"Mortimer" wrote in message
om...
I wish to install a basic alarm system to protect kitchen back door,
dining room patio doors (both at rear) and front door/hallway
downstairs and just landing upstairs which should be enough for attack
via any bedroom. Only thing is we have two cats 15 and 17 years
old,not overly active but still walk about and have access to all the
house. What sort of alarm system should I go for, PIRs seem simple to
source and install but are there any that ignore cats and only react
to humans?


Hi

Few more pointers: always use a dual detection triggered control
panel. Numerous alarm systems without this feature have been fitted,
they frequently lead to repeating false alarms, and the owners give up
using them.

Second be careful where you mount door opening detectors, as door
warping or wind can set them off. They are a big source of false
alarms.

Third cover your desired area with more than one technology. Only when
both detect an intruder do you want the system to go off. Most sensors
are prone to some cause of false alarm or other.

Glass break sensors are useful (not foil strips).

There are burglar identifying paints and burglar trapping smoke bombs,
and of course CCTV if you have money to spend. Note only a high res
colour one is worth having - you cant seriously identify someone off a
junk grade picture.

If you fit all this, make sure youve got locks worth having to start
with. Night latches are mostly hopeless, and 2 lever locks are easy to
open, use 5 levers and more than one locking point.

Finally tamperproof wiring is a bonus to protect against the more
determined attackers, but you dont need this in most cases.

Of course it all costs money, hence the temptation to go for a
cheapass solution. Trouble is, 3 PIRs and a single event tripping
system isnt really a solution.


Regards, NT