Frequently Asked Questions

Intruder

Is the correct type of security system being deigned for my premises?
Yes, our system designers tailor-make the system to suite your property, the risk, the environment and the building operation. A security Risk Assessment is carried out to assist in assessing  the correct grade of system. The systems are designed for ease of operation with fail safes as user error is the major cause of false activations.

Are your engineers skilled and trustworthy?
Yes, our engineers are trained to a high level and their workmanship complies with the latest British and European Standards to which they are audited four times a year. All personnel are security screened to British Standards for a minimum of ten years. No Sub-Contractors are used.     

Will I own the security system when it is installed?
Yes, the vast majority of our systems are purchased outright by the Customer and not rented. However, there is a leasing option for businesses and Local Authorities should they wish to pay over a three to seven year period.

What is an Audible Only system?
This is a system where only local internal and external sounders are activated. This is the bases of all systems

What is a Digital Communicator?
This is a single path transmission system for your Intruder Alarm to signal through to the Alarm Receiving Centre and to obtain Police response via your existing phone line (where possible). It dials a pre-set phone number and transmits the details of you system to the monitoring station. It operates in a similar way to a fax machine.

What is RedCare Home?
This is a dual path transmission system for your Intruder Alarm to signal through to the Alarm Receiving Centre and to obtain Police response via your existing phone line (where possible). The two paths are a Digital Communicator and a wireless GSM path. Each path is capable of transmitting the signals to the Alarm Receiving Centre. This device also monitors both the telephone and GSM lines and notifies Central Station of any line failure.

What is RedCare?
This is a single path transmission system for your Intruder Alarm to signal through to the Alarm Receiving Centre and to obtain Police response via your existing phone line (where possible). This device is in constant communication with the local exchange and monitors the telephone line and notifies Central Station of any line failure. It can be related to having broadband.

What is RedCare GSM?
This is a dual path transmission system for your Intruder Alarm to signal through to the Alarm Receiving Centre and to obtain Police response via your existing phone line (where possible). The two paths are a RedCare and a wireless GSM path. Each path is capable of transmitting the signals to the Alarm Receiving Centre. This device also monitors both the telephone and GSM lines and notifies Central Station of any line failure.

Does the alarm need to be reset by a technician after an activation?
Not Audible Only systems, yes for remotely monitored systems. Most of our remotely monitored systems are fitted with a remote reset facility. If you activate your alarm  system accidentally, it can be reset remotely by our engineering staff, saving you time and inconvenience. However, following a genuine alarm or activation which needs to be investigated, an engineer would be required to visit to reset your system and ensure it is fully functioning.

Will the alarm system work on telephone lines not provided by British Telecom?
This depends on which type of monitoring has been specified. ‘Digital Communicators’ and ‘RedCare Home’ are compatible will all phone line providers. ‘RedCare’ and ‘RedCare GSM will only work on BT analogue phone lines.

Will the equipment I currently have on my phone line (e.g.. fax, answering machine, modem, Star Service or personal computer) affect my security system?
Our system designers will be happy to provide you with advice on this subject. In most instances you will still be able to use you existing phone line, however in certain instances it is advisable to have a separate dedicated telephone line for your security system.

What if there is a fault with my telephone line?
In some instances your system will emit an audible tone if your telephone line has a fault at any time other than during an activation. For further peace of mind we can advise on how your telephone line can be made more secure, using line monitoring and/or dual path signalling.

What are the responsibilities of the keyholders?
You need to provide details of at least two keyholders who live within twenty minutes' travelling time of your property. If for any reason you are unable to nominate a keyholder there are companies which provide this type of service. Your keyholders must have the keys to your property and be familiar with your security system. If the alarm is activated the first available keyholder will be asked to visit the premises to investigate the activation.

Will I be charged by the Police for any false alarms?
No, the police do not charge for attendance to an alarm. However they will downgrade and eventually withdraw their response if they are called out to excessive false alarms.

Will my pets set off the alarm?
Pets must be kept away from areas protected by certain detectors as the alarm would be activated by their movement. You can choose which rooms you would like your pets to have access to, and the system can be designed around this.

Do I need an Intruder Alarm System to be maintained?
Yes, A Maintenance Contract ensures that our engineers will attend to any malfunction of the system 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Routine servicing will be carried out on your system at intervals in compliance with current standards. These are requirements laid down by NSI, Insurance Companies and the Police. The NSI certificate is not valid and remote monitoring is not possible without a contract. Following a 1 year warranty period, our annual maintenance fees are fixed for three years and can incorporate a full parts and labour for all call-outs.

CCTV

Isn't a camera just a camera?
No. There are many different cameras each designed for a different application, Monochrome (Black & White), Colour, Colour/Mono (Day/Night), Wide Dynamic, high and medium resolution etc, etc. There are the obvious differences but some are also more subtle and not evident until a recorded event gives disappointing performance. Design and consultation is of the utmost importance and to use an old cliché you really do get what you pay for.

Where can cameras be fitted?
A camera can be installed almost anywhere but care does need to be taken that privacy is not invaded. Cameras can be fitted internally on brackets or externally in weatherproof housings.

I have heard about 'hidden cameras' what are they?
Covert or 'hidden cameras' are discreet cameras that can be fitted inside everyday items such as clocks. These are often used to detect fraud or theft and can secretly record people's actions. Under the Data Protection Act Covert Systems can only be used for fixed periods of time for specific reasons. GD Security have the facility to hire these systems.

Not all lenses are the same, why is that?
One of the most important parts of any CCTV system are the lenses. These come in many different designs suitable for any application.  Selecting the correct lens is crucial our system designers will be happy to discuss this subject as its too larger subject to sum up in a couple of sentences .

What about recording the pictures?
With Digital CCTV technology there is no need to replay hours of tape to search for an incident. Recorded events can be searched by simply entering a date and time or applying a mouse pointer to a timeline on a monitor screen.  If the incident time is not known, a search can be made by marking an area on the image and asking the system to search for activity in that area, a list of events will be offered for review. During all these operations, normal recording continues, uninterrupted.

Digital recorders offer significant benefits over VCR’s. These include:

• Low maintenance
• Never stops recording
• Superior image quality
• Instant Playback
• Fast image search & retrieval
• Easy alarm management
• Superior archiving capabilities
• Simultaneous Playback, Record & Archive
• No tapes required (unless archiving)
• Remote transmission & networking

Access Control

What exactly is Access control?
Access control is exactly what it says, a method of controlling access to an area. This can be anything from the front doors of a large building to a small stationary cupboard.

What are the options on gaining entry?
These are devices that are located on the outside of the controlled area. They are available in three main types and in many different designs.
The first type is a Keypad or Coded unit. This will be a keypad that requires a code to be entered to allow access into the controlled area.
The second is the ‘Proximity’ reader; this will be a blank box fitted outside the controlled area. Small key fobs or credit card sized tokens are presented to the reader to allow access.
The third are ‘Hands Free’ readers which are basically the same as Proximity readers but have a greater reading range so the card is not presented, giving a hands free operation.

What do you use to secure the doors?
The two most common methods of securing doors are either by an electric strike that works in-conjunction with the lock fitted to the door. The other method is a Magnetic Lock that is secured to the doorframe and an armature is fitted to the door. When the door is closed an electrical charge powers the magnet and holds the metal plate tight preventing the door from opening.

Exiting or, how do I get out?
The most common methods of exiting the secure area are:
By opening the door from the inside via a door handle (normally with the Electric Strike), via an ’Egress Button’ located near the exit door. This about the same size as a light switch (normally with the Magnetic Lock) or another reader usually the same as the Entry reader, This method si used where higher security is required or when details of leaving as well entry is required.

So what is the difference between Access control and door entry systems?
Door Entry systems differ from Access Control systems as they require human intervention to unlock the door. Entry-phone systems are most common in apartments and offices where the entrance door is secured but access for a visitor is required. A two-way speech unit with a call button will be mounted outside the entrance door and a handset with a door release button is located conveniently within the building. There can be any number of handset and call button combinations.

Video-entry system, what's that?
Video-entry systems operate in the same way as Door Entry systems but have a camera built into the door unit and a small T.V monitor built into the handsets. These provide a much higher degree of security as the person at the door can be identified visually as well as via speech.