When it comes to your business, security is everything. You’ve invested in access control systems, video surveillance, and alarm monitoring services, but chances are you’ve neglected one area: your windows. They’re an Achilles heel in security strategies, frequently overlooked when placing cameras and tucked into areas hidden from motion detectors. The glass can be broken without triggering an alarm, even if that alarm is set to trigger if the window is raised. By the time an intruder is detected, they are already in your space. Here is what you need to know to enhance your business’s security with sensors and detectors.
What are Glass Break Sensors?
As the name implies, they’re designed to detect glass breaking. There are two types:
Shock
Shock sensors are placed directly on a window or door. These have wires that are designed to detect vibrations, such as those created when the glass is broken. If it is firmly touched or moved, the alarm triggers an audible alarm and some are wired to alert both you and emergency services that a potential break-in is in progress.
Acoustic
An acoustic sensor listens to sounds in the room, meaning you may only need one or two per room rather than one on each window. These have been programmed to monitor the sound frequency of breaking glass by using a narrowband microphone. They’ll hear sounds and analyze them to find similarities to preprogrammed samples. If a sound match is detected, an alarm sounds, and your notifications begin.
What is the Difference Between a Window Contact Sensor and a Glass Break Detector?
While these two sound similar, they’re different in the way they detect intruders.
Window Contact Sensor
A contact sensor is placed on the windowpane and sill and designed to detect when the circuit is broken due to a pane being lifted. Once the circuit is broken, an alarm sounds.
Glass Break Sensor
These detectors can be placed directly on the window to detect vibrations or used in a room to listen for shattering sounds.
Both of these technologies are useful if an intruder is actively attempting to break in through a window or glass on a door. Because they don’t alert until an entry point is actively being accessed, these aren’t stand-alone security strategies and are only a part of comprehensive intrusion detection systems. Contact Next Generation Security Concepts and get a free security assessment to learn how adding window glass break sensors will enhance your business’s security.
