Re: Security Systems
Having done fire and burg systems for about 20 years, I can tell you that security is more involved. Fire is spelled out, to a degree, with the codes, and the AHJ. Security is pretty wide open, until you get to military bases and high security level stuff. One job a friend of mine worked on was high security telcom. The circuits were run in rigid,and each joint had to welded,yes,welded. The other end of the spectrum is taking some 22/4, tying a rock to it, and launching that across a hung ceiling to a motion sensor at the other end.
Companies like ADEMCO are good,as are a lot of websites. Most security circuits are normally closed. When a system is armed, sloppy wiring can cause opens, which send a panel in to alarm, cause the cops to roll, and generally cause irritation. Good clean wiring, and attention to the details counts here too. The other problem with security is the human interface."I forgot my passcode","what time does the thing arm?" etc,etc.
There is a lot of work getting people trained.
One thing you'll find is that the newer panels have a ton of features-addressable backbones, Internet monitoring,X-10 interface,wireless devices, on spread spectrum RF, that actually work.
Search the internet-there's a lot to learn. This stuff ties into the home automation thing and can monitor things like freezers,pumps, generators, etc.