FireLite Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a Firelite commercial fire panel that is made by Fire Lite, chances are that you have some issues and questions about it.

How do you test the FireLite Panel?
If you have a 50 Point or 128 Point Addressable FireLite Panel then you should have a keypad that looks like this on the front. All you need to do to run a test is to first, let your central station know to put the account on test so the fire department is not dispatched. Second, push the drill button for 2 seconds. When you are ready to quiet the alarm, push the Alarm silence button. Lastly, push the reset button to power cycle and clear the alarm.

What does Telco Line 1 mean?
If you have a Telco Line 1 error on your screen it means that the fire panel is trying to dial out and there is not a working phone line. You probably need to add a new Fire LTE Cell Communicator. (That is better than getting two landline phone lines with the phone company usually, but you could also activate two landline phone lines)

What does NAC 1 Open mean?
NAC stands for Notification Appliance Circuit and is used for the fire horns, strobes, bells, chimes, and speakers to notify occupants and the fire department of an alarm. There is usually a circuit that could include several notifying devices and if one of them is bad or missing it could show an open circuit for that NAC. The 50 point panel can handle up to 2.5Amps per NAC and should have an EOL (end of line) resistor that is 4.7K.

What candela strobes are needed?
NFPA 72 outlines which candela is needed in different size rooms. 115 is the minimum needed outdoors.

What back up battery do I need?
Most fire alarm systems need to be able to run the alarm for 5 minutes on the battery and the system has to be able to function for 24 hours if the power is out. Typically a battery like this one is used. They should be replaced around every 4 years.

What is the best way to test my smoke detectors?
It is recommended that you use a can of smoke to test the smoke detectors.

What is the difference between an alarm, supervisory, and a trouble?
An alarm event has the highest priority since it occurs when a smoke detector, heat detector, pull station, water flow sensor, or another device is tripped causing the system to go off and notify people to evacuate the building. A Supervisory event is when a device has been tampered with and needs attention, but will not sound the fire alarm to evacuate. A trouble means that something is wrong, but not an alarm or a supervised event. Troubles could be a ground fault, broken wire, or even a bad battery.

What is a ground fault?
A ground fault occurs when a wire in a circuit touches ground. This could be any wires connecting to the panel and usually requires that each circuit is removed one at a time to see which one is causing the ground fault. Then it can be necessary to see if the ground fault is in the middle or end of the line.

How often do the smoke detectors need replacing?
Residential smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. Commercial smoke detectors need to be inspected and tested once a year or more to ensure that they are working properly.

What is the programming code?
If you need to make some changes to your Firelite panels programming you will want to make sure you know what you are doing, but the default code is usually 00000000 for Master Level and 11111111 for Maintenance level. You will need to push the Menu/Enter key first. Then you will want to reference options in the programming guide for more information.

For More Information on security or products visit our YouTube Channel here

The post FireLite Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions appeared first on Zions Security Alarms - ADT Authorized Dealer.

Article source here: FireLite Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

The Top 8 Mistakes when Looking For a Security Camera System

If you are looking to get a camera system soon there are some tips you need to know first. These 8 tips will help you start off on the right foot and know what to expect.

1. Will the Camera be able to read license plates? Expecting every camera to be able to read license plates and facial features from any distance is unreasonable and you will likely be disappointed. Every camera has a specific purpose. If you want to see your front yard with a wide-angle lens you will need a certain camera for that. If you want to read license plates then you will want to get a license plate capturing camera. But it is not likely you will be able to capture a license plate number and your entire front yard from the same camera. If you do, two separate cameras will be necessary (However, a 4K camera would come the closest to accomplishing both). Essentially most people decide against upgrading to having a license plate camera, they just want to see their front yard.
   
2. Can each camera turn and rotate? Most cameras are fixed to observe one location at a designated magnification; they don’t move or zoom in. But, of course, you can spend a little more and get a camera that has a motorized zoom capability. In addition, you can spend even more and get what is called a Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera (PTZ Camera), but they are usually pretty expensive and reserved more for school campuses and hospitals. It usually makes more sense to get a few fixed cameras instead of getting a PTZ camera on your house or for your small business. There are some that are less expensive, and if you really want one, get one. Everyone will be jealous of your ability to rotate and zoom in on anything near and far. But, is envy your objective?
   
3. Can each camera be wireless? It is very common that people think that we can install all of their cameras wirelessly. Though there have been some improvements and advancements, wireless cameras are and will always be inferior to hard-wired cameras. Because of this 90% of cameras that people have are hard-wired; they are way more dependable. Ask around or look online and you will see poor reviews for cameras that run solely on batteries. We have a hard enough time keeping our cell phones charged, let alone having to take a camera down and charge it every other day. Thus, be prepared for your installation technician to either have to run a wire to a power outlet or to run a cat5/cat6 wire to your router location. If you want to have cameras on multiple buildings we will have to solve this problem by connecting all the buildings to the same network, using WiFi from each building, or installing a local recorder in each building. If you are thinking you want a camera on a pole, it is best to run a wire from the router or recorder to the top of the pole.
   
4. Can you zoom in and make the image clearer? Thanks to Hollywood there are still people out there that think we will be able to zoom in on a low-resolution image and the software will magically refocus and gain resolution or pixels that never existed! Image enhancement software is a myth. Zooming in on images only makes them more pixelated and lowers the resolution. The higher the resolution you have the more likely you will be able to have the ability to zoom and still have an ok image. But even zooming in on a 4K camera image can only go so far before the image starts to look fuzzy and over-pixelated as well.
   
5. Can I add more cameras later? The next mistake that customers can sometimes fall for is not having a big enough recorder. If you only want 4 cameras now and want to add a 5th camera later, you will need to replace your recorder. You should have just started with a recorder that can do 8 cameras. Experience has shown that you will always want more cameras than you initially think you need. So best to always have a little room for growth if possible.
   
6. Do cameras record continuously? If you have a camera that records to the “cloud,” most of them have a cool-down period. That means that they can only record a small clip of 30 seconds or so and then they might need 30 seconds to 5 minutes to process that clip before it is ready to record a new one. Only some camera systems are able to record non-stop but do not assume that all cloud-recording cameras will capture everything. They most likely will miss half of every minute!
   
7. Can the cameras send me a text notification? The last misconception that people have about security cameras is that they are all able to send you notifications. Most cameras DO have this ability, but they are really bad at it. This means that they will send you notifications every time the wind blows. So most of the time, if you want notifications you want to use a security system that has a door sensor or motion sensor. There are some newer cameras that are “smarter” than most that can do this though. They can tell the difference between a person, an animal, and a vehicle. But most cameras and camera systems cannot really send you authentic notifications.
   
8. Can the camera be hidden? There are such things as covert cameras, like smoke detectors or motion detectors that have a hidden camera inside, but they are usually lower quality than the more common dome and bullet cameras. I usually recommend not using those for this reason. It is usually better to have a camera that has a greater resolution, price, or features than have it hidden. But it can be done if it is a must.

Its hoped that these 8 tips on security cameras has helped with realistic expectations when you are ready do get a reliable estimate for a security camera system. When you are ready please give us a call and we can answer any additional questions and get an estimate to you in a matter of minutes.

The post The Top 8 Mistakes when Looking For a Security Camera System appeared first on Zions Security Alarms - ADT Authorized Dealer.

Article source here: The Top 8 Mistakes when Looking For a Security Camera System

Alert 360 Ranks 4th Among Top 100 Residential Security Providers by SDM Magazine

Top-Rated home and business security company climbs again in the list of country’s largest home security providers list!

TULSA, Okla., June 08, 2020 – Alert 360, one of the nations’ largest providers of home and business security and automation, climbed to the No. 4 position among residential security companies on the 2020 SDM 100 list. Alert 360 held the No. 5 position on the 2019 SDM 100. The company also ranks No. 10 overall as a provider of both home and business security systems for 2020.

The annual SDM 100 Report ranks the top 100 U.S. companies that earn their revenues from the sale, installation, service and monitoring of electronic security systems to residential and non-residential customers.

“We are humbled and honored by the number of home and business owners who put their trust in us and provide consistent, positive reviews for our services,” said Richard Ginsburg, president and CEO, Alert 360. “We attribute our standing in the industry to the families and business owners we serve, our tremendously talented and dedicated team, and our successful dealer and vendor partnerships.

“With nearly 50 years of experience providing home and business security solutions, we work with amazing, global technology partners. These partners help us offer powerful security and smart devices, creating a better experience for our customers and boosting business for our dealer partners. We remain dedicated to providing leading home and business security technology and award-winning alarm monitoring, with a focus on outstanding customer service.”

Alert 360 also has been recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company; a Five Diamond alarm monitoring provider; a “Best Home Security Provider,” and a “Best Places to Work” for four years straight.

Earlier this year, Alert 360 broke ground in Tulsa on a new go-to-market concept – the Alert 360 Retail Experience Center. The retail center will be a more robust version of Alert 360’s Mobile Experience Centers, which were launched in 2018 to demonstrate the benefits of today’s security and automation products to consumers. The Tulsa center will be the company’s first combined retail and branch location, which can be emulated across Alert 360’s national footprint.

Across the country, Alert 360 provides a comprehensive line of home security, business security, energy management, and home automation products and services. These services include home security cameras and video; smoke alarms; carbon monoxide detectors; glass break and motion sensors; flood protection; a mobile app; keyless entry; smart thermostats; remote garage door control; smart lighting; live video footage; recorded clips; indoor and outdoor cameras; doorbell cameras and more. Alert 360’s certified security technicians also offer professional installation or integration of smart home devices, such as sprinkler systems, sound systems, Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Founded in 1973, Alert 360 is one of the nation’s oldest-licensed alarm monitoring providers. Today, the company has a network of branches from coast to coast, providing local security services for its nearly quarter of a million home or business security customers. Find a local Alert 360 home and business security office here.

Find more ways to protect yourself, your family, and your home from door-to-door sales scams in one of these recent blogs:

Be on the lookout for COVID-19 scams, fraud
Alert 360 Alerts Homeowners to Home Security Sales Scams
Use these 5 Tips to Secure Your Front Door and Know Signs of a Security Sales Scam

With local home security offices from coast to coast, Alert 360 is in your neighborhood or a phone call away. We also offer a free, limited-touch home security evaluation and service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your Local Alert 360 Home Security Company Can Help! Find a local Alert 360 home security office near me at Alert360.com. Visit our Alert 360 Home Security Support Center and FAQs for helpful online help anytime or contact us here.

We have coast to coast office locations. If you would like a free security review or quote, click here!

Branch offices:
Anaheim, CA
Austin, TX
Clinton, OK
Dallas, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Fresno, CA
Houston, TX (North Office)
Houston, TX (South Office)
Kansas City, KS
Miami, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
Phoenix, AZ
Sacramento, CA
San Antonio, TX
San Diego, CA
Sarasota, FL
Springfield, MO
Tulsa, OK
Wichita, KS

The Alert 360 blog is recognized as a top 10 home security Blog post in the nation.

The post Alert 360 Ranks 4th Among Top 100 Residential Security Providers by SDM Magazine appeared first on Alert 360.

Article source here: Alert 360 Ranks 4th Among Top 100 Residential Security Providers by SDM Magazine

Top 10 Burglary Fails That will Lift Your Mood

While there are many competent thieves that can cause a lot of problems for your business, there are also some. . . less competent ones. So let’s take a look at our top 10 burglary fails that are guaranteed to make you laugh or at least shake your head. We can’t all be criminal masterminds.

10. Some strings attached

Most people know that display phones are wired to the cases to prevent theft. But it seems like this guy didn’t get the memo. As he tried to run with a stolen display phone, he was stopped pretty quickly by the attached wire.

9. That’s one way to avoid your wife

Some people are willing to do anything to avoid an argument. But in the case of Larry Ripple from Kansas City, his method was a little extreme. After an argument with his wife, Ripple went and robbed a bank, but didn’t flee the scene. When the police arrived, he turned himself in, saying he’d rather go to jail than be at home.

8. No one was thinking here

These two thieves in Spruce Grove, Alberta made a series of mistakes, but the crowning moment is probably when the woman tried to escape through the ceiling, and failed quite spectacularly. We’re really not sure what they were thinking at all, but at least their failure is pretty entertaining.

7. He’s armed and . . . dangerous?

Out of all the possible weapons to choose from to rob a convenience store, this guy chose a palm frond, which is not particularly intimidating. We’re not really sure what he was thinking but you have to give him points for creativity. And at least he kept his face covered. . .

6. Well, that didn’t work…

This thief saw a chance and he took it, and then he failed miserably. After throwing the rock at the door of this convenience store, the man panicked and ran off and tripped. Not sure what this guy’s plan was, but it obviously didn’t work.

5. But first, let me take a selfie

It’s amazing how this couple really didn’t think things through. After John Mogan and Ashely Duboe robbed a bank in Ashville, Ohio, they proceeded to do an incredibly stupid thing: they took selfies with the stolen cash and posted them on Facebook. They were arrested pretty quickly after that.

4. That’s quite the fumble

This thief really messed up. As he attempted to hold up a store in Aurora, Colorado, the thief not only dropped his gun, but also his pants as he ran away. That’s got to be pretty embarrassing.

3. What an empty victory

Recognize this creeping, crawling criminal? He and an accomplice were caught on surveillance video breaking a window at Domino’s Pizza, stealing an empty safe. Report anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers or Det. Giovanni Milicchio at (561) 243-7820 with information.@CrimeStoppersPB pic.twitter.com/Q5YJaQTjwy

— Delray Beach Police (@DelrayBeachPD) January 25, 2019

This thief spent eight minutes crawling on the floor of Dominoes Pizza with socks on their hands to steal a safe. But here’s the joke: the safe was empty all along. Looks like that thief is in for one big disappointment!

2. That had to hurt

This clumsy thief in Westland, Michigan got a little more than he planned when an entire shelf came crashing down on him. This guy tried to remove a phone from it’s security device on a display case but instead ended up pulling the display case down on top of him.

1. The security device you didn’t know you needed

We have been having issues with people coming into our neighborhood to try and steal tools out of vehicles (And anything else they can get their hands on) Our flood light didn’t seem to scare them off, so we decided to have a little fun with a motion activated sprinkler that has an impressive amount of pressure (For licensing and usage, contact: licensing@viralhog.com)*Please join our Facebook Group to share your own sprinkler videos/stories: "Theft Management with a Splash"

Posted by Katie Camarena on Thursday, February 27, 2020

This would-be burglar definitely wasn’t expecting a shot of water to the face when they tried to rob a truck in a residential area. After dealing with burglars stealing tools from her truck, Kate Cameron, a southern California resident, set up a motion sensor sprinkler to deter thieves. And based on this video, it worked very well! This thief probably won’t be back.

These robbery fails are pretty funny, but dealing with thieves can be a frightening and frustrating situation. A security system and video surveillance can help prevent theft and give you the peace of mind you need. Contact us for a free estimate or any questions.

The post Top 10 Burglary Fails That will Lift Your Mood appeared first on Zions Security Alarms - ADT Authorized Dealer.

Article source here: Top 10 Burglary Fails That will Lift Your Mood