Alarms systems

[eccc whippet]

I got a quote to add an exapander...keypad  and do a few minor mods to my alarm system ...was expecting like a R 2 k quote...it turned out to be just under R20 k.

 

I thought it was over the top ... so i went and did a couple of basic and advanced courses on a few of the popular systems...bought a full 64 zone system with a Hyyp ...Xseries receiver... Xwave 2 bidirectional wireless hub...an LCD keypad and the serial cable... downloaded the hyyp app and IDS swift2 built a test rig which simulates my house...security lighting and even has a facility to switch off the wifes hair iron...just in case she forgets to switch it off... opens and closes my gate...garage doors... from the app or a 6 button remote... so without having to find the phone open the app then switch on security lights... ican press a button on the remote which activates all the security lights around my house and if i hold it in for 3 seconds the panic is activated.

 

While playing with the system i bought the serial cables for some of the more popular system ... and been having some fun just downloading alarm system program which allows you to preview the setup... and thats where it really started getting interesting... how many of my customers alarm systems...have for example on one site as many 9 zones bypassed (because they were causing false alarms) so it is easy for the "installer" to just bypass the zones.

 

Then what really got under my skin ... an installer from a company  turned around and told me i am legally not allowed to interfere with peoples alarms system because i am not a registered installer... no problem i scratched around and found out how to be come a "registered installer" apparently all the certificates and hands on course i have completed doesnt allow me to download the system info.

 

I have to pay R400 and spend another 5 days in an approved training centre and pass the course to be able to register with PSiRA and SAIDSA ...or pay R700 and not have to attend the classes... i am all for doing things right... i was also told by SIDSA that i am not welcome to join them as my intentions are a conflict of interest to their members.

 

The part that gets me ...this is the funny part ...the reason i cannot download the customers info from the system is because of bylaw 25 (google it) is because it could cause a problem with an insurance claim... ok ...so i am not allowed to download the info and review it... but a "registered installer" can create a loop hole in your system without you even being aware of it.

 

I ask myslef this question who is then doing random checks on alarm system to verify that these approved companies are not bypassing your system creating a loop hole in your home security system. 

 

I also ask myself what would happen if insurance companies found out and rejected a R100 000 claim for theft from a property... who would the customer sue me for downloading the info and pointing out the loop holes in their system ... the company installer who bypassed the zones... or the governing body who is responsible for the standards in the industry? 

 

If the insurance companies are so quick to reject a silly claim like mine for a ladder which slid of the roof on my vehicle onto my bonnet because one tyre was past the min depth mark (deemed not road worthy) imagine what a shyte storm it would cause if they got hold of some of the info i have on my computer.

 

My advice to you as a home or business owner make sure you have a commissioning sheet from the installer who fits and sets up your alarm system ...with all the relevant information... and i mean all the info... and get someone who is "suitably qualified" to do random checks on your system to verify that it has been setup correctly (another issue we have identified) and all the zones are in fact active and functioning correctly.

 

An alarm company would only have the right  not to disclose the installer code if they have changed it from the default setting if you are tied to a contract with them ...which included a "free system" which is include din your monthly fee. 

 

Please feel free to correct me ...as i am not a certified installer and not registered. 

[The Ouzo]

just to add onto the insurance part of this.

 

A few weeks back I get a call from my neighbour, my alarm is going off.

 

It was early in the morning, and as to not have the neighbours annoyed the entire day I jumped in my car and headed home to reset the alarm.

I thought it strange that I got no call from the security company, got hold of the wife and she never got a call either.

 

So after checking everything out at home I call the security company where they inform me they have a note on the system that they are not recieving signal from my alarm.

 

My question to them was "when were they going to inform me of this". 

A pre-requisite of my insurance policy is that the alarm must be functioning and linked to armed response, had there been a break in insurance would not have paid.

 

Since then I have been getting quotes on new systems with one of the main feature I want being able to monitor the alarm remotely, as you have found out, add a few things in and the quotes start rolling in north of 15k.

[eccc whippet]

just to add onto the insurance part of this.

 

A few weeks back I get a call from my neighbour, my alarm is going off.

 

It was early in the morning, and as to not have the neighbours annoyed the entire day I jumped in my car and headed home to reset the alarm.

I thought it strange that I got no call from the security company, got hold of the wife and she never got a call either.

 

So after checking everything out at home I call the security company where they inform me they have a note on the system that they are not recieving signal from my alarm.

 

My question to them was "when were they going to inform me of this". 

A pre-requisite of my insurance policy is that the alarm must be functioning and linked to armed response, had there been a break in insurance would not have paid.

 

Since then I have been getting quotes on new systems with one of the main feature I want being able to monitor the alarm remotely, as you have found out, add a few things in and the quotes start rolling in north of 15k.

I have had too many bad experiences with insurance companies (not even going to go into life policies...  I lost 2.4 million)  ...so when i left for my 10 day round trip to the cape and beyond... i got the insurance broker to visit my house... we went through every single window door...burglar guard ...security gate and alarm... it was worth the 1.5 hours spent with him... had to make a few changes which i did ...fortunately we didnt have any problems while on our trip but at least i knew i had cover while away... best thing we ever did changing to the broker we currently use.

 

We are busy sorting out all the damages at 2 office buildings in Durban ...power surges... insurance declined the claim on the grounds that there was no lightning on that day ...the fact that the lightning arresters are blown to pieces literally...and every electronic component in the building... has blown the PC boards... light fititngs...timers ...Aircons ...you name it.

 

We are busy preparing to challenge the claim...as the protection equipment was designed and installed with the help of one of the most knowledgeable people in the surge protection business who has since retired from surgetech ...the customer had taken precaution to install everything available ...including a trip connect... contactor... surge protection at the meter and in the main DB... as usual there is the fine print.

 

My advise to anyone who thinks they have surge protection ...make sure you read the fine print in your policy ...you have more chance of the neutral cables/bar being stolen form the sub station which will result in a massive surge of power damaging your electrical installations... than you have of getting hit by lightning ...the insurance companies are aware of this and now have fine print which no longer covers for this kind of damage... think about it just about every device on your property in this day and age has a PC board.

[eccc whippet]

Been having some fun with customers false alarm issues.

 

everything from bad joints...no sleeving over joints... loose connection in the panels ...low voltage at out door sensors due to "blackening" wire ...causing high resistance...squashed wires...incorrect zone types allocated...and they say there is a body which regulates this industry...eeeeish.