Default

The factory-set value for any programmable option in the alarm system. To “default the system” is to perform either a hardware or software operation that returns all options in the system to values they had when the system left the factory

Door Contact

A normally magnetic switch, which detects if a door, is closed or open.

Digital Communicator

see Communicator

Detector

see sensor

Fire Alarm System

A combination of compatible initiating devices, control panels, and indicating appliances, designed and installed to produce an alarm signal in the event of fire.

False Alarm

An alarm generated internal to the sensor equipment, for which the specific cause is unknown. Some causes of this are user error (accounts for over 80%) , telephone line trouble and equipment malfunction.

Group4 Patrol

A mobile patrol sent authomatically or on request to the premises if an alarm activation occurs. The aim of the patrol is to check and if necessary to secure the premises until necessary.

Glass Break Detector

A sensor that detects unique effects of breaking glass: Acoustic Glass Break Detector senses unique acoustic frequencies or frequency profiles that are present when glass breaks; Seismic Glass Break Detector senses unique seismic shock frequencies that travel through the glass as it breaks.

Hard Wired Alarm System

An alarm system where all components are physically wired to the control panel.

Inform Only Contact

A nominated person who is not requested to respond to an alarm activation but who is deemed to be important to know about the alarm situation.

Intruder

Any person who has gained unauthorised access to the protected premises.

Ionisation Smoke Detector

A smoke sensor that detects the invisible gaseous products of combustion.

Key Pad

A device that allows a user to control an alarm system by pressing keys numbered 1 through 0. In addition to the keys, almost all keypads have some means of displaying information to the user about the alarm system.

Key Fob

A device to set and unset the alarm system remotely - without using the keypad on the control panel.

Key Holder

A nominated person who is deemed able to operate the security system, has keys as required and ideally lives within 20 minutes travelling time.

Movement Detector

Commonly referred as PIR (passive Infra Red) works on principle of sensing infrared energy (heat) from the intruder's body in motion trough a protected area. It will not detect intruders trough walls , glass or others solid objects.

Motion Sensor

see Movement Detector

Master Code

A four-digit (usually) code that allows the primary user of an alarm system to turn the system on (Arm) or off (Disarm) as well as make changes to the system.

Maintenance

Routine scheduled service work on an alarm system to detect and prevent predictable problems from occurring, such as batteries that lose their ability to retain a charge, smoke detectors that become dirty or blocked, motion detectors whose sensitivity may change with time, switches that may become loose, etc.

Monitored Alarm System

An alarm system which reports detected conditions to a monitoring facility. Monitoring facilities are usually located off-site from the protected premises.