Please note: Some on line stores allow end users and purchasers of their products to access installer level programming on alarm systems monitored through their auspices. This is a practice that I do not condone or recommend for anyone (including alarm companies) to follow. Some "do-it-yoursefers" may disagree with me (and see nothing at all threatening in the practice). This FAQ wasn't written with the intention of swaying their opinion or even influencing those that do advocate "free and open" access to think otherwise. I do hope that it gives both you and them "pause for thought" though.

A very detailed list of monitoring stations in the United States can be viewed at the SDM Magazine web site.

 

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What is monitoring?

When your ALARM SYSTEM signals emergencies (and sometimes supervisory troubles) to an outside party or company so that an agreed upon response can be initiated (whether that means calling the premise, a pager or cell phone, local Police, Fire, or Paramedical services). There are three types services that are commonly provided by a monitoirng company. They include:

EMERGENCY MONITORING: The "basic" package allows for monitoring personnel to respond to a variety of alarm conditions that your panel is capable of transmitting. These can range from intrusions, to fire, to flooding, to detection of carbon monoxide. The list is almost endless. Your alarm provider should be able to offer all of these services. A word of caution however: Some providers charge extra for each and every monitored signal they receive over and above a basic "package". Check with your provider.

RUNNER RESPONSE: The perfect compliment to the basic Emergency Monitoring package, and the best way of addressing the high cost of false alarms. In some city jurisdictions, police response to premises that do not have physical signs of break-in is considered a "false alarm", and often carries with it a City Bylaw "ticket" or a hefty fine. A "runner" is a trained security guard that is dispatched to the premises in alarm, and will perform what's called a "perimeter check". This entails a thorough physical inspection of the perimeter of the premises. If anything unusual is noted, the guard will contact the local Police, and the monitoring station who will in turn start calling the keyholders/owners of the building.

GUARD RESPONSE: A step above "runner" service, most responding guards have access to the premises, a code to the security system to disarm it, and the means by which a more thorough check of the premises can be accomplised. As they are physically on site, they would be able to remain behind in the event a window has been broken, contact the owners/keyholders, make appropriate arrangements to temporarily repair or shore up any damage, clear the premises, and re-arm the alarm system. In many States in the US, guards often carry side-arms. In Canada they just carry big flashlights...

How secure is the communications between my alarm system and the central station?

That depends on the equipment you've purchased or are leasing. There are four primary means of delivering the emergency signal to the CS. Note: These are very basic explanations. For a more detailed one, you can always ask your alarm company or monitoring station (or email me).

1. Digital communicator - the most popular and cost effect method uses your normal premise telephone line and dials a special number that's monitored by a receiver located in the monitoring center. There is no way for the receiver to verify the status of your alarm system at any particular time (digital communicators are subject to line tampering or service interruption). Digital communicators rely on test and other status messages (openings and closings) to ensure a viable communications link is maintained. If (for instance) your alarm system transmits a scheduled "daily test", and the monitoring center's computers "miss" the signal, an error report is generated and the premise or the installer is informed. It could be hours before this report is generated though and the situation is made worse by the fact that some alarm companies use third party monitoring agencies that may not even be in the same State/Province. When "800" service is used to communicate the signal, the test cycle can extended to thirty (30) days or more.

2. Direct line (or direct wire) - a relatively outdated but still effective method of providing a secure communication channel directly between the premise and the central station. Your telephone provider would terminate a wire that's linked directly to a special dedicated panel in the monitoring center. You can't talk over the line, but because it's linked directly to the on premise alarm system, anyone attempting to tamper with it would cause an alarm or a supervisory trouble to be generated.

3. DVACs - Similar to DIRECT WIRE. This technology makes use of transponders to communicate line status and alarms/troubles from multiple sites to the central station. Think of it as a "networked alarm connection". Loss of signal from one transponder won't affect the others that share the common "hub" (the telephone company's main or ancillary switching centers). ADT™ pioneered the use of this technology.

4. Wireless - can use a number of technologies to communicate alarm signals to the monitoring center. Some radio based systems use a dedicated receiver located in the central station and special transmitters connected to the premise alarm systems. Repeaters installed in various locations around your community extend the range of the service. Celemetry transmitters utilizes the special control channel that the cellular phone network uses to dial and encode transmitter ID's (MIN numbers). This is "hybrid" technology as the cell transmitters connected to the alarm system are routed to a special receiver which reroutes the alarm signal through standard phone lines to a digital receiver (see #1). There are also straight cellular communicators (special cellular phones that can dial the receiver directly).

How much is monitoring?

Price varies a great deal. Some alarm companies in the US charge as little as $5.95 (US) per month. Some Canadian alarm companies are as low as $7.95 (CDN) per month. I've seen some companies in Vancouver charge as much as $140.00 per quarter for monitoring a fire alarm panel with a digital communicator! The average price is anywhere between $10.00 and $20.00 per month (in either US or CDN dollars). This is definitely something that deserves careful consideration (and further scrutiny)!

What is a UL or ULC (in Canada) listed monitoring station (sometimes referred to as a "certified" station)?

A monitoring center that has met (complies with) a set of listed standards. There are several types of certificates issued usually determined by the station owner's anticipated client base. Any "listed" or "certified" monitoring center will be able to provide you with the details of their certificates and explain what each one means. Your alarm company should also be able to provide this information as most who choose to utilize THIRD PARTY MONITORING pick a station that will meet the needs of their target market.

How important is certification?

It demonstrates that the monitoring center meets a specified standard (or group of standards). There are several certifying bodies: FM, UL (UUFX), ULC, IQ, ARC (NSI). An actual central station certificate can be viewed here. Your monitoring station should be able to provide you with the details of any certificates they hold (and their renewal dates). Your insurer may require a letter from your alarm company verifying compliance to one or more recognized standards to qualify for a premium reduction or discount.

What is "third party monitoring"?

This is when an alarm company uses the resources of an (often independent) unaffiliated monitoring agency to provide the needed service to their customers. This is a very popular method of delivering competitive and affordable professional response to signals generated by the alarm systems they've installed and service.

How many third party monitoring companies are actually "out there"?

Lots. In the US, you can view a fairly comprehensive list (including any applicable certification) here! In Great Britain, you can view ARC approved monitoring companies here!

What should I be asking my alarm company (or on line Dealer) about the monitoring/maintenance service they provide?

Who do they use?
What certification does the central station have? Is it currently in force?
If they're reticent about providing you with this information, you should consider using another alarm company (or on line Dealer). Insist upon viewing their certificate(s) (not a difficult task if the central station has a web site).

How long is the contract term?
What is the penalty for canceling the service before the end of the term?

What payment options do they have? Is there a discount for paying annually?

Does the monitoring company deal only with professional installation and service companies?
Do they offer monitoring service to "do-it-yourselfers" or alarm owners direct (perhaps even in competition with their Dealers) and if so, do they allow anyone with an alarm system to program it's communication parameters?
It's important to find out what safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized access to either the station's physical premise, their client database, or the signal receiving and processing equipment. Some of the smaller central station companies and on line stores allow end users to program their own panels for communication. This is an extremely dangerous practice and one I strongly advocate against. I've always maintained that the central "pillars" of any security system should be your own SECURITY and SAFETY!