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Common Abbreviations used within the Security Alarm Industy

ACFO: Association of Chief Fire Officers.
ACPO: Association of Chief Police Officers.
ARC: Alarm Receiving Centre. A Secure location where security alarm system signals are monitored 24hours a day.
Area: Segmented section of a security alarm system.
AWG – American Wire Gauge is the means for measuring wire diameter. Larger numbers represent smaller diameter wire, and vice versa. A alarm cable is usually described by its AWG size followed by the number of wires (conductors) it contains. For example, a standard security cable listed as 22-4 is a four-conductor cable made up of four wires, each 22 gauge.
BG: Security Break-Glass alarm sensor
BGD: Breaking-Glass Alarm Detector.
BNC: One of the most popular of the coaxial connectors, BNC connectors are commonly used in professional video camera applications because they lock in place.
C&E: Cause and Effect.
CCTV: Closed Circuit Television.
Corrective Maintenance: A call out, or engineer attendance to correct an alarms fault.
CS – Central Station, where security alarms are received
CPU: Central Processing Unit (Computer) - Control Panel Unit (Alarm).
Digi-Com: Digital Communicator.
Dual Tech (DTEC): Dual Technology - where a single alarm device operates on two different types of technology. Must common use is where a PIR and a Microwave security motion detector is combined into one security alarm movement detector.
Duress Code: A number chosen by the user that, if used to disarm the alarm system will act as normal but will also send a silent panic alarms to the alarm central station.
DP: Distribution Point/Panel (Telecommunications).
DP: Double Pole (Relay).
E/E: The Entry/Exit doors of an Alarm System.
EOL: End Of Line.
ET: Exit Terminator - A button or other device which when activated triggers the final setting of the Alarm system. Expander: A Device which expands the capabilities of an security alarm system.
F/D: Fire Door.
F/E: Final Exit.
FSL: Fully Supervised Loop.
GPRS: General Packet Radio Service.
GPS: Global Positioning System.
GSM: Global System for Mobile communications.
I.O’s: Input/Outputs.
IP: Internet protocol.
LED: Light Emitting Diode.
MRS: Magnetic Reed Switch, found in Security Door Contacts and PA Buttons.
NVM: Non Volatile Memory.
PA: Panic Alarm - A Device which when pressed causes a full alarm condition regardless of whether or not the alarm system is set/unset. This may be enabled to cause a silent security alarms if the system is monitored, then having the same effect as Duress code.
PEB: Photo Electric Beam.
PD: Published Document.
PIR: Passive Infra-Red Receiver (security movement/alarm motion detector).
Preventative Maintenance: An engineer’s attendance to inspect a system.
PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory, used in security alarm control panels.
PTS: Push To Set - A button which when activated triggers the final setting of the Alarm system.
PSU: Power Supply Unit, brings power to the alarm control panel.
QUAD: Two Movement Detectors (Located within the same housing).
Remote Reset: The facility to apply an engineer reset to system without physical attendance.
REN: Ringer Equivalence Number - a telephone line can normally supply up to 4 REN, where a standard telephone/answering machine etc would equal 1 REN.
RKP: Remote Alarm System Keypad.
SAB: Self Activating Alarm Bell.
SAS: Self Activating Security Sounder/Siren.
SCB: Self Contained Alarm Bell box.
SIA: Security Industry Association - describes a signaling protocol.
SPKR: Speaker, used with speaking alarms.
SSAIB: Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board.
ZEM: Zone Expansion Module, increases security system alarm zones
Zone: Identity of a group of detection device(s) connected to an intruder alarm system.

Common Security Terms

24-Hour Zone - An alarm zone that is continuously active regardless of whether the security system is armed or disarmed. Could be an alarm panic button or smoke detector connected to alarms.
Access Code – A four-digit (usually) alarm code that allows a user to turn a security alarm system on (Arm) or off (Disarm.)
Activity report - A record or file maintained by a alarm monitoring company of all alarm system events communicated by a customer’s security system.
Alarm condition - A state of alert status indicating what and when alarms had occurred.
Alarm Memory - A feature of some security alarm control panels that provides a record/display if any alarms which have occurred during the last armed period.
Alarm Reporting Codes - The signals transmitted by the alarm system’s digital communicator to an security companies monitoring facility’s receiver that identify the specific alarm condition.
Alarm verification - A false alarm reduction feature supported by some security alarm control panels that resets a fire/smoke detector for a brief period and reports only if the alarms detector trips a second time or if another security detector on the fire loop trips.
Ambush code - A unique alarm security code entered into the security system keypad by the owner of an alarm system indicating a duress condition, usually for silent alarms.
Ampere hour - (AH, Ah) Term is generally used in the alarm industry to express the storage capacity of security standby batteries and how that capacity relates to the length of time the battery could power an alarm system in the event of a power failure.
Arm - The act of turning on a security alarm system.
Armed - What an alarm system is when put into an active alert state.
Automatic Arming - A feature supported by some control panels which provides for automatic arming of the alarm by a built in timer.
Automatic iris - An optical device that adjusts a security camera automatically to varying light levels.
Auxiliary Power Connections - Terminals provided on many alarm system control panels for the purpose of supplying power to attached devices, like security motion sensors or smoke detectors.
Away - An alarm system armed condition or mode that activates both interior security sensors and perimeter alarm zones.
B Connector – A small insulated alarm wire connector used to join and insulate two or more wires at a splice. The stripped ends of the wires are placed inside the connector, and it is crimped with pliers or (preferably) a crimping tool. The connectors are often call “beanies” or “chicklets” by security installers.
Backup battery - (Standby battery) An alarm battery used as a temporary power source in the event of interruption of primary power, usually located in the metal security system enclosure that houses the alarm control board.
Bell cut-off - (Bell time-out) A feature supported by most alarm systems that will silence a siren or sounding device after a prescribed period of time, usually 8 or 12 minutes.
Bypass – To deactivate a zone or zones before arming the system. For example, the user might want to arm the security system while leaving the back door open while he/she works in the back yard. The back door would be bypassed at the alarm keypad before arming the system.
Call-Back - A communications protocol for alarm control panel downloading procedure wherein the control panel answers a downloading computers telephone call, both the control panel and the computer hang up and the control then calls a number which has been designated as that of the downloading computer. This procedure provides a high level of security by insuring that only the designated downloading number has access to system programming.
Can - The metal enclosure that houses an alarm system's control panel. It holds the battery, control circuit board and security devices wire splices.
Central station - (Central Monitoring Station) An alarm monitoring facility which receives and acts upon signals transmitted to them by subscribers alarm systems. These stations are graded according to their level of security.
Chime - An audible alarm signal with a rhythmic tone used to annunciate a change in status of an alarm system, such as the opening of a protected home door or window.
Closing report - A signal sent to a central station by an alarm system indicating that the security system has been armed. Used mostly in commercial applications.
Code - A group of numbers used to arm or disarm an alarm system or entry system.
Communicator Format - The established communications protocol, designated by a security alarm control panel programming, that will be used for communications between the alarm system’s digital communicator and the receiver at a security monitoring company.
Contact ID - A standard communications format developed by Ademco - Honeywell and used by alarms system digital communicators for information exchange with a remote security monitoring facility.
Default programming - 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 alarm system left the factory.
Delay Zone - A zone, normally used for entry/exit doors, which when faulted starts a timer and will initiate an alarm on an armed system only upon expiration of the programmed delay period.
Digital communicator - A stand-alone device, usually built into an alarm control that electronically dials a telephone number and transmits distinctive digital security codes that carry information regarding the status of the alarm system to an alarm monitoring company.
Digital meter - A measuring instrument that samples and displays values on a digital readout, typically capable of measuring voltage, current and resistance.
Disarm - To remove an alarm system from active mood. It can still signal a local chime if something is opened, but will not send an alarm condition to the alarm central monitoring station, unless it is a 24 zone like fire.
Door Chime - An enunciator that provides an audible signal upon the opening or opening and closing of a protected door. It is supported by most alarm system control panels which provides an audible signal with a rhythmic tone to annunciate a change in status of a protection circuit, such as the opening or opening and closing of a door or window.
Doppler Shift - The apparent change in frequency of a signal caused by relative motion between the signal transmitter and receiver, the familiar example being the change in pitch of a train whistle as the train approaches and then passes the location of the observer.
Downloading - Transferring data from a computer or other programming device to an alarm system via direct connection, telephone or Ethernet connection.
DTMF - Abbreviation for Dual Tone Multi-Frequency.
Dual Technology Sensors - Security Sensors that utilize two separate technologies for the purpose of enhancing detection and/or reducing false alarms. Usually security motion sensors the use both Microwave and Inferred sensors.
Duress Code - A security code, password or pass-phrase used by an individual when that person is being forced to gain access to a protected area or system. Can be a special Access Code, which initiates a silent alarm, used when a person is being forced to disarm an alarm system.
EEPROM - Acronym for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only memory.
End of line relay - A device used to supervise or monitor power supplied to security alarm sensors on an Normally Open loop or zone, such as 4-wire smoke detectors.
End of line resistor - A termination resistor placed at the end of a supervised alarm zone or loop. A method of monitoring the integrity of an alarm zone or loop that usually employs a termination resistor of a specified value. The security control monitors the circuit resistance and sounds the siren if the resistance value changes.
Entrance delay - (Entry delay) A timer is used to delay the activation of the alarm siren to allow disarming of the security system after entering the home. Usually 15 to 30 seconds.
EOL - Abbreviation for End of Line denoting the end of an electrical line or circuit
Event code - A reporting code transmitted by an alarm system's digital communicator that identifies a specific event or occurrence, such as burglary, fire, etc.
Event log - A file containing a limited history of certain alarm events or mode changes that have occurred on an alarm system.
Exit alarm - An chirp of the alarm siren initiated upon exiting a protected area.
Exit delay - The time allotted after arming an alarm system for leaving a protected area without initiating an alarm. A timer is used to delay the activation of the siren to allow exiting of the home. Usually around 40 seconds.
Fail Safe - A type of lock that automatically unlocks in the event of electrical power loss.
Fail Secure - A type of lock that automatically locks in the event of electrical power loss.
Failure to Communicate - (FTC) A condition that results when an alarm system’s digital communicator is unable to complete successful alarm communications with a monitoring facility receiver.
False alarm - An alarm resulting from a malfunction or user error to the security system.
Fault - An abnormal condition on a circuit or line, like an open door in a security loop.
F-Connector - A crimp-on, twist-on or compression connector used to terminate coaxial cable, commonly used on cables for TVs, VCRs and CCTV camera equipment.
Force arm - A feature supported by some alarm control panels that automatically bypasses any open or faulted zones and enables arming of the alarm system anyway.
Ground - An electrical connection to a large common conducting body or an electrode buried or driven into the earth.
Handshake - The initial communications between an alarm system's digital communicator and a monitoring facility's receiver that determines the parameters of the communications format and establishes synchronization.
Hardware Default - A procedure normally requiring a physical act or temporary change to the alarm control panel to affect a default to basic factory programming values, such as depressing a push button, changing the position of a switch or installing a jumper wire.
Hardwire - Physically connecting an alarm systems control, modules and components with conductors and cables.
Homerun - A wiring method that routes all cables from individual sensors to the control panel rather than connecting multiple sensors on a single loop run.
Hybrid Alarm System - An alarm system, which combines the characteristics and functionality of both Hardwired and Wireless system alarm systems.
Infrared - (IR) Light that is invisible to the human eye.
IP - (Internet Protocol) A set of rules to send and receive messages at the Internet address level.
IPCCTV - Internet Protocol Closed Circuit Television
LED - Light Emitting Diode.
Line Seizure – An alarm system feature that allows the system to take complete control of the house telephone system in the event of an alarm. This would prevent, for example, an intruder from disabling the alarm system phone dialer by picking up an extension phone.
Loop – A term sometimes used for the wiring circuit in a zone. A zone might have five switches forming one continuous loop.
Master Code - A four-digit (usually) code that allows the primary user of an alarm system to turn the security alarm system on (Arm) or off (Disarm) as well as make limited changes to the system (for example: adding, changing, or deleting access codes.)
Memory – If an alarm has occurred, the alarm system will retain it in its memory and display it on command, so that the user can know what caused the alarms.
Modem - An appliance used to allow electronic devices to communicate with each other via telephone lines.
Monitored alarm - An alarm system or an alarms component which is supervised by a base station.
Normally Closed – A type of alarm system wiring in which a detection device has a switch or circuit that is closed when the door or window is closed (its “normal” condition).
Normally Open - A type of alarm system wiring in which a detection device has a switch or circuit that is open when the device is secure (its “normal” condition).
Partition: Segmented section of a security system. May be an office inside a factory that can be left armed on weekends while workers are in the factory.
Processor controlled - A device which uses a microprocessor to analyze inputs to the alarm system, i.e. movement, to determine an output, such as sounding the siren. Like logic circuit control, this technology can be used in PIR sensors to reduce the risk of false alarms by improving their reliability in detecting different types of movement.
RS-232 Port - A communication port with 15 pins.
Server - A computer program that provides services to other computer programs in the same or other computers. Or, the computer that a server program runs.
SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. TCP/IP used in sending and receiving e-mail.
Supervised alarm system - An alarm system which supervises all input devices, i.e. reed switches, PIRs, tamper switches and key pad/s. This type of supervision allows the alarm to monitor itself which offers a higher form of system integrity.
Supervision – A configuration that allows an alarm system control panel to make sure that other components of the security system are intact.
Tamper switch - A switch is used to sense unauthorized tampering of equipment. The switch is mounted on the inside of control panels and siren housings. Note: Some internal movement sensors may have tamper switches included.
Tamper proof enclosure - An enclosed alarm component which is monitored by a tamper switch such as a control box or siren housing.
TCP / IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. The basic communication language or protocol of the Internet.
WAN - Wide Area Network.
Wireless – A method of installing an alarm system, where all or most of the components communicate with the security control panel by transmitting radio signals.
Zip Cord – Cable in which each conductor is insulated, but there is no additional jacket surrounding them (speaker cable, for example.)
Zone – A protected area of a building, as seen by the alarm system. A zone might include a door, one or more windows, a motion detector, or any detection device that is monitored by the control panel, alone or in a group.

Standard Alarm Devices

2-Wire Smoke Detector - A class of alarm system smoke detectors that employs the same two conductors to supply power and to receive a alarm signal from the detectors activation.
4-Wire Smoke Detector - A class of alarm system smoke detectors that employs two conductors to supply power and two to send the alarm signal for detector activation.
Acoustic sensor - A device that is designed to detect and respond to sound. It may be a simple microphone or a sophisticated detector employing filters, discriminators and signal processing circuitry which responds only to a particular sound like plate glass breaking.
Alarm control - A device that controls, monitors and processes signals from alarm sensors and initiates prescribed outputs according to its programming.
Battery back-up - (Standby battery) An alarm system battery used as a temporary power source in the event of power failure, usually located in the metal enclosure that houses the security control board.
Bell - An electro-mechanical sounding device that utilizes an electromagnet to cause an arm (clangor) to strike a gong.
Butt Set - A modified telephone handset used to monitor and test telephone lines and equipment, also referred to as Lineman’s Test Set.
Communicator – The element on a security alarm control that automatically dials an alarm central station and relays information about the protected building. It communicates digitally with the central station computer; it cannot produce spoken words that could be understood by a human.
Contact – (alarm window switch) A switching device that is activated manually, by a magnet, by a relay or other means, that senses the opening of a protected window or door.
Control panel - A device that controls, monitors and processes alarm signals from security sensing devices and initiates prescribed outputs according to those signals. Sometimes call the “brain” or “mother board” of an alarm system.
Dialer - An internal modem that dials the security monitoring company central station to indicate a breach in security.
Fixed English Alarm Keypad - An alarm system keypad which displays the security system information via preprogrammed English language words, messages and/or icons.
Gas Detector - A security sensor designed to detect the presence or quantity of a specified gas.
Glassbreak vibration detector - A security alarm sensor that is attached to glass windows and doors that detects cutting or breakage.
Heat sensor – (Heat detector) A device that detects and responds to a given temperature or to a prescribed rate of temperature increase to send an alarm signal to the security system.
Holdup button – (Panic Button) A device used to initiate a holdup alarm condition.
Keypad - 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 alarm system keypads have some means of displaying information to the user about the alarm system. The keypad is NOT the Control Panel, although in some wireless security systems, the keypad is mounted directly on the control panel.
Microwave sensor - A type of motion sensor which uses microwaves to sense movement in a room.
Motion Sensor – (PIR sensor or Passive Infra Red) A type of motion detector which uses invisible infra light to detect movement in a room and signal the security system.
Resistor – A small semiconductor that reduces the amount of current flowing through a circuit.
RJ31X – A special telephone jack that allows a user to disconnect the house telephone system from the security alarm panel in case it malfunctions. This is only needed in security alarm systems with central station monitoring.
Siren - A noisemaking device which sounds when the alarm system detects a breach of security. Smoke detector - A device designed to alarms when there is a fire.
Snake – (noun) A long, wide, flat, somewhat flexible wire used for fishing wire through enclosed spaces; it coils inside a case for storage.
Standby Battery – A rechargeable battery, normally in the alarm control enclosure, that provides power to the system in the event that AC power is removed. It also can deliver extra current if need during an alarm situation (to help power the sirens, for example). It is sometimes referred to as the Backup Battery.
Strobe light - A high intensity light which strobes when the alarm system is activated.
Voice Dialer – An add-on device that will, when triggered by the alarm system, automatically call several pre-programmed telephone numbers and plays a recorded voice message that a human listener can understand.
Wireless – A method of installing an alarm system, where all or most of the components communicate with the security control panel by transmitting radio signals.
Zip Cord – Cable in which each conductor is insulated, but there is no additional jacket surrounding them (speaker cable, for example.)

Security News
Reprinted from SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION online

Tyco Acquires Brink's Home Security for $2B Jan 20, 2010, SCHAFFHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND AND IRVING, TEXAS -- Tyco Int’l Ltd. and Brink's Home Security Holdings Inc. announced Monday a definitive agreement for Tyco to acquire Brink's Home Security Holdings, now operating as Broadview Security. Following the closing of the transaction, Tyco intends to combine Broadview with Tyco's ADT security business. The cash and stock transaction is valued at $42.50 per share or approximately $2 billion. The deal is believed to represent a paid multiple of around 47x recurring revenue for Broadview/Brink's. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company. The transaction combines two of the premier companies in the North American residential and commercial security industry. Broadview Security is one of the leading monitored security companies in North America. ADT is the world's largest electronic security provider. Tyco intends to combine the two businesses under the ADT name. "This transaction provides us the opportunity to further strengthen our position in the residential and commercial security industry, while advancing Tyco's overall strategy to increase its presence in its core security, fire and flow control platforms," says Tyco Chairman and CEO Ed Breen. "Broadview's strong presence in the North American security market, significant recurring revenue and attractive margins will enhance ADT's financial performance and support our long-term growth in this large, fragmented and highly competitive industry." Bob Allen, president and CEO of Broadview says, "We are proud of all we have achieved as a company to increase our customer base, and to grow our revenue and income in a challenging economy. We view this transaction as the culmination of these efforts, providing our shareholders with an attractive premium for their shares, including cash consideration and an opportunity to participate in the future growth of Tyco Int’l." "ADT and Broadview are an excellent strategic fit. We have highly complementary product and service offerings, strong sales and marketing organizations and a shared dedication to quality customer service," says Naren Gursahaney, president of ADT Worldwide. "We expect this combination to result in an even more efficient, more successful ADT." Broadview Security has more than 1.3 million recurring revenue accounts throughout North America with annualized revenue of approximately $565 million. ADT has more than 7.4 million recurring revenue accounts globally and generated revenue of $7 billion in fiscal 2009. ADT's North American residential and small business operation, which is the most comparable to Broadview, has 4.8 million recurring revenue accounts and revenue of $2.2 billion in fiscal 2009. Sandra Jones, principal of Chardon, Ohio-based consultants Sandra Jones & Co., says the deal was not unexpected and speaks to the continuing appeal of recurring revenue-based businesses. "One of the key drivers of separating Broadview from Brink's was so the security monitoring business would become a pure play and attractive opportunity for acquisitions," she tells SSI. "It was not a matter of if it would then be sold, but when, by whom and how much. Even in a down economy the value of RMR continues to fuel investment in this industry, and reinforces the need for systems integrators and security dealers to continually build RMR." Reaction from the industry has begun to roll in. J. Matthew Ladd, president of The Protection Bureau in Exton, Pa., a leading regional security systems providers, views the deal as a "wise" move for both players but believes Brink's workers may pay the price. "For the industry, it does bring the consolidation to an even higher level; they will have the ability to be a major factor on recurring rates, which they will be able to increase," Ladd tells SSI. "It will be toughest on the Brink's employees, many of which will lose their jobs or at least see a cut in wages. When two companies their sizes combine, duplication in personnel is not good for the company being purchased." "I think it’s too early to tell what impact it will have on the industry,” Protection One President and CEO Richard Ginsburg tells SSI. “I think both ADT and Brink's are well run companies and ultimately it should be a positive [in the industry]. It shows that these companies do trade from time to time at pretty high values.” According to Electronic Security Association (ESA) President Mike Miller, ADT and Broadview have both been great leaders in the industry for ESA (formerly the NBFAA) and its sister associations the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), Security Industry Association (SIA) and Canadian Security Association (CANASA). “I was surprised by the announcement that ADT was purchasing Broadview," says Miller. "No. 1 purchasing No. 2 or No. 3 is huge – and I didn’t see it coming." Excluding transaction and integration-related expenses, Tyco expects the transaction to become accretive to earnings before special items by approximately 7 cents in the first full year after closing, increasing to approximately 14 cents in year two. The combination is expected to result in operating synergies of approximately $150 million.