THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 29, 1994 TAG: 9410270364
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 137 lines
Home. Security. Ideally, these words are synonymous. Yet, a survey for The Conference Board, a research institute, recently found that crime is Americans' largest concern.
Invasion of his home undermines the very core of a homeowner's peace of mind.
According to literature from Johns Brothers, Inc., the largest independent security dealer in Eastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, ``80 percent of burglaries are successful, but 90 percent are preventable by the very presence of a security system. And, it's estimated that a fire detection system could save at least 50 percent of fire victims.''
Frank Messina, president of Alarm Engineering, which has outlets in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, says crime in Tidewater has increased during the last several years bringing more business for the company's locksmith services and alarm system installations.
During the last three months, Messina says he is amazed at the ``brazenness'' of thieves. ``They've been breaking into people's homes while they are in them!'' he says. Our customers want ``more locks and better locks. They want something that makes them feel safe.''
Security can mean much more than prevention of theft. Today's technology also allows detection and prevention of medical emergencies; household environmental problems, such as basement floods or gas leaks; temperature extremes and carbon monoxide build-up; fire; smoke; vandalism, and assault.
Detection and prevention can be accomplished through a variety of equipment. Some examples include closed circuit TV, motion detectors, light sensors, smoke/fire detectors, glass breakage sensors, security window decals/yard signs, and even equipment that can tell if the security system is being disarmed under use of force.
According to Vince Thomas II, Vice President and Head of Security at Johns Brothers, the most frequently requested security devices are magnetic door contacts (to prevent the door from being jimmied open), motion detectors (especially to guard the stairs in a 2 story house), fire detectors, and glass breakage sensors.
Security systems can be installed by the home owner or a professional company.
Thomas believes a self-installed security system is ``a false piece of mind'' but, he concedes, ``if it's all you can afford, it's better than nothing.''
A professionally installed system would entail a security survey of the home. A security system would then be designed to best suit the family's needs.
A contract would be drawn up, the system installed, explained and maintained. Literature from Johns Brothers lists some thought provoking ``Questions to consider when seeking a qualified security installer.''
The following are a few examples:
Is the company and its installers certified and licensed by the National Fire and Burglary Association?''
Does the company use Underwriters Laboratories listed material?
Where is the company's central station?
Does the company maintain a 24 hour repair crew?
Does the company have subcontractor insurance?
William B. Allderige, installation supervisor at Johns Brothers points out that their company is a ``full service company.''
``Self installed systems are cheaper, but what happens when they need servicing?'' asks Allderige.
Johns Brothers is able to monitor its clients' systems 24 hours a day. Systems in the home report to the central station via phone lines or, if the phone lines are unable to function, via long range radio communication. The monitoring system ``talks'' with the clients' system every hour, to make sure that everything is fine.
If the monitoring system does not receive a return signal, someone will call to check on the client, or dispatch someone to the house, if no one answers. ``we're always watching,'' says Allderige.
Today, dual technology equipment is available. For example, a glass breakage sensor will ``hear'' the glass breaking, as well as feel the vibrations from the impact in order to trigger the alarm.
A dual technology motion sensor must not only ``see'' motion, via a microwave, but must also detect body heat through an infrared sensor. These improvements virtually eliminate false alarms.
Through supervised systems operated by Alarm Engineering, Messina says, ``We are able to relay to the police the exact location of the emergency, such as what window was broken or opened or from what room the fire alarm originated, if the home had multiple fire detectors.''
There's a fire detector that shouts ``Fire! Fire! Leave Immediately!, `` as well as beeping, he says.
And, coupled with a light module, it can illuminate the path to an exit. The detector comes with a speaker for inside and outside the house. So, if no one is home when the alarm goes off, the neighbors will hear the alarm. Photo-electronic smoke detectors ``see'' flame and alarm when the temperature in the house reaches at least 135 degrees.
A voice and flashing lights can also alert occupants there's an intruder in the house. Messina spoke of a wearable medical emergency button that is waterproof, allowing for wear in the shower.
This is a great advancement, with the bathroom historically being an area with a high rate of accidents.
And, a two way voice feature can be installed, allowing direct voice communication with the central station, when an alarm is sounded.
A wireless touch pad allows people to control their environment at different times of the day (even by using their phone, when away from the house) and even turn off the audible alarms when they are on vacation (so the police have a better chance of surprising and apprehending a burglar).
Systems with battery backup allow optimal performance.
State licensing for anyone installing an alarm system, even locksmiths, will become mandatory in July 1995, says Allderige. It is already mandatory in North Carolina.
This entails a background check by the FBI computer on anyone who will be installing systems. This will ensure that people who have committed a felony will not be allowed to install alarm systems.
It will also help ensure the homeowners' confidence in their service. Johns Brothers, Inc. is already using this system. Allderige also points out that homeowners insurance can be reduced from 7 percent to 20 percent with purchase of a security system.
Thomas says their systems, which are usually installed within three days, costs from $800 to $3,500, with an average home costing about $1,900. The monthly monitoring fee is $21.
A service contract past the one year warranty is $99 per year. A lifetime warranty may also be purchased.
Security, whether it's for your home, vehicle, or office, with the holiday season approaching, is a timely subject. If you decide to install a system, assess your needs, study your options and choose a system accordingly. Peace of mind may be your best holiday gift ever. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Vince Thomas II, vice president and head of security at Johns
Brothers.
Robert Spratley, on assignment for John Brothers, rigs up the wiring
for a security-conscious homeowner in Virginia Beach. The company
says 90 percent of burglaries are preventable.
A wall control puts the residents in charge of their own protection
devices.
KEYWORDS: HOME SECURITY SYSTEM ALARM SYSTEM by CNB