If you are considering getting security cameras (CCTV) or an alarm system installed in your home or business, you really need to ensure that you get a licenced installer to do the installation for you.  There are a number of reasons why, and it's important to understand these. 

Let's start by discussing what is a security installers licence?

In Queensland, Security is a regulated industry, which is overseen by the Office of Fair Trading. The regulations exist to ensure that only professionals with the right skills, qualifications and attributes are working in the industry to ensure that the relevant laws, regulations and codes of conduct are adhered to. 

There are different classifications for security providers, but the one we are talking about here, is the technical licence. This is a classifications of security licencing that authorises a technical person to advise, install, service and manage security systems.  Jump over to the Office of Fair Trading site for more details on the licencing requirements in Queensland.

So why is using a licenced installer so important?

Firstly, in Queensland, it is an offence to pay someone to install your CCTV cameras if they do not hold a current security installers licence. True story... You can even get fined under the Security Providers Act 1993 by engaging an unlicenced person to carry out the functions of a security provider.  Check out this article on the Qld Police website for details and advice about engaging a security installer. 

Seems serious???  It is.

Licenced security providers/installers must meet minimum requirements to obtain their licence. Not the lease of which is a full criminal history check (that is checked every time the licence is renewed).  Now whilst you want to know that your installer has the right training, skills and knowledge to effectively install and maintain your system - ABSOLUTELY! You REALLY want to know that they aren't a criminal. You are trusting this person/people with the safety and security of your home or business - you MUST be able to trust them. They will have access to usernames and passwords, remote access to your system, information making your system both accessible and hackable if put in the wrong hands. NOT COOL. 

I for one, would want to know that the installer/s working on my security system have been vetted, checked regularly and are skilled, trained and knowledgable. 

Not only should you be looking for a licenced installer, you should be looking for an installer who is a member of a security industry body such as ASIAL.  These governing bodies keep Australia's security installers accountable. Their role is to train, educate and monitor the security industry providers and ensure that they are meeting their minimum obligations to the relevant legislations and codes of practice. They are resposible for auditing the providers and making sure that they are adhering to all the industry regulations. You can use their website to search for registered, licenced security providers.

Licenced installers must adhere to a code of conduct and here's why that matters. The code of conduct outlines minimum professional and ethical standards to ensure that providers comply with the relevant legislation. Things like privacy and the relevant legislation that exists to protect an idividuals privacy. A non-licenced installer may not offer the right advice about pointing your new CCTV camera into the neighbours backyard and getting clear video of their kids swimming in the pool???

You are putting yourself at risk by hiring a non-licenced installer to do your security work. 

Now if all of that is not enough evidence to suggest that you MUST use a licenced installer, here's the topper. Without the correct advice and the licenced installation, 2 things may happen that will make your security installation a waste of time and money.  1. Your insurance may not cover you for loss or damage resulting from unlawful or unlicenced security installation. 2. Your CCTV footage may not be permissable in court if the footage has been taken from unlicenced or unlawful security installations. 

Of course, you have every right to install your own DIY security products (so long as you don't pay an unlicenced person to install it for you). But you should do this with caution. The regulations and laws surrounding surveilance still impact you and if you're not meeting the minimum requirements yourself, your footage may not be legal or permissable in court. In fact some breaches of these acts may result in fines or prosecution yourself (for example if you breach the privacy act).

I hope that this information helps to clarify the need for licencing and hiring a licenced installer. 

AV Made Easy are a licenced security provider Lic. 3892193 and ASIAL member No. 64996

Did you know that you can visit the Queensland Police Services - Online Crime Map to search your local area for reported crimes.  You can look at specific areas, types of crimes and even the day of the week and time of day that the crime occurred.

For some, this is too much information and might freak you out a bit.  For others, this is the information that will help to form your decision around home and personal safety. 

For us, we keep an eye on the map to see how homes and businesses are being impacted by theft, break & enters and trespassing. The information can give us a feel for local hot-spots where our customers are experiencing these issues, and may be needing to implement or improve their security measures.  We are too often getting calls from Customers wanting to install security cameras because they've already been victim to home theft or break & enter.  

Personally, I never thought that security cameras would benefit our home or make me feel any different about our home and personal safety.  When we became licensed security installers, I thought we needed to have a personal experience with security cameras and we installed one of our CCTV systems at our home. We wanted to not only have a personal experience with our product, but we wanted to know what kind of impact it would have on us and our home, having CCTV installed. 

Well!!!  I am forever converted. 

To put this very simply, I have a much more comfortable and relaxed feeling about my home and everything that we have worked soooo hard for.  We have 2 kids and 2 dogs and these cameras have given me a sense of control and freedom all at the same time. I can leave the house (and the dogs) and can check-in 24/7 to see how my puppies are going and that my home is ok. In the middle of the night, when hubby is working late, if I hear a strange noise outside, I can simply grab my phone and check the cameras to see what the source of the noise is.  I don't even have to get out of bed - I can see everything from my phone. Its a strange sense of comfort and security that I didn't know I was missing, until I had CCTV. 

As an added bonus, our cameras have microphones enabled, which means I can hear what is happening around the home as well as see it. For a puppy mum, with 2 dogs, I can hear if my dogs are ok or barking all day long at the birds... Winning!

In our local area, Redcliffe, North of Brisbane, Qld - robbery reports are on the rise and we are getting an increasing number of requests for CCTV. If you are considering getting security cameras, don't wait until you've been robbed to get in on the action. Get your CCTV solution installed now and experience the comfort and control that your family and your home are under watch 24/7.  

If you'd like a quote or more information on CCTV installation. Get in touch with us today. You won't regret it. 

Richelle (busy working mum of the worlds cutest kids and puppies). 

Television Safety is an issue that we've written about before, and we will continue to write about it to raise awareness about the dangers of toppling furniture and TV's - and kids.  Especially at this time of the year, with school holidays and the kids at home, we like to remind everyone about the potentially dangerous situation that may be present in your home right now...  

As far as we are concerned, there is nothing more important than keeping your family and friends safe, especially the little ones.  With the increase in flat panel TV's in the home, the number of injuries and deaths relating to TV's toppling is still on the rise.  Scary!

It's not that difficult to safely secure your TV to the cabinet that it rests on with an anchor or safety strap, or better still, get the TV off the furniture (which can also topple) and get it on the wall.  You still need to ensure proper safety procedures are followed and good quality parts (mounts, bolts, straps etc) are used, to ensure that your installation is safe.  

This is an excerpt from the Safety Alert issued by the ACCC about Televisions and small children. Please take the time to read it.  You can access the full alert on their website:
​https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/toppling-furniture-and-televisions-anchor-them-and-save-a-child-s-life

Now is the time to make it happen, before it's too late.

If you would like to get professional help to install your safety straps, anchors or wall mount your TV - Get in touch with us.  We will ensure that ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) recommendations and regulations are adhered to. 

Stay Safe :-)

Image and video source: www.productsafety.gov.au

​This job in Redcliffe today reminded me how important hiring the BEST TV Antenna Installer is.
 
We installed 3 new TV points for this large family in Redcliffe so that the growing kids can have their own space and watch their favourite TV shows. This was all good except while we were there, the home owner showed us the TV point that was installed by their last TV Antenna Installer. 😱😱😱. 

​Yes, you are seeing that correctly. The installer installed the TV point into the ceiling and left the cable hanging from the ceiling, into the back of the TV. 🤷‍♂️
 
Apparently, he claimed that it was not possible to get the cable down the wall cavity to install the point behind the TV (where it would ideally be). So this was his solution, dangle the cable from the ceiling...
 
Now, I’ll admit that there are some homes with particular construction or design elements that make it difficult or in fact impossible to run cable or install features. BUT THIS... was plain laziness or lack of knowledge on the part of the installer. This was a standard plaster wall with a cavity and whilst it required drilling through some noggins to get the cable down, it was by no means an impossible installation.
 
For this customer, we were able to install a new TV point behind the TV in the living room (the first room you enter in this home) and get rid of this hideous cable dangling from the ceiling.
 
They were thrilled.
 
It was a stark reminder for us that all installers aren’t created equal and it pays to have a second opinion if you aren’t happy with the solution recommended by your trades.
 
I’m so happy that we were able to help this Customer and give them a solution to their TV Point problem.
 
Call Brisbane’s Best Tradie for your TV Antenna Installation needs.
 
Geoff
Brisbane’s Best Tradie Winner 2018. 

Are you sure that your builder, electrician or hired trades person is using the right cable for your current and future data / communications / networking needs???

The Australian Digital and Communications Industry Association (ADITA) has recently issued a warning regarding the need for cable technicians (including all trades that carry out cabling) to be upskilled or re-trained on the changing landscape of cabling and communications.  I think this is a timely warning as I've been asked by builders over the last couple of months, to quote on providing old style, outdated cabling for their new developments.  I'm finding that I'm needing to justify why I'm recommending different cable, even to some of the best builders in the biz, because they aren't being educated on the current and future role of the humble cable and why getting the cable right the first time is so important.

"ADITA has warned that new technologies such as the Internet of Things and Power over Ethernet are placing greater demands on cabling infrastructure. As a result it has called for upgraded training and greater awareness of the new issues from regulators and standards bodies. ADTIA secretary Dominic Schipano told CommsDay that some of the older network cabling is not rated for the data and power requirements of IoT and PoE, while technicians with older qualifications might need re-training to be aware of the issues.

One of the problems is that cables, when installed in bundles, heat up more with greater wattage and have performance degradation as a result. Cables with higher categories such as Category 6A have larger conductors and will heat up less than Category 6 and Category 5e cables. In a worst case scenario there is also a risk of other damage from using lower quality cable.
 
He said many companies were predominantly interested in cost issues and do not look at the technical requirements of the cabling infrastructure. Schipano said that it should become common practice that customers are advised of the wattage capability of whatever cable is installed so that any additional items connected over time have their power load factored in."

The above excerpt, from a recent TITAB publication confirms that this matter is important and that cablers and all trades associated with cabling are upskilled on the changing demands on the humble cable. 

For the right advice about your cabling needs, contact us to make sure you get it right the first time around. 

Cheers 
Geoff 

Last week we had the pleasure of helping these Customers get their Media Room set up in their new home.  We loved this job, helping these guys make the most of their space and give them all the entertainment they need in the comfort of their new home.

The media room installation included:

• 65" TV wall mounted
• Installed 5.1 Surround Sound (inc wall mounted rear speakers)
• Connected Amp and optimised home theatre sound
• Connected all devices including Foxtel, Blu Ray, PlayStation, Xbox, Record Player
• Full system check and Customer education

As the cold approaches, there is no better time to stay in bed under the covers and watch your fave shows.

If you don't have a TV in your bedroom - get it sorted now. 

​We can install a TV point and even wall mount your TV so that you can keep the style you want in your room without taking valuable space for bulking TV cabinets. We can even install your apple TV or connect your Smart TV  to the internet to have you watching your favourite Netflix shows from the comfort of your warm bed. 

Don't face the cold today.  Stay in, stay warm and watch T V.

That's our advice for dealing with the weather today.

​Enjoy.

We are a family business located on the Redcliffe Peninsula, north of Brisbane and our local area has been heavily impacted by theft and crime, like so many other areas are.  Our customers are telling us more and more about break'n'enters and stolen property. In particular being close to a suburb with canals we are seeing an increase in goods stolen from backyards and pontoons by thieves in boats.  

If you are anything like us, we work really hard (maybe too hard) for the things that we have, and want to do everything we can to protect our property.  More importantly, we want our family to be safe and feel secure in our home.  For this reason we believe in the importance of added security measures for your home.  Security Cameras (CCTV) and Alarm Systems can not only help to deter a "would-be" thief, but also prove useful in both preventing crime and providing vital evidence to police in the event of a crime.

Last week we finished installing security cameras, including a live monitoring station at an apartment block in Redcliffe with over 40 residents.  Now the residents can rest easy that they have an added deterrent for thieves and have footage to hand to police in the event that it's required. 

Rest easy people - install some security in your homes today.  

Systems and prices vary, but you might be surprised to find it doesn't have to be an expensive exercise to install a basic CCTV system in your home.  

​Give us a call to talk about security and book a quote. 

P.S. If you are getting security devices installed, make sure your technician is a licensed security provider. 

Obviously when you get an Antenna professional out to your home to install or replace a TV antenna, you expect them to install good quality equipment and make sure you have good TV reception at all outlets. This just seems like a given.

However... We've noticed that the quality of antenna installations is sometimes just downright terrible.  It's almost like the installers have completely forgotten about safety, endurance and aesthetics. We are often fixing up antennas that are suffering from nothing more than poor installation.  

Some things to look for and EXPECT as standard from your antenna installer are:
​

• Neatly arranged cable (cable tied in place to the mast)
• Extra length of cable neatly looped on mast (this allows for enough cable in the event that your antenna needs replacing or new connectors need fitting)
• Good quality parts (connectors, mast, screws)
• Quality silicone used to seal mounting plates or other areas that may result in water seepage

​
Making sure your antenna installer covers these points along with quality antenna, RG6 cable and confirmation that your signal levels meet Australian standards (using a signal meter), you should have no problems with your antenna.

If you've had a dodgy antenna installation - give us a call, we'll help you get it sorted.