A locked door is not a security plan. If your New Hampshire business relies on deadbolts and a camera pointed at the entrance, you do not have an intrusion detection system. You have a recording of someone breaking in after the fact. A commercial burglar alarm system detects intrusion the moment it happens, alerts the right people immediately, and gives you evidence that law enforcement and insurance companies actually use.
Arcomm has designed and installed commercial intrusion alarm systems across New Hampshire since 1985. Here is what matters when choosing a burglar alarm system for your business, what components you actually need, and what a real installation costs.
What a commercial burglar alarm system includes
A burglar alarm system is not a single device. It is a combination of detection sensors, a control panel, communication equipment, and monitoring services working together. Here is what each piece does.
Control panel — The brain of the system. The panel processes signals from every sensor, manages arming and disarming schedules, and communicates with the monitoring center. We install Bosch intrusion panels because they support large commercial deployments, integrate with access control and video systems, and have proven reliable in New Hampshire environments.
Door and window contacts — Hardwired magnetic contacts detect when a protected door or window opens. These are the first line of defense on perimeter entry points. Every exterior door and ground-floor window should be contacted.
Motion detectors — Passive infrared (PIR) detectors sense movement in interior spaces. Dual-technology detectors combine PIR with microwave sensing to reduce false alarms from heating vents, pets, or moving signage. We specify dual-tech detectors for warehouses, retail back rooms, and office spaces where air movement could trigger a single-technology sensor.
Glass break sensors — Audio-based sensors that detect the specific frequency of breaking glass. These cover areas with large windows or glass doors that a contact sensor alone cannot protect.
Keypads and arming stations — Wall-mounted keypads let employees arm and disarm the system at entry points. Commercial systems support multiple user codes with individual schedules, so you know who armed or disarmed the system and when.
Communication module — The panel needs a way to send signals to the monitoring center. Traditional phone line monitoring is obsolete. We install cellular communicators that transmit over LTE, providing a dedicated path that works even if your internet or phone service is cut.
Monitoring: why it matters and what to look for
An unmonitored alarm makes noise. A monitored alarm gets a response.
When a sensor triggers, the communication module sends a signal to a central monitoring station. The station verifies the alarm, contacts the business owner or designated responders, and dispatches police if needed. This process typically takes 30 to 60 seconds from trigger to dispatch.
Cellular monitoring is the standard for commercial systems. The communicator uses a dedicated cellular connection, not your business internet or phone line. If an intruder cuts your internet cable before entering, the alarm still transmits.
Alarm.com integration lets you manage the system from a phone or computer. You receive push notifications for alarms, arming and disarming events, and system trouble signals. You can arm or disarm remotely, set user schedules, and receive alerts if a door is left open after closing time. This level of control matters for business owners managing multiple locations or who are not always on-site.
Bosch intrusion panels: why we specify them
We install Bosch intrusion panels for commercial installations because they handle the complexity that NH businesses need.
Bosch panels support up to 599 zones across multiple partitions, which means a single panel can secure a multi-building campus with independent arming schedules for different areas. A warehouse in Manchester can have the shipping bay armed during business hours while the office area stays disarmed for staff. A medical facility in Concord can separate patient areas from medication storage with different access levels.
Bosch panels also integrate with access control systems and video surveillance. When an alarm triggers, the system can automatically pull up live video from the nearest camera and send it to the monitoring station for verification. This reduces false alarm dispatches and gives responding officers real-time information before they arrive.
For existing systems installed by other companies, we perform alarm system takeovers. If you have a functional panel but no monitoring, or if your current monitoring provider is unresponsive, we can take over the panel, update the communication path to cellular, and connect it to our monitoring service.
NH-specific considerations
False alarm ordinances — Several New Hampshire cities including Manchester and Nashua have false alarm ordinances that fine businesses for repeated false dispatches. Manchester requires alarm permits and charges fines after the third false alarm in a 12-month period. Proper installation with dual-technology sensors and alarm verification through video reduces false alarm risk significantly.
Winter weather and sensors — Extreme cold affects motion detector performance. Budget PIR sensors can trigger false alarms when temperatures drop below -10°F because the lens material contracts unevenly. Commercial-grade Bosch and Honeywell sensors are rated for the temperature ranges we see in New Hampshire. We also adjust sensor sensitivity and install weather-sealed contacts on exterior doors where ice and snow could interfere with the magnetic seal.
Building codes and fire alarm integration — Commercial buildings in NH may need the intrusion alarm to integrate with the fire alarm system for code compliance, particularly in multifamily residential buildings and healthcare facilities. Bosch panels support fire zone integration, allowing a single monitoring path for both intrusion and fire signals.
What a commercial burglar alarm system costs in NH
These are installed prices including sensors, panel, keypads, cellular communicator, programming, and testing.
Small business (2 to 4 doors, 2 to 4 motion detectors): $2,500 to $5,000 installed. This covers a single-floor office, small retail shop, or professional suite.
Medium business (6 to 10 doors, 6 to 8 motion detectors, glass break sensors): $5,000 to $12,000 installed. This covers multi-floor offices, retail stores with stockrooms, restaurants, and small warehouses.
Large facility or multi-building campus (20+ zones, multiple partitions, video verification): $12,000 to $30,000+. Pricing depends on building size, number of zones, integration requirements, and cable runs.
Monthly monitoring with cellular: $35 to $65 per month depending on features. Alarm.com interactive monitoring with remote control and video verification runs at the higher end.
Alarm system takeover (existing panel, new monitoring): $150 to $500 for communicator upgrade and programming, plus monthly monitoring.
Signs your current alarm system needs replacement
If your business has an alarm system that was installed more than 10 years ago, it likely needs attention. Here are the warning signs.
Your panel communicates over a phone line. Phone line monitoring is slow, unreliable, and easily defeated. Upgrade to cellular.
Your system has no remote access. If you cannot arm, disarm, or check system status from your phone, you are managing security blind. Alarm.com integration fixes this.
Your monitoring company takes more than 2 minutes to call. Response time matters. If your current provider is slow, a takeover costs less than you might think.
You have had more than two false alarms in the past year. False alarms are not just annoying — they cost money in fines and erode police response. Upgrading sensors and adding video verification solves this.
Your keypads are yellowed, buttons are sticking, or the panel shows trouble codes you cannot clear. Hardware has a lifespan. A panel that old is also running outdated firmware with known security vulnerabilities.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a burglar alarm in NH?
Several NH cities require alarm permits, including Manchester, Nashua, and Concord. Check with your local police department. We provide the documentation you need during installation.
Can I use my existing wiring?
In most cases, yes. If your building has existing alarm wiring from a previous system, we can reuse it if the wire is in good condition. We test every cable run before relying on it.
How long does installation take?
A small business installation takes one day. A medium installation takes one to two days. Large facilities may take a week or more depending on zone count and building access.
Can the alarm integrate with my cameras and access control?
Yes. Bosch panels integrate with major access control platforms and video management systems. When an alarm triggers, the system can automatically display live video from the nearest camera and send clips to the monitoring station.
Getting started
A burglar alarm system is the difference between knowing someone broke in and preventing the loss before it escalates. The quality of the installation determines whether your system catches an intruder at the perimeter or misses them entirely because a sensor was placed incorrectly.
Arcomm has installed commercial intrusion alarm systems across New Hampshire since 1985. We design systems that meet local codes, reduce false alarms, and integrate with your existing security infrastructure.
Contact Arcomm at (603) 464-4000 or request a consultation to discuss a burglar alarm system for your New Hampshire business.
For more details about our intrusion detection services, visit our intrusion alarm systems NH page.
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