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Count on CMC for ultra-reliable security dispatching and related services, whether you're securing a new facility or converting existing locations.
We offer extensive services tailored to your industry which include:
- 24-hour help desk
- Customized procedures to meet your needs
- Fast emergency police and fire dispatch
- Supervised store openings and closings
- Fire alarm test reporting
- Key holder changes
- Event logging
- Custom-designed user manuals
Central Station Facility Operations
Emergency response personnel must be available and "on-site" 24 hours, every day.
- Records tracking standards on equipment maintenance and staffing must be kept.
- Back-up communication methods to public service authorities must be in place.
- UL mandates the number of operators on duty per shift. Non-UL stations have no requirements. Most have only one operator, especially in the late evening/early morning.
Central Station Equipment Standards
- Alarm receiving equipment must have a redundancy (back-up) in case of equipment failure with 30-second switch over to insure no "down time".
- A generator must be in place that automatically takes over powering of all central station equipment in case of AC power failure.
- Central Station must have uninterruptible power supply that insures constant filtered power to equipment and in effect is a fail safe of at least 4 hours back up to generator.
Choosing a Monitoring Center
If you choose a monitored system, learn who is going to monitor it. It may not be the company that sells you the basic alarm-and-security system. Many companies subcontract with a monitoring firm to handle calls, and that firm may not even be in your state. You'll know that your monitoring company is secure if it has an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating. Security Services operates its own local UL Listed 24-hour Central Station monitoring center.
If an alarm situation occurs, what happens next?
- When an alarm signal occurs, it is because a specific device or sensor has been interrupted or tripped.
- When that happens, the device is designed to communicate with the alarm control panel in your home or business.
- Once the control panel receives the signal, your system is designed to seize your telephone line (your phone appears “dead” until the communication is complete, approximately 45 seconds) and send a signal over that telephone line to Central Station Monitoring Center.
- This signal will then be received and displayed via computer to one of Central Station Operators, who will follow a procedure specific to the type of alarm signal received.
- What happens next may include the Operator calling your home or business to determine if the alarm was accidentally activated, or to determine the type of assistance that you need. Calling to confirm helps Security prevent unnecessary trips by the authorities and avoid false alarm fines or penalties to you from your local agencies.
- Depending on the signal Central Station Operators may also notify the proper authorities and the individuals on your emergency contact list so that they can respond to the emergency or get in touch with you.
- Security's UL Listed Central Station Monitoring Center is local, owned, operated and staffed by personnel.
How Signals Are (Typically*) Handled By Central Station
Burglary Signal
This type of signal is always verified. An operator will first telephone the premises. If there is no answer after three rings, the authorities will be dispatched and emergency contacts / key holders will be notified. If the line is busy, authorities will be dispatched. Customers who are at the site and know that the alarm is “false” should try to answer the phone promptly and give the operator their Password.
Fire Alarm
This type of signal is typically verified. An operator will first telephone the premises. If there is no answer after three rings, the authorities will be dispatched and emergency contacts / key holders will be notified. If the line is busy, authorities will be dispatched. Customers who are at the site and know that the alarm is “false” should try to answer the phone promptly and give the operator their Password.
Commercial Fire / Fire Sprinkler
There is no verification for this type of signal. The fire department is dispatched first, then a telephone call to the premises is made to alert the customer that the fire department is on its way. If there is no answer, emergency contacts / key holders are called to meet the fire department. If a false alarm has been sounded, please call the central station quickly. Although the fire department's visit cannot be cancelled, it is important that it be informed.
Residential Panic / Duress Signal
There is no verification for these signals. Authorities are sent immediately. If a false alarm has been sounded, call the central station immediately. It cannot be cancelled if the police have been notified.
Commercial Ambush / Holdup Signal
There is no verification for these signals. Authorities are sent immediately. If a false alarm has been sounded, call the central station immediately. It cannot be cancelled if the police have been notified.
Emergency Alert Signal
An operator will telephone the premises first to verify, and follow your special instructions as necessary.
Environmental / Supervisory Signal
This type of signal indicates problems associated with building temperature, gas, flood, sump pump, low battery, power failures or in Commercial fire alarm systems low water pressure or . An operator will telephone the premises first. If there is no answer, the operator will call emergency contacts / key holders.
Late-To-Test Signal
This is an internal signal generated by Central Station computers when your alarm system misses or fails to communicate its assigned “Check-In” signal. This type of signal may indicate a problem associated with your alarm panel or telephone connection. An operator will first telephone the premises to have you test your system and attempt to determine the problem. If there is no answer the operator will call emergency contacts / key holders and Service & Repair will be notified.
* Security can customize the procedures for every signal sent from your premises to match your exact requirements. Please contact your Customer Service Representative for more information on customization of dispatch procedures. |