What are Dash Cams?

These are cameras that do exactly as they say on the lid- they fit on the vehicle’s dashboard and record in detail everything that happens on the road. A dedicated vehicle cam can prove its worth in minor scuffles, but more so when things get serious. You’ll have everything recorded as it was and this can be used anywhere you need it, for example explaining things to police or insurers.

Why You Need a Dash Cam?

Dash cams can be used for obvious and not so obvious reasons. They record reckless driving by other participants on the road, and also encourage safer driving habits on your part. Some cams also have a suite of safety features that warn you of unintentional lane departure, blind spots, or features missing on many older Aussie cars.

The stored footage can be used by police in instances of multiple car pileups, during major accidents, cases of pent-up road rage, or things out of the ordinary, but nevertheless amusing. And there’s no shortage of that on Aussie roads. The same footage can be used by insurers to assess damage and fault, or to reduce premiums.

All this is when vehicles are in motion. A vehicle cam is also useful with vehicles parked, and if you live in a dodgy suburb, then this protects your ride from theft or plain mischief. Recordings continue even after turning off the engine and can be beamed straight to your phone. You’ll know exactly what’s happening with (and to) your car, truck, bike or ute, no matter where it is.

How Dash Cams Work

Dashboard cameras are powered by the vehicle. These can be cams that are hot-wired directly to the battery, those that get power from the OBDII port or cameras that attach to cigarette sockets or allotted USB ports. Most types have auto-on functionality, meaning they power up once the vehicle is moving or are powered with external battery packs. There are also choices to record non-stop footage with the engine off and the vehicle parked. Garmin for instance, have cabling that powers cams in parked vehicles (with units connected to the cigarette socket), or always-on cabling (via the ODB II port) so the recording is continuous.

The footage is stored on internal storage or more commonly on Micro SD cards in various sizes. Getting a bigger card will mean more functionality with longer recording times. However, recording is done in a loop cycle, and cameras that have reached memory capacity record new footage over the old one. Exceptions are when there is impact, sudden braking, or perilous incidents and these are automatically saved. Users also have the option of manually selecting which bits of recordings remain on the card.

Dash Cam Types

The majority of dashboard cameras are of the front-facing type, and record what happens in front of you. These are also some of the more inexpensive options though don’t lack important features. Besides these, some setups record to the front and rear, those that record footage in the cabin in addition to being forward-facing, and cameras with a three-lens setup that does everything. Cameras will vary in shape and size, so if this is an issue choose what suits you best. There are also dash cams with separate screens that also display GPS coordinates and mapping.

Choosing a Vehicle Camera for Your Purposes

Not all vehicle cameras are equal, but most do a good job for the intended task. Features are what tend to drive prices higher.

Dash Cam Features:

• Video Quality – You want footage that’s clean and discernible. Almost all decent cams record in HD quality in the lowest settings, and go to ultra-crisp 4K output but at 30 frames a second. Important here is the choice of lenses, or more precisely the field of view. Wider (125 to 165 degrees) lenses let you capture more, so any impact to the side of the vehicle will also be well documented.
• Auto Start and Loop Recording – You don’t have to turn cameras constantly on or off. They start recording once the vehicle is in motion. Some dash cams also continue recording when the vehicle is parked. Loop recording means the camera will record new video over older footage on its own when the card is full, without the user having to manually erase it. Opting for bigger cards (currently, the biggest are with 1TB storage space) definitely helps. Just mind the card is compatible with the camera.
• GPS and WiFi- Cams with built-in GPS modules have their benefits. They can record speeds, and pinpoint locations. This can help prove that you weren’t speeding or running a red light. WiFi connectivity lets you transfer data to your phone or computer and helps to get a better picture of what’s happening when the vehicle is parked.

Other features are nice to have but up costs. Inbuilt sensors warn drivers of imminent accidents with audible alerts. Auto firmware update expands functionality without having to spend more on newer or better-specced cams. Then there are cameras with niceties like included mics for audio recording, lens polarisers for better clarity in direct sunlight, as well as mounts compatible with other devices and brands. Choose the dash cam that meets your needs and budget, as most do a fine job.

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Components of Alarm Systems

Modern fire alarms can detect an issue, generate a sound and visual alarm to alert people on the premises, and send information to a monitoring company so that firefighters can be dispatched. The monitoring company may have a protocol for verifying whether the alarm is legitimate or not. The verification can involve accessing a video feed of the affected area or a phone call. This can be important as false alarms can get your business fined. That being said, here are the components that make up modern alarm systems.

• A Control panel that monitors input and system integrity, sends information and controls the output
• A power supply (primary and secondary)
• Initiating devices that can be either automatic or manual Automatic devices include detectors that can detect smoke, heat, carbon dioxide and flame, whereas manual initiating devices require a person to operate them, such as alarm buttons and pulling stations
• Notifications appliances whose purpose is to alert the occupants. These appliances include fire sounders, speakers and lights.
  Building safety interfaces such as exit lighting and ventilation systems that redirect smoke
• When you’re looking for a fire alarm online, you will come across systems that may also include a remote display, sprinklers, fire doors, two-way comms, etc. and they can be integrated with other security systems and smart office technologies. Also, keep in mind that commercial alarm systems can be much different than home alarm systems.

What Fire Alarm Do I Need?

There are two basic types of fire alarm systems – conventional and addressable. Both types have their own distinct pros and cons, and they’re different in functionality and how they’re linked.

• Conventional alarm systems link each of their initiating devices to the control panel with separate wires and they can be set up in zones. When an initiating device is triggered, the system identifies the zone it’s located in, in order to narrow down the location of the fire. For instance, if your building has three floors and each floor is a zone, the firefighters will know which floor is on fire based on the zone that’s triggered. However, keep in mind that the firefighters won’t know the exact location of the fire on the floor. That being said, if your facility is relatively small in size, and you only need one zone – these alarm systems will be ideal for you, simply because they’re affordable and simple.
• Addressable alarm systems are digital systems, and every device has its own address in the system. In other words, you can pinpoint the exact location of the fire, so firefighters will go directly to it. All of the devices are connected to a single wire that’s looped to the panel. This means that if one end is damaged, the system will still comms to the panel through the other end of the loop. Since every device sits in a loop isolated module, the circuit won’t be broken if it gets damaged or disconnected. Further, these alarms have extra features, like detecting the flow of air through the smoke detectors in order to reduce the risk of false alarms. Additionally, addressable alarm systems are highly customisable and usually used for larger buildings.

Who to Buy a Fire Alarm System From?

There are many vendors nowadays, which you’ll have to assess before settling on one. Some of the things you’ll need to consider include experience, whether they offer monitoring services and of course, costs. The vendor you buy from should be familiar with local, state and federal regulations for your location, they should be certified to insect systems and they should have good customer reviews and referrals. As far as monitoring goes, consider whether they have a fire monitoring facility themselves or do they use a third-party vendor? When it comes to cost, consider whether the listed quote includes equipment, installation, warranty and maintenance, and make sure you shop around before settling on a vendor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Candles Set Off Fire Alarms?

Unless we’re talking about multiple candles that are located right below the detector, and the detector is set to high sensitivity, then a candle or two probably won’t set off an alarm system.

Can Fog Machines Trigger Fire Alarm Systems?

Yes, fog machines will usually trigger a fire alarm system. In order to prevent this, you can replace the particle detectors with rate-of-rise detectors that detect the change in heat instead of the flog/smoke/dust floating in the air.

How Often Should You Check the System?

It’s best to test your alarm system at least once a month. Doing so is important to make sure the alarm is fully operational, so you can have peace of mind that it will alert everyone in the premises in the event of a fire breakout.

The post Discover the Types and Components of Fire Alarm Systems appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Today, there is a huge variety of safety boots on the market, ranging from ones with proprietary technologies and the latest cutting-edge additions to the world of safety footwear. Nevertheless, it is hard to put a price tag on safety and comfort, so don’t try to save pennies on the dollar and choose the right pair for you. Let’s talk about the different kinds of work boots that might suit your needs.

Steel-Toed Boots

As their name implies, steel-toed boots are designed with a reinforced material around the toe area. This keeps your toes well-protected from accidents, trauma and other similar unexpected mishaps. Steel work boots are very durable and offer a great level of protection which is ideal for harsh outdoor or high-heat environments. They are slip-resistant and usually come with a gel-cushioned footbed that adds a lasting safety and comfort. Steel work boots are the minimum requirement for workers in mills, industrial businesses and other environments that include heavy machinery and exposure to risk factors.

Steel Insole Boots

This is another pretty self-explanatory name – shoes with steel insoles are designed for a specific purpose – they are meant for people whose feet undergo a great amount of wear and tear on their workplace. They are commonly worn by forklift operators, truck drivers, or people from other professions who are required to push heavy pedals with their feet. Although it may sound rather counter-intuitive, steel insole shoes are one of the most comfortable types in this category.

Metal Instep Boots

This kind of protective footwear provides protection from all angles. Metal instep shoes have been specifically designed to protect your feet from pointy and sharp objects like glass pieces, nails, and other metal objects. They are most commonly worn in factory settings where there are glass and nails usually present in the everyday working environment. If you work in such an environment wearing them is of the essence as the metal instep prevents sharp objects from penetrating into your footwear and injuring you.

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Moreover, you can change and customize the mobile application to match your alarm system and your requirements. With self monitored alarm system you can easily monitor your home however and whenever you want. Self monitored alarm system is the new generation home security system that provides full protection for your entire family. Check some of the benefits it provides.

Superior Cost – What makes the self monitored alarm system so popular is its superior cost. Firstly, you don’t have to splurge hundreds of dollars on installation. You can install the system yourself. Secondly, you don’t have to rely on a stranger to install the entire system. Furthermore, manufacturers offer free over-the-phone technical support.

Multiple Landlines – Another advantage of self monitored alarm system is the ability to connect the system to up to 10 mobile or landline numbers. You can include the number of your spouse, kids’, close relatives, etc. They will be notified of any suspicious activity in case you are not available. Acting fast in case of emergencies is really important. Thus, rely on innovative self monitored alarm system which is at the forefront of the alarm industry.

SMS Notifications – Self monitored alarm systems are ideal for people that travel. You don’t have to ask neighbors to keep an eye on your home no more. If anything happens, you will be immediately notified via SMS. Once the signal is sent, it’s up to you to decide which department to call. No need to sign a contract with a security company, because in case of emergency, you decide whether to call the police or the local emergency department.

Customizable – Self monitored alarm systems are easy to install. No need to have a stranger do it. Plus, you can use various apps to control and customize the system according to your own needs. You can arm and disarm the self monitored alarm system when you are away; turn the night mode for protection when you sleep; take snap shots from any camera at any time, etc. Accessorize your system with panic button, detector location, back-up battery to prevent unwanted situations in the future. You can customize the system the way you want.

The post Interested In Self Monitored Alarm Systems? Let’s Explore The Benefits appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.