FAQ

How does the sound barrier work?

Inferno sound barriers create an intolerable spectrum of sound and broadcast it at 125dB. This spectrum is so utterly unbearable that it quite literally forces the intruder to exit immediately. The patented sound generator produces a highly complex spectrum that is extremely disruptive to the human brain. It produces four tones simultaneously, and forces these tones to oscillate wildly and rapidly. The dynamic nature of the resultant spectrum renders the brain incapable of identifying and thus "blocking out" the din - leaving the intruder only one option - leave the protected area immediately.

How is an Inferno sound barrier superior to a standard alarm siren?

Unlike standard alarm system sirens which can be and are ignored, the Inferno sound barrier is impossible to ignore. A standard security siren is little more than a passive device that alerts the intruder that he has been detected. Whilst unpleasant, it's certainly tolerable - at least for the few minutes needed to grab valuable assets. Contrast the Inferno sound barrier, which both alerts the intruder in no uncertain terms and most importantly, actively forces him to leave the protected area.

I already have a high-tech security alarm system, complete with CCTV cameras. Why would I need a sound barrier as well?

Whilst most modern alarm systems are certainly quite capable, they are essentially passive devices that at best, will summon a security guard. Intruders are well aware of typical security response times, and as such act with impunity in this "window of opportunity". That window afforded the intruder can prove very costly indeed. CCTV systems are outstanding if they can be used to identify the culprit - however that won't undo the damage and losses incurred. Forcing the intruder to exit immediately, empty-handed and without confrontation, is surely the ultimate solution to any intrusion.

Imagine this scenario : an intruder has forced his way inside your premises. What do you want to happen next? If you answered: "I want him to leave immediately!" or something less polite, we ask you this : "What does your current security alarm system do to ensure that this happens?"

Are Inferno sound barriers compatible with all security alarm systems?

Yes. Whilst we do not like to call them sirens (they're far more capable than conventional sirens!), they can be thought of as an external siren for the purposes of installation. That is, they merely require a 12V power supply, and a trigger signal. A standard 4 core cable is clearly sufficient for wiring an Inferno sound barrier.

Are Inferno sound barriers difficult to install? Can they be retrofitted?

A certified security alarm installer will find the installation a breeze, typically taking less than 30 minutes. If wiring needs to be run to the installation location, add a little more time. Click here to view the installation instructions for the Intenso. They can be retrofitted to any existing security alarm system, or can be incorporated into the design of a new alarm system.

What is the current draw when sounding and charging?

All Inferno sound barriers are equipped with an internal battery and it is this battery that supplies the current (on average 1.2A) when sounding. Unless charging, they do not draw current from outside the sound barrier itself. Charging is on-demand and draws no more than 150mA. The battery is checked every 1.25 seconds to determine if charging is required.

Wouldn't installing a large number of conventional internal sounders (piezos) in the same room replicate the sound barrier?

No, not even close. In fact, you'd require 32 standard piezos to generate 125db - the sound pressure generated by a single Intenso sound barrier.  The extreme volume of the sound barrier plays but a small part in its effectiveness - the intolerability of the sound owes much more to the dynamic nature of the sound spectrum generated. With its static tones, the piezo is incapable of generating an intolerable tone. In addition, multiple piezos installed in the same location actually begin to cancel each other out and reduce the impact of the sound.

If it's so intolerable, how does one turn it off?

The only really viable option is to wait until the sound barrier stops sounding, then quickly enter the protected area and disarm the alarm system via the normal method. All Inferno sound barriers are by default configured to cease sounding after 3 minutes, at which point they await a new trigger signal.

Can an Inferno sound barrier be defeated by ear plugs or ear muffs?

High quality ear defenders are capable of reducing but not eliminating the intensity of the sound spectrum. Experience from markets abroad show that very few intruders arrive equipped with a form of ear defence. Professional thieves are extremely reluctant to sacrifice the ability to communicate. The illegal nature of their activity makes them feel exposed, isolated and vulnerable to capture - removing their ability to communicate exacerbates these feelings to intolerable levels. The opportunistic or poorly prepared thief would not carry ear defence, and putting one's fingers in one's ears is not conducive to carrying stolen items.

Is the Inferno compatible with residential (home) installations? What about false alarms?

Yes. The sound barrier most suitable for residential installations, the Intenso, comes equipped with the ability to delay the sounding by 30 seconds, from the moment the trigger signal is received. In practice, this means that the Inferno will first sound 30 seconds after the existing standard siren sounds - giving the occupants a chance to deactivate the alarm before being themselves exposed to the Inferno. This feature is user-selectable and can be easily altered via the DIP switches inside the sound barrier casing.

Can the Inferno sound barrier be used as a defensive mechanism?

Yes. The sound barrier can be configured for this application. It can be activated instantly via either a hard-wired cable with a panic button, and/or a small remote unit similar to a car alarm remote. This configuration is most often utilized in retail premises often targeted by armed intruders.

Does the sound barrier scare pets?

Yes - just like it scares humans! There is however no evidence to suggest that the more sensitive auditory capability of some pets would lead to them suffering hearing damage. They will, just like an intruder, be forced to leave the protected area as quickly as possible.

Can it damage your hearing?

Any loud sound source can damage your hearing if used inappropriately - reference the humble iPod. A report by the Royal Institute of Technology's Technical Acoustics department (Stockholm) concluded that the sound barrier was harmless, and that only frequent & prolonged exposure would cause hearing damage. The sound barrier does not exceed the parameters as established in the internationally recognized ISO standard for noise induced hearing impairment. The report determined that one would have to be exposed to the sound barrier for 1 minute, at a distance of 1 metre, for 365 days, to have a 13% risk of hearing damage. The physical effects of exposure disappear shortly after the siren is switched off.

Read the report on risk of hearing impairment due to sound barrier exposure

Is it legal?

All Inferno sound barriers are by default set to sound at 125db. Our research on the legality of operating an audible alarm siren at 125dB has confirmed that it does not breach any known legislation simply by virtue of its sound level. O.S.H. requires, pursuant to Regulation 11 of the Health & Safety in Employment Regulations (1995), that workplace noise does not exceed a peak level of 140dB. Standards NZ has confirmed that standard AS/NZS 2201.1 2007 (entitled "intruder Alarm Systems") is the applicable standard. Part 3.16.2.9.1 (Audible alarm warning devices) of that standard states that that sound pressure must not be greater than 130dB(A). The Resource Management Act (1991) deals with "excessive or unreasonable noise"", but does not define a specific dB limit, as the definition of "excessive and unreasonable" depends on various factors such as proximity of neighbours, time of day, zone etc. Accordingly, there is no apparent cause for concern over the legality of the Inferno itself.

Read the legal FAQ pdf

What kind of warranty do Inferno sound barriers come with?

A 1 year manufacturer's warranty. In the very unlikely event that a unit proves to be faulty, we would be more than happy to replace it, free of charge. In fact, as failures are so rare, the manufacturer in Sweden would like to dissect any failed units in order to determine the cause, and make improvements to ensure that the failure is not repeated.