Installing Security System

[Michael]

I apologize for not knowing the technical name for the house type. The
house exterior walls are formed using Styrofoam and pouring concrete between
the Styrofoam walls.

Here's my problem. I haven't installed a system in a house like this, and
I'm not sure how to run the wires to the windows and the doors. The windows
sit about 6 inches away from the interior wall. To run the wire that deep,
would mean drilling through the poured concrete. What I'm trying to avoid
is showing to much wire. I want the job to look as clean as possible.

The other problem I'm running into is with the doors. The doors aren't
installed yet, so how do I know where to run the wire to. I'm installing
recessed contacts at the doors. The doors are framed out, but there isn't
any markings to help determine where the door will be in the 8 inches of
space.

I hope this made sense.

 

[ABLE1]

Michael,

I was asked last year to get involved with a group of builders that were
going to build this type of house locally. They wanted to get within the
group electricians, plumbers, telco, carpenters, automations, security, all
the trades to pull together resources and talents. This was so that if
someone was convinced that this type of building construction they would
have to use one of the group for services. I was give the sales pitch on
the construction of building walls of concrete for both exterior and
interior walls from the basement to the attic which included floors.

I made my decision early not to get involved and then asked how they planned
to get low voltage wiring from the basement to the attic not to mention to
windows and doors for existing and future wiring projects. The statement
was made like this. "Wow, we hadn't thought of that, thanks we will have to
work on that part." Duhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

IMHO and you want to install a hard wired system, bid it very high and work
your ass off. Be prepared to make repairs to walls and try to be very
accurate with your hole drilling. Wireless my work but I would be concerned
with the concrete walls and floors blocking the signal.

Good luck.

Les

 

[spike]

There still must be chases for the existing wiring, plumbing etc in there.
ITI and Ademco have nifty concealed wireless contacts for doors and windows.

 

[Michael]

So it seems there no magic fix for this situation. Could it be possible
that I just won't be able to get the hole to the window close enough to keep
the wire run show worthy short?

When I started this business my game plan was to do home networking. Then
someone explained to me the structured wiring system, so I decided I should
do that as well. Then someone said, well you should probably install home
automation and security, so I've begun the process of learning that. My
game plan/business plan was to install the structured wiring and home
networking in low level houses to build up some proper experience. I was
thinking some nice 4 telephone, 4 TV, home network system, leave the
security to a security company. Well that hasn't worked out. My first
house is a 5000 square foot, poured concrete monstrosity, with 19 telephone,
cable, and network outlets plus security, and central vacuum. My Uncle, who
was kind enough to offer the work to me, assures me I'll figure out. My
second house, another poured concrete home. Talk about your business trial
by fire.

I appreciate all the posts from this group, and your help with my questions.

 

[ABLE1]

When you survive the task come back and give us all your pros, cons and tips
that you find.

 

[Tom J Atwood]

Michael,
I just got thru pre-wiring a (Ice Block House) it is constructed as you
have described, Basically I had to triple the amount of labor for the job.

All my wiring between floors and down walls was inserted in a groove that
I had to create with a 400 degree wedge shaped Iron. After the wire was
placed in the groove the tool was then flipped over and re melted the foam
in the opposite direction creating a conduit of sorts that hold the wires in
the foam. As for getting the wiring to the doors and windows, there was a
layer of foam all the way around the openings that the builder attached
his framework to. Several trips had to be made to the job to go thru the
steps of putting everything where it belongs.

This type of house gets very expensive for homeowners, but if they
can afford it, provides a insulation value almost unbeatable.

Good luck, hope this tidbit helps some.

Tom Atwood
www.tjatwood.com

 

[Frank Olson]

I apologize for not knowing the technical name for the house type. The
house exterior walls are formed using Styrofoam and pouring concrete between
the Styrofoam walls.

Here's my problem. I haven't installed a system in a house like this, and
I'm not sure how to run the wires to the windows and the doors. The windows
sit about 6 inches away from the interior wall. To run the wire that deep,
would mean drilling through the poured concrete. What I'm trying to avoid
is showing to much wire. I want the job to look as clean as possible.

The other problem I'm running into is with the doors. The doors aren't
installed yet, so how do I know where to run the wire to. I'm installing
recessed contacts at the doors. The doors are framed out, but there isn't
any markings to help determine where the door will be in the 8 inches of
space.

I hope this made sense.

Go wireless...

http://www.caddx.com/products/recesseddw.jsp

We used the Ademco recessed wireless contacts on a home that was solid
concrete construction (early "tilt-up") with no problems. In this instance
we used two receivers. One on the main level and a second on the third
floor. This covered the basement, first, second and third floors. On
interior walls we went hard wired.