Alarm System Monitoring

Your onsite alarm processor and the point where the alarms are monitored usually will be linked by a voice-grade telephone circuit. Often a digital dialer is part of the onsite alarm processor. When an alarm system event occurs, the digital dialer speed dials into the computer at the alarm system monitoring point. Once the dialer has established contact with the computer, the alarm processor downloads the digital alarm system event information.

Cutting the telephone line into the monitored premises may prevent the alarm system from transmitting event information. Some processor manufacturers provide telephone line monitoring. A telephone line malfunction may be reported locally, usually on the keypad. The alarm system contractor may include an alternative independent communication link as part of the commercial alarm system installation. This will usually be a cellular telephone securely located at your facility. If the wire telephone circuit malfunctions (as it would if it was cut by a would-be intruder), the alarm system processor recognizes telephone line failure and sends a link failure alarm over the alternative communication link to the monitoring station’s computer. The alarm system uses the alternative link to pass any event information.

Monitoring can be entirely local. The alarm processor can generate an alarm signal that only warns persons at your facility using lights, klaxons, or sirens. In alarm system terminology, this is known as a “local alarm.”

Because the alarm processor can be programmed to turn on lights and sirens, it also can be used to activate devices that are not traditionally associated with an alarm system. Consider having your alarm processor turn on the outside sprinkler system in the vicinity of a window when an attacker trips the glass-breakage detector assigned to that window. This type of unusual response serves two purposes: first, an attacker knows that his attack has been detected before he even enters your building. Second, a wet and cold attacker is less able to focus on the original objective.

Alarm system monitoring can be done by an approved contractor at a distant location. This approach is called “central station monitoring.” It is the most likely form of monitoring the Forest Service will use, at least initially. Generally, commercial alarm installation companies provide access to central station monitoring for an additional monthly fee. The alarm information from your facility’s alarm processor is transmitted digitally to the central station monitoring location by a telecommunications link, often voice-grade telephone lines. Your facility or agency would have an account with the central station. Activation of a sensor (or a normal opening, closing, or duress signal) generates an immediate display indication at the central station. Typically, the monitoring employee views the display on a computer terminal that may include a great deal of information.

All of this information can be extremely useful when passed to security responders in a timely manner. It also can be useful when investigating real or suspected penetrations of your facility.

Establishing a contract with a central station monitoring company requires the same attention to detail and precise definition of expectations as any other contract for physical security services. If the company can’t provide consistently reliable service and give your security responders exactly the information they need in a timely manner, find another company.

It is technically possible for the Forest Service to set up its own central station monitoring system that would enable it to monitor its own facilities using its own personnel. This approach is likely to be more costly than contracting with a central station monitoring company.