Regs for video monitoring and updated contracts October 19, 2026

KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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Regs for video monitoring and updated contracts
October 19, 2026
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Regs for video monitoring / updated contracts
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Ken,
   Recently there are been some discussion on other forums and questions surrounding UL 827, its relevance, and why its important to our industry. Here is my take on it
   Underwriters Laboratories’ involvement goes back to the early days of the alarm industry. The alarm and insurance industries asked UL to develop a way to define alarm services and ensure equipment performed uniformly. UL’s first central station standard was developed around 1924, with substantial input from stakeholders in both industries. That 1924 document is the ancestor of UL 827.
   The purpose has stayed the same: to set minimum requirements for monitoring centers whose operators are on duty around the clock and have a duty to protect their subscribers and the public at large. At the same time, and this is one of the most overlooked and important functions, it creates a standards-based method for providing consistent costs of insurance services.
   Some have commented that no one cares about UL and its standards when it comes to video monitoring. I would argue that insurance companies do care, and as losses continue to show up on loss runs, they will care even more.
   Take a very simple example: healthcare information. Many years ago, there was little or no control over how healthcare data was managed. Now look at how many laws and controls are on the books. They are there because of how that information was exploited. The alarm industry, by partnering with organizations like UL, FM, and ETL, has largely regulated itself, knowing that standards-based rules and third-party verification were the best way to provide consistent and reliable services.
   When things go sideways and bad things happen, when people die or buildings burn down, everyone becomes an expert, usually through a social media post showing how smart they are. But after all that is over, the really smart people end up in a room, like a courtroom, and decide who is going to take the fall and who is responsible for the loss. At that point, none of the social media posts help. Only the fact pattern of the case matters. If you met the minimum standard of care based on a known, recognized ANSI standard, you are in a strong position. On the other hand, if you didn’t meet any standard of care, or you mocked one or called it irrelevant and then failed, you are in a very weak position.
   Specifically as it relates to video monitoring, which honestly has been the Wild West until the last few years, the industry has recognized the need for, and has written, several new video monitoring standards to meet what consumers, insurance carriers, and our partners in public safety expect from the security industry.
   It’s easy to complain about something and call it unnecessary. There is absolutely nothing keeping anyone from hanging out a shingle, sitting in their mother’s basement, and doing video monitoring. But those who want to scale and grow will need a framework to work within, build upon, and grow from. For many, UL 827 is that minimum standard to start from.
   For what it’s worth, all ANSI standards are consensus-based, which means anyone can propose changes, additions, or deletions as part of the process. So, if you are that passionate, instead of complaining about it, become part of the process and participate.
Morgan Hertel
VP of Technology and Innovation
Rapid Response Monitoring
Office: 877-553-4531
Direct Cell: 909-915-8045
mhertel@rrms.com
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Response
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   Adherence to established standards imposed by recognized organizations becomes extremely important to essential when something goes wrong and you need to justify your installation or service. Not all of you are up to speed on regulations and regulators. For those who like to be in the know, here may be more than you want to know.
   UL 827 is the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard for Central-Station Alarm Services. It establishes the requirements for alarm monitoring centers (central stations) that monitor fire alarms, burglary alarms, residential security systems, and related alarm signals. In practical terms, when an alarm company says it operates a “UL 827 Listed Central Station”, it means its monitoring center has been evaluated against UL 827 requirements and is subject to ongoing audits to verify continued compliance.
   UL 827 covers areas such as:
* Continuous staffing by trained operators.
* Reliable receipt and processing of alarm signals.
* Backup power systems and redundancy.
* Communication reliability between protected premises and the monitoring center.
* Recordkeeping, supervision, and operational procedures.
   UL 827 is often important because:
* Many commercial customers, insurers, banks, and government entities require monitoring by a UL-listed central station.
* Certain specifications and contracts require alarms to be monitored by a UL 827-certified facility.
* Fire alarm central station service under NFPA 72 is commonly provided through facilities that comply with UL 827.
   UL 827 primarily governs the operation of central monitoring stations and alarm monitoring services. The standard applies to monitoring stations that monitor fire alarms, burglar alarms, residential security alarms, and managed video services.
   Video monitoring is already big business and it’s very likely to increase. That means more revenue for alarm companies and those that service the alarm industry. Regulations evolve along with technology, and that includes video monitoring.
   Regulations for video monitoring:
   The industry developed a more specific standard, UL 827B Managed Video Services, which addresses video monitoring services in detail. UL 827B covers monitoring stations that use video cameras and related technologies to provide security services, including:
* Viewing live video streams
* Video verification of alarms
* Remote assessment of events
* Interaction with people or systems at the protected property
* Notification of customers, guards, or law enforcement based on video observations
   So the take away distinction is:
   UL 827 Listed Central Station means the monitoring center meets central station requirements.
   UL 827B Certification means the monitoring center’s managed video monitoring service has been evaluated for compliance with the video-specific requirements.
   The Kirschenbaum Contracts TM are keeping pace with evolving technology and services. The 2027 Standard Forms are all being reviewed for changes in laws and technology and any forms ordered now will have those updates. Also, all purchases come with free update for 6 months, so no need to wait for 2027.
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STANDARD FORMS Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements.   click here: www.alarmcontracts.com
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Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden City Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
www.KirschenbaumEsq.com