Monitored Burglar Alarm Flowchart * There are several steps between a false alarm (where the alarm is accidentally triggered) and an unnecessary dispatch (where police are called to a false alarm). There are plenty of opportunities to cancel a false alarm, in a properly planned system.

1

The Alarm is triggered.

By whom?

From the 22X NCPC Burglary Prevention Committee. For more info, visit www.oakland22x.org

Resident (you)

If you tripped it accidentally, you can disarm it at the control panel.

Pet

Your system was not planned or set up correctly. Your alarm company can help you plan your system to avoid this.

Burglar/ Home Invader

It’s not a false alarm. It’s a real emergency! This is why you bought your alarm. You want the police to be dispatched.

Optional 30–60 second delay before the siren sounds. The main entry door typically has a delay so you can disarm the system when you arrive home. Other doors and windows trigger the sound immediately. If there’s no emergency, you can disarm your system now. • Your alarm system sends a message to your Alarm Monitoring Service through your telephone line. • If your phone line doesn’t work, it can send by wireless back-up. • If your power is off, the back-up battery will kick in.

2

The Alarm siren sounds (loudly).

3

The Alarm Monitoring Service gets the message.

4

The Alarm Monitoring Service calls your phone list.

Depending on your company’s policy, they might wait a few minutes to give you a chance to disarm a false alarm.

Depending on your arrangement with your company, the Alarm Monitoring Service will call the numbers on your phone list. The first number is typically your residence, followed by your mobile or work phone, or your spouse’s phone.

If you answer, and give your password, you can tell them if it’s a false alarm or a real emergency. If it’s a false alarm, they do not call the police. If your Alarm Monitoring Service cannot reach you or the designated person on your phone list, they will assume there is an emergency and call the police. The police are typically number 2 or 3 on a phone list.

5

6

The Alarm Monitoring Service calls the police. The Alarm Monitoring Service calls the rest of your phone list.

After calling the police, the Alarm Monitoring Service will continue to call the designated numbers on your phone list—this should include your neighbors, so they can call the police too, and be good witnesses. You must instruct your company to do this (and tell your neighbors what to do if they get that call). If you have a Patrol/Response service, put them on your phone list too.

*Fire & Smoke alarm protocols may be different. Be sure to consult with your alarm company about how to avoid false fire alarms. document rev. 3 10/05/13