You may have seen the term PIR a lot when researching which burglar alarm system to choose, but what does it actually mean and how do they work? This blog looks at the basics of a PIR alarm system and what you should be looking for when choosing one for your home or business premises.
What does PIR stand for?
PIR stands for passive infra-red. PIR sensors are commonly used in security systems – both for triggering alarms and/or lighting.
How does a PIR alarm work?
All objects emit a certain level of infrared radiation. A PIR sensor inside an alarm measures the amount of this infrared activity.
The sensors are so sensitive that they can detect tiny changes in these infrared waves which occur when something passes in front of the sensor. For example, if a person walks across the sensor’s field of view it will pick up on the brief change between the ambient background temperature and the person’s body temperature, even if this is only for a matter of seconds.
The sensor converts this change in incoming radiation to a change in its voltage output, triggering the alarm.
PIR cameras work in a similar way, but the difference in temperature triggers the activation of a camera which then takes videos and still images of whatever has caused the change.
What should you look for in PIR system?
With so many different alarm systems available it can be baffling when trying to find the right one for you – and tempting to base your final decision on whichever comes in the cheapest.
However, it can be a costly mistake to install a cheap alarm, the reliability of which may not be guaranteed.
One good way to know that what you are buying is of a high standard is to look for NSI accreditation. The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is recognised as the leading certification body for the security and fire protection services in the UK.
The organisation operates an accreditation system which companies can apply to be part of and be awarded either gold or silver approval. To meet these criteria companies must show compliance with industry standards and are subject to regular audits by the NSI.
The monitoring centre used by Bulldog for its security systems has NSI Gold status – the highest possible level.
What other questions should I ask when looking for a PIR alarm system?
Your requirements will vary depending on whether you plan to use your alarm system in your home or to protect business premises but, as well as accreditation like that mentioned above, there are a few key questions to ask when choosing which system to go for:
- How is the alarm powered? Does it rely on batteries or is it connected to mains electricity? Does it have a back-up battery option if the mains was disconnected or there was a power-cut?
- Can the alarm be partitioned in to sections? For example, can you only put the alarm on downstairs at night?
- What is the transmission range? This can vary among alarms and is worth considering if your building is large, as you may need to buy repeaters to boost the signal.
- Can software updates be done remotely? This saves time waiting around for an engineer to call.
- How securely encrypted is it? How easy would it be for criminals to intercept signals and disable your alarm?
All of Bulldog’s alarms are PIR activated and connect to your smartphone and can also be linked straight to a 24-hour monitoring service, who will despatch a guard out to your premises as soon as the alarm is triggered. To find out more contact us here.