From: lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk (Graham Wilson)
Subject: Re: Alarm systems
Organization: Legal Department - Coventry University
Distribution: uk
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 18:03:21 GMT

In article <29638@castle.ed.ac.uk> gsd@castle.ed.ac.uk (G.S.Davies) writes:
>
>Dear all,
>
>My parents are considering installing an alarm system in their home.
>They have a question you netters out there may be able to answer.
>
>Their opinion is that the best form of alarm are those that call up
>the boys in blue (via the alarm company) when the alarm is tripped.
>Does anyone have infomation concerning the installation costs and
>monthly costs for these systems. Any comments about suppliers would
>also be useful.


** A digitial communicator board for an alarm system costs around 60 - 150
   pounds to purchase. Most alarm companies usually charge the basic cost
   of purchasing the board if you have a digital communicator installed
   at the same time as the rest of the alarm system.

   Most alarm companies who install the basic digital communicator systems
   usually recommend that the communicator be connected to a second outgoing
   calls only line. This prevents a burglar from blocking the line with
   an incoming ringing call. Apart from the cost of installation of the 
   telephone line + line rental + incoming calls barring the monitoring
   station will probably charge approximately 16 - 20 pounds per month
   for monitoring.

   If your parents are concerned that a burglar could easily cut the 
   telephone wire or they have valuable items which are subject to non-
   standard insurance, then they might wish to choose the ABC "Red care"
   system of monitoring.

   The ABC "Red Care" system sends continuous inaudible signals along the
   users normal main telephone line. If the cable is cut, damaged or 
   interfered with the exchange will notify the monitoring centre
   within 5 seconds. This facility costs approximately 300 per year 
   extra.

   If your parents can find a local NACOSS approved alarm installer with
   a high level of service then they may be able to arrange for, say,
   smoke detectors and or a freezer failure alarm to be connected to the
   control pannel. A multi-channel digital communicator will be able to
   tell the monitoring centre whether to inform the police, fire brigade
   or your works number (in the case of, say, freezer failure).

   In some cases it is also possible to pass information on about whether
   a panic button has been pressed. This will help and the police will 
   respond much quicker.

   A multi-channel communicator will only add on approximately 30 to the
   total cost of the system (excluding smoke detectors etc). However, not
   all alarm companies offer this service. It is therefore wise to shop
   around.

   If you are looking for recommendations ask your local crime prevention
   officer for the NACOSS (formerly the NSCIA) approved installers list.
   If you push him a little he will provide you with his honest opinion
   and recommend one or two installers from this list.

   If you are looking at the larger (and 
   usually more expensive) national alarm companies then
   try : Chubb, Britania Alarms, Ambassador Alarms, Group Sonitrol
   (formerly group 4). However, I would strongly recommend that you
   avoid modern security (formerly modern alarms [yellow bell box with
   chain links around the edge and black writing] and securicor.  

   A word of warning, with regard to local alarm companies. You will not
   normally be able to apply for an insurance discount unless the system
   is installed by a NACOS approved member.

  
-- 
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         *      Graham Wilson      *  lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk  *
         *     LL.B.  Law  III     *     Coventry  University    *
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