Due several requests by valued clients in the 1990s, APi Systems Integrators researched central station monitoring service. When we found a reputable service meeting our criteria for excellence and value, we began offering this service to our customers. The Central Station we choose met the UL-certified criteria required in some governmental licensing of facilities. This ensures the monitoring station has redundant systems, personnel and communication lines so the monitoring station has the best degree of service reliability that can be established.
With laws changing to require UL-certified monitoring of specific residential facilities, we are confident the service we represent is the best value available for our customers. We have packaged a basic fire alarm system monitoring service for an annual fee. Our package includes daily system integrity testing under the UL guidelines for this type of system. It requires the client to make available two phone lines for use by the monitoring communicator when called for. The monitoring package only includes the central station monitoring and relies on the client to designate "responsible parties" which are to be contacted when an alarm is received. Usually for fire alarm system monitoring, the first "responsible party" for a fire system alarm is the appropriate fire department, and then any owner's representatives so designated. We have also begun to offer IP monitoring which has different requirements but offers added value to the end user.
We sell and install digital communicators suitable for interface between most fire alarm system panels and owner provided phone or IP lines. These sales and installations are reasonably priced and feature UL-approved interfaces. The monitoring does include only the monitoring; the facility must have a reliable fire alarm system to be monitored but we can and do provide systems either through purchase or lease. Other central station monitoring services are available such as for access control, ADA elevator two-way emergency telephones, environmental monitoring, visual monitoring upon signal alarm and other innovative answers to specific applications. Prices vary upward from our basic system package but are always a value when considered with what is provided.
Contact our Monitoring Manager for details on central monitoring.
