Things to think about before you meet with your Security Consultant.
How do I select the right company to install my security system?
How do most alarm companies provide monitoring services?
What is Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.?
What does "U.L. Listed central station" mean?
What is Hammond’s Five Star Monitoring?
What does the “average” security system cost?
Why would a company offer “free” alarm systems?
Things to think about before you meet with your Security Consultant
Is the security system as you think about it, as much for the people in the house as well as the house when it is empty?
Would you want your security armed while you are home? When you are awake or asleep, or both?
Do you have pets who have run of the home?
Is there anything in your home which is especially valuable or irreplaceable that needs special “spot” protection?
Are there children or elderly people who might be arming and disarming the system?
Do you have periodic help or visitors who may enter or leave the house when you are not there? Are there service companies who keys to your home and need access?
Do these people access the house using different doors?
On how many levels are there bedrooms located? Do guests ever sleep in a room other than a bedroom?
Is the garage attached or detached? Are there items of particular importance in the garage?
Do you always lock all your outside doors and windows? If not, which do leave open accidentally or on purpose when you are sleeping or away from the house?
How many sets of keys are there? Do you know where all the keys are?
Does anyone with visual, hearing or physical limitations live at your home or need to use the system?
What is the longest time your home is ever left unoccupied in the winter? In the summer? Are there concerns about freeze or flood?
If police or fire authorities were dispatched to your home, would Hammond be able to reach you for notification or would there be others you would like contacted?
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How do I select the right company to install my security system?
Your long-term satisfaction depends not only on the design and installation of your system but most importantly on what happens after the installation is complete.
How can you be sure that the promises made are the promises kept?
References
We all know we should ask for references from existing clients who use the service, but rather than using the installer’s list of references, look for a client identified by the decal or driveway sign. Tell them you’re considering using their alarm company and ask their opinion. You’ll learn much more!
Experience and Professionalism
How long has the company has been in business? How many technicians are employed, and how long have they have been with the company?
Level of Central Station Monitoring
As previously discussed, the type of central station monitoring service offered is very significant. Only a company which offers U. L. listed, dedicated central station monitoring is worthy of your consideration. While this level is not always available, whenever possible, it should be your choice.
Back up Communication
Most security systems are completely dependent on telephone lines for the transmission of alarm signals to a central monitoring station. If the telephone lines are cut or should fail, your emergency alarm signals will not get through.
PhoneIndependent Radio, Cellular and Internet back up communication may be available. The best systems are those that are do not rely on a third party or a system which may be easily compromised.
Are they a Full Service Company?
A “full service” company provides all necessary services in-house:
- consultation for design.
- careful installation to ensure effectiveness.
- professional monitoring.
- preventative maintenance with annual inspection
- quick service to correct any problem which could develop.
What kind of warrantee is offered?
Some security alarm companies offer a ninety day guarantee followed by an offer of a choice of service contracts. Some offer a one year guarantee on labor with parts additional. Some offer a one year full service guarantee covering all labor, all materials and necessary service calls.
State Licensing and Identification
More and more states, including New York State, are licensing alarm companies. A license does not guarantee either technical or character excellence, but it does provide some level of control.
Association Memberships
Reputable security alarm companies belong to a regional alarm association. More experienced companies may belong to national associations. Only U. L. listed central station companies belong to the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) Go to cssaul.org to see if the company you are considering is a member.
Insurance Protection
All reputable security alarm companies carry insurance to protect you, the customer. You should avoid employing a company or worker who is uninsured. In that case, you would be liable for lost wages, disability compensation and medical expenses for any injury which should have been covered by Workman’s Compensation Insurance.
How do most alarm companies provide monitoring services?
Most alarm companies sell and install alarm systems and then subcontract or broker the monitoring contract to some other company.
Other companies monitor their own systems and also act as subcontract central stations.
Following, in increasing order of effectiveness, are the levels of monitoring which you may be offered.
- Alarms Relayed Through An Answering Service
Monitoring by an answering service provides the least protection since it depends on an already busy operator to relay the alarm.
- Alarms Monitored At Sales Office/Owners Home
Alarms monitored at the sales office by the secretary during the work day and monitored at the alarm company owner’s home nights and weekends is a program offered by some alarm company owners.
- Brokered or Subcontracted Monitoring
Services are provided by a local or out-of-state company, which must forward all alarms to the proper authorities. These services may vary in quality but without full responsibility, no one can guarantee superior service.
- Central Station Monitored Where Other Clients Are Served
In some cases, a central monitoring station operated by the installer may service clients of other companies as well as its own. Unfortunately, the company operating the monitoring station will be judged by the false alarms from systems it did not install lowering the overall credibility of the monitoring station in the eyes of police and fire authorities. Your alarm may, therefore, receive a lower priority than it deserves.
- Dedicated Central Station Monitoring
In the best case, monitoring will be conducted by a central station operated by the installing company which monitors only its own clients. This eliminates all of the weaknesses listed above and consolidates responsibility for system installation, maintenance, monitoring and repair in the hands of one company which assures the police that they are not going to be sent on repetitive false alarms.
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What is Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a U.S. not-for-profit, privately owned and operated testing and certification organization. They have established rigorous standards for:
- burglar alarm equipment,
- fire detection devices,
- signal transmission equipment,
- companies which install alarm systems, and
- central stations which monitor alarm systems.
A monitoring station is not required to be U. L. listed to do business (actually only about ten percent of the central monitoring stations across the country are U. L. listed), but this endorsement is a strong indicator of excellence and dependability. You can find out if a specific company’s monitoring station is really U. L. listed by calling Underwriters Laboratories at (516) 271-6200 or by going to www.ulalarmfinder.com.
What does "U.L. Listed central station" mean?
"Listed central station" is a common way to refer to an alarm monitoring facility that has demonstrated the ability to provide Standards complying service. In the case of monitoring stations, UL requirements cover building structure, receiving and monitoring equipment, and staffing issues; in addition to installation and ongoing service. In order to be able to provide Standards complying service, the building, equipment and staffing requirements have to be met at all times. However, the handling of specific signals from specific alarm systems is only audited by UL if a Certificate is in effect for that alarm system.
How is Hammond’s Five Star Monitoring superior?
One Star: Any alarm company receives fire or intrusion signals sent by client’s alarm panel and follows prescribed procedures
Two Star: Hammond immediately dispatches police or fire department.
Three Star: Hammond monitors house power, restoration of house power and the condition of the panel’s backup battery (necessary for continuation of security).
Four Star: Hammond schedules daily communication tests between client’s alarm panel and the Hammond central station and investigates
missing tests should they occur to prevent inability to communicate.
Five Star: Hammond provides eight (8) working hour response to service need.
What does the “average” security system cost?
It is not possible to quote a realistic price for a system without a thorough interview and survey of the home. The best systems will be designed to meet the needs and fit the life style of the homeowners. The level of protection and the kinds of protection desired will determine the amount of labor, the components and materials. Generally, most residential systems fall between $1,500 and $4,000 and these amounts may be for similar houses!
Why would a company offer “free” alarm systems?
Advertised low cost protection for home or business may sound like a “terrific value”. BEWARE! The objective of the low price is to get you to sign up for long term agreement which could cost a lot more than the advertised amount.
If you find service is poor and the monitoring is done across state lines, or service is slow or signals are missed, and you change to a better alarm company, you will probably lose all of your original investment. Most national companies have contracts that say they own the installed equipment, not you or install equipment that can’t be reprogrammed by another company.