Recommendations for house alarm system

CuppaCocoa

Our house has just been renovated and our builders have put in the wiring for an alarm system. We have had a quote for installing an alarm system with six zones. I thought it was a bit high at €750 considering the wiring was already done . Monitoring is extra.

Can anyone p.m. me some recommendations for a more reasonable price or am I being unrealistic?

Thunderbird2

What exactly are you getting for that price?

CuppaCocoa

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

What exactly are you getting for that price?

Keypad, magnetic contacts and enertia window and door sensors. Personal attack button at the door. No beams. As I said, Its already been pre-wired.

KoolKid

Seems reasonable enough. There should always be at least one beam on every system. Can you tell us what system you are getting and how many inertia sensors and contacts are on the system.
You should always get at least 3 quotes and always ensure you compare like with like.
Also ensure you are dealing with a licensed installer.

altor

lilybarlean wrote: »

Our house has just been renovated and our builders have put in the wiring for an alarm system. We have had a quote for installing an alarm system with six zones. I thought it was a bit high at €750 considering the wiring was already done . Monitoring is extra.

Can anyone p.m. me some recommendations for a more reasonable price or am I being unrealistic?

Without knowing how many windows and doors are being covered it is hard to know if you getting a good price or not. If you can provide this then we can give you a price range of what you should expect to pay.

Thunderbird2

What they said ^^

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

What they said ^^

Better to know what he needs

KoolKid

lilybarlean wrote: »

We have had a quote for installing an alarm system with six zones.

I just noticed this. What system is he putting in ?
8 or 10 zones would be the norm now.

altor

Might just be the number of zones he needs.

Thunderbird2

altor wrote: »

Better to know what he needs

I was just using what koolkid and yourself said so i didnt have to type ! :P

Thunderbird2

altor wrote: »

Might just be the number of zones he needs.

Just what i was thinking:D hmmmmmmm

KoolKid

altor wrote: »

Might just be the number of zones he needs.

I would always split up the zones to make the best use of whats available,
It gives the customer more options & makes finding problems much easier in the future.

Thunderbird2

Once its not an old spec panel hes getting like the Aritech CS350 or the HKC 6 zone panel

KoolKid

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

Once its not an old spec panel hes getting like the Aritech CS350 or the HKC 6 zone panel

In which case €750 is way too dear.:rolleyes:

Thunderbird2

The neighbour has a glitchy Aritech panel but its still going!

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

The neighbour has a glitchy Aritech panel but its still going!

Plenty of these system going strong. If maintained they will get plenty more years out of them. The sensors and cables uses cant keep up with the panel in some homes.

Thunderbird2

The cable to the pir must be bust..... The beam was changed but it still sets off the alarm the odd time... Apparently its the same prob as the old one

KoolKid

Double up the pair for the zone & bring them back as 1 single cable.

Thunderbird2

I never even hinted that i looked at it.... Your good

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

The cable to the pir must be bust..... The beam was changed but it still sets off the alarm the odd time... Apparently its the same prob as the old one

Not the PIR so

Thunderbird2

It only started to happen after the house was done up... At first i thought it was the paint that was covering the PIR.. But then i noticed that it was activating at the same time every day.. Checked the heating timer incase the wire moved onto a hot pipe.. But the time was well off.. Then there was the creepy idea of someone actually being in the house because it was empty at the same time every day( could be as i wasnt checking!) But since the beam was changed it randomly goes off (only when set)same sensor. But as i said it is a glitchy panel as when i put it into engineer mode it wiped itself of all settings( freak out moment!)

KoolKid

Another process of elimination would be to swap the zones in the panel. Just to eliminate a problem with the input.

Thunderbird2

Tried that, re - wired everything. Zone one which was the front door was also the back windows tamper circuits, i think its time could be up

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

It only started to happen after the house was done up... At first i thought it was the paint that was covering the PIR.. But then i noticed that it was activating at the same time every day.. Checked the heating timer incase the wire moved onto a hot pipe.. But the time was well off.. Then there was the creepy idea of someone actually being in the house because it was empty at the same time every day( could be as i wasnt checking!) But since the beam was changed it randomly goes off (only when set)same sensor. But as i said it is a glitchy panel as when i put it into engineer mode it wiped itself of all settings( freak out moment!)

If the PIR is activating at the same time every day then it is an environmental issue. Try a dual tech

Thunderbird2

no harm giving it a go. I could swap ... Buy a dual tech and swap .. I need another ID beam anyway... Like the idea of having plenty of beams! . Would there be anything against that?
Would the panel defaulting its settings not be a cry for help?

KoolKid

I would be looking to solve this problem before replacing the panel.

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

no harm giving it a go. I could swap ... Buy a dual tech and swap .. I need another ID beam anyway... Like the idea of having plenty of beams! . Would there be anything against that?
Would the panel defaulting its settings not be a cry for help?

The more the better once you can arm and disarm the system to get around the house. What do you mean by the panel defaulting its settings?

Thunderbird2

When i went to do a quick walk test( because of some vandlism ) . Checked all sensors . Left the menu then checked the arm settings and the beam tripped after it was part set... I never went near the zone menu and i didnt rush through the menus.i had to go back into zone attributes and turn back on ''PG'' this has happened twice

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

When i went to do a quick walk test( because of some vandlism ) . Checked all sensors . Left the menu then checked the arm settings and the beam tripped after it was part set... I never went near the zone menu and i didnt rush through the menus.i had to go back into zone attributes and turn back on ''PG'' this has happened twice

That is a strange one. Are you sure you did not press no when you exited the menu :rolleyes:

Thunderbird2

I went straight into walk test in maintenence tested the sensors then left engineer mode

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

I went straight into walk test in maintenence tested the sensors then left engineer mode

Strange one then :eek:

Thunderbird2

Time must be up

altor

Thunderbird2 wrote: »

Time must be up

What zone type have you the zone configured for?

CuppaCocoa

Get off me thread . Here's the spec:

Securewatch remote keypad manufactured to IS199. Anti false alarm features are incorporated.The unit contains isolating and setting switches with audible and visual indication that the system has set.The installation is fitted with anti-tamper.authorised exit and entry is controlled by a time delay built into the system.
A power unit to be located within the protected area,this reverts to a 7 amp/hour rechargeable battery,in the event of a mains failure to keep the system operational.
The system is installed in accordance with the provisions of ...EN50131

ZONE ALLOCATIONS
ZONE 1: Perimeter protection is provided by enertia sensor and magnetic contact fitted to front door opening.This door to be programmed for timed exit entry.

ZONE 2: Perimeter protection is provided by magnetic contact and enertia sensor fitted to front downstairs window. Magnetic contact will monitor open window.

ZONE 3: Perimeter protection is provided at downstairs back windows & doors by enertia sensors & magnetic contacts.Magnetic contact will monitor open windows and door.

ZONE 4: Perimeter protection is provided upstairs by magnetic contacts and enertia sensor fitted to upstairs rear windows. Magnetic contact will monitor open window.

ZONE 5: Perimeter protection is provided upstairs by magnetic contacts and enertia sensor fitted to upstairs front windows. Magnetic contact will monitor open window. Upstairs windows at front to be programmed for part guard operation when the residence is occupied.

ZONE 6: A personal attack button to be fitted at front door.

WARNING DEVICES: A self activating sounder to be located on the front elevation of the building.This is designed to sound instantly when the alarm is activated,when the wires to the unit are cut or short-circuited or whenever the case has been tampered with.The unit is manufactured to comply with..EN50131.
A light flasher is fitted on the external box and starts immediately the alarm is
activated.An internal siren is located within the protected area.Decoy box to be fitted to back of residence.

Security system supplied and fitted as above configuration:.......€ 750.

KoolKid

Secure watch?
IS 199?
He is quoting you very old equipment here.
Are you sure this guy is PSA licensed?
Get a few quotes is my advice.

CuppaCocoa

KoolKid wrote: »

Secure watch?
IS 199?
He is quoting you very old equipment here.
Are you sure this guy is PSA licensed?
Get a few quotes is my advice.

Yep, he's PSA allright, sent me the doc to prove it.

CuppaCocoa

Can anyone pm me some recommendations for other contractors?

KoolKid

I cant believe he's trying to sell you a secure watch. .
have a look at the sticky here.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055956748

Also take a look here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056242435
It will give you link to the PSA register.
You can do a search for installers local to you.

altor

lilybarlean wrote: »

Get off me thread . Here's the spec:

Securewatch remote keypad manufactured to IS199. Anti false alarm features are incorporated.The unit contains isolating and setting switches with audible and visual indication that the system has set.The installation is fitted with anti-tamper.authorised exit and entry is controlled by a time delay built into the system.
A power unit to be located within the protected area,this reverts to a 7 amp/hour rechargeable battery,in the event of a mains failure to keep the system operational.
The system is installed in accordance with the provisions of ...EN50131

ZONE ALLOCATIONS
ZONE 1: Perimeter protection is provided by enertia sensor and magnetic contact fitted to front door opening.This door to be programmed for timed exit entry.

ZONE 2: Perimeter protection is provided by magnetic contact and enertia sensor fitted to front downstairs window. Magnetic contact will monitor open window.

ZONE 3: Perimeter protection is provided at downstairs back windows & doors by enertia sensors & magnetic contacts.Magnetic contact will monitor open windows and door.

ZONE 4: Perimeter protection is provided upstairs by magnetic contacts and enertia sensor fitted to upstairs rear windows. Magnetic contact will monitor open window.

ZONE 5: Perimeter protection is provided upstairs by magnetic contacts and enertia sensor fitted to upstairs front windows. Magnetic contact will monitor open window. Upstairs windows at front to be programmed for part guard operation when the residence is occupied.

ZONE 6: A personal attack button to be fitted at front door.

WARNING DEVICES: A self activating sounder to be located on the front elevation of the building.This is designed to sound instantly when the alarm is activated,when the wires to the unit are cut or short-circuited or whenever the case has been tampered with.The unit is manufactured to comply with..EN50131.
A light flasher is fitted on the external box and starts immediately the alarm is
activated.An internal siren is located within the protected area.Decoy box to be fitted to back of residence.

Security system supplied and fitted as above configuration:.......€ 750.

It is not a good deal, I can't believe they are trying to sell you a securewatch.
The newer version is the Securewave, this panel can also take wire free devices. You may never need them but it is built into the control panel. The text dialer off the securewave can also do text or voice so if your service provider is UPC like so many others you can still self monitor the alarm.