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UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > More on Alarms (Viewed 751 times)
Anna Hopkins 






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More on Alarms
< on 2/21/2012 10:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
So I saw the thread below about alarms, but I have a slightly different question. I was doing some wandering today, and it feels like every building I come across that seems abandoned is armed with some sort of alarm. And not just today, either. I've gone out wandering before, and have not found a single building in the city so far without a "Protected by So and So alarm systems" sticker on the windows.

Am I not looking hard enough?

Pretty soon, I'm thinking about going back and getting the brand and all the info on the little window stickers and Googling them. Do you think that would give me enough information on the system?

I guess my biggest question is: Is it a good idea to go into a building that is armed with an alarm? I looked through that thread. If I tripped an alarm, I could probably get away and watch to see if it actually calls anyone. But I want to see if there's a way to tell how to trigger (or avoid triggering) the alarm (though I guess that's kind of a silly question. ).

Another thing is, I know some people put security system signs in front of their homes (they used to give them out by the handful) to ward off criminals, and I wonder if abandonments often have the same thing. Do you think they ask for stickers from the company and plaster them all over the building to ward people off when they really don't have an alarm? Is that too big a risk to tamper with?

What's your guys' advice on exploring, when every building I've found so far says there's an alarm?

WarBird69 


Location: Eastern TN
Gender: Male


Atomic Bird of War

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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 1 on 2/21/2012 11:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Most of the times (at least in my experience), when a building has an "Armed By So-&-So Security", that is the only measure of security you will face alarm wise. They are put there to keep the masses out. I've only been in one place where an alarm was actually placed and armed. I got lucky and saw it (silent motion detector) and was thus able to bolt before a guard showed up.

That being said, someone is bound to chime in who has more experience with actual alarms & how to circumvent them.

When twilight draws near, when you are pushed to the very limits of your soul, when it seems that all you have left are the dead remnants of the fabric of your life:
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thefo2101 


Location: PNW
Gender: Male




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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 2 on 2/21/2012 11:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
tell some gangsters that the rival gang is keeping pot and coke stashes in it and problem solved

Intrinsic 


Location: Collingwood
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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 3 on 2/21/2012 11:38 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The window sticker is not going to help you determine what model of alarm is installed. Even if you knew the model, you still have to find where the CPU unit is hidden away. Even if you find where the CPU is hidden away, by the time you found it you've triggered a motion sensor and you might trip the tamper alarm on the unit if it has one.

Even if you knew the model #, what would you do? You'd have to rip out the connections to the siren and the phone line - which brings you from trespasser to criminal.

If the building has electricity, best to avoid it.

If it's run down in a rural part of the city and/or there is no hydro meter installed, odds are in your favour.


Anna Hopkins 






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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 4 on 2/21/2012 11:43 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
@Thefo2102: Lol! Sounds like a plan.

@Intrinsic: The window sticker idea was so I could check out what kinds of alarms they do. If it says they only do silent alarms that call the police, then I know for sure to avoid it. But do you think there are companies out there that just do loud alarms that only scare people away? That's what I'm hoping to find. Whether I'd be successful or not is another story. XD

@Warbird: XD And I figure a lot of those are that way. Thanks for that input. When you see stickers like that, do you usually go in anyway and just hope for the best, or do you try to take other security measures, first?
(and if that's too personal, feel free not to answer. XD)

\/adder 


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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 5 on 2/22/2012 12:23 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Read this:


http://www.cbc.ca/...asso-mondrian.html

"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis...
Captain_Slow 

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Location: Dallas, Tx
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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 6 on 2/22/2012 12:40 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Alarm systems are pretty easy to spot. And yeah, usually, 9/10, the sticker is the only alarm the building has.

1. Does the building have power? Find the electric meter, it's bound to be outside somewhere so the city can come read it, it is on? If so, then watch your step, IF there is an alarm system, it DOES have power. If the power is NOT on, then what is powering the alarm? Do you REALLY think a landlord is going to go through all the trouble and expense of leaving a generator there or having some alternative method of getting electricity to his building? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

2. Peer in through some windows. Try to look into main hallways. See any camera? See any motion sensors? If so, do they seem to be working, ie, see any blinking lights?

3. Look at the windows and doors very carefully. Do you see any little mysterious doo-dads on the windows around the moving parts? Like a little white box along the bottom or side of the pane that opens, usually with wires going to it? If so, that's probably an alarm, they usually work by detecting the motion of the window.

4. Look very carefully at the doors, too, do you see anything that looks out of place for a door? Like a little plate in the doorframe that would contact the door when it's closed, or a little mystery box at the top of the door or doorframe?

5. Worst comes to worst and you're not sure, find an unlocked door, open it, walk around inside for 2 or 3 minutes, then run like hell, and leave the door open an inch or so. Come back the next day, if it's shut, it's probably alarmed. If it's still open, it's either not alarmed or nobody really cares.

Weirdlig 


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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 7 on 2/22/2012 1:46 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Lol, even my apartment has that sticker and you could rob the shit out of me.

Aside from the above advice, alarms for me have been shit or miss. If they go off, I leave. If they don't, I stay. They're more scary than a major threat if you can just get to a safe place quickly. Keeping calm is the main importance...be on the road two minutes after you first hear it.

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Loki 


Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 8 on 2/22/2012 2:11 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Captain_Slow

1. Does the building have power? Find the electric meter, it's bound to be outside somewhere so the city can come read it, it is on? If so, then watch your step, IF there is an alarm system, it DOES have power. If the power is NOT on, then what is powering the alarm? Do you REALLY think a landlord is going to go through all the trouble and expense of leaving a generator there or having some alternative method of getting electricity to his building? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.



There are plenty of alarm systems that will run off the power available through phone lines.

Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank
Harvestman 


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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 9 on 2/22/2012 2:58 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Captain_Slow


5. Worst comes to worst and you're not sure, find an unlocked door, open it, walk around inside for 2 or 3 minutes, then run like hell, and leave the door open an inch or so. Come back the next day, if it's shut, it's probably alarmed. If it's still open, it's either not alarmed or nobody really cares.


I've got a question about this.

The property in question is a former retail store, which is technically for lease but is very clearly visited once every few months.

The leasing company had used the default lock for the double doors at the front, which was a very shallow deadbolt. By slipping a plastic card (think credit card) between the doors, I was able to unlock it. It stayed this way for a number of months until someone came by and locked it again. Once more I tripped the lock, and it was only locked a few weeks after the fact.

They put a new deadbolt in now, one which I can't pick, but would this still be worrisome as far as security goes?

Oh good, my slow clap processor made it into this thing.
hatsumi 






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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 10 on 2/22/2012 5:38 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
i've become so complacent last time an alarm went off we still stood around taking photos and chatting before leaving.

out of a considerable amount of buildings i have explored i think i could count on one hand the amount of times an alarm has actually gone off...of those i have never had anyone turn up (but i know others who have had the cavalry turn up)..and of those some have turned off a few minutes after they started.

some alarms can have stand alone batteries, or solar, or as mentioned phone line connection...some won't sound so there may be no sticker, no sign of power and you hear nothing but a silent alarm goes off and sends a trigger to a back to base company.


pay attention to everything, keep aware of your environment including outside whilst you are inside. assume nothing - no need to be paranoid just have a heightened sense of awareness.

every explore i do my mind always maps and remembers escape routes and i formulate a plan; from the very second i arrive i start this process. i always expect to have to leave in a hurry and plan accordingly.



drainasaurus maximus
MindHacker 


Location: Suburbs of DC
Gender: Male


If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it to the wall with your shoulder.

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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 11 on 2/22/2012 8:07 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Don't worry at all about stickers,
Posted by Captain_Slow
3. Look at the windows and doors very carefully. Do you see any little mysterious doo-dads on the windows around the moving parts? Like a little white box along the bottom or side of the pane that opens, usually with wires going to it? If so, that's probably an alarm, they usually work by detecting the motion of the window.


is the main concern, along with PIR sensors in the corners of rooms. I look for these even if I don't see a sticker, just in case. If you do see something, don't panic. Check on it first: 75% of the times I've run into sensors or cameras they were disconnected and ignorable.

"That's just my opinion. I would, however, advocate for explosive breaching, since speed and looking cool are both concerns in my job."-Wilkinshire
Phelonius 


Location: Sydney, Australia
Gender: Male




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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 12 on 2/22/2012 2:01 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by MindHacker
Don't worry at all about stickers,


is the main concern, along with PIR sensors in the corners of rooms. I look for these even if I don't see a sticker, just in case. If you do see something, don't panic. Check on it first: 75% of the times I've run into sensors or cameras they were disconnected and ignorable.


Me and a few friends set of a pir in an abandoned hospital, big alarm goes off and cops show up a few minutes after we got out.

I think pir are the most common here, they normally have a little led below the sensor that lights up when you set it off. So keep an eye out for those and if the light doesn't go off then they're normally deactivated.

MrSivalls 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.




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Re: More on Alarms
<Reply # 13 on 2/22/2012 5:56 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Plenty of buildings that are abandoned with no alarms.

You're no looking very hard.

Their are silent alarms and a few go a bit further then that.
Power means someone is paying for it, it's not abandoned.
Be clear in your own mind how far you much you are willing to pay to get a look.

Be sure you're right or you'll may be looking at B&E charges that will put a real crimp in your exploring, career, or worse.

Sometimes asking the owner works a whole lot better. truth.

Your security measures were inadequate.
How unfortunate for you.
UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > More on Alarms (Viewed 751 times)



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