Door-open alarms needed for apartment building

LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Customer has an apartment building with three exterior doors (but don't need them inter-connected) where some tenants prop the exterior doors with rocks and bottles so people without keys can get in. They want a loud alarm to sound after a period of one to five minutes (preferably adjustable to see what time works best.)

The hope is that the alarm is loud enough that the tenants who understand the need for security will over-ride those who keep propping the doors open. They also need them to be powered in a way that can not be easily defeated by simply unplugging the power supply with a stick or ladder, so hard-wiring them is a plus.

There is already always-on power near each door for a light and egress lighting, so that's not an issue. I thought a battery backup might be useful in case someone finds a way to disable the power, causing the alarm to sound immediately, but wouldn't want them sounding continuously in case of a power outage.

Any suggestions or advice is welcome.
 
use a door contact switch connected to a timing relay that powers a horn signal. A recessed contact in the top of the door would be ideal if you have access to the wall cavity for fishing the wire down. If surface-mount use the type with an armored cable lead.

You can group all the components together in a sealed enclosure. I'd probably skip the battery part.
 
brantmacga said:
You can group all the components together in a sealed enclosure. I'd probably skip the battery part.
Click to expand...
Agreed. We have decided on a hard-wired package so nobody can unplug it.

I can put a magnet in the top of the door and a magnetic switch in the frame.

Is there a tamper-resistant packaged unit made with a loud horn or siren in it?
 
There is factory assembled devices that do exactly that, but as others have said, a magnetic switch or contact tied to an on delay relay and horn of desired db. It will automatically reset after the door is closed.
 
hillbilly1 said:
There is factory assembled devices that do exactly that, but as others have said, a magnetic switch or contact tied to an on delay relay and horn of desired db. It will automatically reset after the door is closed.
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I'm interested in the factory-assembled versions, whether to buy it or copy them.

A professional-looking system in a metal enclosure is better than a plastic fridge alarm.

Do you have any info on them, please?
 
www.uhs-hardware.com

Detex - EAX-300 - Door Prop Alarm - Surface Mounted - Optional Finish

DTX-EAX-300-XXXXThe Detex EAX-300 Series is designed for applications where doors may be used for egress or ingress, but may not be held or propped open. Alarm silences when door is closed, no waiting for key-holder to arrive.1-1/8” Mortise Cylinder required with standard Yale cam to turn on...
www.uhs-hardware.com www.uhs-hardware.com
 
hillbilly1 said:
www.maglocks.com

Door Propped Alarm Kit

Check out the deal on Door Propped Alarm Kit at maglocks
www.maglocks.com www.maglocks.com
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That looks great, except we would need a tamper resistant enclosure.

hillbilly1 said:
www.uhs-hardware.com

Detex - EAX-300 - Door Prop Alarm - Surface Mounted - Optional Finish

DTX-EAX-300-XXXXThe Detex EAX-300 Series is designed for applications where doors may be used for egress or ingress, but may not be held or propped open. Alarm silences when door is closed, no waiting for key-holder to arrive.1-1/8” Mortise Cylinder required with standard Yale cam to turn on...
www.uhs-hardware.com www.uhs-hardware.com
Click to expand...
That looks too easy to break. More like a commercial fire alarm horn.
.
 
petersonra said:
I think the first guy that proos the door open so he can move some furniture is going to be unhappy.
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That's a good additional point. I'll have to ask the landlord about that.

Added:

He's asking about the possibility of being able to disable the alarm remotely.

We have a Lorex camera system, but i don't believe remote access is part of it.

So we have internet available.
 
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These need to be loud enough that people in their apartments will complain to whomever props a door open.
 
LarryFine said:
That looks great, except we would need a tamper resistant enclosure.


That looks too easy to break. More like a commercial fire alarm horn.
.
Click to expand...

I didn’t realize Detex made door-prop alarms. I’ve installed a couple hundred at least of the standard Detex door alarms over the years in all the restaurants i built and they are solid devices. I just looked at their website, and they also offer a hard-wired version.

EAX-411SK – Detex Corporation

www.detex.com www.detex.com

I’m sure this surface-mount door prop alarm is just like the regular door alarm and made of cast aluminum. With the hard-wired alarms, if someone opens the cover to try and disable it, the alarm will sound.

I can vouch for them and would say to just buy the Detex. Oh and they are ear-piercing loud.
 
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