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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Questions???
- Can I have my system turned on when I'm at home?
- Who sets Industry Standards?
- Active vs. Passive monitoring?
- I already have a battery-operated smoke detector,
so why would I need one on a security system?- Will pets trigger my Motion Detectors?
- Are Alarm Companies required to have liability insurance?
- How do I know that my Alarm System is operating properly?
- What does "Arm/Disarm mean?
- Can you tell who was the last person who Armed or Disarmed the system?
- What does Third Party Monitoring mean?
- Why is Carbon Monoxide a concern in residential housing and the workplace?
- Can Carbon Monoxide detectors be added to my Security System?
- How does the Security System Communicate with the Monitoring Station?
- DIGITAL DIALER Vs DVAC
Can I have my system turned on when I'm at home?
Yes, your system can be designed in any number of ways to accommodate your lifestyle. You can choose from several levels of protection. For example, when you are away from home you can have all sensors activated. When you are at home in the evening, watching TV or making dinner, you can choose to have your perimeter door and window sensors activated and your motion sensors off. System smoke detectors are always active. Your security professional can help design the system that works best for you.
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Who sets Industry Standards?
There are no Industry Standards governing the Alarm Industry. Security ONE is a member of CANASA (Canadian Alarm and Security Association). All of our Service Technicians are required to be CANASA certified. As well, Security ONE operates an Insurance Industry Approved Monitoring Station (Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada Certified) and is authorized to install and / or monitor ULC approved Security Systems.
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Active Monitoring vs. Passive Monitoring:
Smaller alarm companies connect their customers to an alarm monitoring contractor that monitor hundreds of thousand of individual alarm systems. Most of these companies offer passive monitoring service (we refer to it as "Alarm Only") which means that only alarm signals go to the monitoring station! If you do not have an actual alarm for several months or years, your alarm system has not communicated with the Monitoring Station during that time. How can you be sure your security system is actually working?
Security ONE provides all customers with active monitoring. Active monitoring means your panel sends us a signal every time you arm or disarm your system. We maintain our own Monitoring Station that watches every client’s security panel, be it residential or commercial. Our Monitoring Station communicates with your panel every day. Your system can also be programmed to send a "Daily Test Signal"
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I already have a battery-operated smoke detector,
why would I need one on a security system?A system smoke detector that is connected to a control panel provides more protection than a "stand-alone" detector because it is monitored. This means that when smoke is detected, an alarm is sounded and a signal is sent to the control panel even if the system is disarmed. The panel automatically dials your Central Monitoring Station. An operator then calls the fire department.
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Will pets trigger my Motion Detectors?
Not if 'Pet Immune' Passive Infrared Motion Detectors are installed. Another alternative is to use what is known as a 'Pet Alley'. Make sure that you tell your Security Consultant about your pets) when discussing your security needs.
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Are Alarm Companies required to have liability insurance?
Security ONE carries Failure to Perform (error and omission's liability) Insurance. Many smaller companies do not carry this insurance. A single lawsuit could put them out of business overnight, leaving all of their customers unprotected. If you are shopping around for an Alarm System, ask for proof of this type of liability coverage.
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How do I know that my Alarm System is operating properly?
If you are shopping around for an Alarm System, this is an important question to ask. Most Alarm Companies program their Security Systems on an "Alarm Only" basis. This means that the only time your Security System communicates with the Monitoring Station is when an actual alarm occurs. This would not be a good time to find out that there is a problem with you Security System. Security One programs our Installed systems to send either a "Daily Test" or "Arm/Disarm" signal to our Monitoring Station. This way, your Security System is communicating on a daily basis with our Monitoring Station.
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What does "Arm/Disarm" mean?
Arm/Disarm, Open/Close or Activate/De-Activate your Security System. These are common terms used to describe the function of turning on your system or turning off your system.
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Can you tell who was the last person who Armed or Disarmed the system?
Yes. Each person who will use the system can be assigned a unique "User I.D. Number". We can tell you which "User I.D. Number" armed your system, by date or time. This is a feature that is used mostly by Commercial Accounts.
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What does Third Party Monitoring mean?
A "Third Party Monitoring Station" is one that monitors for many smaller alarm companies who do not have their own Monitoring Station. The Monitoring Station may be located in another province, or even in the U.S.A. This can result in poor customer service due to a number of reasons:
- Lack of familiarity with the equipment used by the installing company
- Often no verification of alarm signals used to prevent false alarms (Daily Test / Arm-Disarm Signals)
- Limited knowledge of policies and procedures of your local Police and Fire departments.
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Why is Carbon Monoxide a concern in residential housing and the workplace?
Carbon Monoxide is a product of incomplete (poor) combustion. It is a direct and cumulative poison. When combined with blood hemoglobin, CO replaces oxygen in the blood until it completely overcomes the body. Death from CO poisoning occurs suddenly. The victim inhaling the toxic concentration of the gas becomes helpless before realizing that the danger exists.
The harmful effects of CO exposure depend of the concentration of gas in the air, exposure time and factors such as age, health, size and sex. Many of us encounter CO regularly and never know it because it is invisible and odorless. That is why victims of CO poisoning often have no warning that they are in danger - until it is too late.
A good CO detector is digital and sounds a pre-warning signal that a specified CO level has been present in the environment over a preset number of hours. When you hear the warning signal, immediately open the windows. Ensure that the damper to your fireplace is operational. Make sure that all the appliances using pilot lights are lit. If you are in a workplace, ensure that the auto-vents to the boilers are functional. Check with family members or co-workers to determine if anyone exhibits symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning such as:
- Flu-like Symptoms
- Headaches and dizziness
- Nausea
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness
If so, call 911 immediately.
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Can Carbon Monoxide detectors be added to my Security System?
Yes. Ask your Security Consultant for more details.
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How does the Security System Communicate with the Monitoring Station?
Via Digital Dialer. The Digital Dialing transmitter connects into the existing telephone network. See also Digital Dialer vs. DVAC.
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DIGITAL DIALER Vs DVAC
The two most popular methods of monitoring signals from alarm systems are Digital Dialer and DVAC.
DIGITAL DIALER
The Digital Dialing transmitter connects into the existing telephone network. This system eliminates the need to purchase an additional circuit from Bell Canada. Digital Dialing equipment is capable of transiting the same signals that are available on a DVAC system; however, it has the drawback that the integrity of the transmission line cannot be guaranteed. The installation of a CA38A Jack is required.
DVAC LINE SECURITY
DVAC (Digital Voice Access Channel) is a separate communication channel provided by Bell Canada to monitor burglar and fire alarm systems. The installation of a F1F2 Subset is required for a DVAC System. This signal channel allows our Monitoring Station to remaining constant communication with the alarm control panel at your premise.
The advantage of this system is that we can detect immediately if the telephone line has been out or tampered with. Our computer generates an alarm condition if the system is no longer capable of transmitting signals to our monitoring station. Your protection is only as strong as the weakest link. Fire, insurance, and security experts across North America recommended your system is monitored with "line security."