By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
What a panic button is for
An intrusion alarm protects an empty building. A panic button protects people while the business is open: a cashier facing a robbery, a doctor with an aggressive visitor, a receptionist at night, a petrol pump attendant at 3 am. One press sends an alarm to people who can help, often without the person threatening you knowing.
Silent or audible?
| Type | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Silent (hold-up) | No sound on site; calls and alerts go to the owner, other branches or a monitoring desk | Robbery situations, where a siren might make an armed person panic |
| Audible (panic) | Siren and strobe on site plus alerts | Aggressive visitors, medical emergencies, situations where noise brings help quickly |
| Duress code | A special code on the alarm keypad that seems to disarm but sends a silent alert | Staff forced to open the shop or disarm the alarm |
Fixed and wireless buttons
- Fixed buttons under the counter or desk, placed where a knee or hand can press them without visible movement.
- Wireless pendants or wristbands for staff who move around, such as nurses, guards or pump attendants.
- Two-action buttons (press and hold, or two buttons together) to prevent accidental presses.
- A latching design that stays triggered until reset with a key, so the alarm cannot be cancelled by the attacker.
- Buttons connected to the same panel as the intrusion alarm, so alerts and logs are in one place.
Linking to CCTV
When a panic button is pressed, the alarm panel can trigger the NVR to send clips from the nearest cameras to the owner’s phone, bookmark the recording, and start recording at the highest quality. The person receiving the alert sees what is happening before deciding what to do. Make sure the counter and entrance cameras capture faces clearly, and that the NVR is in a locked place so it cannot be taken during a robbery.
Fire alarm and CCTV integration →Where businesses use them
| Business | Typical placement |
|---|---|
| Jewellery shop | Under each counter, in the strongroom, owner’s cabin; silent |
| Clinic or hospital | Doctor’s consulting room, reception, casualty; audible or to security desk |
| Pharmacy | Under the billing counter; silent |
| Petrol pump | Cash office and wireless pendants for night staff |
| Office reception | Under the reception desk; to building security |
| School | Principal’s office and gate security cabin; to the management and nearby staff |
Training and testing
A panic button is only useful if staff know it exists, trust it, and know what happens after they press it. Train every new joiner, explain the silent and audible types, and test each button monthly in a planned way, telling the people who receive the alerts first. Record each test. Agree a response plan: who is called, who calls the police on 112, and who never goes in alone.
Monthly CCTV checks →Worked example
A multi-speciality clinic in Basaveshwaranagar had two incidents of aggressive relatives in a year. We fitted audible panic buttons in each consulting room and at reception, connected to the alarm panel, with an indoor sounder at the security desk and alerts to the administrator and two senior staff. Pressing a button also sends clips from the reception and corridor cameras. Staff tested every button with the guard on the first Monday of each month.
Quick answers
Should a panic button be silent or loud?+
Silent for robbery risks, where noise could escalate the situation; audible for aggressive visitors or medical emergencies.
Can a panic button call the police directly?+
Panels alert nominated numbers or a monitoring desk; that person calls the police on 112.
Do panic buttons work during a power cut?+
Yes, when they connect to an alarm panel with a backup battery and SIM connection.
How do we prevent accidental presses?+
Use two-action buttons and place them where they cannot be knocked.
How often should panic buttons be tested?+
Monthly, with the alert recipients told in advance and each test recorded.