The best way to embark on the planning for an alarm system is to generate a questionnaire. This questionnaire should contain all, if not, majority of such questions. For examples, prospective users should start by asking themselves if the alarm system is to be installed within an isolated area and which is or are the parts that they wished to safeguard. Moreover, if there is any entrance into this area of surveillance, if so, how many of them need attention and protection. On top of basic protection, does the area needs additional alerts such as fire or flood.
After these basic questions, one can move onto questions that concern the components of an alarm system. For examples, how many movement detectors will be needed and if all of them will be connected to the same keypad. What type of keypad is most appropriate and where should the control panel be located.
Other miscellaneous questions include, if there is a pet with the area of surveillance, if an external alarm or dummy alarm is required in any part of the surveillance area, and how will the user be alerted when the alarm sounds.
After the questionnaire, it is time for the prospective user to get ready a floor plan of the area to be under surveillance. Perhaps it will be more appropriate to consult a specialist at this moment. This is because installation sometimes required complex wiring and an experienced may provide additional insight to which what is most suitable at which part of the surveillance area by conducting a site survey with you.
Nevertheless, here are the main points to which an expert should tell the prospective user while installing the three main components of an alarm system. The control panel should be positioned near the main electricity supply or convenient site for easy access. If the control panel is to be remotely accessed, it should be sealed inside a space. Similarly for keypads, they should also be mounted onto a convenient location, usually near doors or main entrances for easy operation.
As for the motion sensors, they should be installed at a height between 2.3 and 2.7 metres and should be away from direct heat, sunlight, fans, or air-conditioners. The main part of the door and window contacts should not be more than three inch away from the opening side while the other part is to be adjacent to it. Do test the system several times before finalising the installation.