The Heart of the System

The heart of your basic alarm system is the control panel. This resides in a locked metal cabinet generally located in the utility room. The panel connects all of the devices to the main user interface points such as a keypad or wireless key. It also communicates alarm events to the central monitoring station.

First Line of Defense: Door/Window Contacts

Monitors the perimeter of the building

• Can be used to annunciate a chime when someone enters

• Available wireless options

Second Line of Defense: Motion Detectors

Standard and pet-immune options

• Dual-detection technology for reduction of false alarms

• Glass break detectors are also available to detect the sound of broken glass

Third Line of Defense: Smoke Detectors

Detects both smoke and heat

• Alerts the central monitoring station about the nature of the alarm

• Allows for quick fire dispatch and can protect possessions and pets when the family is not home

Comfort and Convenience

Add-on modules can turn any touchtone telephone into a fully functional keypad

• Control lighting and thermostat from the keypad or the phone

• Set lighting schedules throughout the premises

Additional Sensors

Alert the system in the event of a power shutdown

• Low temperature indicator

• Water flow or flood condition

• Carbon monoxide detection

Alarm Communication

In addition to standard phone-line alarm communication to the central monitoring station, there are several alternative primary and back-up options. What is installed depends on the level of security required and on the application (commercial versus residential)

Wireless

• wireless transceivers send alarm communication when no land line is present

• Protect against accidental line cuts cause by storms, construction or deliberate tampering
  
  Internet

• Internet alarm communication eliminates costly phone lines

• Improves security with a fully supervised line (the central monitoring station knows almost instantly in the event of a line cut)

• Security managers can program their systems remotely

Audio and Visual Verification

Add on modules that reduce the risk of false dispatch

• Enable the central monitoring station to talk and/or see the occupants to determine the cause of the alarm
  
  Visual additionally provides:

• Enables video guard tours

• Able to send emails to the system owners or allow them to look-in remotely

• Central monitoring station can only look in when permission is granted.