Intruder Alarm Systems

Studies have shown that a well-fitted and maintained Intruder alarm system makes you less likely to become a victim of burglary. But how do you choose the right one for you and your home?

Below are some explanations to guide you through the Jargon, plus other useful things to consider when buying your Intruder Alarm.

Alarm types

The best type of alarm for your home depends on your personal preferences, budget, where you live, what your home is like and what level of protection you need. Our Surveyor will visit your home, chat about what is important to you and design a system that will work around you and your family, we will then provide a free specification & quotation.

A key consideration is what you would prefer to happen when your alarm goes off.

Bells-only alarms make a loud noise inside and outside the house and have a flashing strobe on the external front bellbox.

Additionally, you could get a monitoring contract, whereby you would pay monthly or annually for a monitoring centre to take action or call the police when the alarm goes off, details of these options are detailed below, plus other useful things to consider when buying your Intruder Alarm.

Wireless or wired alarm

Alarms can be either wired, wireless or a combination of both (hybrid). Wireless alarms look nicer, are generally easier to install and can be removed more easily if you move house. They use battery-powered sensors that communicate with a control panel using radio signals.

While this type of alarm tends to be cheaper to install, the alarms themselves can be more expensive. Wired systems usually need extra time to be installed, as the wires will need to be hidden, this can sometimes mean carpets or floorboards need to be removed and re-fitted meaning higher labour charges. However, if you are planning building works or have moved into a newly built property already pre-wired, this may be the best option for you.

Town & Country Security Systems have many years experience installing both wired and wire-free Intruder alarm systems including Installations in some rather unconventional properties, call today for more information on which type of system is right for you.

Bells-only alarm

When a bells-only (also called audible) alarm is triggered, it makes a loud noise, which will hopefully alert someone in the area to the situation and/or scare off an intruder. However, unlike a monitored alarm, it won’t automatically contact a named person or the police, so there is no guarantee that anything will be done.

It’s worth thinking about the kind of area you live in before deciding to get a bells-only alarm. Is there an active neighbourhood watch giving you confidence that someone will call the police? Or perhaps you have friends and relatives who live very close by who you could count on to take action?

Smart phone Controls come as standard on all our wireless Intruder Alarms.

Arm, Disarm and receive voice notifications whilst out and about. *Subscription to cloud services is free for the first 12 months then costs £36 per year

The Award winning Pyronix Enforcer Control Panel
  • Enforcer all in one two-way wireless panel with DIGI-WIFI communicator

  • Maximum total zones 66
    – 32 wireless zones expandable to 64
    – 2 wired zones expandable to 34

  • 3 Programmable wired outputs expandable to 38

  • 80 User codes, 32 wireless keyfobs with individual user ID

  • In built proximity reader (set/unset with tag)

  • 4 Level sets or 4 independent areas (Version 10 only)

  • Wide range of two-way wireless peripherals available

  • Security Grade 2, Environmental Class II

  • Customisable push notifications

  • PyronixCloud is a yearly subscription service*

External CCTV Cameras

Cameras can be linked to the Smart phone App to enable the homeowner to check on their property in the event of an activation. You can also store images on an optional SD card

Internal Cube Camera

You can view images and listen in from the Pro-Control App. You can also store images on an optional SD card

Magnetic Contact/Shock Sensors

A detector fitted to a door or window which detects an intruder. These detectors are available in white, brown or Anthracite grey.

Remote Fob

Stylish, compact and portable. Easy to use for all family members. Simply activate and deactivate your alarm with one touch.. Let your family sleep soundly or leave your home knowing it’s safe and secure.

Bell box

A stylish externally fitted sounder & strobe box with the Town & Country logo on the front will sound and flash in the event of a break in for a preset amount of time. It also has flashing LED lights as a visual deterrent at night time when the system is not activating. Also available as a backlit version. Call for details.

Passive Infra-red Detector (PIR)

These sensors are positioned in the corner of a room (usually at ceiling height) and detect movement within that room. Pet tolerant sensors are also available, so your pets can move around freely without triggering an alarm. Dual technology Detectors are a further option in harsh environments i.e. garages and conservatories.

Keypad

Hard Wired or Wireless Keypads can be added to the system for operation of the alarm in multiple locations, also allows you to locate the main control panel closer to PSTN telephone lines and Local Area Connections (LAN’s) whilst the remote keypad is located by the entry/exit point, making the system more versatile.

Proximity tag

A small plastic coated tag which is used to set & un-set your alarm system by presenting it to the keypad or external proximity reader, these can also be used in access control systems to open doors and are extremely durable.

Smoke Detector

Essential in any home, designed to detect smoke particles and trigger your alarm system potentially saving lives. When connected to a alarm receiving centre a smoke detector can provide a rapid response and prevent extensive damage occurring to your home.

Flood Sensor

This sensor will alert the alarm control panel of the presence of water leaks. Now with wireless capability, this early warning system can protect bathrooms, kitchens, basements and garages, preventing a leak turning into a flood, minimising damage to your property and furnishings.

When a bells-only (also called audible) alarm is triggered, it makes a loud noise, which will hopefully alert someone in the area to the situation and/or scare off an intruder. However, unlike a monitored alarm, it won’t automatically contact a named person or the police, so there is no guarantee that anything will be done.

It’s worth thinking about the kind of area you live in before deciding to get a bells-only alarm. Is there an active neighbourhood watch giving you confidence that someone will call the police? Or perhaps you have friends and relatives who live very close by who you could count on to take action?

Town & Country Security Systems offer different levels of Alarm Monitoring depending on your requirements and budget, call our office on Freephone 0800 1601125 where our staff will be more than happy to discuss these in more detail. You should always consult with your Insurance company to see if they have any specific requirements before deciding on which level is best for your home or business.

Level 1 Keyholder Response
If your property is regularly unoccupied, in a remote area or you would like the added security of someone being made aware of an alarm activation, for a small monthly fee you can have your system monitored by our ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre). Once triggered, the alarm will communicate with our ARC via your telephone line or the mobile phone network (if preferred) and an operator will then call your nominated keyholders.
Level 2 & 3 Keyholder Response with Police notification
In Addition to keyholder response we can set up your alarm for Police notification (provided it meets with the required standards) If your alarm system is activated by more than one detector and a confirmed signal is received by our ARC, the Police will automatically be notified. (requires Police registration). Level 2 Monitoring is usually set up to communicate over a standard telephone line or via the mobile phone networks using a world sim. Level 3 is more secure and usually combines either landline or Internet & mobile phone networks to communicate with the ARC.

Maintenance Contracts

If you have a maintenance contract, your alarm will be checked regularly by an engineer coming to your home either once or twice a year.

Having a Town & Country maintenance contract in place will give you complete peace of mind, we will change the batteries (in wireless systems) regularly, carry out a comprehensive 64-point check on your alarm system and attend to any faults during working hours (9-5) free of charge. On top of this you will have a dedicated engineer available 24/7 for telephone support should you need it.

If you have an alarm that needs servicing we can offer solutions, even if the alarm was not installed by us. We can also repair or replace parts of the system to get it up and running. We can repair and service any of the systems from the following manufacturers: Pyronix, Castle, Scantronic, Menvier, Texecom and many more.

“Regular maintenance should highlight and reduce defects, give you peace of mind and give you more redress if something goes wrong, Having your alarm system professionally maintained can help tackle any problems with false alarms. It is also a requirement of some insurance companies”

Which? Magazine