Basics
Security measures
Security is something that concerns us all. In Switzerland, every sixth officially reported crime is a burglary. Apartments, shops, businesses or other premises are broken into every six minutes on average. In other words there are around 230 burglaries a day, causing millions in damage. These alarming figures clearly prove that no-one nowadays is entirely safe. The more networked the security precautions, the more effective they are. A good security concept must therefore include measures in the following areas:
- Mechanical: to delay attempted burglaries (secured windows, doors)
- Technical: to detect intruders (monitoring, alarming)
- Organisation: to apprehend intruders (alarm/operations plan, intervention)
While mechanical security devices are necessary, they must not affect the quality of the working or living environment. Their job is to delay the intruder until the police - automatically notified by the alarm system - arrive on site and arrest the criminal. In cases where assets or the safety of people are considerably at risk (banks, jewellers, museums, embassies, military installations), more comprehensive "obstacles" such as fences, walls, gates are still required. This means that long before the intruder reaches the building, he has already unwittingly triggered off an alarm (outdoor monitoring).
An alarm system complements the mechanical safety devices and also acts as a deterrent. Its main tasks are to monitor/detect, report/evaluate and alarm/trigger the intervention. The probability of intrusion or damage decreases significantly. An alarm can be triggered locally (siren, flash light) and cause the offender to flee. Even better is a concealed alarm transmission (Certas) followed by the imminent arrival of the security forces (Securitas, police). A co-ordinated alarm and intervention plan guarantees the best possible action in an emergency.
Burglary/hold-up alarm system
An automatic intrusion alarm system reliably detects a burglary without the need for human intervention; it warns any persons at risk and mobilises the security forces (Securitas, police). The system consists of detectors, the evaluating and operating control panel, the alarm transmission, a power/emergency power supply and the connecting lines. Simple operation and clearly defined user rights prevent any erroneous alarms and increase security. Sabotage security is also a crucial factor. For example an alarm is triggered immediately if any cables are cut or any detectors sabotaged. If the system is equipped with concealed hold-up buttons, a silent alarm can be transmitted to the security forces in the event of an immediate threat (without siren, to protect the victims involved).
Intrusion detection
A whole series of detectors and devices are used for monitoring purposes. They detect either the offender himself (noises, radiated heat, movement) or the changes he causes to the targeted object (vibration, heat, positional change). Broadly speaking, monitoring consists of three different disciplines:
- Outer-shell monitoring: Monitors the outer shell (walls, windows/doors) of a building or building wing. Detectors: alarm glass, break-glass detectors, pneumatic screens, vibration and seismic detectors, magnetic and bolt contacts.
- Room monitoring: This involves the use of motion detectors that operate according to either ultrasonic, microwave or infrared principles. The choice of detector depends in each case on potential environmental influences and disturbance variables.
- Outdoor monitoring: In the case of high-level security requirements the intruder has to be detected the moment he trespasses onto the property. Detectors installed outdoors include: microwave directional lines, infrared light barriers, fence and ground sensors, video monitoring.
System category SIA
There are now more and more security providers in the market and it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a clear overview of the diversity and quality of the offer. SIA, the independent Swiss Insurance Association, has defined a standard in the interest of the insured and operates an approval procedure for specialist companies and equipment. Any owner of a recognised burglary/hold-up alarm system designed by a recognised specialist company in compliance with guidelines is eligible for a maximum 30% premium discount from his insurance company. Insurers classify protected premises into the following categories in accordance with their degree of exposure to danger:
- System category 1: increased risk; objective: to deter
- System category 2: high risk; objective: to delay
- System category 3: very high risk; objective: to prevent
Securiton is one of only a few companies recognised by the SIA as a constructor of systems up to ability class 3 (system cat. 3). This means our customers benefit from comprehensive and reliable products as well as specialist planning and installation.