Checklists for Selecting an Alarm Company

Important considerations in selecting an alarm company and defining the service to be provided can be addressed with the following checklist:

Six points regarding the security system company:

1. At least ten customer references in your area.
2. At least five years of operation under present management.
3. Membership in the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association.
4. Disclosure of the company’s Dun and Bradstreet Credit Report.
5. Agreement to pay any equipment-related false alarm fines.
6. UL 611 accreditation by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Five points regarding installation and service:

1. Installation by company-trained technicians (not subcontractors or moonlighters).
2. Managers on call for you – at all times.
3. Proof of workers’ compensation and general liability insurance (to protect you from liability).
4. Service by National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association – certified technicians – 24 hours each day.
5. An annual inspection and preventive maintenance service program.

Seven points regarding the system and monitoring:

1. A “hands-on” trial, in advance, of how to operate it.
2. Full disclosure, in advance, of all equipment makes and models.
3. Protection against service disruption from severed telephone lines.
4. Wire splices soldered in order to have a solid connection and to reduce future false alarms. This is vital!
5. Monitoring center owned and controlled by the installation company.
6. Monitoring center locally situated, subject to your inspection, and UL-listed.
7. Automatic test signals to monitoring center – at least weekly.

More information about alarm company selection can be obtained by contacting Underwriters Laboratories or the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association.

Further detailed information on Intrusion Alarmscan be found in the IREM publication Spolight on Security for Real Estate Managers © 2005 by Lawrence J. Fennelly, CPO® Click here to order today.