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Access Control Systems & Technology Paper

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Access Control Systems & Technology Paper

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Alarm Systems

Bells and whistles usually signify celebration and late night partying for the everyday hardworking, fun loving person. However, for the security professional those bells and whistles denote trouble, threats, and breaches. Alarms serve as a tool to alert security professionals and others who aim to protected assets, property and people. Alarms are devises installed in places such as schools, banks, homes, businesses, cars, and even on machines such as boilers and machines. Alarms come in many forms and designs all with the objective to identify an intrusion or malfunction and alert someone of the issue. The alarm system uses are determined by the assets, people, or property they are meant to protect. Other factors include budget, level of threat, and risk levels.

Types of Alarms

There are several types of electronic alarm systems. There are the movement detectors, magnetic reed switches, and distress or panic alarm systems. These systems are effective measures to detect intruders and alert security professionals of danger, intrusions, and emergency situations silently and audibly.

Movement Detectors

Movement detector alarm systems are devices that are connecting the detector to the alarm and activate the alarm when a breach occurs. The movement detector is installed on walls, at strategic locations throughout a building or facility. A movement detector system recognizes movement or heat and sounds an alarm when the detector is triggered. This type of alarm system, when a breach occurs notifies members of the public, a monitoring company, or the relevant authorities about suspicious activity in the area or at the specific address.

. Magnetic Switches

According to Patrolmyhome.com (2011) “Magnetic contact switches are used in doors and windows which work when magnetic fields are cut by the opening of doors” (p. 1, para. 1). The site goes on to say “The magnetic alarm switches are connected in a loop which is always closed (always in contact). They consist of electric contact switches and magnets. When doors or windows are closed, the switches sensitive to magnets close the circuit and when they open breaks the contact thus cutting the circuit. This [action] sets off the alarm (p. 1, para. 4).

Distress or panic

Distress or panic systems are commonly found on commercial boilers, heating systems, homes, and fire, and emergency alarm systems at schools and commercial buildings. These types of alarm systems sent off a signal automatically or manually that triggers the alarm when there is a sign of distress, panic or malfunction. A fire alarm is a common type of panic or distress alarm. Life Alert is a medical alarm system commonly used by senior citizens who live alone and the device alerts the proper authorities of an incident when the alarm is triggered.

Other types of access control

Other types of alarms include Amber Alert, horns, and whistles. As stated earlier Alarms serve as a tool to alert security professionals and others who aim to protected assets, property, and people. Security professional have come to rely upon the Amber Alert to provide public service announcements, which is a type of alarm to the public about current dangers. Horns and whistles are tools used by individuals to ward off danger, alert others, and bring attention to suspicious or dangerous situations. Sirens on police cars and fire trucks are alarms that notify the public of an emergency that requires vehicles to pull over and make way for an emergency vehicle responding to another alarm, responding to an emergency. Signage that notifies people of an armed alarmed security system is in use also serves to alert people and protect assets, property and people.

False Alarms

False alarms have long been an issue that has challenged the security professional. False alarms occur either because a system malfunctions, or outside distractions or forces. A false alarm is defined by thefreedictionary.com (2011) “As a needless alarm given in error or with intent to deceive, an occasion on which danger is perceived but fails to materialize, a needless alarm given in error or with intent to deceive, an occasion on which danger is perceived but fails to materialize” (p. 1, Para. 1). False alarms can be costly and they also over time can present a false sense of security that can lead to serious danger, loss of life, property damage, and a successful criminal act.

In Closing alarms are tools that assist security professionals and the public in protecting assets, property, and people. Alarms by themselves are not effective; they must have other devices connected to them, or in conjunction with them to trigger the signal that activates the alarm. Alarms are devices that assist people and security professionals protect an area not manned, or monitored by a guard. Alarms serve as eyes that can identify certain situations such as intrusions, breaches, malfunctions, fires, emergency situations, and danger. Alarms systems are effective only when the proper system is installed for a specific purpose that fits the environment the system. It should be noted that alarms come in many types and forms silent, audible, wired, wireless, automatic, and manual. They serve the same purpose to alert someone of a potential danger or intrusion. False alarms are a problem that security professionals and the public face, but the technology is developing to limit and eliminate the risks of false alarms.

References

(2010). You Simply Cannot Do Without Magnetic Switches If You Really Want To Be Secure. Patrolmyhome.com. Retrieved June 2011, from http://www.patrolmyhome.com/home-security-articles/magnetic-contact-switch.php
(2011). False Alarms. The Free Dictionary. Retrieved June 18, 2001, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/false+alarm

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