Commercial property now the squatters prime target

Earlier this year, changes were made to the squatting laws that made squatting in a residential home a criminal (rather than a civil) offence. This has the effect of involving the police is such situation where before they typically did not want to be involved.

However what many people have missed is that the change does not apply to commercial properties. So while warehouses and office blocks may not be a squatters first choice, empty pubs, hostels and hotels are ideal for a new squat.

Empty pub in Witham - picture from the Braintree & Witham Times

There are reports of a 100% increase in calls to commercial property lawyers on this topic alone (http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/november/changes-to-squatting-laws-should-be-extended-to-commercial-property-expert-says/)

It may be that a commercial building is only briefly empty between tenants, but that window of opportunity is enough for a squatting group to take over the building and cause the owners trouble and potentially additional costs.

A rapid deployment alarm system like the EMM-Tek RMC320 can provide the first warning of trouble by alerting the building owners or site manager that an intrusion has taken place. It does not require mains electricity or a phone line to work and can be placed by any person (no wiring or special skills needed, just set it down in the area to be protected). The building is protected within two minutes and the long life battery can power the RMC320 for up to a year. The alarm user receives SMS text messages if the alarm is triggered. An early intervention at this stage can nip the squatting process in the bud. Often an entrance way is breached by person unknown and the squatting group will 'discover' an open building some time later. A fast response is vital in this situation to avoid the squatters getting in and changing the locks.

The price for this peace of mind the RMC320 can bring? £299 delivered to any mainland UK address.

Marine Guard features in Motor Boats Monthly magazine

There's no getting away from the fact that if a thief can take what's your without being detected, he'll probably try to do so.

Theft from all kinds of recreational vehicles (including boats) is a persistent threat.

This month Motor Boats Monthly Magazine ran a feature on low cost security devices and included our own MarineGuard product.

And here is the article in the magazine (apologies for the rather snap happy picture)

The MarineGuard is a feature rich version of our RMC301 product that includes a Geo-Fencing function allowing you to set an alarm based on how far the boat has moved from its original position. You can set this area as being very tight (3 metres or so) or as loose as a 100 metres or more to allow for movement in a harbour area.

When the alarm is tripped the unit will text you straight to your mobile phone. You can also use the control features to turn on heaters or pumps via the onbaord relays. (Low voltage only, use an external contactor if you need to switch mains voltages).

See more about the product here http://www.emmtek.co.uk/boat-security.html

Cost? just £223 pounds plus £6.50 delivery to a UK address. A worthwhile insurance we think you'll agree.

Interesting web site for GPS news

I found this web site recently and I though our users might find it of interest.

http://www.gpsworld.com/

They seem to cover all things GPS from the launch of new satellite systems to discrete tracking products and services. Well worth a look if GPS is interesting for you.

Protecting the tiny house and mobile home

There is quite a movement growing especially in the USA to downsize your home and get back to living in smaller, cheaper and more manageable spaces.

These small dwellings (often less than 500 square feet) can in some cases be mounted on a trailer chassis and moved around caravan style.(This blog site by Lloyd Kahn is great jumping off point for more information http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.co.uk/)

Protecting that potentially mobile home calls for a different approach to the usual domestic alarm system.

The EMM-Tek RMC301RC is a versatile GSM based controller that can act as an alarm system and can also be integrated with a GPS receiver. It can be powered by battery in conjunction with a solar panel to provide an 'off-grid' protection system you can rely on.

The RMC301 can protect your home or garage or garden office

Link the RMC301RC to a PIR sensor and/or magnetic door switch and it can tell you (by SMS text message) that you have an unwelcome visitor immediately. In these times of reduced policing, it's likely you'll get to your home before police do to scare off the intruder.

The unit is easily powered by a small solar panel and lead acid battery combination; ideal where there is no mains power available. The unit is small (122mm long), weatherproof and is easily fixed almost anywhere. If you add the optional GPS module it can text you a warning that your home, caravan or trailer is being moved and then tell you where it is!

If you are going to downsize then it makes even more sense to protect what you value the most and the RMC301RC does just that.

Cold weather and empty buildings = trouble

We have now added a new temperature reading capability to our portable wireless alarm system, the RMC320.

Why?

As I write this blog entry the temperature outside is -1 degree centigrade and there is a sharp frost on the cars too. Frost damage in an unheated building can be a major risk and very costly too.

An example of just how damaging a burst pipe can be

We have a temperature sensor built in to the RMC320 so that it can text you a warning when the temperatures drop (you can set the temperature at which it does this). Actually the capability is built in to all our current products but only as an option, on the RMC320 it is fitted as standard.

This unit will help to avoid those costly frozen pipes that split and then burst causing thousands of pounds of damage. You can take preemptive action to add portable heating units as required during the cold weather periods.

The new RMC320 front panel

Not the best picture of the front panel but It shows how it looks until we get the latest product shots done.


Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

I have neglected the blog...

But now I'm back blogging!

We have been busy over the course of the spring and summer. We have been building on our tracking technology with some new services that we'll announce later this year.

We have also been working on the the Vacant Building Wireless Alarm System, the RMC320.

The prototype RMC320. The production one has a larger label on the front

It's a completely self contained building protection system. No mains needed, no phone line needed. Just put it in place with the PIR sensors facing the main thoroughfare of the building and turn it on. Easy.

It's a great way for Letting Agents to protect their clients (and earn some extra cash too). The RMC320 makes it easy to protect a building between lets.

It'll send a text message if either the front or rear PIR is triggered so that you can investigate immediately and secure the building.

It will also send you a daily status update so that you know the system is working correctly.

It's battery powered and the battery will last up to a year .

Take a look here for the specifications.