Your Security Source - Glossary of Terms

"Yes, but what does it all mean?"
- Gene Wilder (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein)
in Young Frankenstein

AA LISTING:
Refers to the method of signal transmission utilized by an ALARM SYSTEM to communicate an emergency signal to a CENTRAL STATION.

ALARM SYSTEM:
Consists of a CONTROL PANEL, INPUT DEVICES, OUTPUT DEVICES, and their associated WIRING to comprise a means of notifying the occupants of a building (or communicating to a CENTRAL STATION) of an INTRUSION, FIRE, FLOOD, etc.

ARM:
Is the action of activating an ALARM SYSTEM (usually by means of entering a USER CODE at the KEYPAD) so that a FAULT on a ZONE will activate an OUTPUT DEVICE.

BATTERY:
A rechargeable source of standby power for the ALARM SYSTEM in the event of a power failure. The BATTERY is sized to take into consideration the number of INPUT DEVICES associated with the ALARM SYSTEM and the average length of time it normally takes to restore the MAINS.

BYPASS:
When an INPUT DEVICE (such as a motion sensor) is electronically neutralized so that a FAULT on that sensor does not trigger an OUTPUT DEVICE. In the case of a MOTION SENSOR, this allows the occupants to freely move about while the ALARM SYSTEM is ARMED.

CANASA:
Short for CANADIAN ALARM and SECURITY ASSOCIATION. This is an assocation of alarm companies in Canada that advocates for the industry in matters concerning local law enforcement response, certification, standards, etc. For more information, click here.

CELLULAR TRANSMITTER (or LINE CUT ALARM):
An OUTPUT DEVICE triggered by the ALARM SYSTEM when its ARMED or it detects the sudden loss of the protected premises telephone line. It signals either of these events to the CENTRAL STATION so that an appropriate response can be instituted.

CENTRAL STATION:
A facility that provide monitoring services for signals generated by their customers ALARM SYSTEMS. Some CENTRAL STATIONS are listed by independent testing or certification facilities like UL, ULC, FM, NACOSS.

CONTROL PANEL:
Is the means by which INPUT DEVICES communicate a fault to the building occupants (or a CENTRAL STATION) through the activation of a programmed response that may or may not include specific OUTPUT DEVICES. The CONTROL PANEL usually consists of a circuit board (also refered to as the MOTHERBOARD or COMMON CONTROL), and is usually housed in a metal box sized to accomadate both it and a standby source of power (the BATTERY). INPUT DEVICES, ZONE EXPANDERS, KEYPADS, and OUTPUT DEVICES are connected to the main circuit board.

DELAY ZONE:
A circuit triggered by an INPUT DEVICE that allows the building occupants a set period of time in which to DISARM the ALARM SYSTEM. The time period is adjustable through system PROGRAMMING and usually takes into account how far the KEYPAD is from the main entry door. It is desirable to have the ENTRY DELAY set as low as possible.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATOR:
This is an OUTPUT DEVICE utlized by the ALARM SYSTEM to communicate an emergency signal to a CENTRAL STATION or a pocket pager. It uses the premises normal telephone line to transmit the signal and is the most cost effective means of doing so. Some DIGITAL COMMUNICATORS employ TLM (TELEPHONE LINE MONITORING) to supervise for the sudden absence of the subscribers phone line which results in the activation of additional OUTPUT DEVICES to warn the bulding occupants or the CENTRAL STATION.

DIRECT LINE:
Also known as Dedicated Line and Direct Wire. This is a specially installed telephone line that links the premises ALARM SYSTEM directly to the CENTRAL STATION. The line is supervised to prevent tampering. Any interruption is immediately signalled to the CENTRAL STATION and appropriate action is taken depending on the level of response required. Banks and financial institutions, ATM machines, some jewelry and gun shops require this level of security.

DISARM:
The act of turning off or deactivating an ALARM SYSTEM.

DOWNLOAD or DOWNLOADING:
Most modern alarm panels (both burglary and fire) are equipped with the ability to be programmed by a remote computer (or local laptop) that has the applicable software installed. This allows the alarm company to make changes affecting the operation of the control without actually dispatching a service tech to the premises. It also helps to speed the setup of the system and often incorporates some form "error checking".

DUALTEC:
Refers to a number of INPUT DEVICES that employ two seperate methods of detecting an alarm or fault condition and thereby eliminate or severely reduce the chance of a FALSE ALARM.

DVACS:
A means by which a number of ALARM SYSTEMS can communicate with a CENTRAL STATION over a network type of connection. Similar to DIRECT WIRE. It utilizes transponders connected to the CONTROL PANEL that are continuously interrogated by special receivers in the CENTRAL STATION.

FALSE ALARM:
When the ALARM SYSTEM is triggered without an obvious cause (intruder, fire, etc.). Equipment malfunction (due to environmental factors or outright failure), or user error are the common causes of FALSE ALARMS.

FM: Factory Mutual. This is a US based certification agency. For more information, click here.

GLASS BREAKAGE DETECTOR:
This is an INPUT DEVICE which is triggered by either the sound of breaking glass or the sudden impact of something against a pane of glass. WINDOW BUGS, FOIL, AUDIO GLASS BREAK SENSORS all fall into this "family" of INPUT DEVICES.

HEAT (or RATE OF RISE) DETECTOR:
This is an INPUT DEVICE specifically designed to detect a rapid rise of temperature in a protected area. It is also triggered when a specific temperature is reached. HEAT DETECTORS come in three main fixed temperature settings: 135, 180 and 200 degrees Farenheit. HEAT DETECTORS are also known as fire detectors.

HOLD-UP BUTTON (also known as a PANIC BUTTON):
This is an INPUT DEVICE that is manually activated by an occupant in a protected premise to signal an emergency to the CENTRAL STATION.

INPUT DEVICE:
Any of a family of devices designed to detect unauthorized access, fire, flood, motion or any condition requiring notification or response by a building's occupants or a CENTRAL STATION. INPUT DEVICES can be MAGNETIC DOOR CONTACTS, GLASS BREAKAGE DETECTORS, MOTION SENSORS, PHOTOELECTRIC BEAMS, SMOKE DETECTORS, WATER DETECTORS, LOW TEMPERATURE DETECTORS, etc.

KEYPAD:
A device that controls the functions of an ALARM SYSTEM and can act as both an INPUT DEVICE and an OUTPUT DEVICE. The entry of a numeric code sequence will determine the response of the ALARM SYSTEM. It usually consists of a numeric keypad modelled after the standard telephone touchpad.

KEY SERVICE:
Usually refers to an additional service provided by the ALARM COMPANY whereby keys are provided to the protected premise to allow access by security personel in the event of an alarm event.

LOCAL ALARM SYSTEM:
This is an ALARM SYSTEM that is not connected to a CENTRAL STATION, but is designed to activate a local OUTPUT DEVICE like a siren or bell.

MAGNETIC DOOR CONTACTS:
This is an INPUT DEVICE that is normally used to detect the opening of a protected door or window. On sliding doors or windows, another contact can be installed that will allow an opening for fresh air circulation that is too small for an intruder to fit through (usually four to six inches).

MONITORED ALARM SYSTEM:
An ALARM SYSTEM that has been programmed to transmit signals to a CENTRAL STATION.

MOTION SENSORS:
This refers to a family of INPUT DEVICES designed to detect movement within a specific field of view or detection pattern. Most MOTION SENSORS use one of two detection technolgies: passive infrared, and microwave. Some sensors have been specifically designed to allow movement of pets (small animals) without triggering an alarm. These are commonly refered to as PET RESISTANT or PET IMMUNE. There are still some older motion detectors in service that use ultrasonic technology to sense movement within their range, but their use has been largely discontinued.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Are specific signals transmitted by an ALARM SYSTEM that indicate whether it has been ARMED or DISARMED. Some CONTROL PANELS are capable of storing multiple user codes (normally input through the KEYPAD). A CENTRAL STATION can usually determine who ARMED or DISARMED the system.

OUTPUT DEVICE:
This refers to a family of devices used to alert building occupants or an outside agency of a fault, alarm, or trouble condition. These can include BELLS, SIRENS, KEYPADS, COMMUNICATORS, STROBE LIGHTS, BUZZERS, and PAGERS.

PHOTOELECTRIC BEAMS (or BEAM DETECTORS):
This is an INPUT DEVICE that comprises an emitter and a receiver both of which must be in sight of one another. The detector uses a narrow beam of infrared light that when broken will result in a fault or alarm.

PIR:
See MOTION SENSORS.

SIREN:
This is an OUTPUT DEVICE installed at the protected premises to audibly signal an alarm to the building's occupants.

SMOKE DETECTOR:
This is an INPUT DEVICE used to sense the presence of smoke and products of combustion. There are two different types of sensing technolgy utilized: photoelectric and ionization. Your installer will determine which is best suited to your application.

STROBE LIGHT:
An OUTPUT DEVICE that employs an intense pulse of visible light to alert the building's occupants to an alarm, trouble or fault condition.

SUPERVISED:
A term which refers to an alarm circuit that when cut or tampered with will initiate a fault or trouble signal to alert the builidng occupants.

TOUCHPAD:
See KEYPAD.

UL/ULC:
Underwriters Laboratories. An independent certification agency. The Canadian agency has close links to it's US counterpart, but maintains seperate standards.

WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS:
This is an ALARM SYSTEM that uses INPUT DEVICES that utilize radio energy on a special frequency to transmit fault, alarm and trouble conditions to the CONTROL PANEL.

ZONE:
An alarm circuit that when faulted will trigger a programmed response in the CONTROL PANEL.

Your Security Source - Glossary of Terms

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