Re: Thinking of installing myself...

["FIRETEK" <firetech(change-the-ch-to-k)@telus.net>]

You make some very valid points, Mike.  There is some "science" involved in
installing alarm systems.  My wife was home the day the crew arrived to
install ours.  She was not only impressed with the efficient manner in which
the cable was routed to the different protection points, she was amazed at
how they managed to get it into places we both thought would be next to
impossible.  Not only that, they were able to identify some incorrectly
wired outlets that the previous homeowner had had installed and which our
inspector missed.

We're very impressed by the level of professionalism demonstrated by the
company and I have no regrets.  The extra expense incurred by hiring a
professional company was well worth it.  I had been contemplating doing it
myself as my company has accounts with all the major suppliers, but decided
against it.  I don't enjoy crawling around in attics as I've had to on
occasion in my job.

I'm not certain where Mr. Bass gets his information regarding the "average
educational level" of individuals in the alarm profession, but it's been my
experience that most people you meet these days have Grade 12 or better.
I've sat in on many job interviews and helped in short-listing applicants.

I visited Mr. Bass' website for the first time this morning to see what it's
like.  I'm running Windows 98SE on my home computer and had to fight through
seven different pop-up windows just to view the home page.  They all had to
do with a program called WinFixer which I wasn't interested in installing.
It was annoying to the point that I didn't bother clicking on any of the
menu items because I just didn't want to go through all that again.

Of even greater concern is the possibility of having to return items that
are either not working or require warranty service.  Find a local dealer and
save yourself the headache of having to keep all the boxes and packing
materials, the extra steps and expense involved in shipping something back
for refund or credit, and the possibility that the warranty may not be
honoured because the equipment wasn't installed by a qualified individual.
I remember what I had to go through when I purchased a telephone online that
had a defective nine button.  I shudder to think how long someone would have
to be without an alarm system if the common control went on the fritz, or if
the keypad stopped working.  The company we use has a four hour response
time guarantee, and all their vans carry replacement parts.

Regards,

Frank

"Mike Sokoly" <secure15@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:oWmXf.74$I55.50@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Robert L Bass wrote:
> > You can DIY if you don't mind spending a little time learning about the
various
> > options and how/where to use them.  It's not rocket science.  The wiring
is 2
> > and 4-conductor stuff.
> Perhpas some knowledge of NFPA 70, Ohms and Kirchoff's Laws and
> Resistance and Voltage Drop would help. Proper wire sizing and Load
> calculation for battery Backup comes in to play, also.
> >
> >>Are there any sites out there that could give me some basic information
and
> >>point me in the right direction??
> Plenty- ask a Professional, Licensed Installer on this group.
> >
>
>   Note:  You'll find some folks who install for a living insist that no
> one but
> > them (of course) can possibly install a proper alarm.
> Going to the library, reading a book, and installing it yourself- even
> if it works- does not mean its installed safely!
>    The average education
> > level of alarm installers is about half-way through the 11th grade.
> You'll also find individuals with College Degrees, and Industry Specific
> Training as well as Licensed Teachers.
>   There's
> > nothing particularly complicated to the job if you stick to basic
protection --
> > magnetic door & window sensors, "dual tech" motion detectors, perhaps a
few
> > glass break detectors if the location is right for them, etc.
> Do you understand the technologies and how and where to properly locate
> the devices? If you do then go ahead- consider any False Alarm Prevention?
> >
> > You can also install smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors if those
are a
> > concern.
> Be careful- Are you aware of the wiring requirements? What about how
> they wil be reported to Central Station if you choose that?
>    There are protocols to follow when installing fire protection but the
> > ones that apply to most single family residential alarms are easily
learned in a
> > few minutes.
> Most Local Laws allow you to install Battery-Type detectors in your own
> home- some prohibit "System -Type" to be installed by ANYONE othe than A
> Licensed Alarm Professional.
> If your considering 3rd Party monitoring- who will you get to monitor a
> system that they didn't install-or the liabilities that may occur?
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > N