Commercial Security
Protecting Your Employees, Business and Assets
A business security system monitored by EMERgency24 is one of the best ways to protect your employees and place of business should there ever be intrusion, fire, medical emergency, gas build-up, water leak or almost any other unspeakable event. Plus, business owners can be alerted anytime the system is armed or disarmed outside of normal hours of operations and be alerted of any signal that comes from your security system.
Other benefits of having a business security system monitored by EMERgency24 include:
- Save on property insurance! It's proven that physical losses are significantly less in structures monitored by a central station. This saving is passed along to policy owners.
- Increased peace of mind! Even when you are not at work, emergencies are responded to immediately. This provides protection for employees, stock, irreplaceable data, historical documents and much more.
- Instant information! Technological advancements facilitate instant notification of alarm system events, including the notification of power failures, system access outside of normal hours, abnormal temperatures, medical alerts or almost any other "actionable" event the owner would want to be aware of immediately.
Learn More about Security Systems for Your Home or Business
Fire Alarm Systems
A monitored fire-alarm system detects the presence of smoke and fire by identifying environmental changes associated with combustion. When system devices, such as smoke or heat detectors that may be mounted on a wall, ceiling or in ductwork, determine that there is indeed a fire, local annuniators will sound and a signal is sent to EMERgency24 via the control panel to initiate the dispatch of emergency responders.
A quick dispatch of emergency responders greatly increases life-safety for occupants - and pets - who could not vacate upon hearing the annuniators.
Plus there is a significant reduction of property damage. On the contrary, if an alarm system is not monitored, a fire will continue to double in size every 60 seconds someone sees smoke billowing out of the eaves and calls the authorities.
As an Underwriters Laboratories Central Station, EMERgency24 offers fire alarm monitoring services to provide peace of mind to home and business owners who want a national team of monitors looking after life and property housed within the protected facility.
In addition to fire alarms, EMERgency24 monitors supervisory signals for sprinkler malfunction and trouble signals indicating electrical malfunction. Alarm signals immediately prompt a dispatch call to the local fire department while personnel from the protected property and the alarm dealer are notified of supervisory and trouble signals.
To comply with the U.S. National Fire Alarm Code, EMERgency24 also issues a certificate or placard, establishing third-party verification of its services.
Burglar Alarm Systems
Property owners who have burglar alarm systems monitored by EMERgency24 are protected by a nationwide team of operators who are ready at a moment’s notice to dispatch emergency responders should there ever be a need. Trained for both commercial and residential alarm systems, EMERgency24 monitors examine each alarm scenario thoroughly to ensure the proper actions are taken and that every communication is accomplished in the utmost courteous manner.
Burglar Alarm System Components
Control Panel
The control panel is the "brain" of the burglar alarm system. When a detection device of any kind is activated, the signal is transmitted to the control panel, which in turn activates an audible sounding device and the communicator reports the alarm signal to EMERgency24.
Keypad
When an alarm system is installed, the business owner is asked to select a secret password that will arm or disarm the system from a Keypad, usually located near an entry door. It is recommended that security system owners choose a new type of keypad control panel designed to help reduce false alarms and dispatches.
Based on a standard called CP-01-2000 developed by the Security Industry Association, the new generation of keypad control panels takes aim at user error by building in extra precautions that will minimize unwarranted dispatch of emergency responders.
Annunciators/Notification Devices
These are devices like bells, sirens or lights that activate when alarm-system sensors detect activity within a protected area. These are intended to prompt evacuation of the structure if warranted, or to alert of adverse conditions.
Perimeter Sensors
The use of these varies based on the type of space being monitored and what the alarm system is protecting (for instance, specific valuable objects). Perimeter sensors are installed on doors, windows and other outside openings or egresses. There are several methods and types of hardware that can be used to accomplish this.
A magnetic contact depends on the direct physical operation or disturbance of the sensor to generate an alarm. When a door or window is opened, a magnet releases a switch, breaking the contact and activating the alarm. A mechanical switch detects the opening of a protected door or window using mechanical contact switches, which are spring-loaded to trigger an alarm when a door or window is opened.
Glassbreak Sensors
Glassbreak sensors monitor windows that are likely to be broken during intrusion. These devices sense the vibration or sound of breaking glass to activate the alarm.
Interior Motion Sensors
- Passive Infrared Sensors (PIRS) are used to sense the entry of an intruder into a protected area. Detection occurs when a heat source (thermal energy) crosses a defined boundary. When the radiation change captured by a PIRS exceeds a certain pre-set value, the thermal sensor produces an electrical signal which is sent to a built-in processor for evaluation and possible alarm. Photoelectric sensors transmit a beam of infrared light to a remote receiver. Once the beam is interrupted, the loss of signal at the receiver generates an alarm signal.
- An Ultrasonic sensor is an active motion detecting device that emits ultrasonic sound energy into a protected area and reacts to a change in the reflected energy pattern. When a person enters a room, the wave pattern is disturbed and reflects back more quickly with an increased pitch, thus signaling an alarm.
- Microwave sensors are motion detection devices that flood a designated area with an electronic field. Movement in the protected zone disturbs the field and sets off an alarm.
Audio Detectors
Audio detectors use a series of microphones to listen for noises generated by an intruder's entry into a protected area. If a certain amount of noise is detected within a selected time period, an alarm signal is generated.
Video Cameras
Video monitoring is an emerging technology that can be incorporated into a burglar alarm system.
Get a Quote!Environmental Alarms
Today’s property owners can keep tabs on the environmental condition of their facilities by integrating this function into their alarm system. Perfect for locations that are not constantly occupied, environmental alarms can help protect against frozen pipes, water damage or most any other situation, by alerting of local conditions that are determined to be out of the ordinary.
What is an Environmental Alarm?
Designed to supplement your alarm system, environmental monitoring provides you with peace of mind while away from your business. Whether it is your primary home, vacation cottage, business office or a manufacturing facility, the detection of environmental trouble can help minimize property damage and the headaches related to extensive repairs.
- Temperature: Monitor highs and lows within an area or the entire facility using sensors set to advise when levels vary outside of pre-determined settings.
- Humidity: Be aware of the moisture in the air both "highs and lows" with an output switch that can easily be wired to an existing alarm panel.
- Chemicals: Receive alerts of chemical conditions that can result from storage of paints, pool supplies and many more common household substances. Security system owners can even be alerted to the absence of a chemical if necessary.
- Water: Should the pipes burst or the sewer back up, property owners can minimize damage if unwanted water is detected quickly.
Video Monitoring Systems
Video monitoring is an emerging technology that can be incorporated into almost any burglar alarm system.
EMERgency24 brought video monitoring to the industry forefront be being the first company to synchronize the alarm signal with the video at the central station. Since then, EMERgency24 has developed several ways to incorporate video into a security system that best serves the end user. These include Video Verification, Video Guard, Video Guard Tour & Video Gate.
Video Verification
Video Verification documents a change in local conditions by using cameras to record video signals or image snapshots. The source images can be sent over a communication link, usually an IP network, to EMERgency24 where monitors retrieve the images through proprietary software. The information is then relayed to law-enforcement and recorded to an event file, which can later be used as prosecution evidence.
An example of how this system works is when a “passive infrared” sensor – or any other sensor – is triggered, a designated number of video frames from before and after the event is sent to the central station. A trained monitoring professional then closely studies the output to identify for customers and police the cause of the signal and sends the data to authorized parties.
A second video solution can be incorporated into to a standard panel, which sends EMERgency24 an alarm. When a signal is received, a trained monitoring professional accesses the on-site digital video recorder (DVR) through an IP link to determine the cause of the activation. For this type of system, the camera input to the DVR reflects the alarm panel’s zones and partitioning, which allows the monitor to look for an alarm source in multiple areas.
Both camera hardware and listen-in intercoms have improved with each product generation, raising quality and lowering cost significantly. Also, because of advancements in information technology and data compression standards that allow much heavier loads of data transmission, video and audio devices are now commonly integrated into a building’s Ethernet system.
Video Guard
With Video Guard, the subscriber specifies a time that they would like monitored and the central station checks in during the specified time to ensure the validity of the transaction. The subscriber can also specify an event they would like to monitor (i.e., the depositing of money into a safe nightly) rather than a timed condition. The variables and the duration of time to be monitored are all customized to suit the needs of the client.
This real-time observation of events can potentially replace guard services and/or additional personnel who are hired to ensure the integrity of an event. Outsourcing the "check-in" provides additional safeguards that are not available with in-house verification.
Video Guard Tour
When a business or residence is unattended, EMERgency24 monitors can “look in” on any camera connected to the system and perform a video “guard tour” of the area to report exceptional conditions, events or unauthorized entry, potentially eliminating the need for on-site guard services. “Look-in” service also provides an additional layer of protection against collusion that is not possible via in-house verification.
Video Gate
After hours, on weekends or anytime a door or gate is unsupervised, images of anyone entering or leaving can be taken, transmitted and logged by EMERgency24, providing a history of everyone that enters or leaves the premise.
Get a Quote!Personal Emergency Response Service
Personal Emergency Response Service
For many senior citizens, there comes a time when emergency assistance is needed in their home. Personal Emergency Response Service (PERS) provide the means to call for help from almost anywhere in the home at the press of a button. With instant access to request medical attention, local police or the fire department, PERS devices provide senior citizens the confidence for independent living.
How PERS Devices Work
A Personal Emergency Response Service connects to EMERgency24’s around-the-clock call center with the push of a button. Installation is simple and no tools are required. All that’s needed is a working electrical outlet and a live telephone line – set-up is that easy!
The emergency transmitter is typically worn on a lightweight necklace, as a wristband or on a belt clip. When pushed, the transmitter sends a signal to a receiver that’s connected to the home telephone line.
After the button is pushed, a two-way voice communicator built into the receiver will be activated. Advanced technology allows this receiver to be heard and to pick up voices from almost anywhere in the house.
A trained EMERgency24 staff member will announce that they have received an emergency signal. After discussing the situation, a quick evaluation will be made as to whether an ambulance is needed or if a call should be placed to a designated friend or family member.
The Need for PERS
Each year, 16 million senior citizens fall with 10% requiring hospital visits. Sadly, 12,000 of these incidents prove fatal. But with quick attention after a fall, the probability of hospitalization is reduced by 26% and the likeliness of death decreases by more than 80%.
With a PERS device, should there ever be a need for help, a trained operator will respond immediately over a two-way voice communicator. Plus, a listed friend or family member will be informed of the situation.
A PERS device not only lengthens the time a person is able to live on their own, but it is an economical solution to a problem millions of Americans face: how to stretch retirement savings during a time when the average annual U.S. cost of assisted living is $36,372 and nursing home care is more than $79,935.
Did You Know?
- In the past 30 years, healthcare spending has risen 2 percent faster annually than the rest of the economy. In 2007 the total U.S. healthcare bill came to $2.3 trillion—more than we spent last year on food. Congressional Budget Office
- In 2008, the national average rate for a private room in a nursing home was $79,935. The national average rate for a semi-private room increased modestly by 1.1% in 2008 to $191 daily or $69,715 annually from 2007. National average assisted living rates increased by 2.1%, from $2,969 monthly or $35,628 annually in 2007, to $3,031 monthly or $36,372 annually in 2008. The MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs, October 2008
- Some senior-living communities, particularly continuing-care retirement communities offering multiple levels of care, also charge a one-time entrance fee ranging from $60,000 to $120,000, and have additional fees for services such as meal delivery to living quarters. The MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs, October 2008
- Most assisted-living communities create an individual plan for each resident that details the services required. Depending upon their chosen level of service, the average monthly rate for providing assistance with activities of daily living not included in the base rate is $386. The average monthly rate for providing assistance with instrumental activities of daily living, such as medication management, not included in the base rate is $327. The MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs, October 2008
- The average length of stay in an assisted-living facility is approximately 21 months. The MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs, October 2008
- A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2009 will need approximately $240,000 to cover medical expenses in retirement* even with Medicare insurance coverage. This figure is a 6.7 percent increase over the 2008 estimate of $225,000. Fidelity Consulting Services 2009
Assumes no employer-provided retiree health care coverage and life expectancies of 17 years for a male and 20 years for a female.
On average, Fidelity anticipates healthcare costs will rise 7 percent a year in the foreseeable future. Healthcare inflation is due primarily to three factors: increased development of and use of new health-related technologies, advances in prescription drugs and the aging of the workforce.
Fidelity researchers estimate the $240,000 will be eaten up by three costs:
- Medicare Part B and D premiums, which account for 32 percent of the total
- Medicare co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance and other cost-sharing items, which account for 35 percent
- Prescription drugs, which account for 33 percent
Fidelity Consulting Services 2009
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