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Anubis
Systems Technologies
SECURITY
FAQ'S
We've
tried our best to anticipate any questions a visitor to our site
may have concerning the modern security system and it's individual
components. Here are a few of the more common ones we've encountered
in the past:
How
much security do I really need?
This
is a question most often asked of the security alarm consultant/salesperson
you've invited to tour through your premises. In the case of a
commercial establishment, the people best able to answer your
question is your own insurance company. Your agent or broker should
be able to give you an idea of the type of system you'll need
depending on the type of business. Jewelry stores, financial institutions,
pawn-shops are all considered high risk and in most cases the
security systems these types of occupancies require is based on
a U.L.C. installation standard.
The
average residential application, on the other hand, has far less
stringent requirements (some home insurers insist on a certificate
from the alarm company before they "reward" you with
a premium reduction). Again, you should discuss the matter with
your agent or broker first, to find out how to qualify for the
"alarm discount".
The
short answer is: How much security do you want?
The decision to install an alarm system is only a first step.
Familiarize yourself with your product choices (this site is a
good place to start), your general neighbourhood, your home's
layout and then contact a couple of local alarm companies (we'd
suggest three). Listen to what each representative has to say.
Ask for references and check out the companies track record. Be
prepared to say "no" as most sales reps will try to
close a deal on the very first visit. At this point in time you
are gathering information and want to make an informed decision
based on what each one has to say.
Do
I need a monitored system?
Ever bought
a car without wheels? What most people really want from their
alarm system is "peace of mind". When you leave to go
shopping and you arm your system, you know that if someone were
to break-in to your house, the police will respond promptly. They
won't be able to stop someone bent on what's called a "smash
and grab", because chances are he'll be long gone before
they get to your house. You can ask your dealer's representative
for the average "response to alarm" times in your neighbourhood.
Monitored
systems offer many advantages over un-monitored (or local) ones.
System troubles are reported promptly and in most instances your
dealer will respond promptly. Faster emergency services response
is a major consideration.
What's
the standard charge for alarm monitoring?
Typically
it averages around $25.00 per month. If you're leasing your system,
the charges for this may well form part of your monthly bill.
What
about if the telephone line is cut?
Modern
alarm systems employ a feature called phone line monitoring. If
the system is in an armed state and the telephone line is tampered
with, the siren will start to sound. This happens even before
the burglar has a chance to get into your premise. There are several
different options available to you if you have any concerns in
this regard. The least expensive one is called a digital celemetry
transmitter. This unit utilizes the Alpha Channel of the digital
telephone network to transmit an alarm or trouble to a special
receiver. The signal is then relayed via standard land lines to
the central monitoring station. The beauty of this system is that
you don't have to have a cellular telephone account. The cost
for this service is usually less than $10.00 per month tacked
on to your regular monitoring bill.
DVAC's
is another popular means of transmitting alarm signals over a
secure line. This method involves leasing a telephone line from
Telus (or your local phone network provider) that is dedicated
to the alarm control's communicator (called a transponder in this
instance). A special receiver at the central monitoring station
polls (queries) all the transponders in the field every three
to nine seconds. It asks for several things among which include
the panel status (whether it's armed or disarmed) and it's condition
(Is it in alarm? In trouble?). If the line is cut, the transponder
can no longer respond to these queries and a special alarm is
generated at the monitoring station commonly resulting in emergency
services (Police) dispatch.
What
about systems that use a voice response system? How do they compare
over systems that don't?
Being
able to communicate emergencies effectively will greatly enhance
your personal security. A monitoring station, regardless of the
technology they employ to process an alarm, has to follow certain
procedures to properly dispatch an alarm. Your alarm panel may
employ several different methods to authenticate or verify an
actual event. Having a "voice" to actually respond to
has some benefit, but in most instances will simply add another
"step" for the operator to follow. Keep in mind that
your specific alarm event is being handled by only one operator
in a room that could contain ten (or more). How your emergency
is handled depends on several factors including:
a)
your local municipal ordinances,
b) the kind of traffic that's being received in the station at
the time,
c) your own particular circumstances (yes, stations do allow you
to set up your own emergency response parameters).
Do
the Police respond to panic alarms faster than if I call them
myself dialling "911"?
No,
keep in mind that the alarm signal has one extra step to go through
before the police are dispatched. It has to be processed at the
monitoring centre. The advantage of a panic alarm is that you
can activate it without being obvious. Panic buttons or alarms
are usually located in unobtrusive locations (behind counters,
inside cash tills, next to your bedroom night-stand) and can even
be worn around the neck (a wireless pendant transmitter) or located
on your key-chain.
Got
a question? Email us! If we use it,
we'll reward you with a plush toy Dalmatian
(the Fire-Lite® mascot) guaranteed house-broken and
completely safe to leave at home with the kids!
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