Glossary of Security Terms

Abort Code:
Your abort code is a word or number that you use to identify yourself to the central station in the case of a false alarm. If you accidentally set off your alarm, the central station dispatcher will ask you for your abort code. If you don't have one, or if you provide an incorrect one, the authorities will be dispatched. You will also need an abort code to make changes to your account.

AC:
A term used to describe Electrical Power. All household electrical power is AC (alternating current). Any device, which plugs into an electrical outlet in your home, operates on AC power. Security systems and other electronic devices plug into AC power and then convert it to DC power. See also: DC

Arm / Disarm:
Describes the state of the security system. Describes action of turning on or off (activate or deactivate) your security system. There are typically several ways to arm a security system, “Stay”, “Away”, “Instant”, etc.

Away:
Describes state of arming. The "AWAY" feature is a way of arming your complete alarm system, the exit delay will count down for 30 seconds to give you time to leave through the entry / exit zone before the system arms. All interior and exterior zones will be activated when using the "AWAY" feature.

Backup Battery:
This is the battery located in the Security Panel in the closet. The battery will keep your system functional for approximately 8 hours in the event of a power failure.

Bypass:
A zone that is bypassed will not be activated when system is armed. This allows you to bypass the master bedroom window for ventilation. All openings on a zone are bypassed together.

Central Station Monitoring: Security systems send their signals over your telephone line to a central monitoring station—the facility that acts as the link between your home and the police, fire department, and emergency response authorities. A central station is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by highly skilled operators trained to respond to emergencies. The station operator alerts the proper authorities and dispatches help.

DC:
A term used to describe Electrical Power. Batteries store DC power (Direct Current). Items such as Wireless Devices, Automobiles, or any battery-operated device operate on DC power. See also: AC

Door and Window Contacts:
These are the devices that indicate the current status of a door or windows position, open or closed. Doors and most sliding windows use flush mount magnetic switches that may or may not be visible when the door/window is open. Single and double hung windows and some sliding windows use surface mount switches that are visible on the windowsill.

Duress Code:
A Duress Code is a Silent Panic transmitted to our Central Monitoring Station. It could be used in a Hostage situation, allowing you to turn off your alarm while calling for the Police. Requires Central Station Monitoring.

Entry/Exit Delay:
A delay of the zone to allow a timed exit after the alarm is armed and a timed entrance when returning. Typical exit delay time is 30 seconds and entrance time of 45 seconds. If alarm is not disarmed before time elapses, siren is activated and Central Station Monitoring is notified (if Monitoring enabled).

Entry/Exit Zone:
Any zone that activates an Entry/Exit Delay. Typically used for the Front Door and Garage Entry Door to allow a timed entrance.

Fire Detection:
There are several devices to detect Fire. Smoke Detectors are used in living areas to detect smoke and excessive heat. Heat detectors are used in non-living areas such as garages and attics to detect excessive heat. Heat detectors are not considered life saving devices as you could be overcome with smoke before they are triggered. Heat detectors do not false alarm due to dust, dirt, fog, smoke, etc.

Fire Zone:
Any zone with a fire device on it. Fire zones are active 24 hours a day whether alarm is armed or not.
Fire zones used in conjunction with Central Station monitoring provide 24-hour fire protection with automatic Fire Department response. See your C&R Systems Representative for details.

Hand Held Remote:
Many of our systems can be equipped with a Handheld Panic Button or a Multiple Button Device to allow control of your Security System as well as a Panic Button.

Instant:
Describes reaction of zones. Zones can be Instant or Delay. Instant means they react instantly to being opened, triggering an immediate alarm.

Instant Arming:
Describes state of arming. Activating the "INSTANT" feature arms only the perimeter zones of your home. Zones, in most cases, can be assigned as either perimeter or interior zones. Once the "INSTANT" feature has been activated, one can stay inside the home and move around without the risk of setting off the alarm system. Only the perimeter doors and windows will be armed, so if someone breaks into the house through a perimeter door or window, the alarm will be set off. All perimeter zones are INSTANT, including entry / exit zones.

Interior Zone:
An interior zone is a zone that is armed only in an “Away” mode. If the system were armed in a “Stay” mode, the interior zone would not be activated to allow you to move about inside the home.

Light Activation:
Our HAI Omni series of Automation Systems can turn on lights when the Alarm is activated. This can be utilized as a Burglar deterrent by drawing attention to your home.

Medical Emergency Pendant:
Necklace Pendant can be ordered to alert Paramedics of Medical Emergency. Requires Central Station Monitoring.

Motion Detectors:
Also referred to as PIR’s. Motion detectors sense rapid heat changes in its field of view. Motion sensors cannot detect changes through glass. Motion detectors may detect extremely bright light as light generates heat.

Phone Activation:
Phone Activation allows you to control your system over a touchtone phone from within the home or by calling in to your system remotely. All of our systems have Phone Activation available. The Ademco Vista Series of panels offers an optional Phone Module; speak to your C&R Representative for details. The HAI Omni Home Automation includes Phone Activation.

Paging Feature:
Ademco panels can be programmed to page you when disarmed, a good feature with if kids live in the house.

Stay:
Describes state of arming. Activating the "STAY" feature arms only the perimeter zones of your home. Zones, in most cases, can be assigned as either perimeter or interior zones. Once the "STAY" feature has been activated, one can stay inside the home and move around without the risk of setting off the alarm system. Only the perimeter doors and windows will be armed, so if someone breaks into the house through a perimeter door or window, the alarm will be set off. Entry / exit zones have delay.

Waterflow Switch:
A Waterflow switch may have been installed if you have automatic fire sprinklers in your home. Your fire sprinkler installer is certified to install the switch. Waterflow switches are typically mounted in the garage in a red enclosure. Waterflow switches can be tied into your security system to enable automatic dispatch of the fire department if fire sprinklers are triggered. Requires Central Station Monitoring.

What is a zone?

This can sometimes be difficult to explain because there are different wiring schemes that can be done. The number of zones available and the number of openings covered by the alarm system determine the wiring scheme. Generally speaking, a zone is a group of openings or devices, which are in proximity with each other or share the same attributes (i.e. living room windows, family room door and windows, front door and garage entry door, etc). When bypassing a zone, all openings or devices for that zone would be bypassed together. We recommend purchasing a Security Panel with enough zones to enable smaller groups of openings. The attributes available for a zone are listed below:

Entry / Exit Zone: The Front Door and Garage Entry Door are typically in this zone. Entry/exit zones are a delayed response zone, giving you time to leave through the door after arming the system and time to reach the keypad when entering the home. Entry/exit zones are activated for all armed commands.

Interior Zone: All Motion Detectors are typically in this zone. Interior zones are not active when the Alarm is armed in a “Stay” mode.

Fire Zone: All Smoke Detectors, Heat Detectors are in this zone. Fire Zones are active 24 hours a day.

Fire Zone / Waterflow: If your home has Fire Sprinklers and a Waterflow Switch, a zone can be used to enable reporting to our Central Monitoring Station. Speak to our C&R Systems Representative to see if this option is available in your community. Fire zone / Waterflow zones are active 24 hours a day.

Perimeter Zone: All door and window openings that do not require entry/exit delays. Perimeter zones are instant response, meaning they trigger an alarm immediately when opened. Perimeter zones are activated for all armed commands.

NOTE: Every wireless device occupies an individual wireless zone. This would include all wireless Door/Window Sensors, Motion Detectors, Smoke Detectors and Handheld Panic Buttons, etc.

How many zones can I have?

Ademco Vista 10P Standard - 6 hardwired zones onboard
Upgrade - 16 wireless zones with available expander

Ademco Vista 15P Standard - 6 hardwired zones onboard (standard)
Upgrade - 16 additional hardwired zones with available expander
Upgrade - 26 wireless zones with available expander

Ademco Vista 20P Standard - 6 hardwired zones onboard (standard)
Upgrade - 40additional hardwired or wireless zones with available expanders

HAI Omni LT Standard - 8 hardwired zones onboard
Upgrade - 16 additional hardwired zones with available expanders

HAI Omni II Standard - 16 hardwired zones onboard
Upgrade - 32 additional hardwired or wireless zones with available expanders

HAI Omni Pro II Standard - 16 hardwired zones onboard
Upgrade - 160 additional hardwired or wireless zones with available expanders

How many user codes does my system have?

Ademco Vista 10P 16 User Codes

Ademco Vista 15P 1 Master Code
30 User Codes
Any User Code can be programmed as “Duress”

Ademco Vista 20P 1 Master Code
46 User Codes
Any User Code can be programmed as “Duress”

HAI Omni LT 8 User Codes

HAI Omni II 16 User Codes

HAI Omni Pro II 99 User Codes

What is a “Duress” Code?

A Duress Code is a Silent Panic transmitted to our Central Monitoring Station. It could be used in a Hostage situation, allowing you to turn off your alarm while calling for the Police.

How many keypads can I put on my system?

Ademco Vista Series 8 keypads
HAI Omni LT 4 keypads
HAI Omni II 8 keypads
HAI Omni Pro II 16 keypads
(HAI keypads can be any combination of LCD and/or Touchscreens. Multiple Touchscreens require an additional power supply)

What exactly is a central monitoring station?

Security systems send their signals over your telephone line to a central monitoring station—the facility that acts as the link between your home and the police, fire department, and emergency response authorities. A central station is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by highly skilled operators trained to respond to emergencies. The station operator alerts the proper authorities and dispatches help.
How does the alarm system notify the central station?

Alarm panels send signals into the central station via the telephone line, so it is important to understand that if you disconnect your telephone line, you also disable your alarm system! Alarm signals can also be sent via a cell phone system (depending on your location) as a backup to the primary telephone line. Please contact your C&R Systems Representative for details.

Can I use “Voice Over IP” (VoIP) as my telephone line for my Security Alarm?

No! VoIP does not support the technology needed to allow accurate transmittal of Alarm data. You must have a standard phone line in your home to allow for Central Station Monitoring.

What happens when my Alarm is triggered and I am monitored?

Typically, if it's a burglar alarm, the central station dispatcher will call the premises first. If someone answers at the premises, the dispatcher will request a password. If a valid password is provided, the dispatcher will simply ask if everything is okay. If nobody answers, or if someone answers who cannot provide a valid password, the dispatcher will then dispatch the police. In this instance, the dispatcher will also notify the responsible party (RP) contact on the alarm account's "RP list." This is a typical response; the actual response to an alarm depends on a number of factors, including the individual account holder's wishes, and the local city laws. To find out how your individual alarm will be handed, call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-1625. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

I have DSL; can my Alarm System be monitored?

All you need is our DSL Alarm Filter installed at the security panel. It plugs into the RJ31X phone jack located next to your equipment. Our Service Representative can arrange for delivery and installation of the filter.

What is a Responsible Party list and who should be on it?

The Responsible Party List represents the people our Central Station personnel will try to reach in the event of alarm activation at your residence. The list should include your work and cell phone numbers. Any other persons living in the house additional phone numbers. And a relative or friend who may have access to your home and/or the ability to contact you any time you are not reachable.

Example: If the Police respond to alarm activation at your home and find a broken window, you need someone on your list that could assume responsibility for scheduling repairs if you are unavailable.

How do I change my RP list phone numbers?

If you have already have a valid abort code and simply want to change it or the responsible party list phone numbers on your account, you can call our Customer Service Department (800) 331-1625 and your request will be completed. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

What is an “Abort Code” and who should I give it to?

An Abort Code is the Verbal Confirmation that you are an authorized Alarm User. After an alarm activation has occurred, the Central Station would use it to verify over the phone that you have the authority to cancel the Police.

Provide all users of your Alarm System with an Abort Code.

You may have multiple Verbal Abort Codes. One for yourself, family, the maid or a guest, etc.

C&R Systems will NEVER call you and ask for your abort code UNLESS you have triggered an alarm in the past few minutes. If you call C&R Systems to inquire about your account or to make changes to your account, we will ask for your Abort Code for verification.

How do I change my abort code?

If you have already have a valid abort code and simply want to change it you can call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-1625 and request the change. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

Will my security system have 24-hour monitoring?

C&R Systems’ central station is professionally staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

I set off my alarm and nobody from central station called me! Why?

If you accidentally set your alarm system off, but immediately silenced it by entering your keypad code, you may simply have caught it before it could dial out to the central station. If it went off for some time and you didn't get a call from the central station, there may be a problem with your alarm system. Call the central station (800) 827-9379 and ask them to check the alarm history on your account and, if necessary, call our service department at (800) 331-1625 to arrange for a service call. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

Do I need an outside Siren?

Outside sirens can provide additional peace of mind, but there are also some drawbacks:

1. Outside sirens often cause complaints from the neighbors, and may result in a noise citation if the siren isn't programmed to shut of after a specified period of time, usually 5 to 15 minutes.

2. If your siren is triggered and neighbors do respond, they could be hurt by an intruder. When the police arrive, they may confuse a neighbor for a burglar.

3. So many sirens go off these days; most people tend to ignore them.

4. Many neighborhood CC&R’s prohibit outside sirens.

C&R Systems does not include an outside siren in any of our Security packages.

How do I change my keypad arm/disarm codes or add new ones?

Procedures for changing your arm/disarm codes or adding new ones are contained in your users manual. If you are having difficulty changing or adding arm/disarm codes, our Customer Service Department can assist you. If you cannot find your users manual, you can find a copy of it on our Technical Support / User Manual page.

My alarm is going off and I can't get it to stop. What do I do?

Usually, simply entering your keypad alarm code, or your alarm code +1 will get it to stop (you may have to enter it more than once, pause for 10 seconds between tries) if that doesn't work you may need service on your system. If your alarm is going off don’t forget to call the central station (800) 827-9379 so the police will not be dispatched to your location. If you don't have an users manual, you can find a copy of it on our Technical Support / User Manual page.

I don't have a user's manual, how do I get one?

Please visit our Technical Support / User Manual page

Why does my telephone go dead when the alarm goes off?

Alarm systems use the telephone system to transmit signals to the central station. Our panels have something called "line-seizure" built into them, which means that the alarm panel grabs the telephone line to report the alarm and, until it is finished, the telephone line is unavailable for telephone calls. If you have DSL, it will not be affected by the line seizure.

I know that I should test my alarm system regularly, how do I?

Most alarm systems have a simple way that they can be tested; your alarm systems user guide will have the exact procedures. Any test should activate the siren and send a signal to the central station. You should test every opening and all devices. Don’t forget to call the central station at (800) 827-9379 and place your system on test before testing and make sure you have your abort code ready when you call.

Will I get charged for a false alarm?

C&R Systems does not charge for false alarms! A faulty alarm panel or the careless use of an alarm system can lead to false alarms, and cities are growing increasingly strict concerning the number of false alarms they will respond to before fining an alarm panel owner. Every municipality has its own rules regarding fines for false alarms. Many cities allow one false alarm a year. It's wise to check with your local city hall for the rules governing your area. It's also wise to ensure that you keep your alarm system in good working condition and that you know how to use it properly, this will help to greatly reduce the possibility of false alarms.

Do I need an alarm permit?

Every municipality has its own rules regarding permits. It's wise to check with your local city hall for the rules governing your area. Some cities will not dispatch their Police Officers unless you have an alarm permit on file with City Hall.

What do the "STAY" and "AWAY" features on my keypad mean?

Activating the "STAY" feature arms only the perimeter zones of your home. Zones, in most cases, can be assigned as either perimeter or interior zones. Once the "STAY" feature has been activated, one can stay inside the home and move around without the risk of setting off the alarm system. Only the perimeter doors and windows will be armed, so if someone breaks into the house through a perimeter door or window, the alarm will be set off.

The "AWAY" feature is a way of arming your complete alarm system, the exit delay will count down for 30 seconds to give you time to leave before the system arms. Interior and exterior zones will be activated when using the "AWAY" feature.

What is the difference between the Master Code and User Code?

The Master Code is usually the homeowner’s code. This code, in addition to allowing an individual to arm or disarm a system, allows access to entry level programming, such as changing the clock, date, time, chime and adding or deleting user codes. The User Code is a code most often given to the alarm panel owner's children, relatives, caretakers, employees, etc. This level of access is used primarily to turn the system on and off. Check with your alarm systems user guide for the exact functions that each level will allow.

What is the difference between an arm/disarm code and an abort code?

Your arm/disarm code is the 4 to 6 digit code that you enter into your system's keypad to arm and disarm (turn on/off) your alarm system. Your abort code is a word or number that you use to identify yourself to the central station in the case of a false alarm. If you accidentally set off your alarm, the central station dispatcher will ask you for your abort code. If you don't have one, or if you provide an incorrect one, the authorities will be dispatched. You will also need an abort code to make changes to your account.

My system indicates a low battery, what does it mean?

All security systems installed by C&R Systems have a backup battery. The battery will keep your system functional for approximately 8 hours in the event of a power failure. When power is restored, the security system will recharge the battery. Typically, backup batteries last 3-5 years. As a general rule of thumb, if you have experienced a recent power failure and your security system is indicating a low battery, wait 24 hours and see if the low battery is recharged. If you haven’t had a recent power failure, or you’ve waited 24 hours and a low battery warning still exists, the backup battery should be replaced.

Some homes have wireless devices installed. Wireless devices utilize batteries for power. If a wireless device is initiating a low battery warning, the warning will include a zone number. Refer to the zone list you were provided when your alarm training occurred to determine which device has initiated the low battery warning.

If you have Central Station Monitoring through C&R Systems, a trouble signal will be transmitted to our Central Station. Our customer service department will attempt to contact you through the Responsible Party phone list you provided us with.

Where do I get a replacement battery?

C&R Systems carries a full line of replacement batteries. You might chose to replace the battery yourself, or you may schedule a service call for a qualified service technician to replace the battery. Call our Customer Service Department at (800) 331-1625 to arrange for a service call or to purchase a battery. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

My system keypads are rapidly beeping, what do I do?

Rapid beeping usually indicates a trouble condition. Most alarm systems display the trouble on the keypad screen. To silence a trouble, use you’re “off” command, just like you were silencing an alarm. Some troubles may clear themselves, like a low battery created by a power failure. Others will require a service call to repair, such as Failure to Communicate (Phone line trouble). Refer to your Users Manual for additional trouble conditions. Call our Customer Service Department at (800) 331-1625 if assistance is needed. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

I have the “chime” feature on, why didn’t the keypad beep when I opened the window?

The chime feature initiates a keypad beep when a “zone” is opened. Most zones include several openings. For example, a Family Room zone could include the Patio sliding door and any windows in the room. If the sliding door is open, that entire zone is open. When the window is opened, the zone would not register a change of state unless all of the other openings in the zone were closed at the time.

I’ve turned my system off after an alarm, but the keypad still displays an alarm, why?

Security systems continue to display an alarm memory after the alarm has been silenced. This allows you to quickly silence an alarm instead of trying to read the alarm while the siren is active. Depending on the brand of alarm you have, the steps to clear an alarm memory are different. Refer to your Users Manual for brand specific instructions. If you cannot find your users manual, you can find a copy of it on our Technical Support / User Manual page.

Ademco Vista panels: Turn the memory “off”, code+1 (the first “off” command disarmed the alarm, the second “off” command clears the alarm memory). The alarm system cannot be armed again until the alarm memory is cleared.

DSC panels: The alarm memory will not clear until the alarm is cycled once (turned on and off).

Radionics panels: Press “Command 4”