Arm/Disarm System when using attached garage

abernut

Member
I am still in the planning phase of my system.
I am trying to figure out how do you address the arming and disarming of the system if you have an attached garage.
 
There will be a keypad by the front door if we enter the house that way.  I was going to put a 30 second delay on it.
 
Do you just create a longer delay if you enter via the garage?
 
Thanks
Mike
 
Yes.  Most alarms systems have the ability to define access times specific to each entry door, usually something along the lines of "Entry", "2X Entry", and "4X entry".  Set the overhead garage doors to 4X, giving you 2 minutes for the door to open, drive the car in, get out, and disarm the system.
 
You didn't say if you planned to add a second keypad in garage, but if you didn't, do so. Running through the house trying to get to a single keypad is a disaster waiting to happen.
 
Put a control panel near each entry/exit door.
So in most hiouses this is near the front door and the grage entry door.
 
The delay you want to place on zones is based on their distance or the time it takes to get to the control pad.

So 30 seconds entry to a front door panel is fine.
For garage you need longer because as soon as the garage door opens, that zone is violated.
You still have to drive up, park, get out of the car, put the key in the door and open the door to access the panel to disarm.
 
As stated above, the 2x and 4x zones multiply the base delay.
 
Unless you have kids - then who knows how long it takes to get out and get your armful of groceries...
 
I haven't actually implemented this, but my thought was to use the garage as a second area - and also tie a piezo buzzer into the M1RB that's already in the garage to act as a warning/status; then set the garage to follow the main house area, but give 5 minutes to access.  That gives you enough time to open the door, park, grab the trash cans, unbuckle the kids and help get them and their stuff out, then head for the door - but if you start taking too long, the piezo warns you about the expiration that's about to happen.  Could also put a keypad at the expander, but it's in a spot of the garage that's not quick to access.
 
I just use 1 button on my keyfob to disarm the house, open the garage door and turn on the lights if it's dark out.
 
I have my garage setup as a second area. I have rules to disarm / arm the zone when arming the house zone. This provides flexibility as I don't always have to arm the garage area.
 
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