Burglar Alarm Systems 

Alarm Operating Features

  • Point identification of each protected zone to pinpoint the source of any alarm.

  • Since each zone reports to the Central Station individually, we not only notify the police to the address of the burglary, but direct them to the exact point of intrusion.

  • Ability to arm the perimeter of the premises only, and bypass interior motion detectors for protection while you are at home.

  • Ability to bypass individual second floor windows (for ventilation while sleeping).

  • Ability for the owner to change the arming and disarming codes at any time.

  • Rechargeable battery backup system (to take over during power failures and ensure uninterrupted security).

  • Automatic weekly signal test to the Central Station, testing alarm communication for proper operation.

  • Low battery monitoring of backup battery during weekly communication test.

  • Selectable "chime" annunciation during disarmed state.

  • Ability to record when teenage children come home late at night.

  • Audible panic and silent panic built into the push-button keypad.

  • Silent duress code to signal for help in case anyone follows you into the house.

  • Pet compatible motion detectors.

  • Automatic beeper paging when children return from school.

  • Ability to monitor the comings and goings of housekeepers.

 
Portable Panic Buttons and Controllers
     These handy devices (known as "keyfobs") fit on your key chain. They can arm or disarm your alarm system, turn on lights, or summon Citadel’s Central Monitoring Station to send help. They offer excellent protection for females while exiting a parked car to arriving at their front door, since they operate within 1,000 feet from the home.
     A homeowner can disarm their alarm system and turn on outdoor lighting by pressing a button on the "keyfob" while walking up to the house. The keyfob can open overhead garage doors also.

 

Hardwire vs. Wireless

     The opened or closed status of a door or window sensor must be communicated to the alarm control panel. Normally, this is done by "fishing" a concealed wire inside the wall from the sensor to the control panel. However, sometimes it is impossible to fish a wire within the wall because the room is on a concrete slab with no basement, or there may be a cathedral ceiling with no accessible attic above. If this is the case, a "wireless transmitter" is mounted above the door or window to communicate the status of the door or window to the control panel.   

 

     Wireless transmitters are small (two inches by one inch) and operate from a disposable battery inside the transmitter. Since the control panel accepts both hardwired and wireless inputs, the operation of the alarm system to the end used is the same. The only disadvantage of wireless is that it is "more exposed" than a hardwire system because of the physical existence of the transmitter near the protected door or window. Also, the disposable battery inside the transmitter must be changed someday. The alarm control keypad will indicate a low battery status from a transmitter, necessitating the changing of the battery in the transmitter.

     
Perimeter vs. Interior Motion Detectors

     The question always comes up "Which is better?" Perimeter protection involves installing sensors on individual doors and windows of the house. Interior protection involves motion detectors located inside the house. With perimeter protection, the burglar is detected while they are still outside. With interior protection, the burglar is already inside before they are detected.

     The interior motion detectors should serve as a back-up to the perimeter protection. Motion detectors should not be considered as the primary protection, but a complement to the perimeter protection.

     Since our logo is a "castle", let us draw a medieval analogy. In the middle ages, people built a moat around their castle. It was much better to repel intruders at the perimeter of the castle, rather than confront them after they have scaled the walls and are already inside.
 

Remote Arm & Disarm Capability (Interactive Phone Module)

     Have you ever left the house and remembered that you forgot to turn on the alarm system? Wouldn’t it be great to call your house from work and disarm the alarm system from a phone at the office?
     Wouldn’t it be great if every telephone in your house could become an alarm keypad? Controlling your alarm system from your master bedroom phone is very convenient.

     All of the above situations are possible with the "Interactive Phone Module". After entering the appropriate access digits on any touch tone telephone, you can turn any touch tone phone into a keypad for the alarm system. A synthesized voice will talk back to you and prompt you to make your selections.