Just realized I was wrong about wireless sensors for a big commercial job

Everyone in my shop said to go all wireless for a 50,000 square foot warehouse retrofit because it's faster. I pushed hard for a hybrid system, using hardwired contacts on all the main doors and windows, about 40 points total, and wireless only for the interior motions. It added two full days to the install. My boss was not happy about the extra labor cost. But after six months, we've had zero false alarms from door sensors, while the wireless interior motions have needed three battery swaps already. Has anyone else found that mixing tech is worth the extra time on big sites?

3 comments

3 Comments

wren23027d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, you're saying two extra days for zero door faults is a bad trade? On a job that size, how much time and money gets burned rolling a truck for false alarms? I've seen wireless contacts on big metal doors act up from temperature swings alone. Your hybrid plan sounds like you paid a little upfront to avoid a ton of callbacks later. That's smart, not a problem.

harperp2427d ago

Exactly, and @carr.abby's story proves that cheap installs often cost more later.

carr.abby27d ago

Heard about a buddy who did a full wireless install on a big box store. They spent more time in the first year dealing with sensor dropouts than they did on the original install. What @wren230 said about callbacks is exactly right, it kills your profit. My friend's company now runs wire to anything that doesn't absolutely have to move. The extra day or two of labor looks really cheap compared to sending a guy out every other month.