3.0—Home Security and Surveillance Systems

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Chapter
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Another secret password is used if the owner is in peril or possibly held hostage
by a burglar. This password, when passed after an alarm condition has been
reset, results in a police response. This is the option used if the homeowner is
asked to respond to the monitoring station phone call by an intruder who
(hopefully) does not know the distinction between the two passwords.
Passwords are used only if the monitoring station needs to authenticate the
cause of an alarm condition when the residents are at home. Law enforcement
agencies can penalize homeowners for excessive false alarms.
Common sense should guide the selection of a security system password used with a
monitoring service. Never use family or pet names, birth dates, street names, or any
word found in the dictionary. The preferred password should include both letters and
numbers, and a password should be memorized and never be written down. Numeric
keypad codes should also avoid the use of birth dates or home address numbers.
Keypad Locations
Keypads are located by most contractors on the inside wall near the door most
often used by the occupants. They are also frequently located in the bedroom
to provide easy access by the users when retiring or arising. Keypads used for
home security perimeter protection are not recommended for outside mounting
because this would allow tampering, vandalism, or attempts by an intruder
to search for a correct code. Some exceptions to this rule are applications
such as exterior security gates and gated community entrances.
Sensor Locations
Sensors perform all the functions required for detecting and reporting an intrusion
in the area they are designed to protect. Window and door sensors are
installed on the door or window frame. Window sensors can be protected by
either a magnetic switch that detects an opening of the window frame or other
types mounted on the window to detect the sound or vibration of broken glass.
Interior surveillance cameras and motion detectors are usually wall mounted
and are used to protect open areas where an intruder might be able to defeat
the perimeter security system sensors.
Exterior surveillance cameras and security lighting systems should be located
in areas near the front, side, and rear entrances to detect intruders before
they reach the perimeter security sensors.
Motion Detector Locations
Motion detectors are usually mounted in the corner of a room. This enables the
PIR type of motion detector to cover a 90° field. As illustrated in Figure 3.7,
they are sensitive to movement across the sensor field of view.