Security
24-Hour Audible Alarm
- In audio, the range of frequencies a device operates within. In video, the range of frequencies passed from the input to the output.
24-Hour Silent Alarm
- Sends a report to a UL listed central monitoring station, but provides no keypad display or audible alarm sounding at the location.
24-Hour Zone
- A zone that is permanently active twenty-four (24) hours a day (such as a fire zone).
Access Control
- A type of security system that restricts access to authorized users at certain times. Different access levels can be granted to different personnel.
Alarm Communication
- The method in which a security system communicates with a central monitoring station.
Alarm Device
- Security system peripheral that can detect some type of alarm event and send an alarm signal back to the security system control panel.
Alarm Event
- An event triggered by an alarm device that alerts the control panel that some type of emergency has occurred.
Alarm Transmitter
- An electronic device that wirelessly transmits an alarm signal from an alarm device to a burglar alarm control panel.
Auxiliary Panic Keys
- Programmed to activate different types of distress signals (Burglar, Fire, Holdup/Panic, Medical). They always work, regardless of whether or not the main security system is armed.
Burglar Alarm System
- An electronic system consisting of alarm devices that are connected to a control panel via either a low-voltage hardwire or narrowband RF wireless signal. A burglar alarm system becomes a monitored security system when connected to a central monitoring station.
Bypass
- To remove a zone from service by causing the security system to ignore a zone. Automatically removed when the security system is disarmed.
Call Verification
- A type of alarm verification in which a central station operator places one or more phone calls in an attempt to verify that a real alarm has occurred and not a false alarm.
Central Monitoring Station
- A secure location where alarm signals are monitored by live central station operators 24/7. Central monitoring stations use special telephone lines, computers, receivers and trained staff to monitor their customer's security systems.
- Some central monitoring stations are certified by independent agencies. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a leader in inspection and certification of central stations.
Control Panel
- The central computer or “brains” of a security system. Every sensor on the security system reports back to the control panel with supervisory signals and alarm signals.
Detector
- Any alarm device that can be connected to a security system to provide notificationof an alarm event to the control panel.
Digital Cellular Communicator
- A digital electronic device that provides a cellular connection between a security system and a central monitoring station. These communicators have built-in SIM cards and utilize existing wireless networks.
Door/Window Contact
- Consists of an alarm transmitter and a magnet. The transmitter should be installed on the door or window frame while the magnet should be installed on the door or window.
Dual Path (Cell/IP) Monitoring
- A type of alarm monitoring that uses two redundant paths to send alarm signals to a central monitoring station. This type of alarm monitoring is the most reliable path available.
Dual Technology (DTEC)
- A single alarm device that detects alarms using two different types of technology. Most commonly refers to a motion detector that utilizes passive infra-red (PIR) and microwave detection.
Duress Code
- A four digit code chosen by the user and used to alert central station operators that an authorized person is under duress without alerting the intruder that emergency help has been requested.
Entry/Exit Delay
- A built-in delay on any entry/exit zone of a security system. This delay gives you time to enter/exit your home or business after disarming/arming your security system.
Entry/Exit Zone
- An alarm zone that protects the area(s) most frequently used to enter your property.
False Alarm
- A phony report of an emergency causing unnecessary panic and response. False alarms waste public resources as emergency responders spend time and money responding to an incident that is not a real emergency.
Flood Detector
- A security system device consisting of an alarm transmitter and a probe that detects the presence of water. Flood detectors are typically installed in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and anywhere else where there’s potential for water damage.
Force Arm
- To activate the intrusion detection system in spite of the presence of faulted zones. If a faulted zone is secured during the armed period, that zone is automatically armed by the security system.
Freeze Sensor
- A security system device that sends an alarm when a preset low temperature is reached. Different from temperature sensors, freeze sensors are only able to detect abnormally low temperatures.
Glass Break Detector
- A security system device that detects the frequency of broken glass. A glassbreak detector has a highly sensitive microphone that can distinguish between different sound frequencies and recognize the exact frequency of broken glass, which if detected causes an alarm.
Hardwired Security System
- A security system that has alarm devices connected to a control panel by low-voltage wires.
Heat Detector
- A burglar alarm or fire alarm device that detects a preset high temperature or a rapid rate-of-rise (ROR) in temperature. Heat detectors can be either electrical or mechanical in operation.
Holdup Switch
- A type of panic button that usually does not set off an audible alarm. When the holdup switch is activated it sends a panic alarm to the central monitoring station which is handled as an automatic/priority dispatch.
Home Security
- Securing a home from burglaries, fires, or environmental hazards using security systems, alarm monitoring, video monitoring, and/or video surveillance.
Infrared
- A type of alarm device detection most often found in motion detectors. Infrared detectors distinguish changes in electromagnetic radiation as opposed to normal light changes.
Keyfob
- A keychain remote used to arm and disarm a security system with the touch of a button. Keyfob buttons can usually be programmed for many different functions such as system armings and disarmings, panic alarms.
Keypad
- Used for operating a fire or burglar alarm system.
Life Safety
- Any type of security system or security system monitoring that is meant to protect one’s life instead of property. Fire alarms, panic buttons, or medical alert systems are all examples of life safety systems.
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
- A semiconductor diode that emits light when an electric current is applied in the forward direction of the device. This effect is a form of electroluminescence.
LED Keypad
- Remote arming station with light-emitting diode display. Allows limited access to security system functions.
Monitored Smoke Detectors
- While a local smoke detector will only sound a local siren, a monitored smoke detector sounds a local siren and also sends an alarm signal to a central monitoring station so that the fire department is made aware of the fire.
Medical Alarm System
- A life safety system consisting of an electronic device worn on a bracelet or necklace and a control panel that can auto dial telephone numbers or dial a central monitoring station when the device is activated by the user.
Monitored Security System
- The basic idea of alarm monitoring is to inform a key holder and local police, fire, or medical response that the security system has been activated. While a local security system is meant to be a deterrent, a monitored security system is meant to catch the criminal in the act and protect anyone that may be home during a robbery.
Opening/Closing Reports
- A security system that is programmed for openings and closings will send a signal to a central monitoring station every time the system is armed or disarmed. The central monitoring station can then print out a report of these openings and closings so that the user can monitor the use of his or her security system.
Optical Detection (Photoelectric)
- A type of smoke detection that is better at detecting smoky or smoldering fires as it detects changes in light.
Panic Alarm
- A type of alarm that is handled by a central monitoring station with an immediate priority dispatch. No call verification is needed when a panic alarm is received by a central station operator.
Partition
- Segmented section of a security system. A user can setup partitions, so that one area of the alarmed location can be armed, while the other areas stay unarmed. For instance, an inventory room can be partitioned from the rest of the store so that while people are working, the main areas are unarmed and the inventory room stays armed.
Perimeter Protection
- A type of security in which most or all doors and windows are protected with a door or window contact.
Pet Immunity
- The ability of a motion detector to ignore animals of a certain size to reduce false alarms.
Phone Line Monitoring
- A type of alarm communication path that utilizes a POTS line to transmit alarm signals from the control panel to the central monitoring station. A standard phone line is required for this type of alarm communication.nsmit alarm
- Phone line monitoring is susceptible to "line cut" tampering because all phone lines are exposed on the outside of your house.
Preventative Maintenance
- The act of regularly inspecting a security system and its alarm devices to verify that all devices are working properly. Preventative maintenance ensures your security system will work when you need it most.
Silent Alarm
- An alarm that makes no audible noise. The control panel notifies central station operators of an alarm without setting off the security system sirens. Silent alarms are used when apprehension of an intruder is the main goal of the security system. Panic buttons are often programmed as silent alarms.
Smoke Detector
- A device that detects smoke and issues an alarm to alert nearby people that there is a potential fire. .
Stay Mode
- An arming sequence of a security system that bypasses all interior motion detectors. It is meant to be used when a client arms their system at night, so that the occupants can still roam freely throughout the alarmed premises.
Trouble Day/Alarm Night
- A type of zone usually assigned to a zone that contains foil-protected doors or windows or covers a sensitive area (e.g. stock room, drug supply room, etc.).
Zone
- Each device on a wireless security system is its own zone. On hardwired security systems you may have many similar devices on one zone.
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