Elk multiple area logic/layout

[signal15]

Here is my setup:

- Main house as area 1, including the door to the garage.
- Keypad right inside door between garage and house is in Area 1
- Rest of garage as Area 2
- Keypad right inside exterior service door to garage in Area 2
- Overhead garage doors set to force armable

I'm trying to figure out the best arming strategy, and whether the door from the house to the garage should stay in area 1 or move to area 2. When the alarm is armed on Exit mode, I want both areas to be armed. Right now, if I arm area 1, area 2 arms after 1 minute via an automation rule. I have not created a reverse rule, so right now if I arm the garage, the house will not arm.

How are other people handling this? Thoughts?

 

[Del91574]

I don't know if I'd create a separate area in this case, unless you are subject to want to access the garage or allow the garage to be accessed by someone else while the entire system is armed. I think I'd approach the OHD's as their own entity for force arm, etc. I can't see of the benefit of a second area and the additional complexities for having to create logic for arming that couldn't be done using a single area and rules.

In my case, my garage is separated by a breezeway and I have that as it's own area, and it follows the house for arming (if not already armed) and I also have some auto-arm rules thrown in based on time and also if that area isn't armed, but then the house auto-arms, but auto arming the house is merely a convenience for me, I just have the rule so my garage arms without too much fuss.

 

[signal15]

It's a separate area because I do have the need to disarm only that area, but leave the house armed. Also, I tend to NOT arm it (because of some non-petsafe motions) when I have the 90lb furry german alarm system in there.