Transcript
The Transmitter Published Exclusively for EMERgency24, Inc. Dealers
ANSI/SIA CP-01-2000 Control Panel is Designed to Minimize False Dispatches The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Security Industry Association (SIA) have created a standard that recommends features for control panels and associated arming and disarming devices to reduce false alarms. The standard, called ANSI/SIA CP-012000, takes aim at user error by building in extra precautions that will minimize unwarranted dispatch of emergency responders (see chart below). Modifications include an extension of time for exiting, with 60 seconds as the default and 45 seconds as the minimum. To hasten exiting, a progress annunciation function emits a different sound during the last 10 seconds of delay and the exit time doubles if the user disables the prewarning feature, although dealers cannot disable this globally. Other “rules” address failure to exit premises, which results in arming all zones in Stay Mode and a onetime automatic restart of exit delay. However, if there is an exit error, an immediate local alarm will sound. The features are applicable to both residential and commercial properties protected by an electronic security system.
Most Common User Errors User Arms the System Exits then re-enters Fails to exit in time Building still occupied Exits via incorrect door Fails to exit at all User Enters Forgets code Fails to disarm within time Unfamiliar with system Through incorrect door non-delayed no keypad – unable to hear pre-warning
www.emergency24.com
Fall 2007
AMPS Ruling Affects 26 Million Alarm Systems
After February 18, 2008, cellular carriers will no longer have to support old mobile phone standard Technological advancements may be leaving more than one million U.S. consumers and 26 million alarm systems behind early next year. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable, has ruled that the analog mobile phone system standard used today by most cellular alarm communicators no longer must be supported after Feb. 18, 2008. This ruling impacts many security systems that rely on Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) technology and the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) is urging dealers to contact their alarm customers to ensure continued response to intrusion, fire and/or medical alert alarms. Although a landline connection through a standard phone system is the most common connection method, many alarm systems rely on analog-based
technology for the cellular backup. This redundancy keeps the system operational even if the land line is cut or is inoperable. In addition, many consumers rely on AMPS-based systems as their primary platform. In fact, according to a survey of NBFAA member companies, 92.5 percent of alarm providers use AMPS-based cellular alarm radios to serve at least some of their customers, and approximately 70 percent use analog radios to relay fire and/or intrusion alarms. A substantial number of alarm providers use AMPS radios to transmit medical alert signals as well. The FCC recently denied the alarm industry’s attempt to extend the deadline to 2010. “We’ve been warning our member companies for some time to take action. Now with the certainty of the 2008 deadline, we are asking consumers to be proactive and make sure that their systems won’t be affected,” said NBFAA president George Gunning.
New Ordinance Requires Registration of Alarm Systems in Oxford, Ohio Owners of residential and business alarm systems in Oxford, OH, must now register with the city pursuant to the recent passage of Chapter 739 of the Oxford City Code. The ordinance also establishes a permit requirement for all owners of alarm systems within city limits to notify of all newly installed alarms within 30 days from the date of installation. Individuals or companies Chicago
Washington, D.C.
with multiple alarm systems are required to obtain separate permits for each location. The Oxford ordinance follows the growing trend of municipalities throughout the country that require alarm registration, including St. Louis, MO, Providence, RI, Bethlehem, PA and Golden, CO, among others.
Detroit
Los Angeles
AlarmNet Gives EM24 Dealers Options A series of five integrated networks enables seamless communication among many types of systems As an AlarmNet dealer, EMERgency24 has access to an established network scheme that allows dealers to use any compatible radio or Internet transmitter that will best serve the long-term needs of their customers. The flexibility and seamless communication between AlarmNet’s five distinct networks lets dealers be more selective about equipment to install. Even if each piece of hardware in a system reports through a different part of AlarmNet’s collective network, the AlarmNet Network Control Center (NCC) acts as a clearinghouse to distribute the data in a familiar, uniform reporting format to EMERgency24. Another marketable strength of AlarmNet is that it is wireless at both ends of the network. Thus, it is not vulnerable to the same weaknesses, such as severed lines, service outages or natural disasters, that landline-dependent installations face. AlarmNet’s totally wireless delivery assures a robust system that provides redundancy, supervision and verification of message delivery. The Original – AlarmNet-A The original group of regional area networks built in 18 major metropolitan areas (see shaded box) covering about 65 percent of U.S. urban population is called AlarmNet-A. Each of the regional networks is autonomous but all are supported by the NCC.
intervals while two-way radios are polled by the network. Reliability is assured by repeating alarm transmissions 60 times. The entire process is fully automated and typically takes just a few seconds. Radios in the AlarmNet-A network are supervised so that if a subscriber loses communication with the network, EMERgency24 is notified. The supervision window ranges from five minutes, six hours, 24 hours or 48 hours, depending on the service selected. To ensure successful transmission of signals to EMERgency24, message paths are verified by the network to ensure that all alarm communications were successfully delivered. AlarmNet-A networks are monitored around the clock and the system availability exceeds 99.5 percent. AlarmNet-G This exclusive network supports new digital technologies and services by utilizing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, which was designed specifically for digital wireless communication (see illustration on page 1). The AlarmNet-G network enables dealers to offer enhanced features such as alarm notification via cell phones. AlarmNet-G and its related
AlarmNet-A Regional Networks Atlanta Chicago Dallas/Ft. Worth Detroit Houston Las Vegas Los Angeles Memphis Miami New York Boston Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco St. Louis Minneapolis/St. Paul Tampa/Orlando Washington DC/Baltimore device, 7845-GSM, were introduced as a replacement for the AlarmNet-C service. Although AlarmNet-G relies on cellular signaling, it will not be affected by the AMPS Sunset Clause because it uses digital signaling. (continued on page 3)
Generally, a network is comprised of 30 radio towers equipped with network nodes and routers to transport alarm signals and network control information. These local networks operate on exclusive frequencies in the 900 MHz band and are designed with overlapping coverage areas so that subscriber radios are in communication with two or more network towers at any given location. AlarmNet-A supports two types of subscriber radios although both have unique means of operation. One-way radios check in at regular
Honeywell’s AlarmNet-G Network http://www.security.honeywell.com/hsce/solutions/alarmnet/coverage/alarmnetg/index.html
System-Monitored CO Detectors Provide the Highest Level of Customer Protection Fifteen states have passed legislation requiring the installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors and seven others have CO-detection laws pending. The nationwide emphasis on preventing additional CO-related tragedies gives EM24 dealers the chance to have frank discussions with customers on the benefits of CO detection. But first, it’s important to know that all systemconnected CO detectors contain a limited-life gas sensor. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mandates the detector send a trouble signal to the control panel when it reaches its end-of-life (EOL). Without EOL signal capability, systemconnected CO detectors are not code compliant. System-connected CO detectors monitored by a central station provide the highest level of protection, especially in areas where occupants sleep. If a CO situation arises or the sensor has reached its EOL, occupants will be notified by the detector's audible beeping, a message to the control panel AND the central station. Without this level of supervision, the life-safety system is compromised.
AlarmNet Options
Convenience & Flexibility are Benefits of EM24’s ZZ Autotest Supervision System The ZZ Autotest Supervision System now available from EM24 has many advantages for dealers over Enterprise’s current Autotest Supervision System. This new system greatly improves EM24’s ability to supervise accounts and provides more flexibility to customize communications with your customers. Autotest at Any Time Dealers no longer have to program Autotests within specific hours. No Autotest Conditions Necessary Any signal received on the account, within a 24-hour period, constitutes satisfaction of supervision requirements, per National Fire Protection Association standards. Supervision of Weekly, Daily or Twice-Daily Autotests In addition to weekly and daily Autotests, EM24 can now supervise panels that send two Autotest signals in a 24-hour period to satisfy more stringent supervision requirements. Customized Callback Options for Complaints Dealers may specify any callback option when defining EM24’s action to take in the event of a missed Autotest. New Complaint Conditions for Missed Autotests Should an Autotest fail, you have two options to choose from in deciding how
EM24 should respond. The standard response, with immediate notification, would require the use of Internal Code 802. Alternatively, you could use the new Internal Code of 812. (NOTE: when this new system first reviews your accounts, any which has not had a signal in the past 24 hours will generate an Autotest Complaint condition shortly after implementing the system.) 802 ZZ Complaint Condition This is the standard Internal Code to be used for the ZZ Autotest Supervision System. Notification calls will begin as soon as the ZZ condition is generated on the account. 812 ZZ Complaint Condition This is the Delayed Notification Internal Code to be used for the ZZ Autotest Supervision System. If the ZZ condition is generated between the hours of 11pm and 7am (in the subscriber’s time zone), notifications will be delayed until 7am. Should you have any difficulties setting up this new system for your customers, contact EM24’s Technical Department.
capacity to serve millions of subscribers with end-to-end communication being accomplished in only a few seconds.
residential customers. It is an incredibly secure, flexible Internet monitoring and VOIP solution that provides fully encrypted communication, works seamlessly behind firewalls and installs in minutes by alarm technicians without extensive networking experience.
Need Technical Support? Call (773) 458-2288 or (800) 926-1511 or
[email protected]
(from page 2)
AlarmNet-M To meet the growing demand for greater network coverage beyond the original 18 areas, partnerships with commercial radionetwork service providers were formed to offer an expanded service that would provide coverage to more than 90% of the U.S. urban population. The radio network is currently comprised of 900 network towers, but additional towers are continuously added to extend its reach. AlarmNet-M network facilities and communication links, which are remotely monitored around the clock, are based upon a hierarchical architecture of intelligent network towers and switches. The strategically placed towers enable the network to route messages through the shortest available path for increased speed and reliability. Each coverage area has up to 30 channels available with ample
AlarmNet-M supervises radios at fiveminute or 24-hour intervals, depending on the service selected. It is listed by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the U.S. for Line Security and with ULC in Canada as Level 2. AlarmNet-C Soon to be defunct, (see AMPS Sunset Article on page 1) AlarmNet-C operates over the control channel of a cellular telephone network in conjunction with MicroBurst technology. AlarmNet-C radios (7845C model) must be replaced before the upcoming Sunset Clause. AlarmNet-i AlarmNet-i arms dealers with a service that can be offered to all commercial and
AlarmNet-i offers you: Compatibility with a wide range of ADEMCO VISTA panels Highly supervised, fully-encrypted communications Complete ease of configuration Flexibility of transmitting signals to multiple locations As the trend of structures wired for the Internet continues, AlarmNet-i looks to be a very attractive offering for many years to come.
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EMERgency 24, Inc. 4179 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60641 Ph.: 800.800.3624/
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