Door Security Alarms To Determine Unwanted Entry

Door alarm systems provide increased security by giving out a warning sound, (in the form of a beep, siren, buzzing sound, or if you like the extraordinary, then barking or yelping sounds) whenever the alarm system senses the security being breached. The door alarms can either be wireless door alarms or they can be cabled with wires (hard-wired door alarm systems) that can be concealed. In a small business, mostly shops or service centers, it is not practical or possible for the owner or the salesmen/women to be watching the door all the time to notice if someone walks in. By installing hard wired door opening alarms, the people in the business are alerted whenever someone enters or exits a door.

Types of door alarm systems

Door alarm security systems are basically of two types: the simple basic kind and the highly sophisticated automated door alarm systems. The basic systems simply notify a business that someone has entered or exited by sounding a beep or some other sound. The sophisticated variety can have many additional features.

Technology has made installation of door alarms an easy task. Nowadays, wireless door alarms are in vogue as the buyer can install them easily, and these are effective too. Nowadays, even large companies use sophisticated door alarm security to tackle emergencies. These alarm systems need professional installation.

Burglar door alarms systems are available in many variations. Business houses buy them according to their safety requirements. These are best illustrated by the following examples:

• A small shop will most likely install a basic door alarm system so that if any customer enters, the alarm sounds and the sales staff are on their toes.
• A supermarket will install a sophisticated alarm system that carries a feature that can give them security against shoplifting too. In supermarkets, inventory is tagged with a security device. If any inventory passes the door with the security tag still on it, it triggers the door alarm, making it possible to catch the thief red-handed.
• A large company having several entry and exit points will go for a multi-door security alarm that is monitored centrally from a control room. The alarm will sound not at the door where it is installed but in the control room. The same case with garage door alarm

Elements of a door alarm system

The following are the basic elements of a door alarm system:

• Control system: This is a piece of equipment where the wiring ends and the backup battery is housed.
• Keypad: This element of the door alarm system is used to activate or deactivate the alarm system.
• Alarm: The device that produces the sound.
• Motion detector: This detects any air pressure variations in a room caused by the entry of any person.
• Contacts: Contacts are fixed to the door and when it is opened or shut, they sound off the alarm.

Add-ons to a door alarm system

Nowadays door alarm systems come with a big list of add-ons and many marketers try to convince you that these are indispensable. However, you should buy only those that are needed and skip the frivolous ones like portable door alarm. Here are some examples of such add-ons:

• Smoke detector: In addition to sounding out an alarm when someone enters or exits through the door, a smoke-detecting add-on will sound out an alarm when it detects smoke. This is useful in companies vulnerable to fire hazards.
• Glass break detector: If the door is made of glass, then it is possible that an intruder may try to gain entry by cutting out the glass rather than by opening the door, which he knows is secured. A glass break detector will raise an alarm if the glass is tampered with.
• Panic buttons: Door alarm systems can come with panic button add-ons that are installed in close proximity to a key employee/s. If the door alarm siren wails and if an emergency situation arises, then the employee/s can press the panic button, warning the employees either to evacuate, or take any emergency response action.
• Closed-circuit television (CCTV): When a company has multiple entry and exit points, then a CCTV will be a good add-on as the monitoring staff can see who is entering or exiting. Also, as CCTV can record, such recordings can serve as evidence in case there is theft.
• Alarm screen for windows: A window often lies in close proximity to a door. It is possible that an intruder who knows that the door is wired may try to gain entry through the window. In situations like these, a window alarm system or screen can shout out an alarm or flash a light.

To sum up, a door alarm system is a secondary alarm system. It serves as a good backup to primary systems such as biometric security, CCTV, etc.