Re: System for a (Small) Multi-Unit Building

["Roland Moore" <roland@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You have defined your objectives fairly well but not your budget. A single
system could offer some economy by only having to pay for one monitored
account instead of many as well as only one control panel.
I can't fully picture your set up but you could deploy a single system with
multiple partitions. Each partition could be unique and there could be a
common area partition for the grounds, but reliable out of door protection
isn't cheap at all. Just a single ASIM  detector (made for outdoors - looks
like a camera - like the detectors on traffic lights replacing loop
detectors) for your fenced area could be well over a grand installed price.
They work well once set properly but it takes lots of time with a laptop and
two people (and sometimes more than one setup visit unfortunately) to get it
right. Use most anything else out of doors besides ASIM type detectors and
risk the false alarm fees eating you alive. If you used a wireless system
instead of trenching you could deploy it quickly. Wireless could work in all
the units as well. You might have to use a repeater if the signal strenght
is too low in some area(s). A proper wireless survey would let you know in
advance if it is necessary to have one. Inovonics Wireless has the best
range that I have worked with although some guys I respect with lots of
wireless experience prefer ITI. Bosch 9412GV2 works with Inovonics Wireless
and supports up to 238 RF points and eight partitions of regualr partitions,
master partitions, associate partitions or shared partitions and could
technically do what you're asking. I am certain there are many others brands
with similar offerings but I have experience with Bosch gear (a lot) and
ASIM (not many because most end users faint at the price) and have done
similar set ups. No big problems to report yet.

<psandler70@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1159554714.489465.220230@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>I am looking for some initial information on the types of security
> systems would be appropriate for a small multi-unit building.  Any
> advice or links to information would be appreciated.
>
> Our garage was broken into a few nights ago.  They forced the doors on
> BOTH entrances to the garage, even though both doors give access to the
> same area.  Nothing was stolen (there is nothing to steal), but we
> obviously don't like the idea of someone being on the property in the
> first place.
>
> It's a four unit building, completely surrounded by a fence and garage
> (that borders the alley).  There is one area where the garage meets the
> fence where it is very easy to hop the fence.  One thought was that we
> could aim a camera at this spot on the fence, since we suspect that
> this was how they got onto the property.  We may just extend the fence
> a few feet to make entry more difficult at that point.
>
> Is there any reasonable way of adding security to the GROUNDS of the
> property, in addition to securing the garage building/doors and each of
> the individual residences?
>
> Also, if all the residents were to agree to commit to a security
> system, would it be cheaper (or even possible) to buy a single package
> to secure the whole property and all residences?
>
>
> Thanks for any info/advice.
>
> Phil
>