Detroit requires alarm verification
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Ken
I guess now you've heard everything. This is after Detroit has initiated "verified response". We have our own central station and in the past month Detroit has refused at least 3 dispatches that were "real or actual" burglaries from us. Detroit will not dispatch unless there are two zones --one perimeter and one interior. This company is rewarding them for doing their job. How about our industry that does it's job 24/7 always and we're not allowed one mistake.
Alarm company making donations for police response
March 28, 2012, 8:33 a.m. EDT
AP
DETROIT (AP) — An alarm company plans to make a $200 donation to the Detroit Public Safety Foundation every time police in the city catch burglary suspects while responding to one of its alarms.
Security Central Protection on Wednesday is making its first donation of $600 after police caught suspects three times in a week recently.
The Detroit Police Department announced last year that it won't respond to most burglar alarms at homes and businesses unless a crime has been verified by an alarm company. The change has been described as an effort to free up more officers to respond to other emergencies instead of numerous false alarms.
Security Central Protection in Oak Park uses video surveillance that allows its staff to visually verify an alarm after it's been activated
THANKS
HANK LUKS
CONTROLLOR SECURITY SYSTEMS
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Response
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This is what Videofied has been promoting - video verification of the alarm.
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holding manufacturers responsible
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One of the main things you need to look at on the manufacture is what type insurance they have. Most of them carry impaired property and product liability. You need to know the difference in them and file a claim against their insurance company on impaired property that will get the ball rolling. You can recover your labor under this Peril.
Bill H
Austin,TX
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Question re radio supervision
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Dear Ken,
Recently I have started installing GSM radios into customers homes that have eliminated the telephone connection from their alarm systems. It is completely a stand alone unit for communication.
What is the law in regards to code compliance? Should radios check in with the central station as daily, weekly, or monthly test signal? (Homes in question have residential smoke detectors as part of the alarm system.)
My reason for asking is that most of the central stations do not charge extra for a weekly test signals, However, do charge more for a 24 hour daily test timer, even if it is residential.
Thanks for your continued service to our profession.
Dimitry Boss, President
Boss Security Systems Inc.
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Answer
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Code compliance is as varied as there are different jurisdictions. I assume you are referring to residential intrusion alarms; maybe with fire detection devices too. Perhaps the experts out there can advise. I think you need to comply with manufacturer's installation and operating instructions and of course any AHJ requirements for the systems you install. Whether test signals or line supervision is required, will likely depend on the system and services.
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comment on manufacturers and warranties
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Dear Ken:
Our firm has been in business 41 years. In that time we have had numerous run ins with manufacturers regarding warranties. Almost all of them are no longer in business.
Once burned never again buy that brand .......period.
Since most companies purchase from Distributors a few major manufacturers have now put them in the middle. No one forces us to purchase a certain brand. If not satisfied select a new brand that will honor its commitment.
Respectfully,
John W. Yusza, Jr., President
Monitor Controls, Inc.
Wallingford, CT