Alarm Monitoring

What makes a well-designed security system complete? Monitoring and notification.

The security system detects a potential intrusion. Local audible devices warn the intruder that they have been detected. System monitoring then concurrently notifies appropriate persons and authorities.

Types of Monitored Alarms

Burglary and Intrusion

All alarms, no matter the design, can be monitored. We highly recommend that your alarm system include proven methods and detection devices to minimize the risk of false alarms while maintaining reliability and effectiveness in the protection of life and personal property.

Panic

All SRI alarm systems include an always active panic button on the main system keypad. It can be programmed as audible or silent. It is also available as a portable wireless button or pendant. The central station and responding authorities will handle these types of alarms more urgently.

Duress alarms

Duress or “hostage” alarms are initiated when a special “duress” code is entered at the keypad, typically in response to a hold-up or hostage situation. Should you arrive home late in the evening or arrive to work early and be approached by a stranger who demands that you go inside and disarm your system, you can do so by using the duress code which will silently alert the authorities.

Medical

A medical alert button is typically included on most standard alarm system keypads. Is also available as a portable wireless button.

Fire

A fire alert button is typically included on most standard alarm system keypads. Is also available as a smoke or fire detection device connected to a monitored alarm system.

Gas and Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, like smoke detectors, are now a building-code requirement in most jurisdictions for residential dwellings. While monitoring is not mandatory, it makes good sense to add CO detectors to a monitored alarm system. This way you can be notified of a potential hazard even while you are away from home.

Environmental

Many types of environmental detection devices are available for monitored alarms, the most common being detection for indoor flooding and temperature fluctuation. These detection devices can provide warning of pending disaster, for example in the case indoor plumbing and water heater leaks, or freezer and wine cellar temperature changes.

The Technology

Phone line-connected alarm systems

Still the most cost-effective technology where an already existing phone line is available. No additional equipment or upgrades are required, but not all internet-based phone services are compatible. SRI recommends backing up phone-based communicators with some form of radio technology.

Internet-connected alarm systems

This technology utilizes a high-speed internet connection for communications, which most homes and businesses already have. Internet monitoring has several benefits over phone line-connected alarms, including compatibility with Total Connect remote services that enable the end user to stay remotely connected to their alarm systems via any smart phone or PC. Additional equipment, such as an internet communicator, is required. SRI recommends internet-based communicators be backed up with some form of radio technology. For information about Total Connect remote services.

Radio signaling technology

With radio signaling technology, the alarm communication with the central station leaves the protected premises by radio transmission, alleviating the concern that a hardwired connection could get disconnected or suffer a service outage. There are two basic types of radio communicators: 1. Local radio transmitters connected to a mesh network of radios throughout the local region, all leading back to the local central monitoring station. 2. Cellular radio communicators that rely on the existing network of cellular telephone radio towers to ultimately get the alarm signals to the central station. When Honeywell GSM cellular communicators are specified, the Honeywell Alarm Network is part of the signaling path, which in turn provides the customer with additional benefits and optional services, including Total Connect remote services.

Cellular radio-connected alarm systems

Available as a back-up (to a land line-connected communicator) or as a primary communicator. When used as the primary communicator SRI specifies Honeywell 4g GSM communicators that are compatible with Honeywell’s Total Connect remote services.

Combination technology-connected alarm systems

Although this term implies the utilization of any two different communication technologies on a single alarm system, SRI specifies Honeywell IGSM communicators – internet communicator with Cellular radio back-up. This technology is compatible with Total Connect remote services, and should the primary internet connection go down, the cellular radio technology not only supports alarm communications to the central station but also supports the Total Connect remote services connection allowing the customer to remain remotely connected to their alarm system via smart phone or PC, under most conditions.