Part of the Costa del Sol security guide
The short answer
Every small business needs the same base: a hub with a SIM, a contact on each door, a photo detector in the through-route, a keypad by the exit and a siren on the façade. The rest depends on the premises: in an office it matters who comes in and when, in a bar it is false alarms at night, and in a warehouse it is distance and high ceilings. If your business is a shop, see also the anti-theft system.
The base for any premises
- Hub. A business should have more than one way of sending an alert. The Hub 2 uses an Ethernet cable and two SIMs, and supports up to 100 devices.
- Door contacts. A DoorProtect on the main entrance and another on the back door, which is the one most often forgotten.
- Photo detector. A MotionCam photo detector in the through-route lets you check what has happened without going there.
- Keypad. By the door you lock up from. Each employee uses their own code, with nothing to install on their phone.
- Outdoor siren. A StreetSiren on the façade can be heard in the street and seen from outside.
The base comes in the alarm kit for business premises, with its price. The full version adds more doors.
What changes with the type of business
| Premises | What matters most | What to add |
|---|---|---|
| Office or practice | Who comes in and when, and the equipment that holds data | A personal code for each employee. A detector in the server room or file room |
| Bar or restaurant | Late closing, the kitchen and the till | A heat detector in the kitchen, not a smoke detector. A contact on the delivery door |
| Warehouse or storage unit | Large floor area, high ceilings and several doors | A signal range extender and detectors that reach the route people really take |
| Medical or dental practice | Rooms still in use while others are closed | Separate groups so you can arm it in parts |
Several employees: what avoids problems
- One code per person. If everyone shares a code, you cannot tell who locked up. With a personal code, the log records who armed and disarmed the alarm, and at what time.
- Arming by groups. The storeroom can stay armed while the main room is open.
- Schedules. The alarm can arm itself at a set time, in case someone forgets.
- Leavers. When someone leaves, you delete their code. Nothing else needs changing.
What tends to go wrong in business premises
- False motion alarms. Signs moving in the draught, curtains, or air conditioning blowing at the detector. The photo saves you the trip.
- The internet connection on site. If the router goes down, only the SIM can send the alert. That is why it matters.
- No outdoor siren. With only an indoor siren, nobody in the street notices.
What to keep in mind
An alarm with no monitoring centre alerts you, and a business closed at night needs someone to answer. If you want it monitored, you take that out with a registered private security company, not with Dartel: we explain it in monitored alarm or phone alerts. And if you also fit cameras, remember that you have to inform your employees and put up the sign.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business alarm system cost?
The price of the equipment is on the alarm kit for business premises in the shop. Installation is quoted separately, because it depends on the doors, the floor area and whether there is any wiring.
Does a business alarm have a monthly fee?
With Ajax there is no compulsory fee: it alerts your phone with nothing to pay each month. You only pay extra if you take out a monitoring centre with a registered company.
Can each employee have their own code?
Yes. Each person has their own code, and the log records who armed and disarmed the alarm, and at what time.
Can you arm just part of the premises?
Yes, by splitting the premises into groups. For example, the storeroom armed and the main room open.
Which detector goes in a bar kitchen?
A heat detector is better than a smoke detector, because cooking smoke causes false alarms.
Does Ajax work for a large warehouse?
Yes, but the signal has to be checked point by point. In metal-framed buildings or very large units you usually need a range extender.
What are your premises like?
Send us the floor plan or a few photos and we will tell you what you need, with an itemised quote. Site visit and quote with no obligation. We speak English, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian.
Sources: Hub 2 manual (ajax.systems/support/manuals/hub-2), Ajax scenarios manual (ajax.systems/support/manuals/scenarios) and dartelsolutions.com product pages (Hub 2, DoorProtect, StreetSiren, alarm kit for business premises). Checked in October 2026.
You may also like
- Anti-theft system for shops
- Ajax alarm review: pros and cons
- Smoke and CO detector: which to fit and where
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