Private burglar alarms ‘a noise nuisance

Press, 11 April 1979, Page 13

Private burglar alarms ‘a noise nuisance

PA Dunedin The incessant ringing of burglar alarms in private business premises is creating a noise nuisance in many towns and cities, a Municipal Association conference in Dunedin has been told.

A Glen Eden Borough councillor, Mrs J. M. Clews, said this was one of the most distressing noise problems people had to face. Silent alarms should be mandatory for such premises.

“If police cannot get in touch with private keyholders, the noise can continue for hours,” said Mrs Clews. Mr G. C. Langton, a One Tree Hili councillor, supported Mrs Clews. He said it was possible to buy a cutoff system for $7O without having to install expensive silent alarms. The conference was also told that false fire alarms from private installations were a “gross waste of fuel.” The chairman Of the Fire Services Commission (RearAdmiral E. C. Thorne) said

[there were now more than 12,000 such alarms in New Zealand.

While the commission encouraged their installation and use, false alarms from private installations were a big problem. More than 90 per cent of calls from private alarms were false, most of them because of faulty equipment or poor maintenance or both, “This is a serious misuse of resources and equipment but it has now become a very serious and gross waste of fuel,” said Admiral Thorne.

The commission planned to introduce fault-testing equipment for private alarms and he urged local authorities to co-operate and accept the move. The commission was also deeply concerned that local authorities could give dispensation for the unrestricted use of wooden roof shingles.

The commission was not against the use of wooden shingles per se but until their fire risk had been assessed their use should be limited.