FAQS

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Installation time - how long does it take?

A common question we are asked is ‘How long does it take for the installation of our system?’

ALARM SYSTEMS
The installation of Risco and Hills Alarm Systems into single-storey homes normally takes 3-4 hours.

The installation of Ajax (full-wireless) Alarm Systems normally takes 2-3 hours for both single and double-storey homes.

CCTV SYSTEMS
The installation time for CCTV Systems into single-story homes normally takes about 4 hours but it can take a little longer in some cases.

The installation time for CCTV Systems into double-story homes can vary based on the location of the cameras, television and internet connection. We normally recommend allowing a full day for the installation.

Please be aware, the installation times listed above are estimates. Every home is unique and may have features or ‘quirks’ that make installations times faster or a little slower. If you would like to get a more accurate estimate, please feel free to contact us on 0412 593 676.

ALARM SYSTEMS

What is an alarm system?

Security alarms are designed to detect intrusion – unauthorized entry – into a home, building or other area. Alarm systems are a deterrent to would-be intruders.

From the most basic home security systems to the more elaborate business security systems, we can help you secure your place.

With years of experience, we have seen the industry and technology change an enormous amount. But there is one thing that remains constant, home and businesses still get broken into.

It’s our job to help secure your premises with the best possible alarm system to suit your requirements and budget.

What are the basic components of an alarm system?
  • Control Panel – Brains of the entire security system, should be user friendly and can be installed hidden or in an easily accessible location.
  • Key Pad – Use to arm and disarm your system, can be configured to arm only specific detection devices if you wish to remain at home. Can be upgraded to a touch screen key pad for improved aesthetics and functionality.
  • PIR Sensors (Passive infrared sensor) – The most commonly used detection device, these use infra-red technology and are available in Pet-tolerant versions.
  • Internal Screamer Siren – To startle the intruder and let him know that he has been detected. Due to their high volume, they make it very difficult for the intruder to stay in the home for too long.
  • External Siren and Blue Strobe – This will alert neighbours and passers-by that your alarm has been activated.
What additional options should you consider?
  • Reed Switches – Another form of detection device can be installed on doors or windows to provide detection when these events occur.
  • Wireless Key Fob – Allows to you activate and deactivate your alarm remotely.
  • Other Forms of Event Detection – Glass break detectors, external beams or external PIRs.
Wireless technology

Whilst a hard-wired system will always be our first choice, LKR Security also has a range of wireless security solutions which for homes with limited access to roof space. Wireless components work using RF technology to communicate signals to and from the system and customers can expect battery life of 3-7 years.

How long will my alarm battery last?

Alarm Systems can potentially have three different types of devices that require batteries.

CONTROL PANEL

The first device is the Control Panel Backup Battery. Every system will have this battery as it is used to maintain correct operation in the event of a power failure.

When power is lost to the system, the battery will immediately take over to provide temporary power. The amount of time the battery will keep the system running depends on the age of the battery, the amount of devices connected to the system and whether or not the alarm is triggered during this time.

When power to the alarm system is restored, the battery will automatically start charging.

If, however, the power is not restored before the battery is completely discharged, more than likely the backup battery will need to be replaced as this type of battery is not designed to be completely discharged.

The expected life on this battery is 4 to 5 years under ideal conditions.

The Alarm System will regularly check the condition of the battery and display a fault on the Keypad if the battery needs to be replaced.

As this battery is located in the Control Panel Enclosure, it is recommended that a qualified security technician replace this component.

WIRELESS DETECTORS

All Wireless Detectors contain batteries. The life of these batteries depends on how much activity the detector see and the battery type used.

The Alarm System will regularly check the condition of the detector batteries and display a fault on the Keypad if a battery needs to be replaced.

REMOTE CONTROLS

All Remote Controls contain either one or two CR2032 Batteries. Over time and with use these batteries will need to be replaced.

If you have noticed a significant reduction in range or your remote is no longer working, it is recommended to replace the battery.

Pet friendly motion sensors?

A common question we are asked is ‘Can I turn on my Alarm System with pets inside the house?’

Yes. We offer motion sensors with Pet-Immunity for both the Hard-wired and Wireless Alarm Systems.

For the wired Alarm Systems, our standard PIR can handle pets up to 24kg. This can be upgraded to a 40kg pet-friendly sensor.

CCTV SYSTEMS

What is CCTV and how does it work?

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. Unlike traditional television, CCTV is a closed-loop system where everything being broadcasted stays in-house. Nothing that is recorded with CCTV gets broadcasted over public airwaves.

The main use case for CCTV is for security purposes. Many businesses, bars, schools, restaurants, banks, country clubs, and homes rely on CCTV for protection. While the security system may not stop the bad guy, it will prevent criminal activity from occurring in the first place.

There are many reasons we will want to keep an eye out for our surroundings. Many homes utilize a security camera to ensure the safety of their loved ones. Installing a camera on the outside of your home in multiple ways can drastically reduce the chances of something bad occurring.

You can also think of installing CCTV security cameras inside your home as well. The purpose here is to extend footage of unwanted intruders. If you ever have strangers doing work in your house or have a babysitter, a security camera is essential for securing your home when you’re not around.

Now that we know what CCTV is, we can now ask how does CCTV work? First, we need to be aware of the two types of security camera systems—analog and digital (IP).

CCTV Types

Let’s first break down analog vs digital CCTV cameras and how they work.

Analog

With a traditional analog video camera, we connect to our digital video recorder, DVR. The information from the DVR is received, stored, and compressed on a hard drive. This is very beneficial because we can go back and watch stored footage.

Digital (IP)

A digital system brings us up to date with CCTV. The system itself is a bit more involved and costly, but well worth it in the end. It works similarly as analog, but instead of a DVR, we have an NVR, network video recorder.

This streamlines our security process, as the camera takes the place of the DVR. Now we can remotely monitor our footage live via an internet connection. If an emergency should occur our smartphone will alert us.

CCTV Benefits

Unfortunately, crime is not going away anytime soon. We need to remain safe and secure at all times. Having a CCTV system provides us with a safety net from criminals and fishy activity.

CCTV units range in price, but the cost outweighs what damage may occur without it. If you run any type of business, you will be glad you installed a CCTV for you and your employees. Digital CCTV systems provide us with a piece of mind knowing we can access our homes at any time if need be.

What are the benefits of having a CCTV system?

CCTV Cameras not only act as a deterrent against petty criminals and intruders, but also provide the ability to monitor your home from afar. A recorded video feed will allow you to analyse activities around your home or business on a daily or weekly basis, while smart analytics can be used to trigger an alarm and warning siren when suspicious activity is detected. In the event of a crime or accident, CCTV cameras provide recorded evidence that can be used in a criminal investigation or for insurance purposes.

Is it better to purchase an analogue or IP system?

Digital IP cameras are undoubtedly the future of CCTV. Here at Jim’s Security we recommend digital IP cameras as they offer the following advantages over analogue cameras:

  • Higher Image Quality –  Analog systems have traditionally been restricted to low resolutions such as 720p or 1MP (but can now be found in 5MP resolution), while IP cameras often offer resolutions from 4MP to 8MP. IP cameras are therefore able to offer greater zoom capabilities, as details of a scene can be zoomed in on without losing image clarity.
  • Power Over Ethernet Cable (POE) – unlike with analog cameras, there is no need for a separate power source for each camera.
  • Limited Access to Analytics – IP camera systems have more advanced analytic capabilities compared to analog camera systems as analytics are able to be processed at the level of the camera
How many cameras and channels do I need?

The number of cameras determines the amount of different perspectives you can monitor, while the number of channels determines the number of cameras you can view on one recorder. The number of cameras and subsequent channels you will require largely depends on the size and type of your property. 

Generally we recommend choosing a recorder that has more channels than the number of cameras you plan to have installed as this will give you the option of easily upgrading your system in the future.

How many megapixels does my CCTV camera need to be?

The amount of megapixels you need will depend on the location of your camera as well as how you plan to use your camera. For example, cameras with lower resolutions are typically better at capturing images at night. 

Image Quality determines how crisp and clear video signals are, as well as ability to zoom into recorded footage at a later date. The image quality of a CCTV system is impacted by:

  • Camera Capture Quality: Measured in megapixels (MP).
  • NVR Recording and Output: Measured in both MP and digital video formats (i.e. 1080P HD and 4K UHD).

For example, our Dahua 6MP IP CCTV package includes a set of 6MP cameras and a 4K UHD NVR with the ability to capture and output resolutions of up to 8MP to future-proof your system.

What night vision capabilities should I be looking for in a CCTV system?

The night vision capabilities you should be looking for will depend on how much light is available in your area as well as your budget and specific requirements. When purchasing a CCTV camera, keep in mind that night vision capabilities are influenced by camera resolution. Higher resolution cameras (8MP or 6MP) often have poorer night vision capabilities than lower resolution cameras such (e.g. 4MP). 

At LKR Security all of our CCTV packages include night vision and we have several night vision options available with our two most popular options being: Infrared, Starlight or the very popular TiOCs.  While standard infrared cameras capture a black and white image, starlight cameras are able to capture coloured images in low light, and TiOCs can have full colour at night. We generally recommend TiOC cameras, as these cameras are able to capture more detailed information (such as the colour of a suspicious vehicle) to be captured. 

What type of security camera is best?

We have a wide range of Dahua and Hikvision cameras available including mini eyeball, bullet, dome in both wide angle fixed or zoom lenses. The fixed lenses cameras included in our packages are suitable for most domestic installations however our team will recommend the best camera for your home or business.