There are numerous detection devices available and choosing the right one to protect a particular area isn’t always easy. There is a whole range of circumstances to take into account — the size of the room, what’s in it, even how it is constructed, as well as what’s outside or even across the road.
You may need one or more types of detectors in any one area — for example, there are bound to be doors and windows to protect as well as the room itself. There may also be very large areas of glass, such as a patio door, draughts or heating, which may make it difficult to site certain types of detectors, and you may have pets in the house which will mean careful positioning and directing of the detection pattern. Read the rest of this entry »
There are no specific British Standards for control panels (or alarm devices themselves), although elements of BS 4737 relate to features found in alarm equipment. This is likely to change with the introduction of European Standards which will, for the first time, require individual components to meet levels of performance and construction.
It is very important to understand how an alarm system is operated if false alarms are to be avoided. To reduce this risk, manufacturers have been making instructions easier to follow and many panels now incorporate a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) giving plain English step- by-step instructions to guide users through the arming, resetting and disarming procedures. Read the rest of this entry »
The extensive range of equipment available can prove very confusing. Your main aim is to find a system which is easy to understand, uses proven technology and can be extended, if necessary, at a later date.
Personal recommendation is probably the best way to choose a company to install your alarm system.
Then, if the installation or system should prove unsatisfactory, you do at least have an official organisation to approach to take up your complaint and investigate the situation.
You should obtain at least three quotes from reputable installers and remember — the cheapest may not necessarily be the best value. Read the rest of this entry »
The biggest attraction of a 35mm single lens reflex camera is its versatility. Not only is it a useful piece of equipment in its own right, but it can be the ‘heart’ of a complete camera outfit. You can add things like extra lenses, filters, a flashgun, a tripod, as and when you feel you need them, to help you get the results you want.
Smaller items—a blower brush for cleaning lenses, or a cable release, for example—also form part of the serious photographer’s equipment as the collection builds up. And, of course, you will need a gadget bag, or a carrying case to keep everything in. Read the rest of this entry »
A camera which is reasonably compact, easy to operate, and can take a whole range of lenses opens up dozens of new possibilities for any photographer. Telephoto lenses for sports action pictures and better portraits, wide- angle lenses for depth in sweeping landscapes and pictures in cramped spaces, or close-ups of insects using a macro (close-focusing) lens. The pentaprism SLR camera can provide all these things. It is the most popular interchangeable lens camera, widely used by amateurs and professionals alike. There are others with interchangeable lenses—for example medium format SLR cameras and some viewfinder cameras—and these are discussed in detail later on. Read the rest of this entry »
Most modern cameras make it impossible to make a double exposure unintentionally. But sometimes double or multiple exposures provide unusual and interesting results.
A few cameras have a switch or lever to allow the shutter to be retensioned without advancing the film to the next frame. This makes accurate register of the subject components possible and gives the most successful multiple exposures. Read the rest of this entry »
When taking black and white infra-red photographs special focusing adjustments must be made because infra-red rays do not behave in the same way as visible light. The point of focus for infra-red radiations is further from the back of the lens than it is for white light, and a small degree of focusing compensation is necessary to produce sharp infra-red photographs. In fact the lens must be adjusted as if the subject were slightly closer. Read the rest of this entry »
When you buy from a trader who has called at your home without an appointment, you, have seven days in which to cancel the contract and reclaim the money you might have paid. This applies to goods you buy and to work you have arranged to have done, provided the sum involved is over £35. This law covers home improvements such as replacement kitchens or double glazing, but not new building work such as home extensions. If in doubt, contact the local Citizens Advice Bureau. Read the rest of this entry »
Anyone who calls on you uninvited has no right to assume that you want to talk to them, let alone invite them into your house. Keep the back door locked at all times as well. Many tricksters work in pairs and one may keep you talking while the other slips round the back! Don’t feel guilty about leaving them on the doorstep while you check their identity. Genuine callers will not object to you taking sensible precautions. Read the rest of this entry »
Most callers are genuine but, sadly, no-one can afford to be too trusting these days. Beating the doorstep conman need cost very little but common-sense precautions are necessary to ensure that a caller is genuine, and to avoid being pressurised into buying goods or services that you do not really want.
The most important point is to ensure that you can see and talk to the caller before opening the door and putting yourself at risk. If the front door or nearby windows do not provide a good view of the caller, you should install a door viewer. Read the rest of this entry »
