goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: Fire Alarm Equipment Installations
I don't want to let too much leak out here or give anyone ideas on how to defeat alarm systems. I spent 25 years in this area and in my prime I would have bet that I could have broken into many banks and/or compromised many alarm systems (any type). My problem is that I'm too honest and most of all I wouldn't want to suffer the consequences on the outside chance that I might get caught.
Anyway, getting back to the topic, as long as the circuit connections are made inside that handy box, removing the cover exposes those terminations. For a run-of-the-mill, unauthorized saboteur these terminations are meaningless. For someone like myself, bypassing them would be like the "hi-tech" guy on Mission Impossible.
As I stated, the proper way to make these terminations is under a secure cover inside a protected housing. That way removing the cover or entering the housing would cause the trouble condition you described. The valve shown in Joe's photo is a very small valve and is typically found in multi-level buildings and in stairwell sprinkler risers where "per floor" detection and fire alarm display are required. At the sprinkler main there are usually larger OS&Y gate valves where a better type of tamper switch can be used. The Potter OSYS-U switch comes to mind. If properly wired and mounted, this switch cannot be compromised.
Regards,
Phil
[ September 29, 2003, 06:14 AM: Message edited by: goldstar ]
Dave,
I don't want to let too much leak out here or give anyone ideas on how to defeat alarm systems. I spent 25 years in this area and in my prime I would have bet that I could have broken into many banks and/or compromised many alarm systems (any type). My problem is that I'm too honest and most of all I wouldn't want to suffer the consequences on the outside chance that I might get caught.
Anyway, getting back to the topic, as long as the circuit connections are made inside that handy box, removing the cover exposes those terminations. For a run-of-the-mill, unauthorized saboteur these terminations are meaningless. For someone like myself, bypassing them would be like the "hi-tech" guy on Mission Impossible.
As I stated, the proper way to make these terminations is under a secure cover inside a protected housing. That way removing the cover or entering the housing would cause the trouble condition you described. The valve shown in Joe's photo is a very small valve and is typically found in multi-level buildings and in stairwell sprinkler risers where "per floor" detection and fire alarm display are required. At the sprinkler main there are usually larger OS&Y gate valves where a better type of tamper switch can be used. The Potter OSYS-U switch comes to mind. If properly wired and mounted, this switch cannot be compromised.
Regards,
Phil
[ September 29, 2003, 06:14 AM: Message edited by: goldstar ]
