Choosing the right burglar alarm can be quite daunting, given the wide range of available options. Today, we will examine one of the front-runners in DIY home security systems: the Ring Wireless Burglar Alarm.

As a feature-rich, user-friendly alarm system, the Ring alarm has much to offer. Still, like any product, it also has its drawbacks. Here are 17 things you should consider before purchasing a Ring Wireless Burglar Alarm.

1. What’s in the Ring alarm kit?

Ring offers a comprehensive home security solution, including a base station, keypad, contact sensors, motion detectors, and range extenders. There is a range of kit options with varying numbers of sensors and door contacts.

Compared to some of our other alarm ranges, Ring does not provide a full list of options for alarm accessories. They currently do not offer curtain detectors, shock detectors, flood detectors, etc. They also do not provide a good external motion sensor.

Customers with larger properties would also need to add range extenders which are often not required in, for example, with Visonic Powermaster alarm range.

2. Easy DIY Installation

The Ring alarm is designed for self-installation. You don’t need a professional installer – simply follow the instructions in the Ring app to set up your system.

You would obviously require the relevant tools – drill sets and often forgotten – a tall ladder to install the external siren outside and ‘no fear’ of heights.

Like all decent alarms, most of Ring’s alarm devices do come with anti-tamper parts and you need decent skill sets to ensure you do not break the tampers and end up throwing the damaged devices in the bin.

If you are unsure, you can contact us at FHA and our specialist engineers can come and offer a hassle-free installation service for your Ring alarm system. Further details of FHA Security’s Ring alarm installation service can be found here.

3. Compatibility with Other Ring Devices

If you already use Ring devices (such as the Ring Doorbell or Ring Security Cameras), the Ring Alarm will integrate seamlessly, giving you a unified home security system.

Please be advised each Ring device adds additional subscription charges and the costs can soon add up.

Our engineers do agree all Ring products are not created equal. While their doorbells are still considered one of the best, the alarm products are not as good, when compared to the competition.

4. Connectivity

The Ring alarm works over Wi-Fi and, for added security, can connect to your Ethernet network. However, some users have reported issues with Wi-Fi connectivity, leading to intermittent loss of service.

If you have a power failure and/or broadband failure, the whole communication with the Ring alarm system fails, including notifying you of the power failure and any burglary attempts.

We always recommend alarms that can offer more than one communication option – so ideally a backup via sim-card GSM units.

5. Amazon Alexa Compatibility

Ring, owned by Amazon, is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa. You can arm, disarm, or check the status of your security system using voice commands.

Please be vary of the hacking risks associated with Amazon Alexa and similar voice-activated devices. There is plenty of news articles advising the risks associated with these devices.

6. Ring Mobile App

The Ring app allows you to monitor and control your security system from anywhere. However, some users have reported that the app can be slow to load, particularly when opening the live view.

7. Subscription Charges

To make full use of Ring’s features, including video recording and sharing, you’ll need a Ring Protect subscription. Prices start at £3.49 per month in the UK. Please check the Ring website for the latest prices. And each additional service or product adds additional charges.

You may also get tired of the constant prompts on the Ring app to upgrade to their subscription plans.

In fairness, most alarm manufacturers started charging for the alarm app connectivity. We still have a range of Visonic Smart Alarms with free apps and Yale Smart Alarms are also available without any app charges. Read about what to consider before buying Yale alarms here.

8. Is Ring Alarm Insurance Approved?

Nope, definitely not! This is the most important aspect to consider before purchasing and installing any make or model of the burglar alarm. DIY alarms by default only meet basic CE ratings for electric/electronic goods and do not comply with the EN-50131 standard required to be accepted as a Grade 2 standard burglar alarm which in turn needs to be fitted by an SSAIB or NSI-approved installer to PD 6662:2017 standard and issue compliance certificate.

If you ticked your box to say you have an alarm and your insurer is expecting an approved alarm with annual maintenance or even police monitoring, be warned, you are likely to see your insurance claim to be rejected in the event of a break-in. If you have been burgled, follow our step-by-step instructions on what to do.

We recently removed a Ring alarm and fitted a new grade 2 alarm for a domestic customer in Watford, after his insurance demanded he needs an insurance-approved alarm at his insurance renewal. He had to get rid of his Ring alarm system.

9. Professional Monitoring (Ring Protect Plus)

For an additional monthly fee, Ring offers 24/7 professional monitoring in the UK. This service will contact emergency services if an alarm is triggered at your home. This is not a Level 1 Police Response Service.

Again, please be advised, this does not still meet standard insurance requirements for monitored alarms. Just like Verisure and SimpliSafe alarms, if your alarm product does not meet the relevant standards, even if your Ring alarm is monitored and even if the monitoring station is accredited, your Ring alarm system does not meet relevant British standards and hence insurance requirements.

You cannot add police response to Ring Alarms and no installer can request a local police service URN with a Ring alarm system. And installers cannot issue NSI or SSAIB certificates to confirm compliance to standards.

This essentially rules out the usage of Ring alarms in business premises, larger homes or properties with valuables in them, houses that have been burgled in the past – due to likely tougher insurance requirements, and buildings in areas with a history of break-ins.

10. Ring Alarm Battery Life

The Ring alarm system is designed for long battery life. However, frequent alarms or poor signal strength may drain the batteries faster than expected.

Our experience is the average battery life of 12 to 18 months with batteries draining first in busier rooms.

Please remember, you will require internal and tall-external ladders, batteries, some basic tools, and delicate hands to replace the batteries without damaging the sensors.

11. Customisable Settings

Ring app is very user-friendly and all settings can be adjusted from the itself. You can easily adjust your Ring alarm settings, such as entry and exit delays, directly from the Ring app.

Compared to this, most professional-grade alarms have an additional layer of protection on programmable settings to ensure untrained end-users do not play around and mess up system configuration.

12. Multiple User Access and Ring Alarm Modes

You can grant access to multiple users, each with their own access code. This feature is handy for families or shared accommodations.

The Ring Alarm offers three security modes: ‘Disarmed’, ‘Home’, and ‘Away’. Each mode provides a different level of protection.

13. False Alarms

Like most DIY alarms, Ring alarms also tend to have more false alarms, compared to professional-grade alarms. We had some customers reporting false alarms, particularly with the motion sensors. Adjusting the sensor sensitivity can help reduce these instances.

If you have active and/or larger pets, or cats in general, it is not recommended to get any DIY alarms, as they all tend to struggle against them.

14. Ring Customer Support

While Ring offers comprehensive online support resources and live customer support, some users have reported long wait times to reach a representative.

If you have a Ring alarm fitted and maintained by FHA, our service plans guarantee same-day resolution to most problems reported. If it requires a site visit, we will ensure you have a temporary reprieve on the same day before an engineer is booked to come out. Talk to us to find out more about our 5-star reviewed, all-inclusive fixed-cost alarm maintenance plans.

15. Environmental Impact

Ring’s packaging is made from responsibly sourced paper. The company also operates a recycling program for old devices, which aligns with UK’s sustainability objectives.

16. Data Privacy

There have been some concerns regarding Ring’s data privacy policies in the past. It’s important to familiarise yourself with these policies and ensure you are comfortable with them before purchasing.

17. Cost

Ring’s wireless alarm systems are on the cheaper end of pricing when compared to other DIY alarms like Yale and are more expensive than some other brands on the market. However, many users feel that the quality and range of features justify the cost. The ability to add multiple Ring products in one app is beneficial, however, not all Ring products are created equal.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Ring wireless burglar alarm is a versatile, robust system that offers excellent connectivity, expandability, and ease of use. Its wide range of features and device options allow you to customize the system to your specific needs.

However, it’s important to consider factors such as cost, installation difficulty, your DIY skillsets, customer service, data privacy policies, ongoing subscription charges, and your own current and likely future insurance and security requirements when making your decision.

Please ensure you do enough research before spending money on any security solution, and do not make impulse purchases because the product is on sale!  If in doubt, please do get in touch and we, at FHA Security, do offer free commitment-free advice on security. Happy home securing!

We’re starting to see new security trends emerge prompted by customer demands, manufacturers, and installers like FHA Security.

Here are our top 9 predictions for 2022!

End of landline

OFCOM after consultation with stakeholders decided that traditional landlines, running through old-fashioned copper lines will be discontinued by 2025. We wrote about this in detail and how it will affect your burglar alarms earlier.

As maintaining old lines are more expensive than switching customers over to digital lines, we have seen all leading providers including BT, Sky, and others have taken this initiative early on. If your broadband contract is due for renewal anytime soon, you will no longer be offered an analog line but only an upgrade to a digital line. You may also be switched over in the middle of your contract as well if the lines in your area are to be completely switched off. This means some of your old burglar alarms which use a landline (PSTN) for call alerts and monitoring either needs new communication modules or a completely new alarm system.

Switching off 2G and 3G Technologies

The UK will phase out 2G and 3G mobile services by 2033, and the government has agreed to the switch-off date with mobile-network operators Vodafone, EE, Virgin Media, O2, and Three.

In July 2021, EE owner BT revealed plans to phase out 3G by 2023, and 2G later in the decade. And many other companies have already begun phasing out technology that supports the services.

With more and more connectivity going 4G or 5G or running through broadband, legacy systems and communication modules will either require upgrading or a complete overhaul. 

Smart Alarm by Default

20 years ago, alarms were mostly bell only and connection via landline was a novelty. Mobile sim card-connected devices using GSM modules came through in the last 15 years or so. And smart alarms started taking steam in the last decade.

Now with PSTN (landline), 2G, and 3G discontinuing soon, alarms that communicate via the internet will be the default and here to stay for a long time.

Having been installing and maintaining smart alarms for a decade now, we are pioneers in smart alarm technology installation in the UK and we see the following key trends in 2022.

Integration of Burglar Alarms, Doorbells, and Smart Locks

Home automation ever since its inception has been a premium product and used mostly in ‘Grand Designs’ like projects. Old systems were mostly fully wired and retrospectively fitting them was near impossible. Things are changing now and the cost of products is coming down.

We expect to see more affordable smart burglar alarm integration with smart locks, smart video doorbells, smart internal or external cameras with advanced analytics. Platforms like alarm.com connecting multiple smart products are the future of smart living. We now offer smart alarms from Visonic Qolsys working on this platform integrating 6 different wireless technologies to connect your smart devices.

In the not-too-distant future, your alarm control panel will become the brain of your home, potentially controlling the following:

You will be able to control all these devices from a central control panel using direct input, smart apps on phones, watches, and a range of voice control devices like Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant. The system will also learn your habits and efficiently schedule when to turn on all the devices, schedule use of devices for energy efficiency, update your shopping lists and notify you before devices fail at home.

5G technology for UHD and wireless video security

5G technology will bring faster connectivity, greater bandwidth, lower latency, and help security products deliver higher resolution images and video with better wireless connectivity.

With UK’s average broadband speed at 47.78 Mbps, 4G connection running at 20 – 30 Mbps, 5G will automatically compete with some of the fastest wired connections in the country with an average speed of 160 Mbps. A 5G connected security product stream 4K high definition video output (UHD), bringing in new solutions in video security.

5G connected video surveillance solutions will only have a 5G Simcard with a power supply or powerful lithium batteries to set up and connect wireless cameras in remote locations. This will facilitate the fast deployment of temporary and permanent solutions with limited installation costs. And when 6G comes, speeds are expected to be up to  1 Tbps.

Private Guard Responses to Alarm Events

What happens when your alarm is triggered?

It is common knowledge that a lot of neighbours ignore burglar alarms going off and police response alarms responses haven’t been what they used to be. FHA Security is introducing GRS (Guard Response Service) to alarm triggers all for a fixed fee. FHA monitored alarm systems can be connected to a curated marketplace of professional guard companies. Our GRS service can identify and dispatch the nearest guard to check a property if there is an alarm event. Fixed monthly cost includes annual alarm service, monitoring costs, and 2 guard responses within a 12 month period for as little as £24 per month for residential customers and £30 per month for commercial customers, by using an insurance model charging customers a fixed fee.

Higher Demand for Cyber Security

With security systems becoming smart and connected to the internet, people are right to be concerned about the risk of being hacked to break into the security system. Security systems and cloud service providers will have to continuously invest in, maintain and monitor all connected systems against threats.

Security manufacturers and service providers like FHA Security will also have to cover the security of their products and services throughout the whole lifecycle.

Price increases

Increases in global freight charges in 2021, energy price 2021-22, chip shortages and the biggest inflation rise in the UK in over 30 years means, the prices were bound to increase. Having seen an average annual price increase of 2-3% for the last decade, 2022 price increases for the security industry is in the range of 6 to 12% now with most suppliers who announced recently opting for 8-12% increases. This trend is likely to continue until inflation and interest rates stabilise again.

Manufacturers streamlining product lines

Supply chain issues, chip shortages, and inflation mean manufacturers are streamlining their product ranges while we prepare for a post covid world. Global security solution manufacturer Risco is moving into two product lines – Wicomm Pro range and Lightsys+ discontinuing their Agility, Commpact, GT Plus, and Lightsys 2 products.  Johnson Control’s Visonic has announced they will discontinue at least two products this year.

Summary

So, there you have it, our top security trends in the UK to watch in 2022 and beyond.

Whether you have existing security solutions or have questions about how any of these can affect your security requirements, please do get in touch. 

We have always emphasized the need for securing your home and not advertising your possessions and holidays. Another key area to protect is yourself from identity theft.

Identity Theft

Here’s Mike’s story!

Mike says, they lived in a rented flat at the time in Ipswich and they were preparing to move to Croydon with family. He had a new job lined up. As with any flats, he put all his rubbish in the shared waste bins and never thought about it.

The move went well and after about 6 months, he received a bill from 3 mobile for pending payment and he ignored it thinking it was a mistake. A few days later a Vodafone bill arrive asking for payment of £1500, which again he ignored. He used to get odd debt recovery for old tenants in his old flat, so he assumed it was sent in error. 

A bill came from O2 came through after a month mentioning a new iPhone was ordered and then the big one hit home! A letter from Blackhorse Finance demanding repayment for a BMW 3 series. Mike called Blackhorse. They quickly established Mike was probably a victim of identity theft and recommended he contact the police. Then he contacted every other company that sent him a letter and established there were big contracts and new expensive items were purchased in his name. Mike says Vodafone was the most helpful and they recommended he also contact Experian and look at his credit file.

The Investigation

Experian asked Mike to open a credit account to look at all the credit accounts and identify ones he did not open. Experian also filed a report with the police.  Mike’s credit score at this point was 7/999. Anything this low is generally considered bankruptcy level. At this point, Mike and his best friend were planning to buy their first homes, next to each other and they were looking to secure mortgages. He had to drop the plan and wait for his name to be cleared.

Police came home and advised Mike his identity was definitely stolen but he hasn’t personally lost any money. In such cases, police write to all companies involved confirming Mike’s identity was stolen. He got responses from Vodafone, O2 and Blackhorse Finance confirming the debt is now cancelled. He hasn’t heard back from some others.

Turn Around

Experian advised him to join a credit improvement program – which is a paid service. He also put a Credit Lock on his credit file, again a paid service from Experian. Credit lock allows you to stop any lenders from accessing your file without you manually authorizing a payment. Over a period of a few months, his credit score bounced back to the high 900s.

He had to stay on the Experian program for 3 months and it took a total of 7 months to clear everything.

Identity Theft Data

Identity theft is a major crime in the UK and the last reported figures for 2019 show around 200,000 cases of identity theft cases in the UK and the cases are rising at an alarming rate.

According to CIFAS, The UK’s Fraud Prevention Community, Identity fraud rose by nearly 20% in 2019, accounting for the largest number of cases recorded by Cifas members at 61%. People aged over 31 were specifically targeted by this type of fraudulent conduct, with victims aged 60 and over on the rise. The highest number of victims (68%) were recorded in the South East region.

How to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft?

1.       Invest in a shredder. They cost as little as £20 quid and shred all important bills and documents before disposing them into the bin.

2.       Moving home? Make sure you update your new address with all service providers. Here’s our detailed blog on everything you must do when moving homes.

3.       Set up mail forwarding with royal mail – you can do it for up to 12 months, so you don’t miss out on any letters sent to your old address.

4.       Open a free credit check account, keep an eye on your credit accounts, credit associations and report anything suspicious.

5.       Identify theft often happen after a burglary. Secure your home with a professional alarm system.

6.       Secure your home Wifi and be careful on public wifi.

7.       Secure your passwords and avoid using the same passwords on different sites.

8.       Where possible move to digital statements instead of paper ones.

9.       Don’t respond to cold calling or emails you do not recognise.

10.   Be careful of what you share on social media.

How to Report Identity Theft?

If you think you are a victim of identity theft or at high risk, do the following immediately.

1.       Check your credit report with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion

2.       If you find suspect credit accounts, contact their fraud support teams

3.       If you receive any bills or invoices you do not recognise, contact them and confirm you did not open an account with them.

4.       Consider adding a notice of correction against any fraudulent transactions in your credit file

5.       Add a notice of correction password to protect again fraudsters opening a new account without your permission.

6.       Report to police

7.       Work through each fraudulent credit account until they are cleared your credit score is back to where it was.

Stay vigilant, stay safe!

We at FHA haven’t done a fully wired burglar alarm since 2012. We currently have just one manufacturer, Risco, in our portfolio who still makes a wired product designed to work as a straight swap for a legacy hard wired alarm systems. It is as labour intensive and at times costlier than fitting a brand-new wireless alarm altogether.

So, if you have a wired security alarm, what are your options? Have a look below.

1. Do Nothing!

If it ain’t broken…

There is no urgent reason for you to do anything as long as the following factors are considered.

1. Is your wired alarm system working properly?
2. Are you servicing your wired alarm system yearly?
3. Do you have all the burglar system codes needed?
4. Do you have the user manual?
5. Are you in touch with a product expert engineer or a company that can assist you with regular support and servicing of your system?
6. Do you know what to do if the system develops a fault on the weekend?
7. Is your alarm system older than ten years?
8. Has the manufacturer discontinued the product?
9. Are spare parts still available for the system?
10. Would it be beneficial for you to upgrade the system and take advantage of more advanced safety and smart living features?

It is critical that you know the answers to these questions and be able to identify whether you are prepared to handle an emergency situation with your system.

I emphasise this assessment as we regularly answer calls on weekends and late nights from homeowners with old alarms that they know nothing about. They usually panic when they are told nothing can be done without having at least some if not all information at hand.

So what are your options with an old system?

Get your wired alarm system professionally serviced regularly. Ensure everything is working fine and make sure you know how to operate the system properly. It is easier said than done, as very few technicians still work on old wired alarms. And even if you have found a good engineer local enough to you, parts and labour can be expensive. The reason being, old systems take a lot longer to troubleshoot and fix and hard wired alarm system kits are often discontinued. 

Or

Look at our other upgrade options.

2. Upgrade to a New Wired Alarm System or a Hybrid Alarm

One option is to check if you can use the existing wiring to upgrade the alarm to a more modern and technology-oriented system. It is a good idea on paper, and there are still a handful of solutions out there that can fit this requirement.

Repositioning devices, adding extra sensors, or enhancing protection on an existing wired setup is always challenging, time-consuming and costly.

It would either mean running exposed cables within the house right from the wired control panel to wired sensors or adding a wireless module to the alarm (available on some wired alarm models) to make it a hybrid (part wired and part wireless) burglar alarm system.

Possible Issues with a Hybrid Alarm System

Many security companies will not agree to upgrade an alarm with your existing wiring. It is mainly because there might be problems when you do it with current wiring. Wiring faults are often difficult to identify, time consuming and expensive to fix.

Some common problems could be realising that the cables are damaged while the new system installation is almost complete or replacing your old alarm, which is sitting pretty much inside the plastering.

Upgrading to a hybrid alarm system is a good option if you want to add extra sensors or devices. Again, the price can go up, and with two types of alarm technologies working together, you will soon find out that you have got enough choices, flexibility, and more control with wireless devices than the wired ones.

However, if the wiring is older than ten years, it may be wise to completely ignore this route and go for the other home security systems (listed below).

3. Wireless Burglar Alarm System

If your hardwired security system is over ten years old, the most sensible option is to upgrade to a new fully wireless alarm.

When we replace old wired alarms for our customers, we even help them remove their existing systems. A wireless alarm system is not only simple to use, but it also includes a plethora of features that make it a complete security package for any home. It outperforms a traditional wired intruder alarm system in every imaginable way, which depends on wires and cables.

Wireless alarms have complete dominance in the home security market now. All manufacturers have either entirely or mainly transitioned to wireless solutions for several reasons.

• Easier to Install & Upgrade:

  Because wireless home alarm systems do not require cables or wires, they are simpler to install and upgrade. Furthermore, the system’s components are easily replaceable. A typical wireless installation can be completed within 2-4 hours, while a wired system can take 6 hours to 2 days – wiring being the most time-consuming part.

• Flexible & Scalable:

  These systems are portable, and you can easily upgrade them by adding sensors to them at any time. The system can grow with your growing demands – whether it is that nice extension or additional protection for your little one’s bedroom window.

• Multiple choices of communications:

  You can choose from call alerts, text messages and notifications on smartphones using a selection of landline, sim card or broadband-based modules.

• Compatible with your Smart Home:

  Advanced wireless alarms use home automation technology, allowing them to integrate with your smart home.

• Tamper-proof and more Secure:

  Communication in a wireless alarm system is relatively fast, reliable, and secure. It is also tamper-proof. As a result, there is no danger of disabling cables or removing devices. Always make sure your new burglar alarm is grade 2, insurance approved and meets EN 50131 standards.

• Battery-powered:

  Wireless alarms work on batteries and can operate continuously even when there is no power supply. In addition, the control panel includes backup battery power if there is a power failure.

• Choice of multiple sirens:

  You can choose to have multiple internal and external sirens with the alarm. Most of our standard alarm packages come with each of these sirens. You can always choose to have additional live or dummy sirens outside for extra protection.

• Troubleshooting costs:

  Most wireless systems have self-diagnosis and trouble reporting in every device. Such information can be passed to the control panel and even to your phone if it is a smart system. Talk about convenience and ease of dealing with faults.

You can find some of the best wireless alarm system options here.

4. Smart House Alarm Systems

A smart alarm is a more advanced burglar alarm with advanced features such as remote access control and monitoring. You can either connect the alarm panel to your broadband or add a dedicated GSM or LTE sim card unit inside the alarm system to communicate with your alarm control panel.

The key features of smart alarms are:

• Arm and disarm the system from anywhere in the world with the smartphone app. Ideal for giving kids, neighbours, parents, or cleaners access into the house if you are away, without them worrying about triggering the alarm.
• Get instant notifications on alarm activation and other alarm related activities as push notifications on the app or via email.
• Add camera sensors or video cameras to keep an eye on the house or your pets when you are away.
• Sim card connections options will have an ongoing cost associated with sim top-up charges.
• Some cloud connections come with subscription charges. You would want a well maintained and secured connection with advanced encryption anyway. Look out for ‘Secured by Design’ approval on cloud services.

We, at FHA, have seen massive uptake for smart alarms in the last 5 – 6 years. About 70% of new installations we do now are smart alarms now, and we expect this only to grow with old fashioned landlines being set to discontinue.

You can read more about that here.

5. Smart Alarm with Integrated Home Automation

In the last few years, a lot of progress has been made with true smart living and integrating home security with home automation. While protocols were defined for years for Z-wave devices, there have always been challenges with integrating and getting different products with different functionalities talking to each other.

We have made loads for advancement by introducing our most advanced Qolsys (Quality of Life Systems) smart alarm home automation system. You can read our in-depth review of the Qolsys alarm system here.

It is an iPad like alarm control panel that integrates six different wireless technologies into it, allowing you to integrated Visonic’s most advanced Powermaster wireless technology with the widest choice of home automation devices approved by alarm.com’s cloud management system.

Allow me to paint you a picture!

You are coming home with kids, your pets and your shopping. Your hands are full! Your smartwatch knows you are within metres of the house and unlocks the smart lock on your door, and disarms the alarm for you. It records this information and even takes a photo when the alarm is disarmed.

It automatically turns on your lights, TV, and heating, and it can even schedule your household appliances, such as your robotic vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, and washer-dryer, to save you money on electricity.

Your system can quickly learn your usual plans and notifies you when something unusual happens. When you leave the house, it automatically locks your door and arms the alarm for you as well.

If you have a visitor, your video doorbells and video cameras with advanced analytics notify you when they get near the property, and you can talk to them, let them into the house if needed and much more.

The future looks exciting, isn’t it?

So might wonder what you would do with your spare time? Why not use this time and do what you enjoy or go back to option 1- Do nothing!

What are the benefits of using Smart Technology?

Smart technology has numerous advantages, and consumer home automation has made homeowners’ lives easier and more convenient.

Managing all of the smart devices through various smartphone apps could be difficult. This is where a smart home automation hub can help, allowing you to manage everything from a single location.

When all smart devices are linked together, they form a smart home automation hub.

A smartphone app enables you to control the smart home automation hub from your phone easily. You don’t have to manage separate apps for each of your devices anymore. Instead, everything can be managed through a single app.

The most amazing aspect of this technology is connecting multiple devices to trigger an automated action. You can, for example, integrate your alarm system with your smart door. As a result, every time you lock your door, your alarm will be activated.

Alarm.com offers a home management solution that allows homeowners to manage everything from a single platform. Thanks to its user-friendly app, you can control everything with just a few clicks.

Summary

The key takeaway from looking at your old alarm system is aware of the implications of each of these options- doing nothing, upgrading your old system or starting over with a new system- has on your home, family and peace of mind.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to give us a call at 020 3137 8727 or write to us at hello@fhasecurity.co.uk. We are always happy to chat about securing your home and protecting what matters to you the most.

Are you in the market for a new home security system? If so, you may be considering purchasing a Yale alarm system. Yale is a well-known and trusted brand in the home security industry, and for good reason. However, before you make a purchase, it’s important to consider a number of factors to ensure you’re getting the best alarm system for your needs. In this blog, we’ll cover 17 things to consider when you’re buying a Yale alarm. From installation and maintenance to cost and features, we’ll help you make an informed decision.

1) Why do I need an alarm system?  

This is the most critical question to ask yourself in the first place: why do you need a burglar alarm?

1. Is it because it is a high-risk property? Well, which one isn’t?
2. To safeguard the family and possessions on a residential property?
3. Is it a high-risk neighborhood with a recent burglary?

Your requirement could be related to any of the reasons listed above, but not every security system is a one-size-fits-all solution. 

Burglar alarms are used as a first-line defense and may not be the best solution in all circumstances. Therefore, always consult a professional company to determine the best solution to your security needs. 

People sometimes end up choosing a security system that does not meet their needs. For example, if your property is in a high-risk area, a standard alarm will not suffice. It would be best to look into some advanced solutions like professional-grade smart intruder alarms that include remote access control and camera sensors that allow you to monitor your property remotely.

It’s best to assess your requirements first and then consult with a security company to find the best solution for your property.

2) Why the brand Yale? 

Yale was started in 1868 in America and expanded to the UK as a lock manufacturer and is well and truly a global leader in locks and other door-opening solutions. Assa Abloy owns Yale since 2000.

Yale has a substantial range of wireless alarms, and it has been a strong player in the DIY wireless alarm market in the last decade and more.

3) Yale alarm vs Other Brands

When it comes to home protection, Yale is a well-known brand, and its locks range is second to none. That brand recognition and reputation have helped Yale sell its alarm range, and it is one of the most prominent players in the DIY burglar alarm range.

People choose Yale as their preferred security system because it is a cost-effective solution that does not require a monthly subscription or monitoring charges. 

It is always a good idea to compare all of the brands before deciding on an alarm system. Examine the alarm systems’ features as well as the technology they use.

The most popular DIY alarms currently in the market include Yale alarm, Ring alarm, SimpliSafe, to name some. I emphasise ‘currently’ as we have seen several DIY products come and go out of the market.

As DIY alarms do not have to meet some of the higher insurance standards and British Standard grading requirements, they are easier to launch for manufacturers and sometimes more vulnerable to comparable Grade 2 or higher alarms we install. Visonic and Risco are other brands offering more advanced security systems at a lower price.

If cost is a factor in your decision to go with a Yale alarm, we suggest taking a look at the following budget-friendly alarm systems as well.

• Risco WiComm Pro Smart Alarm System
• Visonic Powermaster Wireless Alarm System

4) History of Yale alarm

Yale HSA 3000 series wireless alarm was a big seller in the first decade of the 21st century. They came with their most prominent and probably the best range HSA 6000 series. It is still selling strong despite being in the market for over a decade.

Yale 6400 premium telecommunicating alarm is their best alarm. Other models include Yale 6200 standard alarm and Yale 6300 family alarm.

Both HSA 3000 series and HSA 6000 series work on 433 MHz. This frequency is apparently a European wireless alarm frequency and not the dedicated wireless frequency used for alarms in the UK.

Yale tried to enter the professional-grade alarm market with the Yale SmartHome Alarm range in 2013. It met grade 2 standards and was running on 868 MHz wireless frequency. The product wasn’t a big success, and they had to discontinue it within a couple of years. 

In 2013, Yale introduced the Easy-Fit Range in the UK with EF-Kit 1, EF-Kit 2, and EF–kit 3.

• Kit 1 is Yale Easy Standard Alarm
• Kit 2 is Yale Easy Telecommunicating Alarm
• EF-Kit 3 is their smart alarm range.

These products are still available in some capacity in the market. However, Yale Kit 2 is their most popular product with a white control panel and a black touch display area. 

Yale also introduced their Sync IA range in 2018, and is still widely available in the market. The series has IA – 310, IA -320, IA -330, and IA – 340 alarms. Yale also offers a wide range of safes and offer a DIY range of CCTV systems as well.

5) Which Yale alarm is best?

Yale offers fully battery-operated, bells-only, telecommunication, and smart alarm systems. Despite their decision to discontinue a few product ranges in the last decade due to several reasons, Yale is still one of the most popular and widely sold brands in the DIY security market in the UK.

Yale’s most popular alarm in the last 10 years is Yale 6400 premium telecommunicating alarm. You can use it when you go out and at night and call up to 3 numbers of your choice using your landline at home. Considering the landline is going digital, this system will soon have limited notification capability.

Yale’s new IA range of alarms offers smartphone app connectivity, so that is an excellent option to consider as well. Most popular being IA-330 and IA-340. 

6) What communication feature do I need in a Yale alarm? 

When selecting a Yale alarm system, you must consider what communication feature you want your alarm to have. The alarm system’s communication module allows the device to notify the user if an intrusion is detected. It can communicate via your landline, broadband, or a GSM network. You can select a suitable communication feature for your Yale alarm based on the needs of your property.

7) Do I need additional sensors with a Yale alarm? 

A typical Yale alarm kit consists of the following components.

• Control panel/ Keypad
• A couple of PIR motion detector
• A couple of Door Contacts
• 1 or 2 External live or dummy sirens

These standard packages are rarely sufficient for most properties, and you may require additional sensors. As most Yale alarms now come with sensors pre-programmed, you need to program additional sensors you purchase.

When recommending alarms, the theory we use is to put one motion sensor in every ground floor room where someone can access from outside via door or window and one door contact per each outside door.

8) What types of sensors are available with the Yale alarms?

Yale alarms come with motion sensors and door contacts. They also do key fobs and smoke detectors as add-on devices. However, they do not offer the full range of sensors provided by professional burglar alarms range – such as shock detectors, glass breakers, carbon monoxide sensors, ceiling sensors, outdoor sensors, contacts, or specialist quad sensors for use in conservatories and sun rooms. Yale’s pet-friendly sensors aren’t as good as professional-grade sensors.

9) How to install the Yale alarm?

Yale alarm kits are do-it-yourself in nature, which means you don’t need a professional installer to install them. It comes with an installation manual that walks you through the process of setting up a Yale alarm. You would require necessary tools like drill sets, a sturdy ladder for internal use, and a tall ladder (6 meters plus) to set up an external bell box at the top of the first-floor or second-floor height. 

It is best to hire a professional installer to avoid tampering and damaging the system. You may also end up paying more to have the system repaired. 

A professional Yale installer near you can fit a Yale alarm in under 90 minutes, while a DIY user can take a lot longer and, when things go wrong, significantly longer. 

In 2020 we carried out over 100 visits to complete partially finished Yale installations and more to check and rectify programming errors. 

If you are unsure what to do, give us a call, and our Yale installation specialists can help you with your Yale alarm requirements. 

10) How can I service a Yale alarm? 

Yale does not provide any service plans for its alarm kits. You need to contact a professional company like FHA Security for your alarm’s annual maintenance or repair.

FHA provides yearly alarm maintenance services for all types of Yale alarm kits. You can also ask us for one-off service callouts to rectify any problems you are struggling with. We also carry the most common parts for Yale alarms in our van. Our engineers are all professionally trained and qualified to work on Yale Burglar Alarm.

11) Are Yale alarms insurance approved?

No, Yale alarms are not insurance-approved. Insurance-approved alarm systems are graded alarms that comply with the European standard EN 50131. Yale alarms are DIY systems and are not graded. They meet the CE ratings required for all electrical products.

Always consult your insurance company before purchasing a Yale alarm system, as most of them will ask you to use an insurance-approved alarm system, fitted to PD6667:2017 or equivalent standards by an NSI or SSAIB certified company like FHA Security.

12) What grade are Yale alarms?

There are four alarm grades ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most secure. A grade 2 alarm system is recommended for residential properties. Yale alarm systems, on the other hand, are not graded. All graded alarm systems are professionally installed and in accordance with industry standards.

13) Can I have my Yale alarm monitored by a third party?

If your insurance requires your alarm to be third-party monitored or have police-response with them, you cannot do either of them with the Yale alarm. Non-graded alarms cannot connect to the monitoring stations.

14) What is the average life of Yale alarms?

The average life of a typical Yale alarm is about 7 years, give or take – depending on maintaining it well and servicing it regularly. We have had to replace DIY Yale alarms within weeks due to poor installation, and within the first 2-3 years, lack of service and the alkaline battery discharge damaging sensors.

With Yale refreshing its range every few years, the main challenge with the life of the Yale alarm is the ability to find replacement parts when something goes wrong. 

15) How does the Yale alarm work?

Yale’s current burglar alarm range is fully wireless, and all devices communicate wirelessly using its dedicated alarm frequency. The control panel needs a power supply, and some models require a connection to either a landline or broadband router. Everything else is entirely wireless. 

16) Does it work with voice control devices like google home?

The Latest IA range of Yale smart alarm systems allows for smart device controls. It can easily connect to voice control devices such as Google Home or Alexa. You can use these devices to control the operation of your alarm system. For example, you can tell Alexa to arm your alarm system. This would help to eliminate the need for manual intervention to arm or disarm the alarm system. It is very convenient for people who are already using such devices in their homes.

17) DIY vs Professional alarms? 

When people are looking to purchase a security system, the first question that comes to mind is, “Which system should I purchase? Do-it-yourself or professional security system?”

People are generally perplexed by the vast array of options available on the market. There are a few devices that may initially entice you. For example, people may purchase a DIY product because it is less expensive without thoroughly analysing their requirements. But keep in mind that cheaper is not always better.

Price should never be the only factor when purchasing a home security system. You should always take into account ongoing maintenance, insurance requirements, ability to customise and add specialist sensors. 

In our previous article, “DIY vs Professional Security systems“, we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of each type of system in detail. It is always advisable to evaluate each type of alarm and see which one best meets your needs.

Conclusion

So, whether you are thinking of getting a Yale alarm or have bought a Yale alarm or inherited it, give us a call and let our dedicated Yale alarm specialist offer you no-obligation advice and assist you with fitting your alarm. And if Yale isn’t the solution for you, do not worry. We work with many other leading brands of security solutions in the UK.

Do you intend to build your ‘Grand Design’ home yourself? Or are you looking to add a beautiful extension to your existing home? Or are you purchasing a newly constructed home from a builder who is currently working on it? If you answered yes, then our self build home security guide will help you understand your project’s security implications.

In this article, we will cover the following topics in detail.

• Planning and implementing security measures for your project while it is still in progress.
• Consider installing security systems such as burglar alarms, CCTV, smart doorbells, floodlights, and home automation in your new home.
• The initial phase or early fixtures for your new home’s security solutions.
• The final stage of your chosen security solutions’ security installation.
• Consider how you will maintain and service your security solution.

We typically speak with self builders who either did not plan for home security while building their home or taking security advice from inexperienced people and wasted their time and money on outdated technology. This blog will provide you with professional advice on how to plan home security for your self build home.

When is the ideal time to plan security for your self build home?

We have frequently observed that most self builders plan the security installations at the end of the project. This results in exposed cables and limits the products’ and installers’ flexibility.

Home security and home automation planning should ideally begin at the beginning, i.e. during your project’s design stage. Consider your plumbing and electrical requirements, for example. This is the time to consult with your family and decide on your home’s security needs.

At this point, a professional security consultant can take the time to understand your project’s security challenges and risks and advise you on the various options available to you. You’d also be in a better position to budget and schedule different stages of installation.

We have security consultants at FHA Security who regularly work with architects, builders, and self build enthusiasts. We provide a free security consultation call to understand your project and answer any questions you may have. Our typical first call can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, after which we will send you a few solutions to meet your needs. We can also assist you in planning the various stages of your security project. This will give you a good idea of better planning, scheduling, and budgeting for your project.

Step-by-Step Home Security Planning

Step 1: Understand your Requirements

At this stage, always begin by analysing the security risks associated with your property. Consider all security aspects, i.e. before, during, and after building construction.

Key questions to consider when planning your home security:

• What security measures should you implement to protect your home?
• How frequently will your home be vacant?
• Do you want to keep an eye on the house’s exterior?
• Do any outbuildings, garages, or gates require protection?
• Are you prepared to enjoy all the benefits of smart living and home automation?
• Do you need a fully integrated solution?
• To what extent should your system be adaptable? Do you plan on upgrading your system in the future?
• How many authorised users will be present in your security system?
• Would you allow cleaners or gardeners access while you are away?
• Do you have any pets, or do you intend to get any?
• Do you want to expand your home or construct any outbuildings in the future?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be in a better position to choose the best security solution for your self build homes. It is always preferable to have a clear idea of your requirements rather than simply purchasing what is suggested to you.

Step 2: Analyse the trends and technology

It is always a good idea to stay up to date on the latest security market trends. It will provide you with the most accurate picture of the available solutions to meet your needs, such as burglar alarms, CCTV, and so on. You will then determine which of them meets your needs or can be installed once your home is ready for occupancy.

Getting professional advice at this point will save you a significant amount of time and money. A professional expert can survey your property remotely or on-site and assist you in effectively planning your project.

Tip: To avoid being sold on a single product, always speak with professional security companies that offer multiple product lines and work with various manufacturers. At this point, you should keep an open mind about products and concentrate on finding the best solutions for your home.

This will give you an idea of what kinds of solutions you’ll need, such as burglar alarms, CCTV systems, video doorbells, external floodlights, lockable windows and doors, and home automation systems. Once you’ve decided, you can begin selecting products, making rough estimates, and planning for the first fix. This includes planning for cabling; you can determine the best location to instal security units such as a control panel, keypad, camera sensors, and so on.

Another critical decision you will have to make is whether to go with a wired or wireless system. A wired system would entail fitting and wiring, which would require planning.

Tip: We recommend wireless burglar alarms as well as a wired CCTV system. Wireless alarm control panels may still require a power source and connections to broadband and landline modules.

Step 3: Identify and choose a location for your security system within your home

Choose a central location for your security hub. Consider the following devices and their connectivity ending at that point.

• Your modem/router
• A working telephone (if you still use a landline)
• A burglar alarm control panel (prepare a power supply)
• A CCTV recorder (power supply and camera cables)
• A home automation hub
• A home network hub/ switch

You should consult with your architect and builder to determine the location of your home’s central hub. To get the best wireless signal strength, keep them away from windows and doors and in the centre of the house.

Step 4: Consult your Insurance Company

It is also worthwhile to consult with an insurance company during the planning stage. In general, insurance companies have specific requirements when it comes to installing a security system. Most, if not all, insurance companies advise you to instal a British Standard graded alarm system installed by an NSI or SSAIB certified installer. Again, depending on their company policy, property location, historical insurance claims, and risk score, some insist on this.

Home Security on the Construction Site

Security on your construction site is also critical. Most of us intend to protect our homes once they are ready to be moved. We, on the other hand, fail to protect the construction site while it is in use.

The following are some key questions to ask yourself about your construction site:

• Who is in charge of the site’s security?
• Does your insurance cover theft and damage while the project is being built? Make sure you notify your insurance company about the house renovations.
• Is the property going to be empty at night and on weekends?
• Are the sites and valuables secured every night?
• What kinds of valuables are typically left unattended on the job site while the project is underway?
• Who should be notified if a break-in occurs on the property?

Intruders target construction sites searching for scrap metal, pipe fittings, toilet fittings, or anything else worth selling. It could also be one of the new deliveries you’ve ordered for your residence.

People believe that burglars are more interested in cash, jewellery, and other valuable items. Most of us probably don’t bother protecting the construction site because we think there’s nothing valuable burglars can steal. And this is where the majority of us go astray. A 2016 research study of 1,100 construction industry professionals survey found that 92% reported theft on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. According to Allianz Cornhill, it cost £800 million last year alone.

Here are some preventive measures that one should take on their construction site.

• Request that your building contractor or project manager keep an eye out for new people wandering around your property.
• Consider installing a temporary alarm system that activates every night and alerts you via a GSM sim card inside the alarm.
• If it is a high-value property, consider installing a CCTV system to monitor your site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Request that your project manager or the builder lock up all tools and equipment or take them home at the end of the day if possible.
• Keep track of all deliveries to your site at all times.

Home Security Solutions – Your options

We now have advanced security solutions that meet our needs thanks to changing technology and automation integration.

Let’s look at some of the most popular security solutions.

1) Burglar alarm

Burglar alarms undoubtedly are one of the best burglar deterrents. Loud siren alerts not only the homeowner but the entire neighbourhood. Its remote monitoring feature allows you or a third party to monitor your home and take immediate action whenever an alarm is triggered.

With changing needs and technology, burglar alarm has evolved into a complete security solution with a host of capabilities that allow you to manage, monitor and control your home security.

Read our blog on burglar alarm systems and learn more about the critical features to consider in your alarm system.  

Here’s a step-by-step guide to selecting the best burglar alarm for your needs.

2) CCTV

There is a wide range of camera solutions for internal and external use available for residential homes.

Some important considerations to bear in mind.

• Where will the camera be placed?
• What level of recording and access are you looking for?
• Do you want the camera to pan and tilt?

Choose a plug-and-play camera with a smart app for indoors and, if possible, two-way audio with pan and tilt capabilities.

We would recommend a professionally installed and fully customised CCTV solution for the outdoors, such as FHA ones.

Remember that CCTV that does not provide local recording and relies on your broadband connection is not as reliable as CCTV with local hard-drive recording.

A professionally installed CCTV system is a one-time cost solution that will rarely require additional maintenance and will provide complete protection.

3) Smart Doorbells

A smart doorbell is a relatively new product on the market that is a useful smart device. The following are some of the critical features of a smart doorbell.

• Motion-triggered notification
• Push notification through a smartphone app
• Optional built-in cameras can send live video notifications and support 2-way video communications.

There are numerous smart doorbell devices on the market, some of which are from unknown brands and costs from as little as £20. But, among all of them, the Ring doorbell stands out as one of the best. If you want to watch historical videos, these devices have a variety of subscription options.

Tip: All smart doorbells make use of your home broadband as well as your smartphone. You should only connect trusted smart devices to your broadband, and you should only install secure apps on your phone. The reason for this is that there are security risks associated with hacking. In fact, there have been reports of security breaches where ring products were hacked.

4) Flood Lights with motion sensors

Floodlights are high-intensity lights that are used to illuminate your property’s perimeter. Because of their startling effect, motion sensor flood lights are best used to deter burglars. These floodlights are activated by any movement around them, making them ideal for protecting property from intruders.

5) Deadbolt doors and lockable windows

Several surveys and studies have revealed that burglars frequently use doors and windows to gain entry into a property. That means you must use high-quality, difficult-to-break locks on all of your doors and windows.

Using a deadbolt door is an excellent way to secure your doors. Its locking mechanism provides excellent protection against forced entry. Standard locks are easily broken by burglars using weapons such as knives or crowbars; however, deadbolt locks are difficult to break. Burglars would have to work harder to get past them, providing good security.

Securing windows, on the other hand, is another way to ensure complete security. Windows typically have a standard lock; however, additional locks can improve the security of your windows. There are various types of locks available on the market that are appropriate for various types of windows.

To select the best locks for your home, consult with a professional. It is an excellent way to add an additional layer of security to the security system.

With so many options to choose from, it may be challenging to select one that meets our needs.

Read our blog to learn about some popular security systems and which one is best for your needs.

Latest Trends in Home Security

• In the last 15 years, wired alarms’ market share in the residential market has fallen from around 90% to less than 5%. In some cases, wired alarms are only used to replace older wired alarms. The majority of leading burglar alarm manufacturers have either discontinued or relegated their wired alarm range.
• Smartphone penetration in the UK market increased from 76% in 2005 to a consistent 95% in recent years, with the impact visible in the burglar alarm market. At FHA Security, we’ve seen interest in smart alarms rise from 34% in 2014 to 78% in 2020, and we expect the trend to continue.
• CCTV remains the second-best defence against burglaries, mainly vandalism and vehicle theft. For complete protection, we still recommend fully wired CCTV that covers all entry points into the house.
• Video doorbells did not exist until entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff invented the well-known Ring video doorbell in 2013. They are currently expected to grow at 48%, making them the fastest-growing product category in the security industry.
• Another popular security range to consider is home automation. Home automation products that use z-wave wireless technology have been available for some time. FHA’s latest home automation series integrates smart burglar alarms with the full range of home automation suites, smart locks, smart video doorbells, and various smart internal and external cameras with unprecedented data and analytics. Its integration with alarm.com’s sophisticated cloud services truly transforms it into an effective all-in-one home management solution. It is a system that adapts to your changing needs, and you can control it with voice-activated devices such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Voice Assistant, your smartwatch, and many others.

Home Security Installation Stages

After you’ve had your initial security consultation with us and determined which solutions you want to instal, it’s time to plan and schedule the installation.

First Fix

Most security solutions still entail the use of a power supply or wired connections. Suppose your construction project includes the rendering of walls. In that case, it is best to finish the first fix of laying cables before beginning the rendering work – similar to how the plumbing and electrical wires are laid.

Discuss with your FHA Security consultant and builders how to identify and configure the necessary cables. Some cabling is simple enough that it can be laid by your electrician or builders. Alternatively, our expert engineers can perform the initial cabling installation for you.

Please keep in mind that you will be required to select and lay the appropriate cables based on the type of system you will be installing later.

1) The first fix cabling for a burglar alarm.

Choose the system (make and model) that you want to install in your home. All alarm systems require some form of power supply and connection to some of your home’s services. Some alarms have a separate control panel and keypads, whereas others have integrated keypads.

A power supply is required for an alarm control panel. If you have a dedicated breaker in your electric fuse box, you can hardwire it. A dedicated fuse spur for the panel’s power supply is part of the alarm’s first fix.

If you have a smart alarm, consider running concealed cat-6 cabling between your control panel and your broadband connection. This works well if you need a hardwired network connection between the control panel and your broadband router or if you want to keep your alarm control panel separate from your router. Consider running telephone cables between the control panel and the master telephone socket if your alarm is linked to a landline to call you.

You should probably do these wirings in the early stages of construction. It would be ideal if the cables were concealed before the plastering and decorating. So, try to complete the wiring before moving on to the electrical and plumbing work.

2) Concealed wiring for CCTV

All CCTVs capable of continuous recording and storage are hardwired. They may have a separate power supply cable and data cable or use a single cable for both power supply and connection to the house’s CCTV recorder. With all of the cabling involved, it is always advisable to lay CCTV cabling as a first fix.

Key things to consider before fitting your CCTV

a) The number of cameras required: We recommend a minimum of one camera per external wall. A mid-terraced house would need at least two cameras, an end-of-terraced or semi-detached house would require three, and a detached house would require four.

Tip: If there are any unusual extensions or protruding walls that prevent cameras from fully covering the property, consider installing additional cameras on the same wall.

b) Recorder location: There are two recommended locations for a CCTV DVR or NVR.

Option 1: Place your broadband router right next to it and connect to it directly via a smartphone or tablet for  remote access.

Option 2: A secret location, such as a loft. You’d need a power supply and, ideally, a network cable running from the attic to the broadband router. Alternatively, you will have the same electric circuit shared between these points, so you can send data to the router using electric cabling.

c) You’d need cables running from each camera location to the recorder’s location inside the house.

d) Select either a CAT 6 cable or a coaxial cable. We recommend using a CAT 6 networking cable.

e) Leave at least 1 metre of cable outside for extra flexibility during the final fix.

3) Internal network cabling

You should also consider whether you will have additional networking points inside the house to connect any devices that require hardwired internet connections. Computers, printers, smart lighting hubs, smart thermostats, and other similar devices are common examples.

With the availability of wi-fi range extenders and wireless devices, the need for internal cat 6 cabling is diminishing unless you have specific reasons for installing it. Otherwise, they’d be like the extra phone lines that everyone installed for their landlines before high-quality cordless telephones rendered them obsolete.

4) Telephone line

Nowadays, most people only use mobile phones, and if you have a landline, it is usually a cordless landline phone with a base that connects to the master telephone point. According to a recent Ofcom survey, only 4% of the UK population currently uses a landline, and traditional landlines will be phased out by 2025.

The majority of us use landline connections to connect systems such as burglar alarms, panic alarms, and broadband routers. Consider installing additional phone points only if they are necessary. For these systems, GSM/LTE-enabled sim cards are an option. It will, however, incur additional sim card charges.

5) Internet connectivity

The location of your broadband router is critical for ensuring reliable wireless connectivity throughout your home. Consider the following factors when deciding where to put the router.

a) Which devices should connect physically to the router. Consider computers, alarm control panels, smart TVs, sound systems, printers, smart lighting hubs, smart thermostats, and other home automation controllers.

Tip: Most routers only have 2 to 4 ports for connecting devices. If you require more ports, consider installing a hub or switch next to your router.

b) The distance and strength of the signal in and outside the house. With more and more devices connected to the internet, you’ll want to ensure that you have a strong wireless signal in and around your home, garden, and outbuildings.

Tip: Check for wireless signal strength outside the property, next to external walls and in and out of any outbuildings such as sheds and garages. Make sure to test signal strength at ceiling heights.

c) Please keep in mind that walls reduce wifi power and the ability to establish and maintain reliable wi-fi connections everywhere.

d) Wi-fi Extenders – You can avoid using extenders and repeaters if you plan ahead of time to locate the internet router and purchase a high-quality wi-fi router.

6) Doorbell cabling

If you want to have a smart doorbell, it’s worth considering installing the cable, so you don’t have to worry about recharging its battery. Please keep in mind that most smart doorbells require a transformer to convert the AC power supply to DC, usually between the power supply and the bell. And if you don’t get this right, you might damage your doorbell. Therefore, ensure that the transformers you intend to buy are compatible with the doorbell you plan to buy.

7) Home automation cabling

If you intend to install home automation devices, decide which components will require wiring. You’d want extensive wiring done in the same way electrical wiring is done. And you’d like it done by professional installation companies.

TIP: Consider creating a separate zone for your home’s central station. Build a dedicated cabinet for all of your controllers if possible.

Final Fix

After all other work on the property has been completed, the final fix or completion of installation stages will begin. This includes painting, decorating, and arranging furniture in the rooms.

If you neglected to plan your security requirements at the outset, this is where we would begin.

The various stages of the final fix are as follows.

1) Connect your landline and broadband in advance.

Consider getting your broadband connections up and running a few weeks ahead of time. Broadband connections are notoriously slow, and installation lead times can range from weeks to months in some cases. There are also last-minute cancellations and delays to consider. Because most of your security installations will require communication connectivity, we recommend installing your communication network a few weeks in advance.

Tip: If you are moving your existing broadband package from your old address, you may get downtime of a few hours to a few days before it starts working in your new home. Speak with your provider to see if they can activate your new property’s connection without disrupting the existing connection. Alternatively, before terminating your current connection, consider signing a new contract for your new home. However, you might lose your old phone number and hopefully stop getting those nuisance calls that used to come on your old number.

2) Complete security installations

This is when our engineers return to complete the final installations.

a) Burglar Alarm:

At this point, the control panel and all other internal and external devices will be installed, configured, and enabled for you. This includes installing apps on your phones and tablets and training you on how to use the system.

Assume you neglected to plan your home security. In that case, a wireless burglar alarm is a better solution because it causes the least amount of disruption.

Choose one of our smart alarm ranges that include separate keypads and control panels, such as the Risco Agility 4 and Visonic Powermaster 33 alarms.

Burglar alarm Tips

• Always choose a wireless alarm over a wired alarm. Wireless alarms are more advanced, secure, and easy to install. Whereas, wired alarms would take longer to install and are more expensive to maintain. Burglars can easily tamper with wired systems by cutting out the wire. As the technology evolves, it will be difficult to upgrade a wired system later because it has limited upgrade options.
• Use alarms that use cutting-edge and future-proof smart technology. A smart system would enhance your home security by allowing you to manage and control it remotely. You can also integrate your smart alarm with your other smart devices. Wireless alarms are portable and easier to move from one location to another. The best part is that you can even automate the response by connecting all of these devices. Like you can link your smart doorbell to your alarm system. So, whenever someone knocks on your door, you’ll receive a notification on your app. And you can instantly respond from your app no matter where you are.
• Ensure that you have a stable internet connection to use your wireless alarm. This means that you’d need to set up your Wi-Fi connection ahead of time to get good coverage within your home.
• If you have multiple smart devices in your home, we recommend going with an integrated solution that connects all your smart devices in one place. It is preferable to manage all of these devices on a single platform rather than juggling with multiple apps. A comprehensive solution allows you to manage everything from a single app and automate the majority of the tasks.
• When purchasing a new alarm system, ensure that you have complete ownership of the system. Some companies provide security systems on a lease, which means you do not own the alarm system.

b) CCTV:

Once you’ve set up all of the cameras and recorders, as well as the complete networking and remote access setup, your CCTV installation will be done. At this point, the installer will connect your smartphone app to the CCTV system.

CCTV selection tips:

• Shape of the CCTV camera: Bullet, dome, and eyeball (turret) cameras are standard options. However, we always recommend using an eyeball camera.
• Colour of CCTV camera: The camera’s default colour is white (off-white). Some models are available in black, brown, or grey. They may be slightly more expensive and in short supply. So, if you need a specific colour, please request it ahead of time.
• CCTV Camera Resolution: While there are enough jargons to confuse you about CCTV systems, our best advice is to focus on camera output quality. We recommend 5MP cameras for now, with the option of upgrading to 8MP cameras later. Because 1 MB is considered high definition, 5MP is superior to 4K output. In comparison, the camera output quality in 2012 was around 600 to 700 TVL. So the output has improved about 8 times since then. The higher resolution enables you to zoom in further and see video output in your smart app more clearly.
• Recorder Capacity: We would not recommend storing footage on your local recorder for more than four weeks.
• Cabling: For CCTV installations, use CAT 6 cabling whenever possible.

Conclusion

Home security is essential, but planning it at the right time is even more critical. People frequently place a greater emphasis on the design and interiors of their ideal home. However, home security planning is frequently overlooked.

This guide will teach you how to plan security for your newly self build home in detail. It provides you with a detailed plan on your security requirements at each stage, assisting you in constructing a fully secured self build home for you and your family.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your security needs in greater detail, please contact us, and one of our experts will contact you shortly.

This is a classic ‘chicken and egg; new egg’ tale!

Wait a minute! Let me explain.

Burglar alarms date back to 1853 when Reverend Augustus Russell Pope patented the first electro-magnetic burglar alarm. And Edwin Holmes made it in his factory in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857.

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is a relatively new technology that was first used in 1942 to observe the launch of V-2 rockets in Germany. Initially, they were created to live monitor and did not allow footage recordings.

Both technologies have evolved significantly since then.

On the other hand, video doorbells are a new entrant that debuted in 2013 with the famous Ring video doorbell by entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff.

So, back to the original question. It all depends on where, why, and how you intend to use these systems.

To simplify,

• An alarm deters burglars and prevents burglaries.
• CCTV collects evidence and is more valuable in verifying and providing proof to the police.
• With a video doorbell, you can see who is ringing your doorbell. You can communicate with them in real-time thanks to the video feature.

To summarise, it relies entirely on your security requirements.

Where should I use these security systems?

I. Business Premises

CCTV systems

A fully functional CCTV system complements retail or commercial properties by effectively stopping distraction burglars and shoplifters in real-time. It enables you to monitor the property remotely as well as onsite using the cameras.

Installing cameras and a CCTV monitor in a strategic location always deters opportunist thieves. However, it may not be highly beneficial if the premises are closed at night. A burglar with his or her face hidden can break in quickly and escape unnoticed. Such cases have remained unsolved.

A remote and live monitored CCTV can still be helpful; however, the high cost of third party video monitoring often prevents most small businesses and residential custodians from implementing it.

Burglar Alarms

On the other hand, an intruder alarm is not as effective as a CCTV system during the day but can be very effective at night. There is one exception for day use, though.

When an alarm system enables chime on doors, the control panel can notify you every time someone walks through the door.

FHA intruder alarms can be set-up to notify users or monitoring stations via various communication channels whenever the alarm is triggered.

A smart alarm will send you an alert along with images and videos on your app to verify in real-time.

Video Doorbell

On a commercial property, a video doorbell has limited utility. Given the traffic volume, professional-grade access control would be a better solution for a commercial entry system.

On such systems, you can still receive video and remote notifications.

II. Residential Premises

Burglar Alarms

For starters, we would recommend installing a wireless burglar alarm. It is still the single most beneficial security solution, providing greater protection against intruders on its own.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to selecting the best burglar alarm for your needs.

As a starting point, most insurance providers will still recommend an NSI or SSAIB certified alarm installed and maintained annually.

A high-quality wireless alarm system that is professionally installed and maintained is your first line of defence against intruders targeting your home.

When is it appropriate to use an alarm system?

• Always arm your alarm system before leaving the house.
• When you go to bed at night, you can partially arm your system to activate floor protection.

Some of our systems even allow you to design a complete perimeter defence that protects doors, windows, and other entry points. It will enable you to move freely throughout the house, even during the day, while providing complete security.

You can also customise your alarm system by selecting from a wide range of communication options, smart alerts, camera sensors, external protection, and home automation options.

Arrange a free call-back with one of our security experts to determine the best solution for your home.

CCTV

There is a wide range of camera solutions for internal and external use available for residential homes.

Some important considerations to bear in mind.

• Where will the camera be placed?
• What level of recording and access are you looking for?
• Do you want the camera to pan and tilt?

Choose a plug-and-play camera with a smart app for indoors and, if possible, two-way audio with pan and tilt capabilities.

We would recommend a professionally installed and fully customised CCTV solution for the outdoors, such as FHA ones.

Remember that CCTV that does not provide local recording and relies on your broadband connection is not as reliable as CCTV with local hard-drive recording.

A professionally installed CCTV system is a one-time cost solution that will rarely require additional maintenance and will provide complete protection.

When possible, choose products that are secure by design and secure by default. To avoid scary stories like this one about Ring’s home security camera being hacked, always change the default login details on all remote access for your CCTV system.

Video Doorbell

A smart doorbell is a relatively new product on the market that is a useful smart device. The following are some of the key features of a smart doorbell.

• Motion-triggered notification
• Push notification through a smartphone app
• Optional built-in cameras can send live video notifications and support 2-way video communications.

There are numerous smart doorbell devices on the market, some of which are from unknown brands and costs from as little as £20. But, among all of them, the Ring doorbell stands out as one of the best. If you want to watch historical videos, these devices have a variety of subscription options.

Tip: All smart doorbells make use of your home broadband as well as your smartphone. You should only connect trusted smart devices to your broadband, and you should only install secure apps on your phone. The reason for this is that there are security risks associated with hacking. In fact, there have been reports of security breaches in which ring products were hacked.

If you need help installing your wireless ring doorbell, please call us, and we will gladly assist you.

Our Comprehensive All-in-one Home Security Solution

Most of our customers frequently ask us about an integrated solution that can manage alarms, cameras, and doorbells.

Our new home automation kit, “Visonic Qolsys home automation security system,” combines Visonic’s most advanced wireless alarm technology PowerG with alarm.com’s most efficient home automation platform in a stylish iPad-like control panel by Qolsys.

You can integrate a wireless doorbell, smart door lock, various internal and external cameras, and a variety of existing and new smart home automation devices.

Check out the exclusive product with an introductory pricing offer here.

Summary

Home Security is critical, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for each unique requirement. Each security system has its significance, and no other product can be a better substitute. All security solutions should be customised, installed, and maintained in accordance with your needs. When possible, it is always best to seek professional advice.

If you have any security concerns and require professional assistance, please contact us on 0800 193 8727 or 020 3137 8727. We’d be happy to talk about your security requirements. All of our specialists have been trained to design and build customised home security systems to meet your specific needs.

We are a multi-award-winning professional security installation company that is SSAIB approved and FCA regulated with excellent 5-star ratings.

‘Hello! Can you help me! Our alarm is going off! No, you didn’t fit it. We don’t know who the installer was! We have only been here for the last nine months! Sorry, we don’t have any codes or manuals! No, we don’t know what make and model it is! So, there is nothing we can do about it? It may go off all night???!!!’——- This was the call we took on a Saturday night around 8 p.m. from a distressed lady who eventually became a wonderful customer. We have often received similar calls from other customers, where people are struggling with the alarm system already installed on their property and want to switch to us for alarm maintenance. However, such situations can always be avoided if you are moving to a new home with an existing home security alarm already in place.

Get the information from previous owners and agents

Once you move to your new property, make sure you get all the details you need about the security system from either the owner or the agent.

If you are not sure of the details, you should have, please refer to the list below.

• Make and model of the burglar alarm system.
• Details about the company that installed it, particularly their name and contact details.
• Check out what customers are saying about the company’s services. You can quickly get this information through review websites like Google and Trust Pilot.
• Find out what all the communication modules are available with the alarm system installed.
• Find out if they have a system code from the owner. It is critical because the system code is required at the time of the alarm service.
• Look out for additional add-ons, such as key-fobs, tags, or portable devices that might have come with an alarm.
• Find out if the owner has any ongoing maintenance plan for the alarm system and get the details.
• Check if the alarm is monitored and a monitoring plan is in place.
• Another critical information is whether the alarm is owned or leased.
• Try to get any further information you can about the alarm system.

When the information is not available 

In some cases, the owner will have no clue about any of the details mentioned above. In that situation, you can refer to the following points.

• Find out the details of the company on the external bell box. In general, security installers install a bell box with their brand on it and install it on the property’s outer premises. You can also look for the company’s name or the alarm’s model number on its components, such as control panels, keypads, and keyboards.
• Alternatively, you can check the invoice or user manual to find out the company’s details if you have received it from the owner or agent.

If you can’t find out anything about the alarm system, please send us an email to hello@fhasecurity.co.uk with a few photos of the alarm you are using. Take a snapshot of the control panel or keypad and send it to us with your contact details. Our specialists can help you identify your product.

Once you have got the details about the make and model of the alarm

Great, if you managed to find out more about the make and model of the alarm system. Please contact the company and check if they are still operational and can support the system. Ensure that you get an accurate quote from the company because some companies are notorious for overcharging alarm takeovers.

Whether you decide to proceed with the existing security provider or switch to us for your alarm service requirements, you must stick to the following process for your alarm take over.

• Arrange an engineer for your burglar alarm servicing and learn from the expert how to operate the system. You ought to know how to use the critical features of the system.
• Get the code changed on the system. The user code of the system must only be available to you and your immediate family members. There is always a risk associated with the codes passed to you by the previous owners.
• Check if the batteries are working fine or need replacement, especially if the system has not been repaired for the past 12 months.
• The alarm is of no use unless it communicates to the user in the event of an emergency. Please ensure that the system is set up to communicate with you if and when the alarm is triggered. If you are using a smart alarm, you need to enable cloud connectivity via the smartphone app.
• The best way to manage your alarm is to have a maintenance plan in place. Ongoing maintenance will ensure regular health checkups and instant service call-outs from the technician. You will have professional assistance and support available in case of any faults and errors.

Our alarm maintenance package provides an all-inclusive service plan including your annual service, battery repair, free calls, and technical support, all at a fixed rate.

What other things you can consider

1) If the burglar alarm system is outdated

The home alarm systems have an average life span of 10 years. Due to technological changes, it is recommended that the alarm system be upgraded every five years as companies often discontinue their old systems with a new generation alarm series. In that case, you might find it challenging to get support for the older system, and you might end up paying a considerable amount of money. It is sometimes cheaper to start with a new alarm system with the latest technology and advanced communication features.

2) Upgrading the existing alarm system

You can upgrade most of these alarm systems by adding motion sensors and add-ons. If you are willing to upgrade your alarm system, make sure you know what you want from the upgraded system before adding devices to the old system.

Conclusion

If you are in a similar situation and want to switch to a different security provider but are uncertain how to proceed, please contact us.

We are an award-winning security installer working with a wide range of wireless burglar alarms. Our team of engineers are professionally trained on alarm repairs and alarm maintenance of some of the leading brands- Yale, Visonic, Risco and Infinite Prime.

When people are looking to buy a new home alarm system for their property, they get different types of quotes with different contracts from a number of installers. Some companies are offering alarm systems on a lease, while some are selling them outright without any contracts. It can be overwhelming and difficult for some of us to decide which one is better.

With several companies offering alarm systems, you need to have a detailed analysis of what kind of contract each one of them is offering. Besides, you must also know the details of these contracts, their benefits, and which one would be best suited to your requirements.

Here we’re helping you with different aspects of both the contracts.

Comparison of home alarm systems offered by different security providers

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you to get details about each type of alarm contracts that helps you make a wise decision about your home alarm purchase. 

If you have any queries related to home security systems, feel free to speak to our experts. 

We are an award-winning security company that works with wireless burglar alarms from leading manufacturers such as Visonic, Risco, and Yale.

Home Automation Technology

Home Automation Technology enables home electronic devices to connect to your phone seamlessly.  In earlier times, people use to operate these same devices manually. But now we can efficiently manage and control them through our phones. These consumer electronics use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology to connect to your smartphones. 

Some of the standard applications of Home Automation are

• Heating systems
• Smart-lights
• Smart-meters
• Smart-locks

These devices have a built-in sensor that shares all the information with the user. This information can help the user manage the device in a smart way. Let’s say you forget to turn off your lights while you were leaving for office. In that case, you’ll receive a reminder and you can instantly turn it off via your app.

Key features of smart technology

• Monitor- You can monitor the smart devices anywhere, anytime, through your smartphone.
• Control- You can manage your smart devices through your smartphone remotely. For instance, you forgot to arm your security alarm while you were leaving your home. Your app will send you a notification to arm your security alarm via your phone. 
• Automate– This feature allows you to connect multiple devices that will trigger an automated action. Let’s say, a door/window sensor of your alarm system will trigger a response everytime a motion is detected.

Integration of Home Automation with Home Security

The invention of burglar alarm was a result of rising security concerns back in 1800s. From being a complicated and time-consuming system it has evolved into a smart system that is effective, reliable, and ensure complete home protection.

Burglar alarms use smart technology for its enhanced performance and greater efficiency. As a smart device, you can integrate it with your smart home and sync it with other smart devices for enhanced security.

Key Components of Smart Security Systems

1. Smart Alarms

A smart alarm system is connected to your smartphone and sends all the updates, notifications, and alerts directly to your phone. The alarm system uses your home broadband or comes with an in-built GSM sim card.

2) Smart cameras

Smart CCTV systems are advanced security systems that come with motion sensors. It also has an automatic recording feature that activates the camera to start recording the footage whenever a motion is detected. It’s also connected to your smartphone and sends all the alerts and notifications to your phone. You can even set up your system to trigger a loud siren in specific situations. For instance, you can ignore if someone is at your property entrance, but once they start coming closer, your system will trigger an alert.

3) Door and Windows Sensors

These are motion sensors that are an integral part of your smart alarm. They detect intrusion through doors and windows and instantly trigger an alarm in case of a break-in and send an alert on your phone.

4) Smart Lights

Smart lights are Wi-Fi enabled lights that connects to your smartphones via app. It provides enhanced security and convenience to you as it can be operated as per pre-set schedules.

5) Smart Locks

Smart Locks eliminates the need for a key to unlock or lock a door. It uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect to your phone through the app. With the help of the app, you can instantly take an action even if you’re not at home. It may also be set to auto-lock when you leave the house.

6) Smart Doorbell Camera

A smart doorbell makes your life easier by allowing you to respond virtually through your smartphone app. Whenever you have someone at your door, the app will give you a notification, and you can see a live view. And you can respond from your app without going physically to your door.

Benefits of Smart Security Systems

1) Complete Security

With smart security systems, you can get updates anywhere, anytime. Unlike the traditional alarm system that only works when it’s armed, it gives you real-time updates on your phone. You can quickly get a glimpse of your home when you’re out and relaxed, knowing that everything is safe and secure.

2) Reliable and Resilient

These systems are more reliable than the traditional wired alarm system. Because a standard wired security system can easily be tampered with by cutting the wire from outside. The alarm control panel and accessories work on dedicated wireless frequency. They are not affected by failures of power supply or telephone lines. You can add multiple communication channels, so even if your broadband fails, a multi-network sim card in the alarm can continue to communicate with you.

3) Proactive approach

Smart security systems are advanced and intelligent systems that use a proactive approach. It continuously sends you alerts if you have forgotten to take the necessary action, such as arming your alarm system or locking your smart door.

4) Convenient and easy

Because your alarm system is connected to your smartphone, you can efficiently operate and monitor your house remotely. It doesn’t require your physical presence at home to control your devices.

5) Integrate into your smart home

You can now integrate your security system with other smart devices, such as smart lights, door locks, smart thermostats. By doing this, you can manage all your smart devices centrally. It can further automate the responses that make your life easier and happier.

Smart Home Automation- The future is here today!

Our new Home Automation Alarm Kit from Visonic is the most advanced solution available on the market. It enhances your home security and is a crucial security device for your smart home.

This system uses the most advanced and secure IQ control panel, a 7 “HD touchscreen. The control panel uses the best wireless sensor protocol – Dual SRF and PowerG. The technology used makes its range four times better than a traditional wired system. It uses a 128-bit encryption protocol that is secure and does not allow any interference. Besides, its automatic signal adjustment provides improved battery life.

It comes with a smartphone app that gives you full remote access to your system. It allows you to monitor, protect, and automate your home from your phone. And its dedicated connection gives you reliable and uninterrupted protection even when the network is down.

You can read our in-depth review of Qolsys alarm system here. 

What does it offer?

1) TOUCHLESS DISARMING

You can disarm your system without touching your control panel via your smartphone connected to your control panel through Bluetooth. You can even connect up to 5 smartphones to your control panel.

2) DUAL-PATH CONNECTIVITY

It uses a dual network- LTE and Wi-Fi, to operate, which increases its overall speed and makes it more reliable.

3) MOBILE APP

It comes with a smartphone app that allows you to control everything from the tip of your finger.

4) DISARM PHOTOS

Whenever someone disarms the system, the image is quickly captured and sent to your connected device.

5) PANEL GLASSBREAK

The panel comes with built-in glass-break protection that protects what matters most to you.

6) SMARTHOME READY

You can pair the IQ panel with your smart devices like smart locks, voice control, smart lights, smart thermostats in your home and control everything from one point.

7) AWARENESS ANYTIME

The smartphone app will alert you even if the system is not armed. Usually, a traditional system only sends you an alert when the system is armed. You will receive notifications 24 * 7, in this case.

8) VIDEO MONITORING

Now, you can get a video alert when an activity is detected. And you can instantly get a live view of your home through your smartphone app.

How can you integrate it into your home?

This easy-to-fit home automation kit is ideal for your smart home and fits seamlessly into your home. 

The IQ Control Panel uses world-renowned cloud services. It already connects more than 10 million homes worldwide with an in-built sim card and Wi-Fi connectivity at a small monthly cost. And it comes with many features.

In case you are using a Visonic Powermaster alarm system and want to upgrade your system. You need not replace the entire system. Instead, you can substitute your control panel with the IQ panel and pair it with your existing sensors like door/ window contacts and motion sensors.

You can also connect it with your indoor and outdoor cameras and get a live view from all the cameras on your panel. This system also integrates with the Skybell doorbell. This will allow you to answer your door through the panel. And if your cameras have a speaker and a microphone, you can talk and answer live. The best part is that it is connected to your smartphone as well. So if you are not at home, you can still answer and monitor everything through your phone. 

You can also refer to the system’s video gallery if you need any assistance regarding operating the system. It has a vast user guide videos on the setup and operation of the system.

Summary

It is a future proof system. Whenever you introduce new smart home devices to this system, it will automatically learn to talk to it and integrate seamlessly. It doesn’t need to be installed on a wall, either. You can either rest it on your table or take it to any room, depending on your convenience.

You can also pair several z-wave smart devices like smart locks, smart lights, smart thermostats to your control panel. And you will be able to manage and control them from one point.

With more and more white goods becoming connected, you will soon be able to manage and operate your dishwater, washer dryers, fridge freezers, vacuum cleaners, and every other smart device in your home through this central home management system.

FHA Security is a security system installer that offers bespoke home security solutions. This is our latest kit that is fully supplied and installed by our team of experts.

Our team of experts is here to help you with any of your queries. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us.