Faqs

Yes, but with certain restrictions! Animals and motion sensors and/or under carpet mats do not mix.

That type of functionality – “Opening” and “Closing” notification – needs to be specifically programmed by your security specialist at the control panel for the alarm system to operate in this manner. If this feature can be enabled, the Securall Monitoring Corporation will then be alerted every time your alarm system is turned “on” or “off.” This feature is often enabled for commercial properties.

No! Generally, the Securall Monitoring Corporation has no control over your alarm system. It can be “armed” and “disarmed” only from your premises by an authorized user.

Not usually! Securall Monitoring Corporation normally cannot tell if your alarm system is “armed” or “disarmed.” It is only alerted, if any alarm activation has occurred. If you fail to turn your system on before leaving the property, and an intrusion occurs, Securall Monitoring Corporation will not be aware of this emergency situation.

Therefore, it is very important you make sure when leaving the premises, that your alarm system is “armed” and that all necessary security precautions have been observed ahead of time.

No! If for any reason, your alarm control panel ceases to function, or if your telephone lines fail, Securall Monitoring Corporation will not be aware of it – nor will it be able to receive your emergency alarm transmissions.

That’s why it is an excellent idea to do the following:

• Have all increments of your alarm system tested professionally at least once a year.
• You should test the functionality of your alarm system yourself at frequent intervals during the year – always remembering to call Securall Monitoring Corporation beforehand!
• Always test your alarm system after any major electrical storm or significant power outage.
• Optimally, have your alarm system send an automatic daily Scheduled Test code to Securall Monitoring Corporation. This can be arranged through the alarm dealer. Then, the monitoring facility will be alerted on a scheduled basis, if the alarm system or the telephone lines are non-operational.

Securall Monitoring Corporation has state-of-the-art alarm receiving equipment and automated alarm monitoring computers, which gather, organize and process a vast array of information. These high-tech devices acknowledge and identify all the alarm codes they receive as soon as the signals come into the control room. Within seconds the automated alarm monitoring computers interpret these codes and can instantly translate this data into:

• The time and date the alarm is received.
• The account number of the client.
• The name and telephone number of the client.
• The location of the property.
• The type of alarm code.
• The names & telephone numbers of the emergency responding agencies.
• The names and telephone numbers of the key holders, directions to the premises, special comments, special procedures and other such data.

As soon as Securall Monitoring Corporation receives your emergency alarm signal, the following should happen:

• Your property is called – if applicable!
• Please answer your phone and stay as calm as possible.
• Please be ready with your passcode, abort code, or password.
• If there is no answer, or if an incorrect identification code is given, the security dispatcher immediately dispatches the appropriate emergency responding agencies – following all specific, pre-defined instructions.
• If there is an emergency at your premises, be assured that help will be dispatched immediately.

All personnel at Securall Monitoring Corporation will continue to work diligently until the alarm condition is brought to a satisfactory conclusion – thus preserving the well being of the customer and safeguarding the integrity of the property. After dispatching the emergency responding agency, the security dispatcher will:

• Contact the key holders to respond to the property and to let the emergency responding agents into the building.
• Advise the emergency authorities, if no key holders are available to respond.
• Tend to all follow-up Procedures – such as contacting any other designated person(s).

If a “silent duress” or “hold-up” alarm is tripped by mistake, the procedures listed below are used – unless the client informs Securall Monitoring Corporation in writing that other procedures are to be followed.

• Securall Monitoring Corporation will call the police immediately.
• If the activation is accidental, it is imperative that you contact Securall Monitoring Corporation at once.
• Identify yourself by giving your name and customer identification or abort code. This will halt any further action taken by Securall Monitoring Corporation.
• Reset the alarm system.
• Please do not leave the property without first speaking to Securall Monitoring Corporation.
• If Securall Monitoring Corporation operator is instructed to call you first, please answer the phone immediately! The security dispatcher will identify him or herself and ask you for your customer identification.
• If the telephone is not answered promptly, or if the proper customer identification is not given, the authorities will respond to the premises.

If your alarm system is tripped by mistake, the following should happen – unless the client informs Securall Monitoring Corporation in writing that other procedures are to be followed:

• Call Securall Monitoring Corporation immediately.
• Identify yourself by giving your name and customer identification or abort code.
• This will halt any further action taken by Securall Monitoring Corporation.
• Reset the alarm system.
• Please do not leave the property without first speaking to the Central Monitoring Station.
• If Securall Monitoring Corporation operator calls you first, please answer the phone immediately! The security dispatcher will identify him or herself and will ask you for your customer identification.
• If the telephone is not answered promptly, or if the proper customer identification is not given, the authorities will be dispatched.

Most states, adhering to NFPA requirements, have very rigid statutes regarding how Securall Monitoring Corporation handles commercial fire alarm activations. Therefore, based on these regulations, if a commercial fire alarm system transmits a code, the following should happen:

• Securall Monitoring Corporation will not call the premises for verification, but will call the fire department immediately.
• You should attempt to call the Central Monitoring Station immediately and indicate the cause of the alarm.
• Securall Monitoring Corporation will put you in touch with the fire department, so that you can indicate the cause of the alarm and answer any other questions they may have. Even if the alarm is false, most fire departments will choose not to cancel their dispatched run to the premises.
• Attempt to reset the system.
• Community based groups like “Neighborhood Crime Watch,” which are endorsed by your local policing agencies.

If your telephone line is cut, or if the telephone network fails for whatever reason, Securall Monitoring Corporation will not receive an emergency alarm signal from your security system. For this reason it is important that your telephone line has some protection, such as buried or concealed service. Another option would be back-up cellular reporting, which requires a special alarm panel.

This option can be discussed with your security specialist.

Before your alarm system is connected to Securall Monitoring Corporation, you will be given a customer identification code number or you may chose a code word. This serves several security functions:

• Your customer identification code is used to identify you to Securall Monitoring Corporation at the time of an alarm activation and also is used to abort any emergency dispatches.
• Your customer identification code indicates to Securall Monitoring Corporation personnel that you are not under duress of any kind. The customer identification code should be supplied to the security dispatcher only in the event of a false alarm. Do not give the abort code to the security dispatcher, if you are in any jeopardy!
• Your customer identification code is used to identify those persons designated and authorized by you to be at the property. This will confirm to Securall Monitoring Corporation that the person they are speaking with at your property is supposed to be there.
• Your customer identification code is used to identify any person who calls Securall Monitoring Corporation and attempts to change any customer information, receive any customer Information, or place any account on “Test/By-pass”

• Do they have all the necessary licenses mandated by the state or local municipality having jurisdiction in the area?
• Do their employees have any security clearances and are they bonded?
• Does the company carry Liability and/or Errors and Omissions Insurance?
• Will they provide you with a written quotation?
• Will they provide you with a contract once the alarm system is installed? If so, make certain that you read and understand all contractual conditions and obligations before signing it.
• Will the alarm system be monitored? If so, by whom?
• Will there be a written warranty or guarantee on the system? For how long? What is and what is not included?
• Are there any local ordinances or registration requirements that you should be aware of? Whose responsibility is it to register your system with the authorities?
• Have all applicable permits and licenses been included in the price of the system? If not, how much are they and whose responsibility is it to obtain them and to pay for them?

A basic alarm system is installed to detect and deter intruders and to protect the premises against fire and environmental conditions. An alarm system can consist of perimeter devices, which secure vulnerable access points such as doors and windows. Interior devices, consisting of passive infrared detectors or under carpet mats, detect movement inside the premises. Smoke detectors, thermals, rate of rise heat sensors and such equipment are used as an early warning for fire detection.

The number and type of protective devices that you choose to have installed will determine the level of security you attain. The various additional features and/or functions of the alarm system, such as: medical alert, environmental protection (high/low temperature, gas leak, high water, etc.), employee access control, etc. will also effect the cost. All of these can extend your security and the protection of your premises.

Before the Alarm Installer leaves your premises, please make sure:

You have established a proper customer identification number, abort code or password with Securall Monitoring Corporation to use for your security verification.

• All the devices within the alarm system have been tested and are working properly.
• The alarm installer trains all of the people who will be using the alarm system and that they also have been given a proper customer identification number, abort code or password.
• You have all necessary, emergency phone numbers written down for future reference. (Example: alarm installation company, Securall Monitoring Corporation, responding authorities, etc.)
• You know how to “arm” and “disarm” the system properly and that you know how to operate all the devices within the alarm system, so that you feel comfortable using the system. If you don’t understand some of the functions of the alarm system, it is critical that you ask questions of the alarm installer and get the appropriate explanations before he or she leaves the premises! This will help to prevent false alarms later on.

Your need to evaluate your total security requirements by assessing your lifestyle and/or your business routine and determine your home or business needs, etc.

As an example:

• Do you live in a high crime neighborhood or a remote unprotected area?
• Are you away from the premises frequently?
• Do you have young children?
• Do you have many employees to keep track of at the premises?
• Do you have pets?
• Do you have an all-wooden building or a substantially older structure, which would be particularly susceptible to fire?

After your assessment, you need to do the following:

• Be sure to contact your local police depatment or crime prevention branch, alarm association, Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agencies and/or insurance company for a list of reputable companies in your area.
• Be sure that you advise each company that you are getting competitive quotes.
• Be sure that you make a true comparison of each proposal based on a site inspection. Then, thoroughly review the number and kinds of components to be installed, so that you are evaluating similar types of installations – comparing “apples to apples.”
• Be sure to understand what the differences are in the quotes given to you. If there are significant differences, how will they impact your over-all security protection?

No ethical sales person should ever tell you that an alarm system absolutely guarantees safety or makes your property “burglar-proof.” It does not! However, an alarm system significantly reduces your risks and should be only one of the tools used in an over-all strategy to make your property safer and your environment more secure.

Make sure your alarm company is license and insured. Ask if they have a website and visit their site for information in areas of services and accreditation.