Security and Fire
Alarm Systems
LEARNING OUTCOME 7B
Describe design overview and location considerations
for home security and fire alarm systems.
Outcome addresses learning outcomes 1-4 for these
specific technologies.
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DUE 402356
Home Security
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Home Security
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Installation
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Intrusion detection
Fire detection
Smoke detection
New
Retrofit
Options
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Wired
Wireless
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Zones
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Just like audio/video zones
Security System zones
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Location of sensors
Important
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How zones are setup
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Door sensors
Window sensors
Zones important
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Multiple security zones
Keeps track of alarms
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Zone
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Multiple windows or doors = zone
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Zone 1
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Zone 2
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Dining room
Living room
Master bedroom
Zone 3
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Front door
Back door
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Zones
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Zones transfer info to controllers
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Status
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Power Line failures
Telephone system problems
System tampering
Low batteries
Type
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Wired
Wireless
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Difference is how signal is transmitted
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Zones
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Every circuit = zone = 1 device
Room
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2 door sensors
2 passive infrared receivers
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= total of 4 security zones
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SubZones
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Another circuit
1 zone = 1 circuit = 1 device
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Another circuit connects to above circuit
If subzone goes off
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Controller can’t tell if zone or subzone or zone has
triggered alert
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NC and NO
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Configuration of systems
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NC
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Normally closed
System is armed
 Open NC area and alarm gets triggered
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NO
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Normally open
Area is open
 If NO closes then it triggers alarm
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Fire Systems
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Advance security systems
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Detects
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Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire
Smoke
Heat
Components
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Fire alarms
Smoke detectors
Heat sensors
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Smoke Detectors
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2 Types
 Ionization chamber detector
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Produces molecules charged with electricity
Smoke attach to ions
Electrical current stops
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Triggers alarm
Photoelectric Chamber
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Light Source
Light sensitive receiver
Alarm
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Light cannot get in
Smoke can get in
Smoke scatters light inside
Scatter light produces more light
 Triggers alarm
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Smoke Detectors
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Power
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Batteries
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A year without changing
If hear short beeps > change batteries
AC
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If power fails
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Alarm fails
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Heat Detectors
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Uses metal
Metal units when heat enters air around it
Alarm goes off
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For Configuration check local codes or National
electrical code. For installation check
manufacturers website
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Video surveillance
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In house
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CCTV
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Closed circuit Television
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Set cameras in different parts of house
Video available to specific channel
Video can be recorded
 Tape
 VCR
 PVR
Internet
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Connect to house and view image
Image sent to e-mail
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Monitoring
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Monitor environment
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Video surveillance
Lighting for security
Use sensors
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Photo cells
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Turn lights on evening
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Not enough light is received so it turns lights
Motion detectors
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Movement received
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Triggers video recording
Or turn lights on or flood lights
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Wired Systems
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Low voltage telecommunications
Connects to main alarm
 Doors
 Windows
 Sensors
Features
 Reliability
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Efficiency
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Alarms is always connected to central system
It works
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Can run with batteries
Wired systems have always been used
Availability
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Many manufacturers make them
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Wireless Systems
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Easy to install and use
Portable
No wires
Low installation cost
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Remote Access
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Manage system from anywhere
Secure security system
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Not too much integration with home network
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Internet
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Web browser
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No one else can connect to it
Login and change system configuration
Connects to home network
Access cameras
Which system to use or buy?
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Not all systems allow connection from Internet
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Components
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Security control Panel
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Center of security
Interface with home network is important
Controls everything
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Security Cameras
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CCTV
Important factors
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Sensors
Keypads
Working Devices
Resolution
Sensitivity
Monitor and Switches
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Switches used with multiple cameras
Changes picture from one camera to another
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Components
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Keypads
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Interface with security system
Arm/disarm system
Change state of system
Zone that has triggered alarm appears in keypad
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# number = 22 = zone 22 etc.
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Sensors
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2 common sensors
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PIR
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Passive Infrared Sensors (Motion sensors)
Smoke detectors
Types
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Contact sensors
Glass break sensors
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Motion sensor
Flood sensor
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Detects sounds
In basements
Carbon monoxide - CO
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Questions: Feel free to contact
the creators of this material


Julian Carranza, jcarranza@dcccd.edu
Mike Harsh, mharsh@ccccd.edu
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under
Grant No. 0402356. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those
of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation