A commercial burglar alarm system is essential for keeping your business, employees, and property safe from external threats, including break-ins and vandalism.

Depending on the size of your building and the nature of your business, your burglar alarm system may be simple or incorporate several different components. Working with an experienced commercial burglar alarm provider will ensure your system is customized to suit your business.

Commercial burglar alarm systems may incorporate several types of sensors designed to detect intruders. These are then routed through an alarm control panel which receives signals and deploys the appropriate responses.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the components of a burglar alarm system and how each of them works together to create an effective alarm response. 

Alarm Control Panel

The alarm control panel is the center of any alarm system. Each of a system’s components, including the various sensors, are routed through this device. When the control panel receives signals from the different alarm sensors, it will process them and activate the corresponding response, such as triggering the alarm sound and alerting Central Station and the police. The control panel typically has its own power source, so it will continue to function even if the primary power source to the building is compromised. Security experts recommend placing the alarm control panel somewhere discreet so burglars will not find or tamper with it. 

Alarm Keypad

The alarm system keypad is where you can activate or disarm your alarm system. You can also use the keypad to program the system. Often keypads feature a display that will let you know whether the system is functioning properly or which components need attention (say, if a window or door is ajar and preventing the system from arming). Some keypads connect to system components with a wireless connection while others are hard-wired.

Door and Window Contacts

Door and window contacts are sensors that detect whether doors and windows are securely shut. One part of the contact attaches to a door or window while the other sits inside the frame. When doors or windows are shut the contacts touch. When the burglar alarm system is armed it can detect when these contacts are separated and trigger an alarm. 

Glass Break Detectors

Glass break detectors will trigger an alert when an intruder attempts to break a window. There are two types of glass break sensors: acoustic and shock glass break sensors. Acoustic sensors use microphones to detect high-pitched frequencies associated with the sound of breaking glass. Shock break sensors detect vibrations.  

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors are electronic devices that will alert your alarm system when movements are detected within your property. These sensors may use either ultrasonic sound waves or infrared waves to detect motion within a space. 

System Interruption Sensors

These are fail-safes that are triggered if  your burglar alarm system loses power or goes offline for any reason. They function to alert you in the event that the system is ever compromised, whether that means a component has been tampered with or accidentally damaged. 

Access Control 

Access control can be integrated into your burglar alarm system to control levels of access to your building. You can also access reporting to show who entered an area when and to assist with employee attendance.

Cameras 

Cameras are an essential part of your burglar alarm system. They give the ability to see what is happening in real time. If your alarm is triggered, you can access your camera feed remotely to identify what caused your alarm to trigger.

The Bottom Line

Commercial burglar alarms are an essential feature for any business. Because every business is different, these systems should be customized with both your building layout and your primary security concerns in mind. American Alarm’s consultants can work with you to create a professional burglar alarm system that suits your needs.

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