Alarms and Diversions

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Following on from the Workshop Break-in thread I thought we could look at alarm systems .

There is nothing villains like less than lots of noise and flashing lights to attract attention to their activities .

Lots of commercial systems available – some of which work quite well .

Some problems though :

Most thieving takes less than two minutes and an alarm going off for just that time is not enough to rouse your neighbours into activity – so villains just carry on regardless knowing they have time to spare .

Not all villains are complete morons – some of them have worked out how to nullify most standard alarm systems in the lower cost range .

Answer to security probably lies in making EVERYTHING difficult and time consuming for thief – so as to buy time for some good person to react to the alarm .

So :

Everything difficult to get at .

Everything difficult to remove .

Lots of random hazzards .

Two or multistage alarm with first stage being silent ( as for as thief is concerned – alarm still going off quietly somewhere useful ).

More than one alarm system – one very obvious one which baddies can tinker with to their hearts content and a much more sophisticated one very much invisible .

So :

Any ideas on how to design and make an alarm system which would be effective specifically for our needs ???

MikeW

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

I would suggest that something home made is better than an off the shelf system which the villains may know how to defeat. When I built my workshop I put a cable duct (40 mm waist pipe.) in the trench I dug for the armoured mains cable. This contains the alarm cable intercom cable and various other cables. (And a piece of string to use in future to pull in any extra cables.) I also have a reed switch and magnet fitted inside the lock so that I can see from the house that I have remembered to lock the door. With the availability of various wireless links (wireless data modules cordless door bells etc.) a wireless link could be used. It would work by sending a signal every few second which would indicate a NO ALARM condition. So unless the villain could emulate this signal the link would be secure.

Les.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

With all due respect. MikeW..but yes a home.made system would be harder to defeat. .but publishing such a design here would negate that advantage.
Just one piece of advice. .use VERY long bolts…to the cover…This will make even getting to innards time consuming.
Make the case (on noise maker) tough enough to withstand. .attack ..self activating bell boxes have “bells” and lights and timer ( local council rules..limit bell time to 1 ..5 minutes )..complete with own battery…recase this as only model engineers can and you are onto something

[SaxalbyParticipant @saxalby]

I moved to Portugal a while ago and live in a quiet rural location in the Algarve. While there is little if any criminal activity from the Portuguese there is some problem with east European immigrants.

We had a system installed by Securitas. They operate over most of Europe, so would be supprised if not in the UK.

Its a wireless system with all doors (inc workshop) fitted with magnetic sensors. Inside the house there are motion detectors and two cameras. Once the system is activated by either by code or the magnetic key fob any door opened will activate the cameras and audio alarm. At the same time the Securitas HQ is notified by cell net connection of possible intruder. They call me on mobile to check if not accidental activation, they can deactivate the alar If I give a pre-arranged code word. If its real or I can't be contacted they notify local GNR (police). Camera start sending piccies at same moment alarm is set off.

Had it set of once when someone was trying to force the back doors and it set of the motion detector inside the house, and camera took a nice picture of them looking in through the glass doors. GNR nabbed them walking down the road back into town. No damage was done by them, but nice to know the system works.

At night I can activate just the workshop alarm. All the wireless sensors etc handshake with the main control box and if there is a fault they call me and arrange a technician to come and fix it.

Barry

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

In the spirit of raiders of the lost ark..where can I get a really big ball bearing?

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Jason ? wrecking ball. Ian S C

[paul raynerParticipant @paulrayner36054]

Posted by jason udall on 31/12/2013 11:18:02:
In the spirit of raiders of the lost ark..where can I get a really big ball bearing?

lol

[Kevin BennettParticipant @kevinbennett25223]

we all have the skills to make a trip wire device with a percussion detonator from a cartridge this will not kill them but scare the living daylights out of them.

it cannot be illegal as it is just like a bird scarer that will not harm so you cannot be arested

look at this on eb*y  261349360408

 

Edited By Kevin Bennett on 31/12/2013 16:26:54

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I would love to incorporate a spray of gentian violet that activated on exit after the alarm sounded. Similar to some security devices attached to money pouches and high value clothes. How about an exercise treadmill just inside – going at full pelt. Replace the rolling tread with very coarse sandpaper.

Seriously, Noisy alarm on entry, then infra red beams inside coupled to a telephone dialler (as used by some home alarms). I use one of these diallers with battery backup which tells me when the power fails( Ie: freezer has no power) and when it is restored. Also, cameras which are either continuous or motion activated are so cheap, have one of those inside as well. Then when the police and judicial system catch up with matey, they will give him 20 hours community service – that WILL stop him re-offending.

Bob H

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

My trouble is that I could forget and get a surprise myself. I think I'll stick to more passive methods…

Cartridge drop alarms/traps were popular with gamekeepers as, when set off in a wood at night, they not only scared the breath out of the poacher the also gave away their position.

SteveW

[jim’Participant @jim11037]

are alarms any good?

would people really take notice/call the rozzers?

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Posted by jim' on 31/12/2013 17:35:00:

are alarms any good?

would people really take notice/call the rozzers?

Look how effective car alarms are

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Posted by SteveW on 31/12/2013 17:29:57:

My trouble is that I could forget and get a surprise myself. I think I'll stick to more passive methods…

Cartridge drop alarms/traps were popular with gamekeepers as, when set off in a wood at night, they not only scared the breath out of the poacher the also gave away their position.

SteveW

these things are very dangrous..some idiot made them the right size to take ordinary 12 bore cart….just imagine the consequence of mixing up live and blank ammo.

Edited By jason udall on 31/12/2013 17:56:43

[magpieParticipant @magpie]

Many years ago I had a business supplying fibre optics, so when I built my shed I built in a very long fibre optic that zig zags through the frame at 6" spacing. If the fibre is broken at any point (roof or walls) it activates the alarm. at the same time the shed very quickly fills with thick smoke and a spray over the door will turn anyone it catches a nice bright green. It is not easy to find anything at all in thick smoke. So far no yobs have taken the trouble to test it.

Cheers Derek.

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Some years back on the farm we found a rusty old anti poacher alarm, it was made with a ground spike and a 45 deg. plate welded to the spike and above that a cartridge holder and a weight that acted as the firing pin. On firing the shot went down and hit the plate and spread out across the ground about 3 or 4 inches above the surface. Set off by a trip line it would maybe cause some serious damage to ones ankles. In times past man traps were legal and I suppose this type of poacher alarm was as well. Just saying like but would not know how to explain how it was set up in my shed.

The steel bar across the door will not stop someone making entry, a large adj. spanner will wrench the hasp and padlock off easily. If you can, put a metal box around the padlock.

We too have been burgled and it is very distressing to find ones property spread all over the house. This was the middle of the day and we were only out 45 mins. and a house opposite was done at the same time. Sentimental value of gold rings stolen and maybe then used to pay for drugs rankles a bit, of course the Polis were as useful as a chocolate fireguard, they never came back about it at all. Entry was gained by … edit … in doing so cracked the wooden sub frame and the total cost was some £2500 to replace. We found that on a 6 year old house that the sub frame was rotten which lead to the back door being checked found the same. No damp proof course put under it! We are now Fort Nox and alarmed. Garage doors of the up and over type can be easily opened by … edit … and as they are connected both sides will open. It will also shut without you knowing its been done!

Clive

Edited By Diane Carney on 03/01/2014 09:00:37

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious:

You need a few trusted people who know how to disable any alarm systems, just in case your world goes haywire at some stage!

Happy New Year, off for a few glasses of the Scottish nectar now.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

The nearest tarmac to my house is 1/2 mile away, if the house was empty they could steal the house. Police would take a minm. of 1/2 hour to arrive. Just in case any body gets ideas my friend and neighbour is an alarm engineer. Also have large dog, best for me is park the old tractor at end of road. Some kind soul said I should leave my car there as the tractor might get nicked.

[Graham WhartonParticipant @grahamwharton]

Posted by MICHAEL WILLIAMS on 31/12/2013 09:22:24:

Everything difficult to get at .

Everything difficult to remove .

Lots of random hazzards .

Ahh briliant, I've had these in place for years.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

On the aspect of quick in and out I hpppen to have an electic saw from a builder's skip and obviously thown out having been burned out. I was just doing to strip off a few nuts and bolts and the blade. However I could use it as a sacrifficial offering by leaving it prominently on the bench. Maybe a convenient box or bag of 'nice tools' ready to take looking like a toolkit just brought in from the van would keep both hands too full to take anything else.

[simondavies3Participant @simondavies3]

I recall a letter or short article in ME some years ago about someone who had his workshop at the bottom of his garden, backing onto a lane. He was constantly troubled by minor break ins with the accompanying theft of anything that could be grabbed. He eventually purchased a former factory siren of the "5 mile" variety and set up a set of trip switches on every conceivable entry point. The story (as I remember it) was that he suffered two further breakins, one who got no further than the door and one who entered by the door and left through the window. My memory may be failing regarding the details but it makes a nice story and perhaps food for thought!

Simon

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Mmm simon above reminds me of a paper I once contributed to.

The use of aural and visual stimuli to enduce incapacity in humans.

Get the pulse rate right and certain effects can be created in subjects.

[Davey JParticipant @daveyj]

Evening all, just been reading this thread with just a hint of concern. Use lights, very spiky plants and make "safe" noises to scare the herberts away. Please do not think of pyrotechnics of any sort, it will end in tears. Your local Constabulary will take a very dim view of such devices (trust me, I am a CSI) **LINK** If they have decided to come in you will not keep them out. Make entry as difficult as possible and hope they break into next door's shed instead – harsh but that is where society is at present. P.S. Make sure the hinge side of the door is as secure as the lock side. So easy to snap wood at the hinges and leave the expensive bullet proof padlock in place. Also secure the roof firmly, on most sheds these pull up and off with minimal effort!. Sorry to be so gloomy so early in the New Year,all the best. David

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

Currently thinking about something very simple. Remote webcam + running motion detection s/w. On detecting motion, system sends SMS to relevant people and transmits photo's of the "motion" detected.

Even if you don't intercept the villains, you will have pics for the Police so they can do their thing.

This can be done very cheaply now.

Steve

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I had the ultimate deterant in a small shed that I have, this summer just gone, it was so good that even I decided not to go in and I have the key to the padlock. As I started to unlock it one day. I noticed a few wasps flying about, which within a moment became a bit of a swam. I very quickly decided that whtever it was I was looking for, it was tough luck if it was in there and I'd have to do without or find something else. Turns out when I looked in there the other day, that there were two rather large nests inside. Wasps all gone now of course and the nests cleared out.

Regards Nick.

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