologies lead to the introduction of generic or hybrid control equipment that enables both hardwired and radio zones to be used, or a combination of both. Indeed, such dual control panels meeting Class 6 can comply with ACPO 2000 and DD243 for police response and also meet EN5013 1 -1 Grade 3 of the European Standards for high risk applications.
In all cases the frequencies used in wireless alarm systems are allocated for short range devices. These are, indeed, advanced items of equipment employing all attributes that are time honoured in the intruder sector. In addition, the use of wirefree peripherals means that no cabling at all needs to be employed, as the peripherals can be sited at any position at which the signal strength is detected. Remote diagnostics are used to identify the particular radio frequency (RF) signal strength.
Interfaces are an ideal first step into wireless … installers can still use traditional hardwired kit
Of course supervised wireless products will provide reports for the installer of RF signal jamming and transmitter inactivity so the advanced system will remain secure. The installer may use these with confidence.
But what particular considerations exist for those installers who are experienced with hardwired devices but remain unfamiliar with wireless networks and only want to make a general move into this market initially with lower class systems such as Class 3?
Compromise of radio frequency devices
The installer working with hardwired systems will know what to consider when installing cables. However, with wireless systems the requirements are rather different. The communication signals must always be able to link between components so there are a number of important points.
Therefore when installing the control panel think in terms of:
- Locating it at a central point in the building so as to receive equal signal strength from detectors.
- Mounting it at eye level and never at floor level or in a basement.
- Not siting it close to large metal objects or close to concentrations of mains cabling or RF sources.
Manufacturers of wirefree systems will always provide a method of checking the signal strength either from the meters integral with the control equipment or via hand-held test receivers so an assurance of suitability is easily obtained.
A record of the signal strength obtained using a digital voltmeter, together with the type of signalling used, is actually required as part of the System Record but can be aided by voltmeter connections on the circuit boards.
The installer must nevertheless appreciate that the free space radio range is in an open area and will be reduced within the building so this must be taken into account.
Using the control equipment diagnostics (sensor inactivity, low battery, system jammed or radio signal blocked) as an aid to commissioning will ensure that the installation is satisfactory.
Radio systems … looking further afield
Although we tend to use the terms "wireless" and "radio" in the same context, the term wireless is more applicable in relation to a system restricted to the confines within a building, with radio applying to more widespread activity.
For such widespread activity, radio operated components need not be limited to use in intruder alarm systems. In the wider scheme of things they can be employed to heighten the level of all other security networks including access control, CCTV and lighting.
Radio operated, battery powered, detection devices placed at remote locations to which cables cannot be run are ideal at giving pre-warning of events when working as perimeter intruder detection systems (PID'S).
They can activate buzzers, strobes or input cameras as the application of them is only limited by the imagination of the installer. In these instances the radio transmitter provides the communication link with the receiver back at the control equipment so that all other alarm/dialler outputs, facilities and attributes of the hardwired network remain standard.
In more general applications purpose designed sensors are available with, as an example, integral PIR/radio transmitters being able to communicate with the receiver over distances of some 500 metres.
Therefore a perimeter area can be lit or surveillance prepared from a difficult remote area well in advance of the approach of a person or vehicle.
For those detection devices that are not integral with the transmitter but must be energised by a unique dc power supply it is possible to use a convenient local mains circuit. There is no need for it to be taken back to the control equipment or to be on the same phase. In these instances the wiring is otherwise based on that shown for linking the intruder control panel, but the relay contacts will switch an output from the particular equipment which may further signal additional contactors if there is a need to drive mains powered devices.
Integration: A link between systems
In mainstream electronic security, hardwired systems have become well established. They are easily understood, are time honoured and will certainly form the basis of electronic security networks for the foreseeable future. However, a market is also opening up for new generation of wireless systems and radio based components for those instances when cabling is not an option.
One third of all euro alarms are wireless, says new report
Wireless technology is predicted to take the intruder alarm market “ by storm” says a new report into alarms throughout Europe. Of the total 7.3m alarms installed in European households, in 2001, approximately one third were wireless alarms. The UK and the Republic of Ireland have the highest penetration rate of security systems overall (9 per cent compared to 5 per cent for the rest of Europe)The new study by Frost & Sullivan, the international marketing consultancy, says: “Wireless technology will take the intrusion equipment systems sector by storm. This technology is easier to be operated and installed, as well as more affordable than its wired counterpart.”
The report says that against a backdrop of persistently high crime rates, the problem of urban unemployment and the fear of a simple burglary escalating into violence, end-users feel compelled to protect themselves. “The fear of crime causes a rising number of people to take extreme steps to prevent becoming a victim, making the residential security industry increasingly profitable.”
Across Europe, revenues jointly amassed by sales of intrusion detection systems, alarm services, installation, repairs, monitor-ing, technology upgrades and maintenance as well as smoke and fire detection equipment, stood at $1.29 billion in 2001. Growing end-user awareness of the different types of security equipment and their benefits is reflected in the dramatic increase in security system installation. Consequently, partici-pants in the equipment market are advised to “boost promo-tional campaigns to further encourage uptake, rather than mainly channelling efforts into building credibility and faith in security products”.
Difficulty keeping a foothold
“The growing finacial attractiveness of the European residential security industry will prompt multinational groups to expand their presence in the market, to the detriment of rival national companies. As prices are expected to remain low, and increasingly user-friendly emerging technologies are adopted to the residential sector’s requirements, the battle for greater market share is hotting up.”
The European residential market will see a shift in focus from security hardware equipment to security services in terms of revenue generation. “The high degree of fragmentation and intensifying competition is forcing down prices for security services, hardware and software, making it increasingly difficult for some companies to obtain profit-able margins and retain their foothold in the industry. However, prices are expected to stabilise towards the end of our forecast period due to a growing trend towards mergers and acquisitions and the threat of suffering profits in an intensive price war,” reports Jose Melero-Mart, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “ In the residential security services sector, demand will be concentrated on basic services offered at competitive prices, such as the connection to central monitoring stations,” he explains. The study believes that around 32 per cent of European households are connected to an alarm receiving centre).
‘Key stumbling block’
Melero-mart notes that the lack of interest shown in smoke detectors across Southern European countries is a key stumbling block in the development of this sector, despite efforts invested by governments, industry bodies and associations to convince the general public of the necessity of fire risk prevention. “More than 100 companies compete on the European residential security equipment manufacturing stage, as well as distributors importing equipment in the Far East. Most of the companies operate in local and regional markets, though a large number of them, particularly the UK, show a higher degree of internationalization”, says the report. “In terms of security services, the European market is controlled by Securitas, Group4Falck and ADT, a subsidiary of Tyco Fire and Security. ADT is rapidly gaining market share by implementing an aggressive market policy that offers free equipment and installation if a contract of security services is signed by the customer. Its acquisition spree, including CIPE in France and Benelux, Protection One in the the UK and Viterra Sicherheit in Germany, has also helped catapult ADT into the top league.”
The study points to a growing trend, “especially in the UK”, towards commercialising intruder alarm systems through e-commerce platforms and DIY warehouses. “Thus, distributors target those individuals willing to buy a security system that is easy to install and who are reticent to spend the monthly fee required for signing a contract of security services. This market is forecast to display favourable developments and potential for growth.”
The study (Report code B100) is priced at 6,000 euros. Contact: www.frost.com or tel 0207 343 8383.
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Fig 1: Wireless interfaces ... a good starting point
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Postscript
Gerard Honey is an installer and writer of many security textbooks, including Emergency and Security Lighting, published by Newnes at £19.99 (reviewed in Security Installer, January 2002)
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