Wireless sensor technology is revolutionizing brick-and-mortar security.
Using wireless sensors and low-power wide area networks (LPWANs), we are now able to transform everyday objects into Internet-enabled devices that help us protect buildings and homes. Without spending much capital, facility managers can use low-maintenance Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor diverse environments, track activity in specific rooms, and identify suspicious behavior around valuable assets.
It is easier now to integrate sensors with existing security systems and create additional layers of protection where needed. In this article, we highlight several security-related use cases for wireless sensors and showcase some of the ways that you can optimize wireless sensor technology for your organization.
Monitoring Commercial Buildings and Facilities of Any Size
It’s important for any security system to monitor both building interiors and exteriors. Fortunately, security teams can configure wireless sensors for many purposes in a variety of settings.
Inside, wireless proximity sensors are especially useful for detecting opening and closing events for doors and windows. Because wireless sensors are so cost-effective, organizations can deploy many of these devices throughout their facilities, covering all possible entry points.
For example, a retail business might install proximity sensors at every ground-level window and any doors that lead to high-value lockboxes or vaults. A jeweler could place wireless door sensors on the inside of display cases that alert security staff members if opened unexpectedly. An electronics store with high-value merchandise might want wireless sensors installed wherever expensive inventory sits before it is brought out to the floor. Security teams could cross-reference sensor messages with camera footage or rely completely on sensors to notify of unusual activity.
Facility managers can also connect wireless dry contact sensors to existing devices, such as smoke alarms, in order to create additional paths for alerts to travel through LPWAN networks. This redundancy provides as an added layer of protection for security teams and their properties.
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Radio Bridge, a MultiTech brand, sensors utilize the LoRaWAN® wireless standard and are all engineered for long-range, low cost, and extended battery life applications.
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Wireless tilt sensors can be placed on garage or bay doors to track opening and closing events at large entrances. For example, a retailer with major warehouse operations might want a tilt sensor to alert staff when garage doors open after-hours. Facilities can also use passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors to detect movement in and out of certain areas. PIR sensors can be programmed to send alerts when individuals enter or leave small spaces, which can be helpful for monitoring back rooms and quieter areas in large warehouses.
On building exteriors, wireless push buttons can be useful in security applications as they can be used as small, low-cost panic buttons that can be placed almost anywhere. For example, a bank might install wireless push buttons underneath every desk so that law enforcement could be immediately notified of any attempted robberies. Front-desk staff for any major office building could also alert security if necessary with the simple push of a button. Additionally, it’s becoming increasingly common for hotels to provide cleaning staff with wearable panic buttons that they can use if they find themselves in dangerous situations.
Acceleration-based movement sensors are particularly effective for brick-and-mortar businesses that leave inventory outside of their physical structures. For example, car dealerships can place wireless accelerometers underneath every car in their lots to quickly detect stolen vehicles. Home improvement retailers that leave large equipment or gardening tools outside could place wireless movement sensors on high-value goods that bad actors might be tempted to steal.
Overall, there are countless ways that commercial businesses and organizations can protect their brick-and-mortar locations. Facility managers can easily manage many devices simultaneously and thoroughly cover properties in multiple ways.
Increasing Home Security System Effectiveness
Wireless sensors can also be used to complement home security systems.
Although home security providers, such as Honeywell, Interlogix, and DSC, have unique wireless protocols, they typically only support single-direction communication over short ranges. This means no message acknowledgments, downlinks, or encryption, which are all necessary for effective wireless security systems.
Using LPWAN standards, home security providers can bridge security panels with wireless gateways and towers, allowing them to leverage IoT sensor technology.
Wireless sensors can be used in many ways to bolster in-home security. Again, wireless door and window sensors can be installed at any openings that individuals with malicious intent could use to gain illegal entry to homes. Tilt sensors can be deployed on garage doors and wireless push buttons can replace traditional doorbells for homeowners who want to receive certain alerts on their personal devices.
In private residences, it’s also critically important for security systems to include air monitoring capabilities to check for gas leaks. With wireless air sensors, home security providers can act quickly and alert the proper authorities if they are notified of certain gases in the air. Air temperature and humidity sensors can also be programmed to inform security providers of potential furnace or HVAC issues that could affect homeowners in any way.
Wireless water sensors can inform providers of flooding or liquid spillages in their clients’ homes. Water rope sensors can be installed in large rooms to cover wide areas and water leak sensors can be placed along plumbing lines to check for frozen pipes and pump failures.
With wireless sensors, home security providers can improve the effectiveness of their systems and automate security-related information flow. With real-time alerts and notifications, these agencies can take better care of their clients and their properties.
Enhancing Building Security With Radio Bridge Wireless Sensors
At Radio Bridge, we design and manufacture a wide array of low-cost, long-range sensors that can be deployed for security-related applications.
Our sensors can be configured for the leading LPWANs using our proprietary Device Management Console. With this web-based platform, solution providers can provision, monitor, and configure wireless sensors to boost building security and protect valuable assets.
Interested in learning more about Radio Bridge?
Our experts are more than happy to consult with your team and learn more about what you are trying to accomplish through wireless IoT sensor technology.
Check out our wireless sensor product catalog here or contact our team today.
