Security gadgets

There are several advanced security devices available in the market nowadays. I shall tell you about them and you can take a decision based on your requirement and budget:

CCTV Close circuit TV cameras,which closely monitor your home while you are away at work and help in providing actual recorded images in case of a robbery.

Beam Detector- The infrared photoelectric beam detector is an effective intrusion alarm gadget. A pair of detectors working as a transmitter and receiver is installed in a straight line to cover a window or boundary wall and form invisible beams. Whenever these beams are interrupted by any movement,these detectors instantly send an alarm to the control panel and this generates an alarm. This machine is generally installed with an intrusion alarm system.

Glass Breaker Sensor,which responds to vibrations in the glass or any sound similar to the sound of breaking of glass. Acoustic sensors cover a distance of about 25 feet.

Video door phone This enables one to see and talk to whoever rings the door bell without having to open the door. Visitors are required to press the call button on the unit and the phone rings on the video handset inside. The residents can see and talk to the visitor at the gate on this unit.

PIR Sensor Passive infra red motion sensor is a gadget that can detect changes in the room temperature. An alarm is triggered when there is an intruder in the room and therefore a change in the room temperature. A PIR sensor detects a rapid change in energy within a defined area which is covered by the sensor,which in turn sends a signal to the control panel that triggers an alarm. Fingerprint Doorlock This device is programmed to recognize the fingerprints of the occupants of the house or office. The machine has a capacity to accept upto 120 fingerprints. In order to activate the device one has to enter a four digit code that embeds ones fingerprint to the devices memory. The door is unlocked when the correct code and print are entered. If either detail is wrong the door remains locked.

Fire Alarm Sensor 8211; This is a must for the office at home in addition to the house. Since offices have false ceilings,paneling,large quantities of paper etc. a fire can cause extensive damage to life and goods. The sensor gets activated by heat caused by the fire or smokes and gets activated. In addition to the installation of advanced security systems in the house and office certain simple things that must be taken care of to secure the main door of the home or office are as follows:

Security in a house begins with its main entrance door. The entrance door should preferably be a wooden flush door of a minimum thickness of 50 mm or about 2 inches. The door shutter should be fixed to the door frame with minimum three 5-6 inches long brass hinges. Two extra deadlocks one at a lower level and one at a higher level can also be fixed making it difficult for a burglar to break open the main door with ease. It is advisable to have a wide angle eye glass or an eyehole fitted in the door in order to see the visitor on the other side of the door. An alternative to a eyehole is to have a small window of the size of 6 inch x 9 -12 inch fitted with a solid grill in the main door. This would serve the dual purpose of being able to see the person across the door as well as being able to talk to them. In addition to this there should be a chain fitting on the main door to be able to open the door partially before opening it totally. Adequate lighting is also essential outside the main door. The light fitting outside should be secure and non breakable. A night latch must be fixed on the main door at a height above the reach of the children,to prevent it from being opened innocently by a child. A door phone or a video door phone can also be installed on main door to be able to talk to the person on the main door or see and talk to the person before opening the door to them.

Depending on your requirement,collapsible metal shutters can also be installed with a snap on locking device next to the main door of the house. However,the design of the metal shutter should be such that it becomes difficult for a person to put his hand through to reach the locking device. Lastly metal grilles should be fitted on all windows. l

The author is an architect

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