The Fog Bandit is smoking out unwanted intruders
FIRST I heard the hiss. Then I was totally disorientated and I could see nothing, writes Tom Gillespie. I was completely engulfed in a thick, dense smoke and had to be led blindly to the exit by my minder, Fergus Flanagan.
I had just been ‘attacked’ by the Fog Bandit - a rapid deployment smoke device - designed to deter would-be intruders from breaking into business premises.
The Fog Bandit spews out 28 square metres of smoke a second and anyone caught in it cannot see 20 centimetres in front of them.
According to Ballyglass, Claremorris, native Fergus Flanagan, co-owner of APM (Absolute Peace of Mind) Security, accredited security systems installers, based in Castlebar, the idea of the anti-theft device is simple: “You cannot steal what you cannot see. It is frightening what it does. It looks like it is attacking you.”
The Fog Bandit is being installed in premises, including mobile phone and cigarette outlets, forcing criminals to leave empty-handed.
Without such a deterrent thieves could get away with mobile phones, valued at €150,000, or €50,000 in cigarettes in just a five-minute raid.
Fergus explained: “If someone breaks into your shop and sets off the motion detector, this triggers the Fog Bandit and it puts out 28 square metres of smoke per second.
“It is frightening what it does. It looks like it is attacking you. When it is set off it is a complete mix. You cannot see 20 centimetres in front of you.
“It has proved itself now a number of times. We found that once there is a sign saying the device is installed, intruders tend to go next door. It is certified food safe. This is a brilliant solution.
“You can put in shutters. Shutters will slow down intruders but it could still be a 30-minute response from a key holder or a guard. The idea is to keep them out - you cannot steal what you cannot see.
“A sleeve of cigarettes from a petrol station is worth a fortune at €14 a pack. In three bin bags thieves can take about €40,00 or €50,000 of goods and even it they sell the booty for half price they have €20,000 for five minutes work.”
Fergus, who founded APM Security in 2005 with Keelogues native David Fair, continued: “There are several cases down the country where they have robbed one phone shop and left the one beside it, with the Fog Bandit, alone.
“We can cover an entire warehouse with the Fog Bandit, even the size of Knock airport’s old terminal. It depends on the risk.
“If you are storing stuff that can easily be moved on, then the Fog Bandit is the deterrent. Cost wise, you are starting off around €3,000. If you take it that a phone shop could lose €150,000 in five minutes, it puts in perspective.
“We can also finance these machines. If someone doesn’t want to outlay initially we can finance the entire package over three years. In fact we can finance any of the equipment we sell.”
My encounter with the Fog Bandit was at APM Security’s headquarters at Barcastle Retail Park, Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar.
Fergus took me to a warehouse where the Fog Bandit was set to activate for two seconds
“Don’t panic,” he advised me. But instantly we were engulfed in smoke. I managed to shoot off one photo on my mobile phone (see attached) and that was it, total and complete blindness as Fergus linked me from the smoke-filled room.
When Fergus and David set up the business 15 years ago there was just the two of them working from a room in a house in Balla. Now they employ 13 and their main business is the installation of alarm systems, CCTV and automatic barriers and doors.
Fergus added: “We are operating nationwide now. Some 70 per cent of our business is in Connaught and we work down as far as Waterford and Wexford and across to Dublin.
“When we started doing houses originally it was motion detectors in the room. Now everyone wants window alarms so they can walk around the house at night.
“We have smart apps that if you are away on holidays you can set and unset the alarm remotely. You can also view your house live and playback off your phone.
“We are very particular about the products we do sell. Our main intruder alarm panel is an Irish made panel, developed and researched in Ireland, and while it may be a little dearer that others, we find it absolutely bullet-proof.”
Seven years ago they moved to Barcastle Retail Park and have since extended their premises.
“We have also extended into automation. We do automatic barriers for car parks, automatic doors for shops and buildings, which has proved huge for us.
“The fire alarm business has really expanded. Businesses now have to have them. The person who owns the building is legally responsible. If something happened and it is shown that they had not maintained the fire alarm up to a standard, they are actually criminally liable.
“If you are renting a property to the public you have to have emergency lighting and a fire alarm and you have to have them maintained. It is only in the event of something happening that you have to prove in court that you kept them up to standard.”
CCTV is also a huge part of their business. When they started off first it was VHS tapes. Now everything is mega pixels and the quality is unbelievable.
Fergus added: “Combining expertise with vast experience in the area of electronic security, we are able to offer a unique and unrivalled service. We can provide a total solution, designing, supplying, installing and commissioning single or multi site systems.
“Our aim is to do everything possible to build our reputation and to develop commitment to our customers' needs, including customer care that is focused on delivering support, maintenance and after sales service.
“We offer a full 24-hour service for security and safety, planned maintenance to suit clients' needs, estimates and advice, and always to provide first class installations.
“We will continue to be at the forefront of technology, offering individual service and innovations to safeguard businesses and homeowners from the effects of crime and the risk of fire.”
APM Security can be contacted at Barcastle Retail Park, Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 KX44, on (094) 9060977.
Do you have a story to tell about your business? If so, Tom Gillespie would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch at (087) 9680780 or gillespietom49@gmail.com.