Solutions for Perimeter Security

Julie Hartley, Intruder Business Product Manager at ADI Global Distribution, shares hints and tips to help installers understand the facts behind installing Perimeter Beam security.

Perimeter Security is a vital area of security that has applications ranging from the protection of construction sites to prestigious applications such as museums and financial institutions. There is a demand for early warning perimeter devices to work in conjunction with existing installed security systems/monitoring rooms. Securing of attractively landscaped or environmentally sensitive areas calls for an effective, discreet intruder detection system. Beams are an effective method of external security and can be installed with existing and new alarm systems.

There are two different types of beams that can be used in perimeter security. Twin beams are generally smaller and rely on two beam paths to be broken to generate an alarm, quad beams form a lattice of 16 beams which need to be broken making them more reliable over long distances. The site and the application requirements will help you define which beam technology should be chosen.

When mounted externally standard twin beams can cover up to 100 metres and quad beams up to 200 metres. However when standard beams are mounted internally manufacturers generally double the coverage distance, i.e. an external 50 metre beam can cover up to 100 metres internally. Beam manufacturers tend to refer to the coverage distance as part of their model number.

Beams may be mounted on a pole, flat surfaces or within specially constructed ‘towers’. Some beams will come with a pole mounting kit included. The pole can be up to 43 mm in diameter - normal industry standard scaffolding poles will be sufficient to mount the beams.

Towers may be used where it is difficult to mount a beam, in open areas for instance. They are constructed in such a way as to give no external indication to the casual passerby about the number of beams housed within. Towers come in different heights to accommodate the required number of beams. In exposed or adverse and cold weather locations towers may be fitted with a thermostat and individual beam unit heaters to ensure constant operation.

Most beams are equipped with devices to help easy setup such as optical viewfinders, LED’s, alignment tones and monitor points allowing for ‘fine-tune’ alignment using a voltmeter. Manufacturer instructions are generally very clear and easy to follow when installing beams. Manuals will include sections: how to mount beams, the beam setup, the Do’s and Don’ts as well as a fault guide.

A useful tip: when working on the longer range beams, hang a Hi-Vis jacket on the receiver when aligning the transmitter as the jacket will be much easier to spot through the viewfinder than the black beam unit!

www.adi-gardiner.co.uk

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