To prevent intruders from entering your business premises, you take all kinds of measures. Physical barriers (such as sturdy windows, doors, and locks) and an alarm system. If you have a site around your property, you can detect intruders even earlier. They can then still be apprehended before they have a chance to enter your premises. There are a variety of outdoor detection systems available.
In this article, we list them for you.
Detectors are deployed as part of a total intrusion protection system; A system that is aimed at identifying intruders as early as possible, then delaying them for such a long time that the follow-up can take place within the delay time. These are the basic principles of OSVO, the model developed by Mactwin with which effective burglary protection can be designed. Detecting it as early as possible preferably starts with the outer shell. Roughly speaking, we can classify systems for outdoor detection into underground systems, freestanding systems and fence or wall-related systems.
1. Underground Detection System
With an underground system, you can invisibly secure your outdoor area. An underground detection system works with pressure mats, vibration sensors or hoses filled with liquids and associated pressure sensors. The invisible system is incorporated into the ground and measures the pressure differences or vibrations that occur as soon as an intruder enters the site. The measured pressure differences/vibrations are analyzed and, if necessary, converted into an alarm. These systems will almost certainly detect an intruder; whether the intruder is walking, jumping, crawling, rolling or using gangways. The systems are insensitive to weather influences, they are low-maintenance and work in almost any surface such as gravel, concrete, asphalt and Stelcon slabs. They are also suitable for hilly terrain. However, a lot of excavation work is required during construction. This makes this form of outdoor detection relatively expensive. If you opt for an underground system, you should take into account the sensitivity of the system, for example to vibrations from heavy trucks or trains.
2. Energizer system on/on fence or wall
Fences (even existing ones!) or walls can be fitted with an electric fence system quite easily. An electric fence system incorporated on or in a fence or on a wall prevents an intruder from climbing over the fence or wall; Touching the electric fence gives the intruder a big shock. At the same time, the electric fence detects that someone is climbing the fence and can sound an alarm. A disadvantage is that it is a visible system that is also quite easy to manipulate.
3. Microphone cable system on (or in) fence
A microphone cable system works with a cable that is prone to distortion. Deformation generates a small tension. A sensor at the end of the cable detects this distortion. The cable is woven through the (mesh) fencing or can be tied to it. The disadvantage of this system, which is also visible, is that it is sensitive to vandalism and manipulation, as well as to vibrations.
4. Digital radar system
A digital radar system is easy to install and creates a ‘wall’ of radar waves (microwaves) around your site. The invisible radar waves detect movement in the area covered by the waves. Microwaves are not affected by wind, but flying objects can cause an unwanted alarm. Nowadays, the minimum size of an object to be detected can often be set.
5. Active Infrared System
An active infrared system works on the principle of breaking through the infrared light beam. A source (actively) emits one or more infrared light beams to a receiver. If the light rays are interrupted, for example because an intruder passes through the beam, an alarm signal is given. The range of infrared is large, about 150 – 200 meters. Because the detection field is narrow, the system is very suitable for narrow areas and to ‘cover’ the façade of a building.
Similar to a radar system, flying objects can trigger an unwanted alarm. In addition, it is sensitive to weather influences and can suffer from vegetation on the property. An infrared system is easy to install and inexpensive, but it does require a lot of maintenance.
6. Passive Infrared detection
Special Passive Infrared outdoor detectors can detect objects that are warmer than the environment. To distinguish humans from animals, the sensitivity of the detection system can be adjusted. Passive infrared systems are especially sensitive if the objects move from left to right or vice versa. This is in relation to the detection fields of the PIR. Because oncoming objects interrupt only a few detection fields, they are more difficult to detect (this problem can be avoided by using so-called PIR/Radar systems, which can also detect the approach in depth). With PIR, it is possible to detect at great distances, up to more than 100 meters. The detector is looking into a narrow area. This makes the detector suitable for looking along a fence, for example. At shorter distances, a wider viewing angle is also possible to detect movement on the terrain. Passive infrared detectors are relatively easy to manipulate by placing a large obstacle in the detection field. Then it is no longer visible what is happening behind it. The system is sensitive to weather influences.
7. Laser Detection
A laser detector scans a certain area two-dimensionally with an invisible laser. Large opening angles of up to 190 degrees are possible, but the laser only scans in a flat plane. Anything above and below this plane will not be detected. Looking vertically along a façade is a suitable solution with this technique, also because certain areas such as passages can be filtered out of the detection area. Site monitoring must take into account the high sensitivity of this system as well as its two-dimensional nature; When mounted on the façade with an oblique view of the site, a large blind spot is created where the laser does not detect. Again, the system is less sensitive to oncoming objects, but is also able to steer a controllable camera.
8. Camera system with video analysis software
Optical or thermal cameras allow you to keep a close eye on your terrain.If you choose a camera system with video analysis software, this software will analyze the changes in the image. As a result, it will only be detected at predetermined activities. The image quality of the camera plays an important role here.
Fortunately, moving trees and flags can be filtered out, so that the software only triggers a real incident. A disadvantage of an optical camera in particular is that the range is somewhat limited to about 50 meters. A thermal camera has a range of up to 500 meters and perceives people through the heat they radiate. The camera can even detect a human through dense vegetation. However, the rest of the information is minimal; For example, this person cannot be recognized or identified. There are already units available today that contain both an optical and a thermal camera. The algorithms for recognizing situations (such as intruders) are getting better and better.
And with the development of machine learning, this form of detection will soon become even better.
9. Audio Detection
Incidents or intruders can also be detected based on sound. This is especially a good addition to the previously mentioned solutions. Audio detection can be done by measuring the sound level (decibels), but also by sound analysis. A level measurement simply looks at the amount of noise in the environment. If there are unwanted activities on the site with a lot of noise, this can be detected. Noise analysis can be used to detect a certain type of sound. It is difficult to determine where that sound comes from. Background noise and wind can have a disruptive effect on these types of systems.
What is the best choice?
Which outdoor detection system is most suitable for your situation depends on several factors. The possible criminal scenarios play an important role in this, as do the desired level of security, the size and contours of the site, the subsoil and the possibility of combining it with existing installations or facilities. It is therefore necessary to assess which technology is most suitable in your case for each situation. Feel free to ask your account manager for advice!
Call Mactwin on (026) 479 22 33, mail to info@mactwin.nl or fill in our contact form .