Smoke Detectors

A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke and issues an alarm to alert nearby people that there is a potential fire. Because smoke rises, most detectors are mounted on the ceiling or on a wall near the ceiling. To avoid the nuisance of false alarms, most smoke detectors are mounted away from kitchens. In commercial building smoke detectors are usually hard wired for powered, connected directly to building wiring.

Most smoke detectors work either by optical detection (photoelectric) or by physical process (ionization), but some of them use both detection methods to increase sensitivity to smoke. Smoke detectors may operate alone, be interconnected to cause all detectors in an area to sound an alarm if one is triggered, or be integrated into a fire alarm or security system.

A smoke detector cannot detect carbon monoxide to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning unless it has an integrated carbon monoxide detector. These are also available as a separate detector. Most companies which manufacture smoke detectors, manufacture carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Heat Detectors

A heat detector is a device that detects heat and can be either electrical or mechanical in operation. The most common types are the thermocouple and the electro-pneumatic, both respond to changes in ambient temperature. Typically, if the ambient temperature rises above a predetermined threshold, then an alarm signal is triggered. Heat detectors can also be further broken down into two main classifications, "rate-of-rise" and "fixed" or "rate compensated."
Rate-of-rise (ROR) heat detectors react to the sudden change or rise in ambient temperature from a normal baseline condition. Any sudden temperature increase that matches the predetermined alarm criteria will cause an alarm. This type of heat detector can react to a lower threshold condition than would be possible if the threshold were fixed. A typical alarm may sound when the rate of temperature rise exceeds 12° to 15°F (6.7° to 8.3°C) per minute. A fixed temperature heat detector reacts when the ambient temperature reaches a fixed point. The most common fixed temperature point is 58°C or 136.4°F.

Each type of heat detector has its advantages, and one cannot say that one type of heat detector should always be used instead of another. If you were to place a rate-of-rise (ROR) heat detector above a large, closed oven, then every time the door is opened a nuisance alarm could be generated due to the sudden heat transient. In this circumstance the fixed threshold detector would probably be best. If a room filled with highly combustible materials is protected with a fixed heat detector, then a fast flaming fire could exceed the alarm threshold due to thermal lag. In this case the rate-of-rise heat detector may be preferred.

Heat detectors are commonly marked "Not a life safety device". Heat detectors are not meant to replace smoke detectors in life safety applications. While primarily for property protection, a heat detector will nonetheless notify of a fire in a utility area (i.e., laundry room or attic) faster than just relying on a smoke detector that might be on the other end of the house. This will allow extra time to evacuate the building or put out the fire if possible.

Pulls Stations

A fire alarm pull station is a wall mounted device that when activated initiates an alarm on a fire alarm system. The user activates the alarm by pulling the handle down, which completes a circuit and locks the handle in the activated position, and sending an alarm to the fire alarm control panel. Many fire alarm pull stations are single action and only require the user to pull down the handle. Other fire alarm pull stations are dual-action, and as such require the user to perform a second task before pulling down, such as lifting up or pushing in a panel on the station.

Resetting a fire alarm pull station after it has been operated normally requires building personnel or emergency responders to open the station using a key, which often is either a hex key or a more traditional key. Opening the station normally causes the handle to go back to its original position, allowing the alarm to be reset from the fire alarm control panel after the station has been closed.

In areas where false calls are a problem, pull stations may be covered with a clear plastic cover that sounds a loud tamper alarm when removed, creating focus on the fire alarm. If this is not a sufficient deterrent, the station may be loaded with a powdered or gel dye which can be used to help identify who pulled the alarm.

Access Control

An access control point can be a door, turnstile, parking gate, elevator, or other physical barrier where access can be electrically controlled. Typically the access point is a door. An electronic access control door can contain several elements including an electric lock. The lock is unlocked by a reader. The reader could be a keypad where a code is entered, it could be a card reader, or it could be a biometric reader. Readers do not usually make an access decision but send a card number to an access control panel that verifies the number against an access list. To monitor the door position a magnetic door switch is used. Generally only entry is controlled and exit is uncontrolled.

When a credential is presented to a reader, the reader sends the credential's information, usually a number, to a control panel, a highly reliable processor. The control panel compares the credential's number to an access control list, grants or denies the request, and sends a transaction log to a database. When access is denied the door remains locked. If there is a match the control panel operates a relay that in turn, unlocks the door. Often the reader provides feedback, such as a flashing red LED for an access denied and a flashing green LED for an access granted.

Video Verification

Video verification documents a change in local conditions by using cameras to record video signals or image snapshots. The source images can be sent over a communication link, usually an Internet protocol (IP) network, to the central station where monitors retrieve the image. The information is then relayed to law-enforcement and recorded to an event file, which can later be used as prosecution evidence.

An example of how this system works is when a passive infrared or other sensor is triggered a designated number of video frames from before and after the event is sent to the central station.

A second video solution can be incorporated into to a standard panel, which sends the central station an alarm. When a signal is received, a trained monitoring professional accesses the on-site digital video recorder (DVR) through an IP link to determine the cause of the activation.

LiteWatch Solar Security Yard Sign Light

LiteWatch solar solutions provide an additional layer of security by illuminating signs at night. By visibly warning intruders, the LiteWatch 7X-SL1 solar light helps deter vandalism and break-ins. The LiteWatch 7X-SL1 fits on any standard yard sign stake and comes with a rechargeable AA battery that charges throughout the day, and automatically turns itself on at night.

With LiteWatch, you are giving your customers an added sense of security in knowing their security sign is visible at night, while letting the world know your company is providing the protection.

Contact your Diamond Szecurity Sales Representative for more information.

Glass Breaks

Magnetic sensors may not detect a break-in if the thief simply smashes a window or a glass door. Our acoustic glass breakage detectors respond to the actual cracking of the glass the moment someone tries to break in. The alarm will sound while the thief is still outside – not after he is already walking around inside the home.
Glass break detectors fall into two general categoris – Acoustic and Shock sensors. Acoustic detectors protect all of the windows in a room or area. They are an important part of an effective perimeter detection system. It is very important to choose the right sensor for a particular application or environment. We offer you a variety of choices for virtually any glassbreak application.
Shock detectors protect a single expanse of glass. Breaking glass produces specific shock frequencies that travel through glass and window frames. When shock sensors feel the wave generated by breaking glass, they signal an alarm. These sensors mount directly on the glass or the frame and give you a product virtually immune to false alarms.

Motion Detectors

An electronic motion detector contains a motion sensor that transforms the detection of motion into an electric signal. This can be achieved by measuring optical or acoustical changes in the field of view. A motion detector may be connected to a burglar alarm that is used to alert the home owner or security service after it detects motion.
There are basically three types of sensors used in motion detectors spectrum. Passive infrared sensors (PIR) looks for body heat, No energy is emitted from the sensor. Ultrasonic (Active) sensor sends out pulses and measures the reflection off a moving object. Microwave (Active) Sensor sends out microwave pulses and measures the reflection off a moving object. Similar to a police radar gun.