Yard Security: intruder alarms/CCTV etc

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Due to a worryingly high incidence of burglaries at local equestrian places, I'm at the mo getting some surveys done from various companies as I want to get some sort of security in place for the yard.

Had a company come out today, did a free survey, talked about wireless technology rather than CCTV, although they would put up some "dummy" cameras as well as (i.e. burglar isn't gonna know the difference!)

There are all sorts of things to consider e.g. whether to pay them for a contract to maintain the system for say a five year period, etc etc.

Has anyone else engaged a company to sort out security for their yard/house? Any companies to avoid? Any problems? PM me if you want.

Difficult one I know: but er, cost????

Thanks.

 

[Suelin]

We did ours ourselves due to having no mains electricity on site. We have a detection system that is wireless. The detectors are battery powered and if anything moves across the beam it triggers the alarm back at home. We have 3 detectors on entrance /exit points and one on the yard itself. The control box works off the mains at home with battery backup (which works incidentally, as we found out last week during a lengthy power cut). We bought it from a Nottingham company and the system we have cost about £1k. We could add detectors to it but 3 seems to work for us. It works on distances up to about 3/4 of a mile depending on the topography of the land etc.

Very helpful company but the name escapes me at present. You do need to be a bit creative about how you hide the detectors and they are not fool proof when it comes to the wildlife. Birds and bats can trigger it especially in the summer. All in all a good system though.

 

[Asha]

We have all or stables & doors alarmed. They have sensors which when opened sets the alram off, and then the alarm rings our mobiles. You get a message saying 'alarm zone 3' each door has its own zone so you know exactly where the issue is.

Plus we have the large barn & office fitted with infra red beams which also sets the alarm off.

Its mains operated, but also has battery back up in the case of a power cut. Cant remember exactly how much, but think it was around £1k

Well worth every penny.

 

[Rob Lakeside]

We did all our our selves,
The issue with wireless is distance fromthe main momitor and how many solid walls to get through.
This is why wired is best on a large yard and wireless with a small yard with 2 cameras.
Burgalarms work best with best nowadays.

The company i used was www.sctltd.co.uk/acatalog/info.html
it is DIY and they explain all you need for self installation.

 

[mulberrymill]

I own an electronic security company. Couldnt go into all the whys and ifs on here, but if anyone has any specific questions please feel free to ask.

It is a potential minefield and there is no one solution for all.

 

[popsdosh]

On our farms we use intruder detectors from this guy http://www.alarmsforfarms.com/ you wont find anybody more knowledgeable about rural premises and they are easy to self install. His prices are fairly competitive . You can get the equipment cheaper but you need to know what to ask for !
The people you have spoke to are correct in that money spent on intruder detection is a lot more useful than CCTV as most criminals dont give a flying **** about cameras.