Prevent Unbudgeted Emergency Repairs and Costly False Alarms with Your Fire Alarm System

Why is it important to have your fire alarm system inspected? Regular service and maintenance may increase the life of your system, meet insurance company requirements, significantly improve reliability and reduce false alarms. Periodic system testing and inspection by qualified specialists can detect any problems.

False alarms and fire alarm problems can be caused by a myriad of problems, such as age, temperature, dust, dirt, contaminates, and vandalism. Even remodeling and improper maintenance procedures can cause damage and increase your false alarm rate.

As the fire system ages, voltage fluctuations and temperature changes with higher humidity levels may cause systems to fail or have alarm problems. Maintaining your system by testing and calibrating alarm sensors, checking battery corrosion and expiration dates may decrease system failure and false alarms.

If systems are older than twenty years it may be at its technology life expectancy. Updating an older system depends upon how well it was maintained, the age and whether or not it is compatible with today’s technology, although, properly maintained systems may continue to work well for many years.

The specialist performing the inspection, testing and maintenance should be knowledgeable and qualified to service your fire alarm system. Use a specialist whose daily work revolves around fire alarm system technology. With proper testing, inspection and maintenance your fire alarm system can function at its optimal performance.

NFPA codes regulate the frequency of required inspections which are annually, at a minimum. Some businesses inspect their systems biannually or quarterly. Remember, business owners cannot conduct maintenance work or inspections on their own system, per fire code. These checkups may be the difference between no line of defense and lives saved.

Using Glass Break Sensors to Deter the Impulsive Thief

According to the FBI 2012 Crime Report, almost nine million property crime offenses occurred that year. Of those property crimes 68 percent were theft. Glass areas are extremely vulnerable since they present an easy way to gain entry to a premise. Glass doors, side windows next to the main entrances and windows facing back alleys should be protected, as well as stock area windows with limited activity, and restricted office areas.

Retail windows are a beautiful way to display merchandise, but can present a crime of opportunity for the impulsive thief. Protecting storefront glass breaks may not prevent “smash and grab” losses, however, it would prevent most burglars from actually entering the building and removing valuable property. Using glass break sensors would alert employees and the central monitoring station there is a break-in as soon as a window is smashed.

Security systems are typically off when cleaning crews are in the building and when employees are working after hours. Glass break sensors can still remain on, allowing individuals the ability to move freely around the building, and know they are still protected.

Glass display cases are another use for glass break sensors. Museum curators and retailers with glass display and jewelry cases often want the extra security inside the glass display case.

Some buildings may have tinted film on the windows in sunnier climates or security glass laminates used to prevent shattering from impacts. The sensors are not affected by the tinted films but the sensors will need to be placed closer to the windows with security glass laminates. Many offices also have curtains or blinds on at least some windows, glass break sensors provide protection regardless of the type of window coverings.

Glass break sensors will detect the unique sound of breaking glass and vibration coming from the glass as it breaks. By listening for the unique sound of glass breaking, the sensors have a range of about 20 feet, and can cover multiple windows. They are flexible, reliable and designed to eliminate false alarms.

Business owners have two types of sensors to choose from; the first is a sensor that works on acoustics or sound alone, the second works on acoustics and vibration together. We use the GE Shatter Pro which has increased alarm immunity because of its advanced technology. It also has a high quality filter for ambient noise.

If there are trees or other access points leading to the second floor of the building, glass break sensors should be installed in these areas as well. Businesses can take an active role in reducing their vulnerability and criminal opportunity. One Source Security and Automation, Inc can evaluate your building and recommend the best security protection for your business.

Call us today for a free evaluation, (800) 570-6478.

Using Video Surveillance to Deter Employee Theft

Employee theft takes many forms seen as larceny, skimming and fraudulent disbursements. It is estimated that up to 80% of total shrinkage is from internal fraud, the other 20% is related to vendor shrinkage and shoplifting, at a cost to US retailers of up to $30 billion in net loss each year. There isn’t a clear cut way to identify who will or will not steal; most often it’s a crime of opportunity.

At the point-of-sale (POS) or cash register employees can pilfer cash, bag merchandise without charging a customer, mark-down merchandise without authorization, create a false refund recipe (taking the cash), as well as offer employee discounts to friends and family.

The most effective solution is to install video surveillance with a digital video recorder (DVR) above the registers. Using a high definition video surveillance system with high-resolution video imaging will give clear video of events in question. Having fast access to live or recorded video and immediate playback features, allows for quick delivery of video clips to law enforcement when needed. Once the system is installed and the employees are shown the systems capabilities, owners may see an increase in sales and decrease in losses.

Expanding video surveillance throughout the store can prevent employees from helping shoplifters. Include placing cameras over trash bins, too. An employee may throw something in the trash only to come back after closing to retrieve it from the dumpster. Cameras should also, be placed in storage rooms and loading areas, to keep a watchful eye on merchandise.

Pilfering or stealing may stop once the dishonest employee realized their actives can be captured on video surveillance and clearly recorded. A business owner may see some employees leave if they are unable to steal anymore.

Call One Source Security today for a free assessment of your business at 800-570-6478.

Video Surveillance at Sporting Events. Who’s Watching Whom?

They’re everywhere. The sports news anchor is in front of one conducting an interview outside the arena. Employees have them on their shoulders as they record fans doing silly things that are worthy of being posted on the jumbo-tron for everyone to see. How about the cameras that are actually capturing what we all came to see…the game?

Cameras of all types are all around us at sporting events. But we don’t always see the ones that are designed to keep us safe during that game and help plan for the safety of future events.

And it’s not just security cameras that are a key component to video surveillance at sporting events, it’s the digital recording software as well, and the network infrastructure that is in place. Not to mention the equipment in the control rooms such as multiple monitors that display feeds from several cameras on each screen at once.

So what are the reasons the sporting venues invest so much capital in video surveillance for their sporting events?

This can be partially answered when you examine who is attending these games. They are “fans”, which is short for “fanatic”. When 75,000 fanatics are tightly squeezed into one space for three hours for an important game, emotions can run high. Fights can happen.

Video surveillance is needed to detect disturbances in the crowd and for security to dispatch necessary personnel to handle these eruptions.

Unfortunately, due to the times we live in, terrorism is a concern at sporting events. Groups with ill intent see these large groups of people in one place at one time as an opportunity to do evil.

Video surveillance is also needed in special areas such as at turnstiles and at entrances and exits—crowd control can be a challenge in these spots and being able to provide proper staffing with the use of security cameras is essential.

Other areas of need include money-handling locations to monitor both employees (in an effort to guard against employee theft) and patrons who also may be intent on robbery. Parking lots are another hot spot where parties need to be kept under control and drug activity has to be eliminated, for instance.

We’ve mentioned some of the equipment used by sporting arenas—from cameras to monitors, but let’s get a little more specific.

With large crowds, high definition and clarity is important. The ability to zoom in on a section or even on an individual is crucial. When zooming occurs, often a grainy appearance can be the result if the proper equipment is not being utilized.

Megapixel security cameras allow for the operator to zoom in on objects and people with a great degree of clarity as the result.

This is essential for benefits such as facial recognition. Facial recognition is an important function at sporting events with large attendance since it can be used to locate known criminals or those that have been banned from the facility and have found their way back.

Although megapixel cameras allow for the operator to achieve better facial recognition than analog security cameras provide, it is actually the digital video recording software that is behind the technology, not the cameras.

Speaking of software functionality, another feature that it provides that is beneficial in sporting arenas is “people counting”. This is helpful for the aforementioned crowd control and subsequent staffing needs, to gauge the effectiveness of sales outlets such as pro shops by counting how many patrons are entering and exiting, and more.

And what about protection of the facility itself? Video surveillance helps prevent vandalism as well as apprehend those that commit it. Patrons feigning slips and falls are also a problem. Having video evidence of the incident can help prove that it was a bogus act if it was in fact done in jest.

Finally…are we forgetting someone? How about the players? Video surveillance protects them as well. If a fan in the stands hurls an object onto the playing surface, security cameras can identify that individual and apprehend him or her. Players are also at risk as they leave or enter the playing surface and are in proximity to the spectators.

The next time you’re watching your favorite team dominate the competition, and the game is a little out of hand, take a moment to spot a few cameras, think of all the needs that those cameras serve, and wonder where those covert cameras that may be watching your are hidden!

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

Using Video Surveillance to Stop Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping causes residents of communities great frustration. It also causes damage to the local landscape—both aesthetically and environmentally.

One thing that is frustrating about the issue, as is stated in an article published in the Republican online newspaper in Springfield, MA on October 19th, 2010, is that these dumpers could just as easily have used traditional means with little or no extra cost.

Pictured above is an infrared security camera used for viewing objects in the dark.

It would be more conceivable to imagine catching violators dumping in spots in and around the city—spots where surveillance cameras could easily be mounted and provided with power in a traditional fashion.

But the Springfield police, the park departments and the state worked together to alleviate this problem in a wooded area (where cameras aren’t always used) to catch the wrongdoers on film—13 of them in fact.

It was done with battery operated special cameras that did not need a traditional power supply. They were infrared “night vision” so as to be able to read the license plates of the vehicles. Also, they are motion detection cameras, so they don’t waste the batteries’ juice by recording in times of non-action. They only record when something comes into the field of view.

And it seems that illegal dumping knows no boundaries, as our examples today depict stories from the east coast and gulf coast.

According to an article published on nbcvfw.com out of Dallas, TX on November 9, 2010, illegal dumping there includes anything form dead animals to stolen cars and is costing the city approximately one million dollars to combat.

The piece also states, likes Springfield’s approach, that Dallas uses motion activated cameras. These work from up to 250 feet away and can also read license plates.

Nbcvfw.com’s report shows that Dallas is taking it a step further with its electronic devices. Not only can they record the dumpers’ actions and can catch them in the act as they sort of let them “shoot themselves in the foot”, they can attempt to prevent it from happening in the first place.

This is accomplished by the cameras playing a recorded message when motion is detected and the dumping is about to begin. It may cause the wrongdoers to change their minds.

Also, Dallas isn’t always trying to hide the cameras. They are allowing for a preventive approach to once again attempt to stop the dumping before it occurs if the dumpers see the cameras first.

The article closes with the following enlightening statement: “Fort Worth officials reported about 6 arrests a year for illegal dumping before the cameras, but almost one a day afterward.”

So if your community has a problem with illegal dumping, there are various solutions. Whether you want to install battery operated security cameras in the woods, or use motion activated voice commands that warn the potential dumpers that they’re being watched, there are choices abound to keep your community clean.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

Protecting Merchandise in Warehouses and Distribution Centers can Strengthen the Bottom Line

A distribution center or warehouse can hold tens of thousands of products requiring security to be a top priority. Installing video surveillance and access control can help prevent loss, improve operations and create a safer working environment for employees, which translates to a better bottom line.

Employees or truck drivers, who feel underpaid and underappreciated by the company, may think they are entitled to take merchandise. Their thought may be, ‘they won’t miss one of these thousands of items’. We know as a security company the presence of video cameras can decrease this type of internal theft.

Video surveillance technology today can provide broad coverage of an area with the ability to zoom in, clearly identifying a person, object or vehicle. Once an image is highlighted, the advanced search technology has the ability to search large amounts of footage, giving administrators the ability to follow a person, vehicle or object, providing the path followed throughout the facility.

Cameras should not only be installed inside but outside with special attention to shipping and receiving areas. Make sure cameras can see parked trailers with merchandise still inside.

You may already have an access control system for entrances and overhead doors, but what about cages and rooms where expensive merchandise is located? In the event something is missing, an audit trail can quickly and easily be retrieved, ideally coinciding with video surveillance. Anyone could use another’s credentials to enter a secure area but when checked against video, a positive identification can be made.

The access control system administrator can disable credentials quickly and easily when an employee leaves or is let go. If a company is still using keys, access to certain areas cannot be stopped as quickly.

A few tips to keep in mind when securing a warehouse or distribution center:

  • Receiving should be located away from the shipping area; it creates an easy access point for theft when they are located in close proximity.
  • Employee parking should be located away from the shipping or receiving areas, again it creates an easy access point for theft.
  • Create specific entrances and exits for employees that are not in the shipping or delivery areas.
  • Do not allow unauthorized people to wander around the building, such as truck drivers looking for a bathroom.
  • Do not leave unloaded merchandise unattended on the loading docks.

With multiple warehouses or distribution centers located at different places, security can be difficult to manage. With the use of a cloud based system access from anywhere can be done with ease.

Choosing the right security provider is a critical way to help eliminate risk, when there is a large volume of inbound and outbound traffic. Whether you have one or multiple warehouse locations we can create a security, access control, and video surveillance system just right for you. Call One Source Security today at 800-570-6478, for a free assessment.

What Should You Do with That Old Security System?

So you just moved into your new home and you’ve experienced all the excitement as well as the exhaustion that goes along with the transition.

The furniture is in place, the utilities are set and you’ve even been out in the yard putting some personal touches on the landscape to truly make it yours.

Pictured above is a Gemini Security Panel (back) and Keypad (front).

But what about that security panel that is down in the basement and keypad that is in the hallway from the last owner? You’re fairly certain that you want to have a home security system, but who do you talk to?

Do you have to use the same company that installed that security system, or do you have the choice to use other companies? What is the process? We will answer these questions in the paragraphs to follow.

The first thing you may want to do is to contact a few local security integrators. You can check your local yellow pages or equivalent, contact your local chamber of commerce or search the internet of course.

Before you call, it helps to know what kind of security panel you have. Again, this is typically located in your basement and is a metal box approximately 1.5 x 2 feet affixed to the wall. If you open the door, there is usually a string of numbers and letters that may be of use to the security provider that you call as well.

Hopefully, the security panel will not be “proprietary”, which of course means that it can only be serviced by the security company who installed it. With some of the national companies that provide security services, this is sometimes the case.

In fact, when you contact new providers, you may want to make sure you ultimately choose a security integrator who uses “non-proprietary” equipment. This way, if you want to change providers at any time, the next company will be able to take over the equipment with no problem, the switch of service will be seamless and you won’t have to buy all new equipment.

If the panel cannot be serviced by the companies you’ve contacted, and you don’t want to use the provider that installed that panel, than you may need to have a new panel and keypad installed at the least.

Sometimes the window and door sensors, as well as the motion detectors for instance can still be serviced by the new company, even if the panel and keypad can’t.

Of course, this information is general in scope—it is not absolute. You may find a company who can take over a proprietary panel, but is it not altogether common.

When you do contact new security companies with the information about your panel, besides asking them if the equipment that they install is non-proprietary, there are some other questions you can ask.

Make sure that they do not use sub-contractors to do installation or future service work. You do not want a third party company who is not an expert on your equipment to service it. You want technicians hired and trained by the company you originally retained.

Also make sure you are not being made to commit to a long-term contract, such as three years, for your monitoring. And speaking of monitoring, compare rates when you call around. You don’t always have to choose the absolute lowest, but make sure you aren’t being stuck with an extremely high monthly rate relative to the others.

And also regarding monitoring, make sure that the company uses a U.L.-listed central station and that it has a redundant back up location.

Will you own or lease the equipment? Some security companies charge you very little for equipment or basically give it away, but you do not own it. They technically could take it back at the end of the contract because it is often leased from them. It is good to find an integrator who allows you to outright buy the equipment and sells you a non-proprietary system that can be taken over by others if you switch providers.

Ask them about their company. How long have they been in business? Are they a member of any security or fire associations or the chamber of commerce? Do they have a main office where you can visit and meet with advisors, or do they just work out of a home office and the back of their truck?

In summary, the biggest wildcard in this situation is the security panel and if it can be serviced by the companies that you talk to. If not, new equipment will need to be installed.

But this is often worth it. Because the new equipment is yours since you own it outright and you have more freedom with it down the road.

So if you did just move into a new home (new to you at least), good luck and congratulations.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

What is VSaaS and how can it help my business?

VSaaS, Video Surveillance as a Service, is a cloud-based video surveillance system where video is located in the cloud. The service typically includes video recording, storage, remote viewing, management alerts, cyber security and more. Cloud technology advances and greater bandwidth availability are making VSaaS increasingly attractive.

Many businesses today are already using cloud technology for email, phone systems, backups, and applications. Cloud based video surveillance along with cloud based access control (see our July 2, 2018 blog) provide another level of security.

Video cloud service was created to make video security easier, and provide substantial economies of scale for businesses. Using a shared infrastructure equates to lower cost of ownership due to lower upfront capital expenditures, fully utilized hardware, reduced IT staffing cost and more.

Security Camera Video Management System (VMS) is a fully managed cloud VSaaS solution. Delivering an end-to-end VMS that’s simple to deploy and easy to use. It supports all modern browsers and works on Windows, Mac and Linux with no plug-ins to install.

Fully mobile applications provide complete access to live and recorded video. With the mobile app users can install, configure and manage the system. With our security camera VMS, you can deploy cameras without installing software or buying larger servers, it’s all done in the cloud on our servers.

All video is fully encrypted during transmission and at rest. There are no open ports to the Internet, eliminating security vulnerabilities commonly found in other systems and requiring no router and firewall adjustments.

We are bringing the latest modern web and cloud technologies together to make cameras easier to use, more accessible and more robust. By putting everything in the cloud we can take care of it, so you don’t have to.

Police departments, hotels, schools, restaurants and health clubs are using cloud based video management system for various reason

  • Encryption and secure connection
  • Monitor stock, staff and customers
  • Monitor multiple sites/schools/restaurants from mobile devices
  • The ability to control crowds and apprehend individuals
  • For coaching, training and teaching
  • Ensure brand consistency and high levels of customer service

Camera systems have traditionally been complex, costly and challenging for most people to manage. Today, administrators are looking for video surveillance systems to be secure, yet user friendly, with high quality video stream. Cloud based video management provides all of that and more. Call One Source Security today for a free assessment of your facility at 800-570-6478. We can help you put your video surveillance system in the cloud safely and securely.

When was the last time your fire door was inspected?

Fire doors should be inspected on an annual basis according to the 2007 Edition of the NFPA 80. Some buildings such as schools and hospitals are subject to heavy traffic and the doors can be subject to misuse, these facilities should be inspected more often.

As part of the overall fire security protection, fire doors should be in full working order to stop the spread of deadly fire, smoke and toxic fumes. Your facility can be at risk if the fire door assembly is not working properly. All doors, including swinging, vertically sliding, rolling doors and horizontally sliding doors need to be tested for functionality.

Fire door ratings are used to rate the time a fire door resists a fire from spreading. It is calculated from minutes to hours. The higher the rating the longer the door can resist the spread of fire or smoke. The fire rating of the wall is also used to calculate the fire door rating.

According to the 2007 Edition of the NFPA 80, when inspecting a fire door the following should be taken into consideration.

  • No holes or breaks in the door or frame
  • Glazing and glass kit/glass beads are intact and securely fastened
  • Door, frame and hardware are in proper working order
  • No missing or broken parts
  • Door clearances are within allowable limits
  • Door closer/spring hinges are operational and door is self-closing
  • Door is self-latching in the closed position
  • Opening is not equipped with auxiliary hardware items which interfere with operation
  • No field modifications have been performed that void the label
  • Gasketing and edge seals, where required, are present, continuous, and of the proper type for a fire door

When installing a fire door properly, the follow-up inspections should be a smoother process.

Reasons fire doors are not in compliance:

  • Painted or missing fire door labels
  • Kick down door holders
  • Fire doors blocked to stay in the open position
  • Broken, defective or missing hardware items (latch bolts and/or strike plates, closer arms, cover plates, etc.)
  • Poor clearance dimensions around the perimeter of the door in the closed position
  • Auxiliary hardware items that interfere with the intended function of the door (barrel bolts and dead bolts, etc.)
  • Area surrounding the fire door assembly blocked by furniture, equipment and/or boxes
  • Fire exit hardware installed on doors that are not labeled for use with fire exit hardware

Keep your fire doors on the priority list for ongoing inspections and maintenance. Use a qualified professional fire door inspector, problems can be identified and fixed quickly and easily.

Call One Source Security today, 800-570-6478, with your fire door inspection questions.

Why would a company invest in a Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI) Program?

As the old adage goes ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. Your security equipment can provide years of service and top performance by implementing an ounce of prevention along the way.

Preventive maintenance is the process of maintaining equipment in order to prevent a reactive situation and having an annual Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI), helps keep equipment in optimum condition and running smoothly. Your security system safeguards your business and a PMI ensures your system is running properly.

What happens if you do not have a PMI and there is a problem with your system that could have been prevented with a yearly inspection?

This is what we call a ‘reactive maintenance program’? When a system or equipment has broken down or is not working correctly, repairs are done at that time this is expensive and it is unpredictable when the issues may occur. It is especially inconvenient if it happens when the business is closed. Reactive maintenance does not look after equipment; therefore the lifespan of the equipment may be reduced.

The yearly program applies to any of your existing systems which may consist of a security, video or access control system. Once a year, a technician will come out and thoroughly inspect your system and perform routine maintenance.

For example:

  • Check card readers, locks and motion detectors.
  • We check backup batteries to ensure they are ready in the event of a power outage.
  • We also check window and door contacts for rust, to help prevent false alarms.
  • Physically inspect your system and verify communication and programming, at a minimal cost to you.

With regular testing and inspecting, potential problems can be identified in advance. When a problem is preempted, businesses will have fewer frantic days if a system goes down, thus saving time, money and energy.

When you are managing a budget, it’s important to know your expenses in advance. It is easier to budget in a PMI and avoid any potential problems found during the yearly inspection.

It’s important to maintain your security, video and access control system to bring peace of mind to you, your employees and your customers.

Call One Source Security today to set up you Preventative Maintenance Inspection Program at 800-570-6478.