When running a retail outlet protecting your stock from theft should be one of your main concerns. The installation of a good burglar alarm system is advisable, and in some cases may be a requirement of insurance cover against theft.
All commercial alarms must be installed by a professional installer approved by a reputable association such as the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS), the Alarms Inspectorate and Security Control (AISC) or the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB). The alarm equipment must comply with the latest British and European Standards.
Shop alarm systems can be either wireless or wired. Wireless alarm systems use wireless signals to control its components, while wired systems use wires to connect the control panel with each component (such as detectors and an alarm bell).
The main component of a commercial alarm system is the control panel. This monitors all the detection devices and is the component used to set and disarm the alarm. The control panel will probably have a built in keypad but in some systems, the keypad is separate. The keypad is used to set or disarm the alarm via a supplied pin code. The control panel is wired directly into the mains power supply and a telephone line so the system can be monitored by an alarm receiving centre.
Detectors are used to electronically detect when a burglar is attempting to break in or has entered the building. The main types include Passive Infrared detectors (PIR detectors) which sense movement, glass break detectors which are triggered on the sound of breaking glass and vibration sensors used to monitor vibrations and detect damage to windows.
Contact devices are used to protect doors and windows – areas of a building which are typically vulnerable to intruders. These door and window contacts create a magnetic contact which will activate the alarm if broken.
The audio components available include an external alarm bell box that can be wired with a bell and/or flashing lights and an internal sounder. Manufacturers also supply dummy bell boxes which in themselves can act as a deterrent to the amateur burglar. They can be used with an internal sounder to minimize noise pollution.
Commercial alarm manufacturers also offer visitor management systems which control who can enter certain parts of the building. These systems are particularly useful in a shop environment where members of the public can access certain areas of the building but not others, such as the staff area. This kind of system will allow the designation of a staff and/or deliveries entrance. These types of system use technologies such as swipe cards, proximity tokens (such as keyfobs) and pin code keypads.
Internal and external surveillance using digital video or CCTV systems are also available to deter a potential intruder. These can be integrated into an existing alarm system such that they are triggered when an intruder enters a particular area of the building such as the staff area. They can also be used in areas open to the public to minimize shoplifting or attacks on staff.
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