Burglar Alarm Systems Perth

The Main Types of Detection Devices (and When Each One Makes Sense)

There’s no single “best” burglar alarm — the right setup depends on the layout, the entry points, and what you’re protecting. On most Perth jobs we’re drawing from this list:

Passive Infrared (PIR) Detectors These detect movement using body heat and are the workhorse of most systems. We use quad and TriTech variants (which combine two detection methods to cut down false alarms), pet-friendly versions for homes with dogs or cats, and wireless units where running cable isn’t practical.

Magnetic Reed Switches Fitted to doors and windows, these trigger when the magnetic contact is broken — i.e., the door opens. We install heavy-duty, concealed, and surface-mounted versions depending on the frame and whether the client wants them hidden.

Glass Break Sensors Listen for the specific frequency of breaking glass. Useful on ground-floor windows and shopfronts where someone might try to smash and reach in rather than open a door.

Vibration Sensors Detect physical impact on a surface — safes, ATMs, roller doors, and reinforced points where an intruder might try to force entry rather than trigger a motion sensor.

Thermal Sensors Used in higher-spec commercial applications where heat-based detection adds a layer beyond standard PIR.

Smoke Detectors (Alarm Integration) Not a substitute for proper fire systems, but we can integrate detection into the alarm panel for additional coverage.

For most residential clients, a mix of PIRs at key movement points plus reed switches on entry doors covers it. For commercial premises — retail, storage facilities, fast food outlets — we usually layer in glass break and vibration sensors around cash points and high-value stock areas.

Monitored vs. Self-Monitored: The Decision That Actually Matters

This is the question we get asked most, and it’s more important than which brand of sensor you choose.

A self-monitored system sends an alert to your phone. That’s fine if you’re awake, have signal, and can act fast — but if you’re asleep, at work, or your phone’s on silent, the alarm can go off for however long it likes with nobody responding.

A back-to-base monitored system routes the alert straight to a 24/7 monitoring centre with trained operators, who verify the alarm and can dispatch a response or contact WA Police directly. For a lot of our commercial clients — franchise groups, storage facilities, standalone retail — this isn’t optional; it’s the difference between catching an intruder mid-break-in and finding out about it the next morning.

We run our own monitoring through Access 1, so if you go with monitored alarm services, the same company that installed your sensors is the one watching the panel — not a subcontracted call centre that’s never seen your property.

What Working Perth Properties Has Taught Us

A few patterns we see repeatedly on real jobs, for what they’re worth:

• False alarms kill compliance. If a system nuisance-triggers a few times, people stop taking it seriously and start disarming it out of habit — which is exactly when a real break-in happens. Good sensor selection and placement (not just cheapest-available PIRs) matters more than most homeowners realise.
• Franchise and multi-site clients need consistency, not just coverage. We’ve supplied and monitored systems for multi-unit operators across WA and SA, including long-running relationships with groups like Subway franchisees and Red Rooster outlets, plus storage facility operators like National Storage. What they consistently ask for isn’t more sensors — it’s one system standard across every site, so managers aren’t relearning a different panel at every location.
• Access points get missed on DIY installs. The most common gap we find replacing an existing system is a side door or high window that was never wired in, because whoever set it up originally focused on the front door and forgot the rest of the perimeter.

What Good Installers Actually Do Differently

If you’re comparing providers (as you should — this isn’t the only company installing alarms in Perth), here’s what’s worth checking regardless of who you go with:

1. Licensed security personnel doing the install, not a subcontractor with no security licensing.
2. A proper site walkthrough before quoting, not a generic package sold over the phone.
3. A monitoring centre you can name and verify, not a vague “24/7 monitoring” claim with no detail on who’s actually watching.
4. A system designed around your entry points and asset locations, not a fixed number of sensors regardless of the property.
5. Aftercare and service availability, since alarm systems need periodic testing and occasional sensor replacement, not just a one-off install.

Access 1 was recognised as a 2023 National Winner in the C8 Security & Electronics awards, and we work as an authorised Ajax Security installer alongside our own alarm monitoring service — details you’re welcome to verify independently before deciding who gets access to your property.