Alarm Monitoring Services: How They Work
An ear-piercing siren and flashing strobe lights create an immediate sense of emergency and indicate an alarm of some sort has been triggered. Now that the alarm has been triggered and the warning sirens have sounded, what happens next?
If you have a monitored security system, it won’t just be the neighbors or passerby alerted to the commotion, but also highly trained technicians in a central monitoring facility. Through special telephone or mobile lines, radio channels or computer software, alarm signals are received by the central monitoring station and, depending on the type of signal received and the municipality in which your building is located, the staff take the appropriate next steps.
In some cases, the reaction may be immediate notification of police other emergency response personnel such as firefighters if a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is going off, or paramedics if it’s a medical alert pendant signaling. In some cases, the central monitoring company may first try to contact the home or business owner to ensure a false alarm hasn’t been triggered.
Not all central monitoring facilities provide the same type or quality of service. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is the largest and most well-known independent, not-for-profit testing laboratory in the world. For nearly a century, UL’s Alarm Certificate Services Program has been the leader in the security industry’s safety standard, setting and verifying minimum requirements for alarm service.
Always make sure the central monitoring station providing your service is on the UL Certified List. You have peace of mind knowing your security system must be installed, maintained, tested, and monitored in accordance with the most up-to-date applicable codes and standards.
If the central monitoring service needs to contact you prior to dispatching authorities, there will generally be at least two phone numbers they will try to reach you on. If they don’t reach you on either of these two numbers, emergency personnel will be called. If they do reach you, there is usually a password you must convey. If you are incapable of answering for any reason and cannot relay the password, authorities will be dispatched.
Monitoring isn’t required for your security system, but it’s highly recommended. The noise and commotion caused by the sirens and lights might scare off a thief in the night, but that’s not the only protection a security system provides. What if there is a fire or carbon monoxide leak? What if the occupants of the home or business are incapacitated? Making sure emergency personnel arrive on the scene as quickly as possible is paramount. Monitoring adds an important extra layer of security to your investment.
At FSS Technologies, we can monitor alarm systems of nearly any make or model, including 2GIG, ADT, Protection 1, Stanley, DMP, DSC, Ademco, Napco, Honeywell, G.E., FBII, Safewatch and many more.
If you would like to learn more about monitoring with our team of experts, contact our pros!
Explore Our Other Blogs
How Do Fire Alarm Control Panels Work
A fire alarm control panel is the brain of any commercial fire system. It constantly monitors connected devices, processes signals, and activates alarms when necessary. Understanding how a control panel works can help business owners, facility managers, and safety professionals recognize just how vital this piece of equipment is in protecting people and property. What…
What is the Difference Between Analog and IP Cameras in a CCTV System?
When you are considering different security systems and potentially implementing surveillance cameras into your home or business, a big question is whether you want IP or analog cameras. Global Market Insights estimates that the IP camera market will be worth more than 20 billion by 2025. With today’s technology both IP and analog systems can be viewed…
Ring Doorbell Cons
Video doorbells are a great addition to home security, and Ring is the popular choice for many who prefer wireless security. Although there are some pros to the Ring Doorbell, it has some cons you should be aware of before purchasing from Ring. Monthly Fee for Storage The cheapest Ring doorbell is $59.99, with the…
The Ins and Outs of Your Business’s Fire Alarm Installation
A fire alarm system is part of the business security system that keeps your business, property, and employees safe. A fire can become life-threatening in two minutes and can engulf a building within five minutes. Your business could go up in flames in a matter of moments without the proper equipment and detection systems in place to protect everything…
Addressable vs. Conventional Fire Alarms
When determining what type of fire alarm systems are best for your business, it boils down to your choice between a conventional and addressable alarm system. The combination of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors work together with your control panel to keep your business safe. Additionally, you will need to determine what kind of automatic…
Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry
Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…
Spring Cleaning Your Security System
The unofficial countdown to summer begins for many of us each year as we “spring forward” into daylight saving time, moving the clock forward one hour to give us an extra hour of sunlight at the end of every day. Since this is the time of the year when we change our clocks, it is important…
What is a Smart Home and How Can Home Automation Solutions Help You?
Home automation solutions are no longer the ideas of science fiction. These intelligent home systems can save you hundreds of dollars through energy conservation, and they can provide state-of-the-art security to protect your home and the loved ones inside of it. What is A Smart Home? A smart home is equipped with lighting, heating, and…
Motion Detector Installation Basics
Motion detection devices are a crucial component of any security system, commercial or residential. They allow owners to cover a relatively large amount of space with a small number of devices. Motion detectors also are known to detect activity that window sensors might miss. When it comes time to install motion detection devices, remember these…
How to Make Your Business’s Fire and Security Systems ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to stop discrimination against and to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. It serves as an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities, defined as “physical or mental impairment that substantively limits one or more major life activities.” For businesses, the ADA means that the services…