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January 28, 2009
Burglar / Fire Alarm?
I'm moving to a new place in Cobble Hill in about a month and I really am confused about what burglar / fire alarm system to install. My contractors know nothing and I've heard awful stories about ADT. I'm installing motion lights in the front and on the garden, but want total protection. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Comments
Well a few things:
A dog works well for both.
Are you looking for a monitoring company, or merely an electronic alarm as a deterrent?
Is your fire alarm going to be connected directly to central monitoring?
I would also suggest, if financially viable, infrared hi-resolution digital cameras connected to a hard drive which will store up to a month's worth of video. They are a deterrent to some degree, and if anything happens there will be a good chance of catching the burglars. The month's worth of footage to check to see if someone had been professionally casing your place. Such things also work wonders for stolen mail or packages. It also provides a means of checking whom is at the door or in the alley from any TV or alarm panel in your home. Did I mention most insurance companies will also love you?
Posted by: FenFen at January 27, 2009 5:06 PM
I won't recommend companies as I am in the trade, though I will say I think ADT stands for another dumb technician. I will suggest that no matter which company you go with you should have your electrician pull the cables. Let the alarm company handle the terminations, but don't let them run stuff in your home - most of them are hacks. And don't forget to ask for their NYS license number.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at January 27, 2009 5:28 PM
What I really want is a nice system that can operate wirelessly, that can detect fire CO and unwanted intruders and will make a loud noise and perhaps turn on the lights in any of those events. I could probably be convinced to add card entry and maybe other fun gadgets that I've never even considered. I need a recommendation for a reputable company that can install or suggest equipment that I can have my electrician install. I am not going to reopen any walls and I don't really care about monitoring. Many thanks.
Posted by: cetus at January 27, 2009 5:44 PM
You need the monitoring to get the insurance discount. In this day and age you can buy anything online. If you want a shopping list with model #s for your electrician or want pointers email at ejohnjoyceATgmail
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at January 27, 2009 5:54 PM
ADT has been giving me one royal screwing.
One thing I found out about monitoring, you probably don't want fire. When your smoke detector goes off due to some enthusiastic cooking, the NYFD shows up. You are not allowed (according to ADT) to cancel under NYC code.
Posted by: denton at January 27, 2009 6:54 PM
BTW fenfen, where do you hide all those electronic goodies from the burglars when they get in?
Posted by: denton at January 27, 2009 6:55 PM
Sorry Denton, they got that one right. If they get a fire signal they have to call it in and there is no canceling.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at January 27, 2009 7:05 PM
I'd advise not wiring smoke detectors in or directly next to kitchens to central monitoring for that reason.
Posted by: FenFen at January 27, 2009 8:03 PM
Or outside the bathroom (steam looks like smoke to a photoelectric detector).
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at January 27, 2009 10:28 PM
BFAG: No canceling?? I guess then that you can choose not to renew at the end of the current contract term. One can not be expected to pay for it forever!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at January 28, 2009 10:47 AM
"No canceling" didn't mean no canceling the entire service. It meant an individual fire alarm, once transmitted, cannot be canceled as a false alarm (i.e., they always have to come check it out, just in case).
Posted by: Brownstonerlogin at January 28, 2009 11:02 AM
you should consider encasing the first floor of your house in 1/2" thick steel sheet
Posted by: werner at January 28, 2009 11:02 AM
I swear access control is the most underutilized technology in the residential market. Imagine opening your door by waving your wallet at it or holding your keychain near it. The technology has come down in price significantly and now that homeowners have access online to buy direct it is finally affordable. The convenience is unbelievable. Having recently moved, my biggest gripe is not having my card access system installed yet.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at January 28, 2009 11:19 AM
i have used ADT in 2 different properties and in my office, and am totally happy with them. not sure what the problem with them is.
Posted by: wine lover at January 28, 2009 11:31 AM
While light may be an issue... the 1/2" thick steel sheet encasement would probably look really cool. Like having your own piece of the Jüdisches Museum Berlin.
Posted by: tybur6 at January 28, 2009 11:31 AM
We have had a fairly simple ADT system for several years and found it to be okay.
Posted by: sallyz at January 28, 2009 1:25 PM
our ADT system is all wireless - there are no cables. right?
Posted by: wine lover at January 28, 2009 1:43 PM
There are two ways to go as I understand it, wither cheap up front and expensive monthly or money upfront an cheap monthly. Either way I strongly recommend :
Alarms R US
1812 76TH St
Brooklyn, NY 11214
(718) 236-1166
Bob is one of the nicest people ever and he is very honest.
Posted by: superstooper at January 28, 2009 3:02 PM
There are two ways to go as I understand it, Either cheap up front and expensive monthly or money upfront an cheap monthly. You can also combine wireless and hardwired. Either way I strongly recommend :
Alarms R US
1812 76TH St
Brooklyn, NY 11214
(718) 236-1166
Bob is one of the nicest people ever and he is very honest. He is very knowledgeable and has very clever solutions.
Posted by: superstooper at January 28, 2009 3:03 PM
super, who does the monitoring?
Posted by: denton at January 28, 2009 3:29 PM
It is my understanding that the different companies have their own central stations. I could be wrong. Call Bob. The main thing is that he is not in bed with one company.
Posted by: superstooper at January 28, 2009 3:49 PM
Getting a good alarm installer is very important, you need to make sure they have experience in the industry, can they offer police and fire response, also when you're looking for a company it would benefit you to know what accreditations or certificates they hold for example NSI and UKAS. If you want an ADT alarm system then be sure they are an ADT authorised Dealer, there will be a monitoring cost so make sure you know about that before you sign a contract. IF you want to know any more please let me know, http://www.affinityone.co.uk
Posted by: affinityone at April 8, 2009 3:26 AM
IN CASE YOU ARE LOOKING TO INSTALL AN ALARM AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEM YOU SHOULD LET THE ELECTRICIAN RUN THE LINES THIS WAY ALL THE ALARM COMPANY IS PUT THE EQUIPMENT IN MOST COMPANIES WILL COME IN AND DO THE HOOK UP JUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR IF THIS IS A PREWIRE TAKE YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA OR VIDEO RECORDER AND TAPEOR TAKE PICTURES OF THE WIRING THIS WAY YOU WILL KNOW THE WAY THE WIRING RUNS JUST IN CASE ALSO YOU SHOULD DO THIS WITH ANYTHING PREWIRED OR PRECONSTRUCTION IN YOUR HOME HOPE THE TIP HELPED OUT
JOEL
Posted by: 5 COUNTY ALARM at October 27, 2009 3:04 PM
IN CASE YOU ARE LOOKING TO INSTALL AN ALARM AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEM YOU SHOULD LET THE ELECTRICIAN RUN THE LINES THIS WAY ALL THE ALARM COMPANY IS PUT THE EQUIPMENT IN MOST COMPANIES WILL COME IN AND DO THE HOOK UP JUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR IF THIS IS A PREWIRE TAKE YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA OR VIDEO RECORDER AND TAPEOR TAKE PICTURES OF THE WIRING THIS WAY YOU WILL KNOW THE WAY THE WIRING RUNS JUST IN CASE ALSO YOU SHOULD DO THIS WITH ANYTHING PREWIRED OR PRECONSTRUCTION IN YOUR HOME HOPE THE TIP HELPED OUT
JOEL
Posted by: 5 COUNTY ALARM at October 27, 2009 3:04 PM
ALSO WHEN USING A CENTRAL STATION ALARM COMPANY MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A LEGIT COMPANY WITH A SECURE LOCATION LIKE AFFILLIATED CENTRAL STATION LOCATEDIN BROOKLYN NEPTUNE AVENUE MOST COMPANIES SUBCONTRACT TRHOUGH CENTRAL STATIONS THIS IS THE BEST ONE SO FAR AND IVE BEEN INSTALLING FOR 30 YEARS LIKE I SAID BEFORE IN AN EARLY COMMENT GO ONLINE TO THE BBB AND FIND OUT WHO HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD AND WHO DOE NOT.ITS VERY HARD TO TRUST SECURITY PEOPLE SO MAKE SURE WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH
Posted by: 5 COUNTY ALARM at October 27, 2009 3:33 PM
ALSO WHEN USING A CENTRAL STATION ALARM COMPANY MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A LEGIT COMPANY WITH A SECURE LOCATION LIKE AFFILLIATED CENTRAL STATION LOCATEDIN BROOKLYN NEPTUNE AVENUE MOST COMPANIES SUBCONTRACT TRHOUGH CENTRAL STATIONS THIS IS THE BEST ONE SO FAR AND IVE BEEN INSTALLING FOR 30 YEARS LIKE I SAID BEFORE IN AN EARLY COMMENT GO ONLINE TO THE BBB AND FIND OUT WHO HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD AND WHO DOE NOT.ITS VERY HARD TO TRUST SECURITY PEOPLE SO MAKE SURE WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH
Posted by: 5 COUNTY ALARM at October 27, 2009 3:33 PM
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