Alarm Glossary

A/C Fail – This is when mains power is interrupted to the security system. All quality security systems are fitted with a back-up battery for use in the event of mains power failure.

Access Control – is the control of entry egress and or exit electronically as opposed to mechanical door locking & unlocking of authorised personnel using either numeric code, bi-metric, cards-swipe or other unique identifiers. Access control can also incorporate a time management & or audit reporting feature.

Activity Reports – Activity Reports are reports generated by the Monitoring Centre to provide clients with information about their monitored premises in relation to the Alarm System.
Examples are, open and close times of a particular monitored premises, which keyholder opens and/or closes the premises at a given time. A complete report of all alarm activations from the security system.

Alarm Event – Are events created by an activation of detection equipment from an onsite security system which can be transmitted to the monitoring centre.

Alarm Panel – Is the brain of the alarm system.  All component parts are connected to the alarm panel, and the panel responds to stimuli from these parts.

Alarm System - The working combination of the alarm panel, detectors, code pads, telephone interface, wireless remotes, strobe light, sirens and other equipment used to provide electronic protection AREA – Zones can be conveniently grouped into AREAS that can be independently ARMED and DIS-ARMED for convenience  For example one Area of the home may be occupied and dis-armed whilst an external shed can be Armed separately.

Arm – Arming. To turn ON an alarm system.

Authorised contacts – Are persons listed in the client's monitoring records in the Monitoring Centre for the operator to contact in the event of an alarm activation. They should be aware of protocols and be prepared to act and be available to respond to an event where and when necessary.

B&E – Break and Entry of a premises by unauthorised person or persons with the intent to commit a crime.

Battery – A rechargeable battery, or backup battery, is fitted inside the Alarm Panel to ensure continued operation of the alarm system in the event of mains power failure. Criminals regularly cut power to premises they intend to rob.

Bypass – To temporarily turn off an Area or sector for convenience ( you might put your sick dog in a room but still wish to have the alarm set elsewhere in the house.

Back To Base Monitoring – A Centralised station (Monitoring Control Room) that receives reports from your alarm system, typically via a modem of similar communication device. Control rooms make decisions about your security by proxy. When an alarm is received the operator can call you or a security patrol or the police, depending on the instructions you have authorized.

CCTV – Closed Circuit Television monitoring system, although digital web based camera systems can be included in this definition.

Codepad – Is the interface between the panels micro processor and the keyholder or user. Ie ARM , DIS-ARM and displays information from the alarm panel.

Communication failure – Is the loss of communication between the Monitoring Centre and the client's security system, this applies to Securitel, GSM, GPRS and Internet monitoring systems. This is a category A alarm event which indicates the premises is at risk.

Control Panel – See Alarm Panel.

Control Room – See Back to Base monitoring.

Delay or Entry Zones – allows a period of time after entry or movement has been detected before activating the alarm. Typically this allows an authorised user time to enter the premises and dis-arm the system at the code pad.

Detector – see MOTION SENSORS.

Dialler – part of the Alarm Panel that allows alarm messages to be communicated to the Control Room via a telephone line.

Direct Line Monitoring - Similar to Securitel Monitoring but uses a dedicated telephone line specifically for conveying alarm conditions to the Monitoring Centre. It is a separate line to the normal telephone line.

Disarm –To turn OFF the Alarm System.

Duress Buttons - Similar to a Hold Up Alarms but usually without an automatic Police response.

External Siren – A siren and or strobe located on an external wall usally fitted to the front of the premises.  Although not particularly attractive to look at the external siren performs several important functions. Most obviously to attract attention when the alarm has been activated but additionally the flashing strobe helps identify the premises to a security patrol. Finally the External Siren provides a visual deterrent to a would be intruder that the premises are protected by an Alarm System.

Early Open – Also called an early opening, out of hours opening or out of hours entry. This is where an opening signal is received by the Monitoring Centre outside of the scheduled hours contained in the client's records.

False Alarm – When the Alarm System is triggered for a reason other than an unauthorized entry. Gecko’s, rats, possums and other stimuli can cause a false alarm. False alarms can be virtually eliminated with correct equipment selection and placement

GSM – Global System for Mobile communications used as a means of communications with the monitoring centre via the mobile (phone) network. It can be used as backup when the fixed land line is lost or cut so subsequent alarms can be reported. Also used where no land line coverage is available.

Hardwired – The detectors are physically connected to the Alarm Panel by wire rather than by radio waves etc.

Hold Up Alarm (commercial only) – Is category A priority alarm event triggered by a client. This is the most serious event received by the Monitoring Centre and a police response is actioned immediately. Hold Up alarms can be triggered from either a fixed point (a foot activated switch under Bank Teller’s desk) or a remote device such as a wrist watch or pendant.

Home Arming – Similar to Arming but bypasses INTERIOR ZONES so that occupants can move around internal parts of the building without triggering an alarm.  Additionally in a multi-level home with the bedrooms upstairs, you can HOME ARM the alarm system at night to allow movement upstairs but have a downstairs activation trigger an alarm.

Instant Zones – Activates the alarm immediately when a detector has been activated and the Alarm System is Armed, typically most zones are set to instant and an entry zone or detector is set to delay.

Interior Zones – Similar to INSTANT ALARMS but these zones are disabled when the alarm system is HOME ARMED, allowing movement without activating sirens.

Internal Siren – Creates noise inside the building when an alarm is triggered. The purpose of this siren is to shock, panic and disorientate the intruder so he/she wants to get out of the premises as quickly as possible. It also prevents communication between the intruder and the outside lookout.  Either way the Internal Siren tends to ensure that burglaries are restricted to smash and grab.

Key-Switch – An on/off switch operated by a key.

Local Alarm – When activated, the alarm system only sounds a siren at the premises.  No alarm signal is sent to a Control Room.

Monitored Alarm – When activated, the alarm system sounds at the premises and the alarm signal is sent to a Control Room.

Monitoring Station – See BACK TO BASE MONITORING

Motion Sensor – Is a device for detecting movement, Passive Infra Red (PIR) detectors, Dual /Tri Tech detectors – PIR detectors use sensors to pick up an intruders body heat , Dual and Tri Tech detectors use heat sensors and small microwave transmitters/receivers to detect both body heat and movement within a area.

Openings and Closings – The Alarm Panel can be programmed to send a message to the Control Room each time it is Armed (Closing) or Dis-Armed (Opening). This information can be used to help determine that a business’s Alarm System has been ARMED outside of normal operating hours.

PIR – See MOTION SENSOR

Reed switch – Reed switches use a magnetic field to create an open or closed circuit. If a window/door reed switch closed, the normal status is sealed. When the window/door is opened, the magnetic field is broken and an alarm is activated. When approaching the closed position (20mm), the magnet mounted on a door/window enables the reed or contacts to come together or close. These switches provide cost effective perimeter protection with windows and doors and when armed can protect against unauthorized opening. They can be fitted to allow a door or window to allow same to be left partially open and yet be fully armed.

Securitel – Securitel is a specialised alarm monitoring network connecting the Monitoring centre to a premises. It regularly checks and tests the status of an alarm interface every 90 seconds, (called polling) and this can help detect cuts or breaks between your alarm and the Monitoring Centre. Securitel was the only option available to protect high risk situations such as Banks in days past however with the introduction of GPRS systems is less popular due to its high cost.

Slow Close – This is when the security system is triggered on exiting a premise, usually when an exit is made after the exit delay time has expired.

Slow Open – This is when the alarm system is triggered on entering a premise, usually when an entry is made after the entry delay time has expired.

Smoke Alarm events – An event generated by a smoke detector.

Static Guard – Licensed security guard who guards a premise for a pre- determined period of time, which can be temporary or permanent.

Tamper – A tamper is a setting or switch that can be set to counter the disabling of the alarm equipment such as cutting the wires to the detector or dislodging the siren. The panel can determine if cables are cut or shorted and reports this as a “tamper” .  Unlike other alarms, tampers report whether the Alarms components are in working condition regardless of whether the Panel is Armed or Dis-Armed.

Voice code – Voice codes are passwords that are essential to quickly and accurately identify authorized people at a premises. By using a Voice code, a person's bona fides are immediately confirmed, without having to resort to lengthy question and answer scenarios.

Wireless – Just as computers are networked as hardwired or wireless, Alarms can be connected to their component parts using cables or wirelessly where installation using cables is not viable. Wireless devices are battery powered and can work almost as well as a cable or hard wired device.

Zone – Detectors are connected to terminals on the Alarm Panel, these terminals are designated as Zones.  The Alarm Panel constantly checks the condition of the zone for alarms and also detects if the cable to the detector has been tampered.