Gunshot detection is a technology that helps to reduce fatalities from active shooter incidents. Until recently, gunshot detection systems were extremely expensive; costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Unless you were a large university or corporation, you could not benefit from this life saving technology. With the acquisition of Shooter Detections Systems (SDS) by Alarm.com, affordable and accurate protection from mass shootings is available to all business sizes.
How Do Gunshot Detectors Work?
1.Gunshot Detected: SDS sensors from Alarm.com accurately detect the gunshots using acoustic and infrared technology.
2. Signal Forwarded: Gunshot signals are instantly forwarded to the Alarm.com cloud.
3. Monitoring Center Notified: The monitoring center receives the signals within seconds.
4. Local Alarms: Systems can be setup to include local alarms to notify building occupants.
5. SMS & Push Notifications: Simultaneously, building occupants can receive instant SMS and push notifications of where gunshots are detected.
Active Shooter Events Occur Mostly at the Workplace
No one wants to think about it but per the FBI, active shooter events have more than doubled since 2019, with more than 70% of mass shootings occurring indoors at workplaces and schools.
According to the National Institute of Justice, the workplace has the highest occurrence of public mass shootings, by percentage of all occurrences, at 30.8%. Second are retail establishments (16.9%), and bars or restaurants (13.4%).
SDS Gunshot Detector and Gunshot Testing Unit
| Public Mass Shootings By Location* | Percent* |
| Workplace | 30.8 % |
| Retail Establishment | 16.9 % |
| Bar or Restaurant | 13.4 % |
| Residential Location | 8.1 % |
| Outdoors | 8.1 % |
| K-12 School | 7.6 % |
| Place of Worship | 6.4 % |
| College or University | 5.2 % |
| Government or Place of Civic Importance | 3.5 % |
These unfortunate incidents don’t last long, just an average of 12.5 minutes, with fatalities occurring every 5-15 seconds during a shooting event.
Research shows a five-minute delay can raise the odds of a death by 46%
With all of the panic and chaos during events like these, inaccurate information relating to the location of the gunshots and shooter and the inability to call for help are high.
Realtime notifications with video of the shooter
Why SDS is the world leading shot detection technology
- Accurate: 99.9% detection rate. There are fewer than 1 false alert per 5-million hours of use.
- Speed: Fast real-time alerts to occupants and emergency responders.
- Proven: The ONLY U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Certified system.
- Scalable: Easily add sensors across multiple buildings and integrate with your Alarm.com security system or enterprise platform.
- K-12 Discounts: Public and private K-12 schools are eligible to receive a discount on SDS gunshot detection systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is gunshot detection?
Gunshot detection is technology that helps to mitigate fatal results from active shooter incidents.
Do I need gunshot detection?
Gunshot detection technology provides aspects of liability and risk mitigation planning for any business, school, church, university, or property manager.
Do gunshot detectors have high false alarm rates?
No. SDS gunshot detectors have a 99.9% detection rate and are the only U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act certified gunshot detection technology.
How accurate are shot detectors?
SDS gunshot detectors have a 99.9% accuracy rate.
Where do the majority of public mass shootings occur?
According to the National Institute of Justice, the workplace has the highest occurrence of public mass shootings, by percentage of all occurrences, at 30.8%. Second are retail establishments (16.9%), and bars or restaurants (13.4%).
Are there educational discounts available to schools for the installation of an SDS Gunshot system?
Yes, public and private K-12 schools are eligible to receive a discount on a Alarm.com SDS gunshot detection system.
Are gunshot detection systems affordable?
Since the acquisition of Shooter Detection Systems (SDS) by Alarm.com, yes. Alarm.com has been able to cut the price dramatically using their tremendous buying power while maintaining the same components and design.
Where are gunshot sensors installed?
Gunshot sensors can be installed on either a wall or ceiling. The sensors are designed so that the coverage pattern is identical in either placement.
What systems does SDS Enterprise integrate with?
SDS has many integrations with video, access control, mass notification, onsite alarm, public address system, and emergency lighting and wayfinding systems. These include systems from: Alarm.com, Fusus, C-Cure, Avigilon, Verint, Genasys, Everbridge, Exacq, Singlewire InformaCast, Genetec, Milestone, Hanwha, Mutuallink, Honeywell, Commend, Siemens, Vicon, OpenEye, Lightaway, Crisis Go, and others.
How much area does each SDS sensor cover?
Up to 2500 sq ft. Each sensor convers 40 ft in front and on each side in either direction.
How do SDS gunshot detectors work?
SDS indoor gunshot detectors have two microphones (acoustic sensors) that detect the sound of the gunshot and two infrared sensors that detect the muzzle flash, whether the firearm is in line of sight or not of the detector. Once the gunshot is detected, the signal is forwarded to the Alarm.com cloud.
What gun calibers are used most in mass shootings?
According to ammo.com, 9mm handguns and carbine rifles were used in more targeted mass shooting attacks than any other single firearm. However, most mass attackers used more than one firearm, and the .223 Remington used in an AR15 was the second most commonly used firearm.
What is the detection caliber range of the SDS gunshot detectors?
SDS gunshot detectors can detect from .22 caliber handguns to semi-automatic and automatic rifles. Both subsonic and supersonic rounds are detected.
What alternatives are available to gunshot detectors?
Weapons detection cameras are an option but are prone to false alerts, can have privacy issues, and can not detect concealed weapons. Metal detectors are also an option but can easily be circumvented.