Alarm companies run off their feet following quake

Photo / Simon Baker

Alarm and security companies around Christchurch are being run off their feet trying to maintain customers' protection in quake-stricken zones.

Alastair Burgess of Action Alarms said his team has been getting around town replacing security and fire alarm batteries in areas without power.

Alarms come with batteries built-in to survive short power outages, but were unlikely to still be functioning given residents in some areas have been without power for more than seven days.

Craig Taylor of UCIT security alarms said while a backup generator would be ideal to maintain alarm protection, customers could also easily replace the backup batteries themselves by removing the system's front panel.

These batteries can be purchased from electrical outlets or security companies, he said.

"You can get up to a week on a good charge."

Alarms should return to their normal functioning modes immediately when power is reconnected, unless they have been damaged, he said.

Parts of damaged systems are being replaced throughout the city and suburbs, as well as cables which may have been stretched as structures moved in the quake.

Burgess said he has had a lot of enquiries for new commercial and residential systems following looting in the city, and also many requests from current clients who have had to shift premises.

Gregory Head, the general manager at Triton Security Services, which operates security alarms and patrols, said his company's main focus "has been devoting resources to life as opposed to property, where we can".

Head said Triton has been looking after the Canterbury District Health Board and was making sure that resources were focused on their requirements.

"We have committed our resources as much as possible."

He said he expected some businesses would require a static guard once the cordon is lifted on the central city.

Civil Defence has plans to phase out the cordon over three or four days, director John Hamilton told Newstalk ZB today.