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A monitored alarm or fire system uses sensors and control electronics at your home or business to automatically communicate any alarm or critical event to a central monitoring facility, where trained operators review software processed signals and assess threats and notify the owners and any appropriate emergency response authorities.

Monitoring is key to achieving the full the benefit of your system. Monitoring assures that someone responds to your emergencies even if you can’t. This is especially true for fire and duress alarms. Monitoring also allows you to test your signal to verify operation. Finally, with a monitored system, you can also capitalize on reporting features, supervision, and any insurance discounts.

WHAT IS FIRE ALARM MONITORING?
Fire Alarm Systems must be monitored by a UL Central Station per NFPA Fire Code. All monitored fire alarms utilizing leased telephone lines, must have two communication paths to transmit the signal to the central station for redundancy. This has been done historically by using two analog telephone lines, which has become more and more expensive each passing year. Since phone lines are only a one way type of transmission the system must transmit a “test signal” at least once a day to verify the system is functioning and could communicate in case of actual fire.

What is a Verified Alarm, and why is verification important?

In today’s security environment, verifying an intrusion alarms validity is critical for:

Employee or responding agent safety
Expedite police Response
Avoidance of false alarms

AST uses very cost-effective verification systems with VAST video verification so we can be sure of dispatch, response and first responder information. Without video verification, in most areas, you have system that is not optimal.

Is an alarm system expensive?

The cost of a system depends on your individual needs, but technology and design skill can be applied to assure an appropriate return on your investment. AST also offers a rental option to minimize your initial investment if you so choose.

What are “Cloud-Based” or “hosted” Systems?

Cloud based or “Hosted Services” are growing quite rapidly with the emergence of new and very valuable remote services, as well as solid security and reliability of the cloud. Systems can now use these hosted services to do more for less with intrusion, CCTV, Access and other Integrated Systems.

What is Cellular Communication?

Several years ago, the California Fire Marshal approved new communications technology to allow you to replace costly phone lines with a Cellular Communicator that is capable of two way transmission. This technology tests not once a day, but once an hour over multiple wireless pathways. This makes the solution far more reliable than less reliable phone lines. The Cellular Communicator is connected to the panel and carries the signals to the Central Station through the cellular radio network.

Why Cellular Communication?

In addition to the more reliable operability and the more frequent testing, the Cellular Communication Path is FAR LESS EXPENSIVE! Many accounts can save over $1,000 per year, starting from DAY ONE, by converting their Fire Alarm Conversion to Dual Cellular Communication and canceling those costly phone lines.

What Remote Access Apps and Programs are available to me, and what do they do?

In order to get the very most value and functionality out of all your systems, AST offers a wide variety of remote services via smart devices and computers. Ask us about

Total Connect
Remote Control
Managed Access
Remote Notification
VAST
Remote Reporting
MaxPro Cloud
Remote Review

What is VoIP Conversion in Telcomm and how does it impact my security systems? What is a POTS line and why is it important I review this issue?

Long distance carriers, like yours and ours, are collectively moving from analog or “Pots” lines non-maintained copper lines to a digitally compressed line called “Voice over IP.” When this occurs, alarm signal receivers in the industry will no longer be able to decode signals from the site and YOU WILL NO LONGER BE MONITORED.

But we have a solution. We can install an External or Cellular communicator to maintain communication and SAVE MONEY.

Are there Insurance Benefits to having systems in place?

Most insurance companies provide discounts for systems of various types. Beyond this, there are any number of financial benefits, many significant, that you can realize with a well-designed system based on the principle of maximizing Return on Investment. AST can provide a Risk Appraisal for you to identify many of these benefits.

What is an “Integrated System"?

An integrated system applies two or more of the core security systems, Intrusion, Fire, Access Control, or CCTV in a coordinated system in which the components work seamlessly through computer and technical linkages to address security and life safety needs for a facility.

What are the Main Product Groups?

“Total Solutions” means AST is set up to handle ALL your life safety and security needs in these four areas, with full range of products and services.

Fire Alarms
Intrusion Alarms
CCTV System with VAST Remote Monitoring
Access Control with Hosted Services
Remote Access Apps
Total Suite of Services for all your on-going needs.

How do I Bypass a Zone to set my Alarm? Reset and Alarm?

Bypassing Protection Zones

Using the 6 Bypass Key

This key is used when you want to arm your system with one or more zones intentionally unprotected. Bypassed zones are unprotected and will not cause an alarm when violated while your system is armed. All bypasses are removed when an OFF sequence, [security code] +[OFF], is performed. Bypasses are also removed if the arming procedure that follows the bypass command is not successful.

Note: The system will not allow fire or emergency zones to be bypassed. To bypass zones, the system must be disarmed first.

BYPASS

1. Enter your security code and press 6 .

2. Enter zone number(s) for the zones to be bypassed (e.g., 001, 002, 003, etc.). Important! All single-digit numbers must be preceded by 00 (for example, enter 001 for zone 1).

3. BYPASS 007 FRONT

UPSTAIRS BEDROOM

Typical bypass message

When finished, the keypad will display the word BYPASS along with each bypassed zone number. Wait for these zones to be displayed before arming. Arming the system before bypassed zones are displayed eliminates all bypasses.

4. DISARMED BYPASS

READY TO ARM

Arm the system as usual when the keypad displays ready to arm message.

Reset an Alarm?

For Security – Enter your 4 digit code and “off”(1 button), twice

For Honeywell Fire – Enter 1,2,3,4,1 twice.

How do I turn on or off the Chime Feature?

Depending on your system, it will either be your security code and “9” or security code and “6”. The numbered button should have the word “chime” listed on it.

How do I call for Service?

To schedule any type of service for your system, you can reach us, 24x7x365, by phone at 888-857-9091 or email at contactus@ast-security.com

We will address your request with all the urgency required to exceed your expectations.

How do I get started? What is the First/Next Step?

Verify Site is available and free to change
Verify the system is compatible (If not, we can often upgrade for little or no charge)
Sign up for Fire Alarm Cellular Monitoring with AST

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Address

5053 La Mart Dr. #206
Riverside, CA 92507

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Phone

(888) 857-9091

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Email

ContactUs@AST-Security.com