The surest way to avoid robbery is to have nothing.
This thesis was formulated by ancient ascetic sages. But we will not indulge in philosophical reasoning, but rather tell you how to protect very real property, which every inhabitant of a cottage village probably has in abundance.
For the owner of a city apartment, a strong front door, a concierge at the entrance to the house and an alarm system, which will immediately call the police if the first two obstacles (the door and the granny at the entrance) do not work, are usually enough to protect against enemy attacks.
For residents of a country house, it makes sense to think about a more reliable modern multi-level security system.
«Don't dig a hole for someone else,» — says popular wisdom. There is a common truth that homeowners often forget.
A private house surrounded by a solid fence may be much easier prey for intruders than an object that is clearly visible from all sides: if in the second case neighbors, noticing something is wrong, can call security, then in the first case — the intruder, having jumped over the fence, will feel right at home.
Your «fortress walls» will reliably protect him from prying eyes.
On the other hand, dummy video cameras in a remote village, where the nearest police station is ten kilometers away on impassable roads, can only cause a grin in potential robbers.
And an irresistible desire to look inside to see what is being hidden from them.
We have already written many times that security issues should be approached comprehensively, and they should be developed by professionals who know not only the technical capabilities of security systems, but also criminal psychology and many other disciplines.
Electronic perimeter guards
A country house is not only the cottage itself, but also the adjacent plot. Naturally, no one wants intruders to suddenly appear on its territory.
Therefore, the security system begins with perimeter protection. A high fence alone will not be enough in this case.
After all, you would not strengthen it with barbed wire (then the house would look more like a prison), and jumping over an ordinary fence, even a three-meter one made of brick, with the help of a good ladder is not difficult.
Perimeter security systems are essentially a type of security alarm systems, which will be discussed below.
There is a wide variety of perimeter security systems: capacitive, vibration, radio beam, infrared.
The principle of operation of capacitive systems is very simple: when an intruder approaches or touches them, the parameters of the electric field change.
Technically, the system is an electrical circuit (a system of conductors, a grid, etc.) connected to a control device. When the capacitance changes relative to the ground (for example, when a conductor is touched or a person approaches it), it gives an alarm signal. Capacitive systems are usually used on an extended fence.
The basis of vibration systems is a special sensor cable, which is essentially an electromagnetic microphone.
When the cable vibrates, an audio signal is generated. An analyzer connected to the cable notifies about this.
The signal from the cable can be listened to and a decision can be made on the degree of danger, as well as random noise can be filtered out. The scope of application of vibration perimeter security systems is the control of fences, from light to brick walls and fences.
The transmitter of radio beam perimeter security systems creates a volumetric electromagnetic field, usually elliptical in shape. The appearance of a foreign object in the control zone causes a change in the field. It is registered by the receiver, which goes into an excited state when the characteristics of the electromagnetic field deviate from the specified ones.
Infrared (IR) systems are divided into two classes: active and passive.
The first of these consist of two parts — a transmitter that emits pulsed IR rays (from one or more rays invisible to the human eye), and a receiver that gives an alarm signal if one or more rays are interrupted.
The operation of class II IR systems is based on recording changes in the background thermal radiation level when people or animals move in the detection zone. The zone configuration may vary: «curtain» (crossing the surface), «beam» (linear movement), «volume» (movement in space).
When installing IR sensors, it is necessary to take into account the possible routes of movement of the intruder. In addition, the sensor should be installed in a place protected from air flows and dust. The IR sensor may also be affected by electromagnetic interference, some types of lamps, and heat sources.
Within visibility
Usually, due to a number of limitations, perimeter security systems are recommended to be used in combination with other security systems. For example, supplemented with video recorders (or simply video cameras).
As a rule, several cameras are used at one site, the image from which is transmitted to the dispatcher's monitor (in this regard, video surveillance systems are more effective in cottage villages where there is a centralized security point; although, on the other hand, video recording will in any case provide invaluable assistance in catching criminals).
Cameras can be hidden and external.
The former are better protected from vandalism (who knows who might throw a stone at the «all-seeing eye»), but the latter sometimes scare off an intruder with their appearance alone (sometimes they even use additional dummy cameras to create the illusion of «all-seeing» for the criminal).
Cameras are usually installed at all entrances and driveways to the house. Cameras are often installed in areas near houses where children play.
The most important thing when creating the right system is to accurately define its goals and objectives, choose the right equipment and place to install the cameras.
That is why, when organizing a video surveillance system, a technical inspection of the facility and drafting a project are necessary.
By the way, a modern camera does not necessarily work around the clock. The device turns on only if movement is detected in its coverage area.
A House Under the Wing
«Electronic protectors» make sense to install not only around the perimeter of the site, but also in the house itself. Only then will you sleep peacefully. First of all, it is necessary to equip the weak points of the cottage with security systems: windows and doors, the attic, which can be accessed using a ladder, and outbuildings adjacent to the house.
Home security systems include a variety of sensors (detectors). They differ in the operating principle. For example, there are magnetic contact detectors that respond to the opening of a window, security grille or door; infrared detectors that record the movement of an «unidentified object».
Glass break detectors are very popular today. There are three types: contact, piezoelectric and acoustic.
When using contact detectors, a layer of conductive material (for example, foil) is applied to the glass surface. When it is destroyed, the circuit is broken and an alarm signal is emitted.
Piezoelectric systems are similarly designed.
Only instead of foil, they use small piezoelectric modules that generate oscillations.
Since the installation of the two types of sensors spoils the appearance of the window, acoustic detectors are becoming increasingly popular today. These are highly sensitive miniature microphones that pick up the sound of breaking glass.
With the help of sensors installed on windows and doors, a closed circuit (loop) is created, which, when opened, sends an alarm signal to the control panel.
It is also worth taking care to install volume change sensors (usually infrared), which respond to the movement of living objects.
Security systems of this kind are usually supplemented by a fire alarm system, since the central panels of security alarms almost always simultaneously perform the functions of collecting information from fire, heat and smoke sensors.
Unlike fire or leak sensors, which are usually operational around the clock, security sensors begin to perform their duties only after the user turns on the system.
The house can be armed by calling the operator or, more conveniently, by radio. In this case, to arm the apartment, you need to dial a secret code on the control panel or press a button on a special key fob (like a car key fob).
Security zoning
For convenience, sensors are combined into zones. When a signal is received at the monitoring center console or information about an alarm is displayed, the zone in which the sensor was triggered is indicated on the display.
Most often, three main zones are distinguished: entrance and exit, passage zone and premises zone. In the first zone, security sensors operate, monitoring the entrances to the protected object and exits from it.
Usually, these devices come into operation after the system is armed after a time delay on the exit (so that the user can leave the object) or on the entrance (so that the user can enter the disarming code on the control keyboard).
A group of sensors is installed in the passage zones, located along the user's route to the control keyboard.
These sensors, like the sensors in the entry and exit zones, generate an alarm signal after a delay at entry or exit.
Sensors in the indoor zone are usually configured to generate an alarm signal immediately without a delay.
What happens if the alarm goes off in your absence?
There are several options. In a cottage village, the system is usually connected to a central monitoring console.
If the house is detached, the equipment automatically notifies the services with which the relevant agreement has been concluded. This could be a non-departmental security department or private security companies (PSCs). Which structures to prefer is up to you. It matters which rapid response point is closer to the house.
And, of course, trust is important. Some people trust private individuals more, while others trust state security.
The monitoring center is notified of the alarm triggering via specialized information transfer protocols. The user of the security system can be notified by the security alarm itself by sending SMS or voice messages to a mobile phone.
If there are no private security companies or non-departmental security departments near your home, this is not a reason to refuse to install an alarm.
The point is that the system can be designed in such a way that it not only notifies the dispatcher about the intrusion, but also after the alarm is triggered, it turns on sound and light signals that will attract the attention of neighbors, passers-by and, most likely, force the intruder to retreat.
But even if the thief continues his dirty deed, due to distractions he will have to hurry, fuss, leave fingerprints, so that the police will then easily get on his trail. By the way, devices are sold that emit sounds in a range that is very irritating to the hearing organs when the alarm is triggered.
If such a «siren» wails, the intruder will not be able to spend even a minute in the apartment — he will fly out into the street like a bullet.
When choosing detectors for protecting a house and especially the perimeter of a plot, it is important to clarify the conditions for their activation.
It is important that the devices do not react to the movement of birds and animals, heavy rain or a snowdrift falling from the roof in winter.
False calls from armed guards are not needed by anyone — neither you, nor the services. Fortunately, today manufacturers offer sensors that use complex statistical analysis algorithms.
Such sensors allow you to ignore small and medium-sized animals and have good protection against interference.
Sometimes detection devices are equipped with replaceable lenses or adjustable optics, allowing you to change the configuration of the sensor's sensitivity zone depending on the characteristics of the monitored object and security tasks.
Modern sensors analyze the shape and duration of the signal at the receiver's output, which allows you to distinguish random interference from human movement in the sensor's operating area.