Informal advice on PIR positioning

[MarkJohnson]

Hello folks,

 

I'm in the midst of researching alarms (Texecom, Honeywell, Pyronix) and would like some advice on where theoretically it would be best to position PIR sensors.

 

Property is a ground floor flat, all across one level. Front door looks onto a busy street, while the back is a garden.

 

I have done a plan to show you here:  

 

My questions / issues are:

 

1. Bedroom 1: PIR faces large bay window, might be an issue with light throughout the day? Location 2 probably better.

 

2. Hallway: PIR 2 overlooks entrance door and down the hall, so no issues there I don't think? Entrance to flat is marked with an X. I was thinking to put keypad next to door - should control box be mounted as far away as possible from keypad? I have a basement, can put it there if that is the best thing to do.

 

3. Bed 2: PIR #4 can be mounted in corner above patio doors. 

 

4. I have lots of radiators in the flat, most of these are vertical radiators around 180cm high x 35cm wide, sitting 30cm off the floor, so topping out at 210cm or so. The ceilings in the living room area are approximately 2.25m hence I am concerned about possibility of placement in locations 6 and 7 for example and this is why I was thinking about #8 as a possibility, above the patio doors, in the middle, logic being away from sources of heat (rads).

Location #9 I don't think will work well as it is next to a Velux window as shown on the plan and light will shine down through it and play havoc with the PIR.

 

5. Outside bell box decision is simple - outside, on the wall, above bay window.

 

Would be grateful for any words of wisdom / correction.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2016 by MarkJohnson

[al-yeti]

You need to decide on pir , good quads or dualtec and more or less anywhere no facing to many heat sources windows etc 

 

Or something like that

[datadiffusion]

Lounge, position 9, and change from pir to dualtech

That space where position 5 is, if its bells only I wouldnt bother as none of it is optimal

4 and 2 quad pirs should be fine 

Position 3 I would fit a door contact rather than pir if poss

 

Dont forget a dummy bellbox at the rear.

 

This is all just top of my head thinking without properly seeing the physical reality of course.

 

 

[MarkJohnson]

Good morning folks, very helpful advice, thank you.

So positions #2 and #4 are fine. With rgds to a PIR sensor for the living room, I think I might remove radiator next to position #6 and have it there...

 

There will be 3 door contacts in all - front entry door marked X, bed 2 and garden patio doors out back. 

 

Follow up questions:

1. Should I note have a PIR sensor in the corridor where entrance to flat is, just a door contact?

2. Any views on how far away the control panel needs to be away from the keypad or can both be next to each other?

Edited December 22, 2016 by MarkJohnson

[datadiffusion]

5 minutes ago, MarkJohnson said:

With rgds to a PIR sensor for the living room, I think I might remove piping for the radiator next to #6 and have it there...

 

Unless you are trying to achieve 'alarm confirmation', which is unlikely on an unmonitored system, I would not be overly concerned about having anything in the living space which appears to have no windows and is only accessible via other rooms with detectors.

 

5 minutes ago, MarkJohnson said:

Any views on how far away the control panel needs to be away from the keypad or can both be next to each other?

 

Ideally, it should be 'hidden'; esp. on an unmonitored system. Also, as it may create a tiny 'buzz' so bedrooms are never recommended.

Is the stair cupboard possible? Or even in the 'utility' cupboard / back of cabinet?

Edited December 22, 2016 by datadiffusion

[MarkJohnson]

Hello chap! 

 

I've done another little diagram:

 

 

D = contact sensor location

 

The area marked with a yellow box is stairs to small basement / storage area. This is also where the fuse box is located. Shall I stick the control panel there and the keypad opposite entrance door?

Edited December 22, 2016 by MarkJohnson

[datadiffusion]

Yes, that's ideal for the controls, and the keypad should be as close to the final exit/entry door as possible.

 

Good idea to add contacts on all the externals if you can.

 

If it was mine, AND the basement door has a door closer AND it's usually left locked, I might put a sensor on the basement door IF there was a spare zone, for what it costs.

Although again this would be more in the interests of confirmation since the system itself is protected by the approaches.

[MarkJohnson]

Great, thank you for that. I think I will go with a Texecom system. Just found out that Texecom don't do door contacts to my knowledge so I will source these from somebody else eg. Honeywell.

 

Door contacts will wire using 4 core and PIR sensors with 6 core.

 

In terms of connectivity, is it best to go for a wifi module so that the system can alert me via an app or is GSM with a pay as you go sim best?

Edited December 22, 2016 by MarkJohnson

[datadiffusion]

Nope, most manufactuers don't do door contacts - buy Knights or Elmdene, avoid DIY 'range filler' stuff like Honeywell contacts.

 

I would wire using EOL / FSL so be sure to buy contacts with built in resistors, you will want 2k2 for tamper and 4k7 for alarm.

The colour code for Elmdene is 'Red' for those, a lot of the Knights products are more universal.

 

GSM is yesterdays tech, so whilst proper monitoring is always recommended (someone external noting that the actual alarm itself is always talking back, i.e polling)

the ComWifi module is very popular - BUT - if this is a 'new build' and you can get wires to the box, I'd go with ComIP and wire it to the router. Saves a lot of greif.

Edited December 22, 2016 by datadiffusion
com options

[MarkJohnson]

Thank you, useful info, I would have slipped up on that.

 

Another thing I was thinking...

 

 

At position 3, why don't I go for one of these, mounted on the ceiling, would it be ok in between a row of downlights? Ceiling height is 2.6m exactly.

 

Texecom RF360 Ceiling Detector

 

Pic of living room area to illustrate my point: