With the progress of society and the development of science, the technological level of modern management and safety prevention by humans is constantly improving. At present, human and mechanical defensing methods have been basically eliminated, relying on modern technology as protection methods to improve the reliability and efficiency of safety prevention. The security system is one of the most widely used means in security and prevention systems, and its unique function is incomparable to other security measures. It has been widely used in the military, public security departments, financial institutions, modern comprehensive office buildings, factories, shopping malls and other fields.

The shopping mall security system is mainly used for night duty and emergency alarm during the day. The prevention methods include:

• The combination of passive infrared and active infrared intrusion alarm detection is used to prevent and deter the occurrence of crimes.
• The security system triggered by the panic button is to prevent emergency events (cash and valuable items being robbed).

1 System overview

According to the demand for intrusion alarm in shopping malls, the shopping mall security system should mainly include the following two functions.

• Set up active infrared detectors at the entrances and windows of shopping malls that may be entered. Passive infrared detectors are set up in indoor places such as warehouses, finance rooms, and general manager offices in shopping malls. Prevent criminals from entering the interior of the mall from the outside, and prevent criminals from entering some key places.
• During the day, 24-hour panic buttons are set up at each cash register and valuable items (gold / jewelry) counter, and linked with warning lights. Security personnel are on duty 24 hours a day in the alarm monitoring center.

2 Design principles

• The system performance is stable and reliable, and the scheme design complies with relevant national and industry regulations and the requirements of the public security department for security technology prevention.
• The system has complete functions for arming, disarming, and real-time sound and light alarm, easy to operate, and can correctly capture hidden dangers, which helps to deal with emergencies in a timely manner and ensure the safety of shopping malls.
• Has a certain degree of scalability and flexibility. From a long-term perspective, the system functions can be expanded and the capacity can be expanded. Combined with the specific requirements of the project and future changes, there is a lot of space for expansion.

3 System principles and components

(1) The shopping mall security system mainly consists of two parts: a security alarm panel and some alarm detectors. 

The security alarm panel can be wired security alarm panel or wireless security alarm panel. 

If wireless alarm devices are used, the alarm signals of alarm detectors without wireless transmission function will be forwarded to the wireless security alarm panel through wireless transceivers.

Alarm detectors include active infrared detectors, passive infrared detectors, door contacts, vibration detectors, panic buttons, smoke detectors, temperature detectors, etc.

(2) Main entrances and windows that may enter the shopping mall

This is the first line of defense to enter the mall, with the aim of excluding criminals from the defense zone. In earlier years, steel anti-theft nets were popular, which not only hindered the appearance of the city and affected indoor lighting, but also caused tragedies in various emergencies due to the inability of indoor personnel to escape. According to the requirements of the country for building a modern and civilized city and the introduction of a series of measures by government departments to standardize the city’s appearance and beautify the overall image of the city, steel anti-theft nets are gradually being dismantled. And active infrared beam sensors, due to their beauty and practicality, are becoming the best alternative to steel anti-theft nets.

Active infrared beam sensors can be installed to protect against external intrusion. The active infrared beam sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver, which are installed on both sides of doors, windows or balconies. When there is an object blocking the infrared beam between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver outputs an alarm signal to the security alarm panel. The active infrared beam sensor has functions such as moisture-proof, anti-interference, wire breakage and disassembly alarm, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

If a wireless security alarm panel is used, a wired and wireless compatible method can be adopted, that is, the signal of the wired detector is converted into a wireless signal through a wireless repeater, and then transmitted to the wireless security alarm panel. This effectively solves the compatibility between the wireless security alarm panel and various wired detectors, bringing great convenience to installation and use.

(3) Shopping mall warehouse, finance room, general manager’s office

If a criminal breaks through the first line of defense or has entered a shopping mall, the shopping mall security system should provide a second line of defense to detect whether someone has illegally entered certain important areas. The internal intrusion detection method is adopted here, which is to install passive infrared detectors. They are made of high sensitivity dual element pyroelectric infrared sensors and intelligent infrared sensor dedicated processing chips. It uses the principle of passive infrared detection to detect intrusion in the defense area and can send alarm signals to the security alarm panel.

Find the best location to install a passive infrared detector in the defense area. Install the bracket on the wall and adjust the angle. If someone enters the defense area, the infrared radiation emitted by human body will be detected and an alarm signal will be sent to the security alarm panel.

This type of detector is easy to install and maintain, and the defense area and location can be changed at any time according to the user’s needs. The addition and removal of equipment are also very convenient.

The above two intrusion defense lines have achieved a dual prevention of both inside and outside of the shopping mall.

(4) Cashier counter, valuable items (gold / jewelry) counter

This area belongs to the key protection zone and is the main target for criminals to carry out robbery, which brings new requirements to safety prevention. Weak preventive measures are the main reason for the frequent success of criminals. Relying on civil defense alone can easily be exploited by criminals, and corresponding technical preventive measures have become very important.

Therefore, the solution is designed to install panic buttons and warning lights at these counters. In case of an emergency, the salesperson can press the panic button next to them, and the warning light will sound long and the alarm light will flash. Taking advantage of the psychological characteristics of criminals being guilty of theft can not only directly deter criminals, but also serve the purpose of seeking help from outside. The alarm cannot be released arbitrarily. Only when the alarm situation is eliminated, the panic button state can be restored with a specially equipped key, and the alarm will be released. Install vibration detectors in places where valuable items such as cash, gold, and jewelry are stored. When criminals damage the storage equipment by tapping or other means, the vibration detector sends an alarm signal to the security alarm panel.

(5) Fire alarm

In order to prevent the occurrence of fires, smoke detectors, temperature detectors and other fire alarm equipment should also be installed in key locations of the shopping mall. When a fire occurs, the detector detects a fire and can promptly transmit the alarm signal to the security alarm panel. After receiving the alarm signal, the shopping mall security personnel can promptly handle it.

4 Shopping mall security management

The security department of the shopping mall must formulate various measures and regulations for civil and physical defense. The first thing security employees do on duty every day is to test the shopping mall security system. If any abnormalities are found, immediately notify the installation unit to inspect the site and ensure that the security system operates normally every day. To organically combine technical defense, civil defense, and physical defense throughout the entire shopping mall, ensuring the establishment of a complete security and prevention system.