Allied Fire & Security’s Enterprise Solutions Group integrates security systems with information technology (IT) components and networks. Today we want to explain a little bit about what the Enterprise Solutions Group can do for you and for our company as a whole.

When Allied Fire & Security was founded more than 60 years ago, security systems were relatively simple. A system’s main control panel – usually stored behind a locked door – was connected to various devices, such as door contacts, motion detectors and sirens with wire going from point A to point B.

As technology progresses, we at Allied Fire & Security are progressing as well. The Internet and network technology have exploded in the last 10 years. Wireless devices have become the norm, and software stored on customers’ computer networks can no longer simply be protected with a lock and key. We have tasked our Enterprise Solutions Group with implementing these technological changes and integrating those changes with contemporary security systems.

Seamless Detection Device Integration

Increased system flexibility has accompanied these advances in technology. For example, older burglar alarm systems usually monitored door position switches, to tell if the door was open or closed, and motion detectors to tell if someone was walking around, from one central keypad. If the alarm went off, a signal was sent to the monitoring center.

Today, thanks to technology, we can integrate many devices into one monitored system. Your security alarm can connect to your card access entry system which can be linked to multiple computer work stations. To decrease the risk of security breaches, if you haven’t used your access card to enter your building, you can be blocked from logging into your computer workstation. Your integrated video surveillance system simultaneously records any attempts to enter the building without authorization.

These integrated systems are often maintained by a company’s IT department and stored on a computer network for use by many departments and multiple functions. Payroll may use the card access system to track how many hours an employee worked in a particular location, instead of relying on paper time sheets, while human resources uses the same system to add or remove employee access authorization.

The job of our Enterprise Solutions Group is to make sure your integrated systems work seamlessly without interfering with basic system operations on your network. We want to maximize your efficiency while minimizing your risk.

If there’s anything Allied’s Enterprise Solutions Group can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Fire alarm systems vary depending on if the alarm is for a residential or commercial application.

The first type of system is for residential applications where there are two main types of fire detection equipment: smoke detectors and heat detectors. Smoke detectors are more widely used and heat detectors are used in certain environments, such as garages, due to their lack of sensitivity to changes in temperature and dust.

The two types of smoke detectors that Allied Fire & Security uses are photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric devices detect smoke particles in the air by bouncing light off of the particles. Less expensive ionic devices work by ionizing the air in the detection chamber and measuring the voltage across the chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, the voltage level drops and is detected.

Typically photoelectric detectors are more responsive to the type of smoke emitted from burning household items. The smoke is actually a little bit darker in home fires. Heat detectors are not typically used as life safety devices for evacuation purposes, but are used more commonly for property protection.

WHY INSTALL A FIRE ALARM IN YOUR HOME?

The biggest reason for having a fire alarm installed is for life safety protection. You want to make sure that, in the event of a fire, your family and can get out of the home with ample time. Fire alarms are also used for property protection.

The time it would take for a neighbor to see smoke coming out of your house is drastically longer than the amount of time it would take for a fire alarm to go off. The fire department can be notified much more quickly if there is a fire alarm installed and we all know that in the event of a fire, time is of the essence.

BENEFITS OF AN ALLIED FIRE & SECURITY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

When you have a fire alarm system installed by Allied Fire & Security, there are several benefits in addition to smoke detection. Many of us have smoke detectors in our homes already that are typically battery operated. And we’ve probably all had the low battery signal chirping at us from time to time in the middle of the night. Allied Fire & Security smoke detectors are controlled from our main control panel. The battery resides in the panel and one single battery runs the entire system. Your alarm panel will recognize when the battery is getting low making maintenance much more user-friendly.

Another advantage to Allied Fire & Security is that we have alarm monitoring available. Fire alarms work really well beeping and squeaking and getting everybody out of the house, but if you do have a fire and there is no one home to hear the beeping and squeaking, then the fire will burn longer – until a neighbor notices the smoke. If your fire alarm system is monitored by a central station, we gain the ability to respond to an alarm even if no one is home.

COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

The second type of system is for commercial applications. The detection devices that we use are similar to residential equipment; however, there are a few additions. Pull stations are manual action devices usually located by building exits that will trigger the fire alarm. Horn strobes are also used for audible notification of fire alarm. This is biggest difference between a residential and a commercial fire alarm: evacuation and notification. These warnings use horn strobes, sounders and voice-command evacuation depending upon local, state national, or other governing agency requirements.

We install and service two types of commercial systems: required and non-required. Certain buildings being constructed or remodeled are automatically required to have a fire system installed. These required systems have to go through submittals with the fire department to be approved.

Two types of required systems are partial and full. Partial systems allow for only partial coverage in certain areas of the building. For example, you may not be required to place alarms in private offices where individual alarm systems could be installed. Full coverage is just that; every required room usually within a 30-foot space must have a smoke detector. This can lead to needing a very large system very quickly.

Even if a building isn’t required to have a fire alarm installed, most property owners choose to purchase a system that will help protect lives and property and that may even help decrease their insurance costs.

Another advantage to Allied’s fire alarms is having monitoring available for commercial applications. We can monitor suppression systems, such as sprinkler or chemical fire suppression systems, along with your fire detection system.

VESDA FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Allied Fire & Security has also deployed VESDA fire alarms. VESDA stands for “Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus.” Rather than being a reactive system that waits for smoke to reach the detector, this system constantly samples the air by piping it back to the main sensor so it can be processed. VESDA is much more effective for very sensitive applications, such as computer server rooms, theaters or other large spaces.

24 HOUR SERVICE

Here at Allied Fire & Security, we have highly qualified technicians that can install, service, maintain and add to almost any manufacturer’s equipment. We can schedule and complete annual inspections on most systems as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call to your local branch or contact us here.

Every High Security lock system installed by Allied Fire & Security can give you a patented keyway that is protected and cannot be duplicated by unauthorized people. Allied registers every restricted key system made in our lockshops with signatures and letters of authorization from system owners. Only the people you have designated are approved to duplicate your keys.

High Security keys are also blind numbered and registered so when you give a friend or employee “key #1,” you get “key #1” back. You know that the keys you have authorized are the ONLY keys out there.

We can install and service most any type of High Security lock. Deadbolts, knob sets, glass store front doors, file cabinets locks, pharmaceutical cabinets, and key storage cabinets are just a few of our most commonly installed high security locks.

Allied Fire & Security has chosen to work with Medeco brand locks because of their history, product performance and the high level of security that their locks and keys offer. Medeco also carries a decorative line of High Security locks in a variety of finishes that are perfect for home or business owners who desire a more stylish look, or who need to match existing hardware

Medeco offers several different levels of security used in different applications, such as homes vs. commercial buildings. Whether you need signature controlled keys, or drill- and pick-resistant locks for higher crime areas, Medeco will have a solution for you. Allied can also retrofit High Security locks into existing doors where older, less secure locks are being removed.

Already have an access control system? Medeco offers Proximity cards that attach directly to High Security keys and work with multiple access control systems that are on the market today.

Allied’s locksmiths have over 150 years combined experience, and they’re on call 24/7 for emergency service. Contact your local branch here.

In the past, the only video surveillance option that most people had was a closed circuit television system that broadcast it’s signal in analog (non-digital) format. With a system installed at a business, you could see what was happening when you were at the office, but what happened when you were away from work? Analog signals don’t broadcast over large distances, so the only option you had was to save the video to a tape and view it later. Not only was that a hassle, but it didn’t allow you to actually keep an eye on things in real time.

The Internet has been the catalyst for developing more sophisticated digital technologies, and video surveillance is one of the areas where major changes have taken place. Here are the top reasons why you should consider a digital security camera system:

1. Monitor everything at work or home in real time no matter where you are as long as you have a broadband Internet connection available.
2. View the recordings from several cameras at the same time.
3. The digital picture is far superior to the old analog video and carries a lot more detail.
4. Video can still be recorded, but unlike recording to a video tape, the video output will not degrade over time as it is replayed over and over again. Digital information replays exactly the same no matter how often it is played.
5. Digital files can be compressed and saved much easily, taking up less space than tapes.

There are many more advantages of digital video surveillance systems, but just these few should convince you that digital is the way to go if you need to stay in touch with what is going on around your business or home while you are away.

For more information, contact your local Allied Fire & Security branch in Spokane, Seattle or Portland.