| Thanks to the introduction of wireless burglar alarm | | | | feel in the atmosphere and shattering glass, and that |
| systems, and some pretty innovative packaging by a | | | | alone, is what a glass break detector is engineered to |
| Texas alarm company, home and business owners | | | | detect. |
| across the country are now installing their own alarm | | | | When it comes to protecting glass I recommend glass |
| systems and saving a ton of money in the process. | | | | break detectors because most standard alarm |
| With complex drilling and wiring being removed from | | | | packages don't offer them and include motion |
| the installation equation, customers are installing their | | | | detectors instead. A glass break detector will usually |
| own alarm systems with, practically, the same ease as | | | | add $50.00 to $100.00 to the cost of an alarm |
| setting up Internet service. | | | | package depending on the brand of the unit and |
| Protect America Security (PA) of Round Rock, Texas, | | | | whether it's wired or wireless |
| who in recent years introduced customer installed | | | | Why Not Use a Motion Detector To Protect Glass? |
| alarm packages nationwide, has completely | | | | Both motion and glass break detectors provide |
| revolutionized the way alarms are being sold and | | | | substantial back up to door and window contacts in |
| installed in the marketplace. | | | | the event an intruder enters a window or door by |
| Historically, when a customer is looking to purchase an | | | | breaking their glass without prying it open. |
| alarm they'll usually go through their local yellow pages | | | | The traditional window or door contact has two |
| and contact an alarm company or two. Afterwards, | | | | rectangular 3"x1" parts: one half of the contact is |
| they'll schedule a walk through of their premises with a | | | | mounted on the door frame while the other half, which |
| field representative or salesman. | | | | has a magnet inside, is mounted beneath or beside it |
| During the walk through, the representative, who is | | | | on the door itself. When the alarm is active if the door |
| usually paid on commission, is assessing the property | | | | or window is opened; it separates the two parts of the |
| to evaluate what type of system and equipment will | | | | contact and sets the alarm off. |
| best suit the customers needs. Unfortunately, far too | | | | If an intruder enters a window or door by breaking it's |
| often, during this process the salesman is thinking more | | | | glass, this doesn't separate the two halve of the |
| about his commission than the system design that is | | | | contact, thus bypassing it, and prevents the activation |
| going to best serve the customers needs. | | | | of the alarm. Again, this is where the motion or glass |
| The general rule of thumb in alarm sales is the bigger | | | | break detector will act as a backup. |
| the house the bigger the commission. Most salesmen | | | | In this type of intrusion, I prefer the protection of a |
| who pull up in front of a home that is three thousand | | | | glass break detector because it sets off the alarm |
| square foot or larger are practically drooling on arrival | | | | immediately when the glass is broken--and before the |
| as they begin calculating the big commission they're | | | | premises is entered. In this type of incident when the |
| going to earn on all the window and door contacts, and | | | | glass is broken the 92 decibel siren starts screaming |
| other extras, they're going to sale. | | | | usually scaring off the intruder before he can enter the |
| Protect America's customer installed alarm packages | | | | premises or get his hands on anything. Whereas, with |
| have changed all of that by offering extremely | | | | a motion detector, an intruder has to enter the |
| affordable wireless packages that will fit in into any | | | | premises, where he can grab an item or two, before |
| budget and can be order over the phone or via the | | | | the alarm is set off--which violates the intended |
| Internet (which offers even more discounts). | | | | purpose of an alarm system. |
| What Homes Are Best Suited For Wireless Alarms? | | | | The objective of an alarm is to deter an intruder from |
| Generally, their are a couple types of structures where | | | | entering your home. A motion detector allows a burglar |
| wireless equipment will, absolutely, be necessary: 1) | | | | to enter the premises before tripping the alarm while a |
| Two story and split level homes or buildings, with | | | | glass break detector sets off the alarm the instant a |
| finished basements or no crawl space or 2) A one | | | | glass is broken and before the intruder has access to |
| story structure that is built on a slab. | | | | the premises or the valuables inside. |
| Two story/split level structures with finished | | | | Installing A Wireless Alarm Is As Easy 1-2-3 |
| basements or no crawl space These structures will | | | | Protect America makes it extremely easy to install |
| almost always require wireless equipment exclusively. | | | | their alarm system by providing an easy to follow |
| This is because when buildings are being wired for a | | | | instruction manual and installation CD, as well as live |
| security system, most of the wire is run through the | | | | tech support to guide customers through the installation |
| attic of the structure down to the doors and windows | | | | process. |
| (and other components) on the main floor. It's | | | | Door and Window contacts, depending on the surface |
| impossible to drill from the attic of a two story | | | | they're being mounted on, are either secured by an |
| structure down to it's main floor; so wireless equipment | | | | adhesive strip, located on the rear of contacts, or with |
| is utilized in this type of installation.When a structure | | | | screws. Additional components like motion detectors |
| has an unfinished basement or a crawl space, a | | | | and glass break detectors are mounted the same |
| technician can run wire up to the windows, doors and | | | | way. |
| other components. | | | | Protect America uses the GE's consumer award |
| One story structure built on a slab, When a building is | | | | winning Simon Wireless Alarm System, which houses |
| one story and built on a slab while the doors and other | | | | the control panel, or brain of the system, and keypad |
| components can be wired in the structure, the | | | | all within in one desk top, or wall mounted, command |
| windows cannot be without exposed wiring. Window | | | | center. |
| contacts are usually installed at the base of windows. | | | | Each of the components are individually installed and |
| When a home is built on a slab there is no way to drill | | | | programmed into the system. A PA tech support |
| upward. In some instances technicians will run wire | | | | representative guides the customer through the |
| under carpeting through the baseboard, using a | | | | programming process which takes about 10 to 15 |
| method called wire fishing, to get the wire up behind | | | | minutes...depending on the size the package purchased. |
| the wall to the window seal. Over time wires run under | | | | The many hundreds of dollars customers save by |
| carpeting can go badly because of the wear and tear | | | | installing the alarm system on their own makes the |
| of foot traffic on the carpet. So, most companies will | | | | time investment well worth their effort. |
| opt to install wireless window contacts rather than run | | | | What Structures Suited For A Protect America Alarm |
| wires under carpeting. | | | | System? |
| In a situation where a one story structure on a slab | | | | There are only a couple of scenarios or customer |
| has multiple windows in a single room, the customer | | | | types that aren't necessarily the best fit for Protect |
| may want to consider a strategically placed glass | | | | America. |
| break detectors or motion detectors to cover multiple | | | | 1) Customers who's properties are already pre-wired |
| windows to keep cost down while providing them the | | | | for a wired alarm system. Most companies will give up |
| protection they need. | | | | to 10 or fifteen free door or window contacts when a |
| Choosing The Right Equipment | | | | property is pre-wired. They'll also sell the additional |
| Putting together the right alarm design to protect a | | | | motion and glass breaks detectors pretty cheap, |
| property is pretty easy. Determining what equipment | | | | $25.00 to $50.00 each, when the wire is already in |
| that is needed is as simple as counting the doors and | | | | place. |
| windows that can be accessed from the ground level | | | | Because of ease and low cost of installation, a building |
| of a property and then placing contacts on those | | | | that has been pre-wired should have a wired system |
| openings. If a customer doesn't want to install a | | | | even though some less than scrupulous companies |
| contact on every opening of a property, which can be | | | | install wireless systems in homes that are pre-wired to |
| expensive, they can install a single motion detector or | | | | save money on labor and improve their bottom lines. |
| glass break detector to cover multiple openings, in the | | | | 2) Properties that already have alarm systems installed |
| same room, within a 25 foot radius. | | | | that merely need activation. If a commercial or |
| If there's a sliding glass door it's a good idea to install a | | | | residential property has a functional alarm left by the |
| glass break detector because if an intruder breaks the | | | | previous tenant most companies will activate the |
| glass in the door to enter the premises, instead of | | | | system for a $50 to $150 activation charge |
| prying it door open, it will not trigger the alarm. | | | | (sometimes free). After the system is activated |
| Motion Detectors Versus Glass Break Detectors | | | | customers will be charged $12.00 to $16.00 per month |
| In my years as an alarm salesman in the field, | | | | depending on the negotiation skill of the customer. |
| customers would often ask the difference between a | | | | The Cost Of A Self Installed Wireless Alarm System |
| motion detector and a glass break detector. The | | | | There are two ways to pay for an alarm system. |
| difference between the two is pretty fundamental yet | | | | Either you sign a contract and pay a small down |
| critical. A standard motion detector uses an infrared | | | | payment and have a higher monthly payment; or pay |
| beam, good for about 25 feet, to detect body heat | | | | a higher down payment,with no contract (purchasing |
| and movement of an object 50lbs or heavier. If a | | | | the system outright) and get a lower monthly payment. |
| burglar enters a premises by breaking a window or | | | | Between wired and wireless systems, wireless |
| cutting through the roof (which is not uncommon) | | | | systems are much more expensive. A wireless |
| movement inside the premises will set off the alarm. | | | | system, requiring 10 to 20 door or window contacts, |
| This will prompt the alarm company to call the home or | | | | could run from $500.00 to $1000.00 and even more. |
| business owner and the police if warranted. On the | | | | However, if a customer invests in one of Protect |
| other hand a glass break detector is designed to | | | | America's customer installed wireless packages they |
| detect the vibration in the air that is created when | | | | can expect to save around 50% to 80% on installation |
| glass is shattered. | | | | while getting the same guarantee, warranty and level |
| Glass breaking produces it's own unique sound and | | | | of service. |