Updated December 2021 The International Code Council Assembly: Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5 Business: Group B Educational: Group E Factory and industrial: Groups F-1 and F-2 High hazard: Groups H-1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 Institutional: Group I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4 Mercantile: Group M Residential: Groups R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Storage:…
Smart Home Technology Let’s face it; we are in love with our smartphones. According to Pew Research Center, more than 81% of Americans now own one; that is up from just 35% in 2011. With so much power in the palm of our hand, it’s not surprising that we want to use our smartphone for…
Fire Alarm Testing Whether your fire alarm is protecting your home or a commercial facility, regular testing of your fire alarm system is critical to ensure it is working correctly. This test guarantees that everyone occupying the home or office understands what to do when the fire alarm sounds, gives you a chance to check…
What is DIY Security? The development of home security technology using wireless transmission connections and battery power has made it possible for DIY options to enter the home security market. One of the biggest misconceptions about DIY home security is that it is so easy that a person with absolutely zero background on audiovisual equipment…
Why You Should Hire a Professional Security Camera Installer Type of equipment you choose. The number of cameras you want to install. Where the equipment needs to be installed.
What are Visual Fire Alarms? If a fire breaks out, occupants of a building may have as little as two minutes to get out before the fire becomes life-threatening. Fire alarms provide an early warning notification and alert people to evacuate, but what if you are deaf or hearing impaired? How do you know there…
Security Video Recordings Storage How much storage does a security camera have? It is a seemingly simple question, with a surprisingly complicated answer. Security and surveillance cameras can use a variety of storage types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right security video storage for you, you will need to consider…
What is the difference between a commercial and a residential security system? Who has access to the building and when? How are special areas such as storerooms, restaurant cooking facilities, or cash registers protected? What special regulations need to be met for securing elevators, stairwells, or parking lots? How will data storage and playback issues…
Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector. Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing. Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak,…
*This article was updated September 2021. Low-Crime Neighborhoods of Detroit SafeWise released its rankings of Michigan’s 20 Safest Cities of 2021. On the 2021 list, 9 of the 20 cities are considered suburbs of Detroit. They include: Gross Ile Township #3 Oakland Township #4 Huntington Woods #9 South Lyon #13 Addison Township #16 Highland Township #17…
Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…
Cloud-based systems allow authorized users to access live video feeds, door controls, and system alerts from any device, anywhere in the world. Whether you’re on vacation, at home, or managing multiple sites, all you need is an internet connection. Traditional on-premises systems often require VPN access or being physically onsite, creating delays in response and inefficiencies in oversight.
With cloud video surveillance, your footage is stored securely offsite in redundant, encrypted data centers. This means no risk of physical theft, damage, or failure of local equipment. On-premises recorders (like DVRs or NVRs) are vulnerable to power outages, hard drive crashes, tampering, or theft—leaving critical video evidence permanently lost.
Cloud-based systems are managed and updated by the provider. Software patches, firmware updates, and new features are deployed automatically—ensuring you always have the latest protections without burdening your IT staff. On-premises systems often require manual updates, which are frequently delayed or overlooked, creating security gaps and vulnerabilities.
Cloud-based platforms are designed with native integrations in mind. You can control doors, monitor cameras, and respond to alarms all from one dashboard. Event linking is possible—for instance, a door forced open can trigger a camera to record and send an alert instantly. On-prem systems are often siloed, requiring multiple logins, separate vendors, and disjointed monitoring.
Cloud systems are inherently scalable. Whether you’re adding one door or five new buildings, it’s just a matter of adding licenses and hardware—no major infrastructure overhaul required. Centralized management allows you to monitor and control multiple locations from one account. On-prem solutions typically require new servers, more IT resources, and duplicate installations for each site.