Just like any other industry, terminology has evolved that helps us describe each
component in an alarm system but which probably does very little to help you to understand
what the heck we're talking about. Within this page, you'll find our way to dispel
the fear of jargon with some simple no-assumption explanations of the common terms.
Alarm receiving centre - in the event of a false
alarm, the system dials through to the alarm receiving centre or ARC and deposits a coded
message that will be responded to by the centre staff. i.e. alert the police and or fire
brigade or alarm company (Vigilant)
Door contacts - a reed switch that detects the
opening or closing of a door or windows
Duress - in the event of an attack or intrusion,
a duress code can be used to unset the system but will also inform the
alarm receiving centre of the situation
Global tamper - the entire system has a tamper
circuit installed to prevent any unauthorised attempts to interfere with the system
I.D. chip - an intelligent device that once
installed into a compatible system will give that particular device an unique
identification
Monitoring - connection to an alarm receiving
centre (ARC) via a communications device which is capable of sending coded messages to the
ARC for action
Panic attack - a user-activated device for
initiate action in a similar way to a duress code
PIR - a Passive Infra
Red device that is set to detect movement in a defined field of vision of
the device
Smoke Cloak - A thick dense cloak of harmless
smoke that fills the room when the alarm is activated making the disrupting intruders
efforts.
Sounder - an internal or external device to
signal alarm status. An internal sounder is used to signal setting/unsetting of the
system as well as providing discomfort to any unauthorised intruder. An external sounder
is used primarily for triggered alarm conditions.
Speech Dialler - a communications device that
when the system is triggered will dial to designated telephone numbers in succession and
play a recorded message (by UK law, this device must NOT be set to dial any of the
emergency services)
SSAIB - Security Systems and Alarms Inspection
Board - Police and Insurance recognised organisation ensuring registered members meet
strict criteria and inspection standards.
Zone - an defined area or room that has a device
allocated to it for intruder/movement detection i.e PIR or a Door Contact
