So recently I’ve been going roofing a lot more than I normally would because I finally got a dslr. Anyway I was wondering if anyone had any good tips for me, also how do you handle those roof exit alarms? Is there any way around it or am I best just moving on?

Hey Sebk,

There are several threads for rooftopping and infiltrations already out there, take a look at the Rookie Forum section in particular. There are also a few threads on alarms specifically. Unless you want to tamper with the alarm my only suggestion would be to hope no one comes to check on the alarm. I've only encountered roof doors with alarms that are local, meaning they make a loud noise until a key is turned or the door is closed. Security won't come unless they hear the alarm or someone reports it to them. You can get creative and post an official notice on the floors below the roof door that says alarm testing 5pm-7pm sorry for the inconvenience and hope no one is suspicious. Maybe think about triggering the alarm and then hiding inside the building, repeating this a couple times could change the response effectiveness of the building security. For any security measures you might face on a building you have to get creative to circumvent it. Good luck.

To add on to Plight's post, not all alarms are local. I'm currently working as a night shift security guard for context.

While I don't know about the rooftop doors specifically, there are several secured areas in the building that I work in that are secured via silent alarm- when tripped it sends a text to a cell phone I'm issued instead of setting off an alarm and I go investigate. If there's no signs of forced entry or anyone hanging around who shouldn't be, then I write it off as a maintenance worker or a bug and make a note of it on my nightly report. If I'm working a site with camera access then I go back and review the footage to see who triggered it.

Depending on your state security guards may or may not have the power to detain you, but if they see anything suspicious they absolutely will call for backup to investigate further, which may escalate into a police call.

My point is that if the door is fitted with a silent alarm you are on a time limit from the moment it's tripped, because somebody is coming. I personally wouldn't mess with anything that has an electronic lock or alarm on it. Of course, I work at a major tech company so they can afford the pricier electronic security setups which may be less common than a padlocked hatch, but still.

Yeah silent alarms are common. Know how to recognise the contact sensors on / in the frame. If you see one and it doesn't make noise, assume someone remote was notified. Look for alternative POEs, or come back at night when they're cleaning windows during the day and you'll often find the doors propped and alarms ignored.

Posted by plight Hey Sebk, There are several threads for rooftopping and infiltrations already out there, take a look at the Rookie Forum section in particular. There are also a few threads on alarms specifically. Unless you want to tamper with the alarm my only suggestion would be to hope no one comes to check on the alarm. I've only encountered roof doors with alarms that are local, meaning they make a loud noise until a key is turned or the door is closed. Security won't come unless they hear the alarm or someone reports it to them. You can get creative and post an official notice on the floors below the roof door that says alarm testing 5pm-7pm sorry for the inconvenience and hope no one is suspicious. Maybe think about triggering the alarm and then hiding inside the building, repeating this a couple times could change the response effectiveness of the building security. For any security measures you might face on a building you have to get creative to circumvent it. Good luck.

Ive already had a look at what had already been posted. The printed notice is a good idea.

Posted by VAD Yeah silent alarms are common. Know how to recognise the contact sensors on / in the frame. If you see one and it doesn't make noise, assume someone remote was notified. Look for alternative POEs, or come back at night when they're cleaning windows during the day and you'll often find the doors propped and alarms ignored.

I’ve been able to notice those contact sensors in abandoned buildings, however I haven’t noticed any in the buildings I go roofing at. Would it be possible for those sensors to be completely hidden in the door and frame with out any of the wires showing? Occasionally I’ll notice wires running out of the door frame and just assume it’s a sensor, but I’d think you could in theory hide those wires.

Posted by Sebk I’ve been able to notice those contact sensors in abandoned buildings, however I haven’t noticed any in the buildings I go roofing at. Would it be possible for those sensors to be completely hidden in the door and frame with out any of the wires showing? Occasionally I’ll notice wires running out of the door frame and just assume it’s a sensor, but I’d think you could in theory hide those wires.

To learn more about doors in commercial settings I would recommend you check out a security researcher by the name of Deviant Ollam. Heres a list of his talks: https://deviating....icking/videos.html

Door alarms and sensors are going to vary building to building and city to city. A quick google search shows this: https://youtu.be/4sfzCdJKSiw There are most definitely sensors that are designed for you to not see them but you should ask yourself: does this building really need that kind of security? I most likely haven't been to your city but in San Francisco not a lot of buildings need that kind of stealth and vigilant security, and when they do you can see it before entering the building. If you can walk through the front lobby no problem chances are low there is going to be a 'invisible' contact sensor.