1. Where is the alarm system panel going to be located

Considerations: The panel should be located in a location that is covered by a movement detector. It shouldn’t be located in a location that is to hot “in ceiling” or to moist “under floor”.

2. Where is the keypad going to be located

Considerations: Usually the keypad is located at the entry path into the premises and is covered by an entry detector that will trigger the entry timer, although this function can be performed by a reed switch on the entry door as well. If your alarm system has key fobs “remote controls” to arm and disarm the alarm system, you may want to install the keypad inside your bedroom door to act as a stay arming station for perimeter protection. But in general the most import consideration when deciding where to install the keypad is to make sure that detectors that aren’t entry/ exit types won’t detect you before the assigned entry /exit detector does on your path to the keypad.

3. Are you going to have Home invasion perimeter protection?

Considerations: Generally perimeter protection involves reed switches on all perimeter doors and windows with glass break detectors on all windows and some form of stay arming system a good method for this is to have a night arming station that has a single button arm / disarm and a led light that reflects the state of the Stay area. The specific makeup of the individuals that reside in the house will determine where this night arming station is located. Say if the system was for an elderly couple it may be located inside their bedroom door for a family with children it may reside in a central location that is visible to all inhabitants on departure from their bedroom.

4. Where to locate detectors

Considerations: In general detectors should not be installed in a position that is looking at windows, it is best practise to have them pointing into the building. Careful consideration should be placed on the direction they are pointing, any form of potential mechanical or heat movement should be considered, to give an example of this is the placement of a detector that is directed towards the kitchen. You have just loaded the dishwasher and set the cycle then armed the alarm system and left the house, the dishwasher heats up and the hot air raises the Passive infrared detector picks this heat movement up and goes into alarm setting of the system causing a false alarm. Other things to consider are the location of valuable items and safes at the property these locations should be covered by movement detectors. I would also consider in ceiling detectors particularly if you have a tiled ceiling these should be a type for harsh environments to reduce false alarms and finally carful consideration of detector placement with regard to the premises entry /exit path.

5. Where to locate Sirens and Strobe.

Considerations: In general the outdoor siren and strobe box should be placed at the front entrance to the property. This will give the Siren the best chance to make a statement for 5 minutes when there is an alarm. The strobe will continue flashing until the system is disarmed and should be located in easy view of the driveway so when you get home you will see it and know that there is an alarm with the possibility that a thief is still in your house. The internal siren is usually placed in a central location where it will irritate an intruder as much as possible.

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