A lot of jargon flies around when you’re looking into fire suppression and life safety systems, and “central station monitoring” is a piece of jargon you’ll likely hear often in this process. Central station monitoring is a critical tool in preventing injury and property damage for many commercial applications, so it’s jargon worth decoding. Here’s what central station monitoring is so that you can decide “is central station monitoring right for my facility?”
What is central station monitoring?
Central station monitoring is a system of monitoring alarm systems, particularly fire alarm and sprinkler systems, continuously to respond to emergencies and threats quickly. A central station monitors systems 24/7 via the use of special telephone lines, radio channels, or software. When an alarm signal is received, the central monitoring station alerts the relevant authorities and first responders.
Central station monitoring is in many places required, and the monitoring station must be an Underwriters Laboratory listed central station. Central station monitoring is generally a monthly-fee subscription service.
Why is central station monitoring beneficial?
There are a few main benefits to central station monitoring, and they’re worth considering.
- Notification within minutes — seconds matter during a fire or other emergency, and central station monitoring alerts authorities like police and fire departments, as well as the property contact and the alarm company as soon as an alarm signal is received.
- Alerts about system malfunctions — if your sprinklers, electrical, or other components of your alarm system are faulty or offline, the central monitoring station can detect this and alert you, so that you can resolve or repair the issue ASAP, reducing the risk of the system malfunctioning during an emergency situation.
- Protect sensitive or critical equipment — if there is equipment that is crucial to the safety of your employees, property, or operations, a central monitoring system can alert you anytime that equipment goes offline or malfunctions, protecting your employees and assets.
What industries and applications do central station monitoring work best for?
For some industries and locations, central station monitoring of their fire alarm and sprinkler systems is actually a legal requirement. However, these aren’t the only instances where central station monitoring is beneficial. Here are a few of the applications and industries where central station monitoring can be extremely beneficial.
- Schools and public buildings
- Industrial manufacturing facilities
- Commercial office spaces
- High-end retailers
- Banks and financial institutions
- Server rooms or data facilities
- Laboratories
If there is a risk to your facility of fire, intrusion, or burglary, central station monitoring ensures that law enforcement and first responders are dispatched quickly. If equipment malfunction poses a significant threat to the safety of your employees or your property, central station monitoring can also serve a crucial benefit.
Vanguard is proud to partner with the EMergency24 team to offer all of our clients convenient, round-the-clock central station monitoring. With more than 40 years of partnership, we know that the EM24 team offers the best possible service on the market. To learn more, get in touch with us today.
