Security and Fire Alarm Services Industry Terminology

Access Control

Systems that regulate entry/exit to doors, gates, and areas using credentials (cards, PINs, mobile, biometrics), controllers, and locks; often integrated with video, intrusion, and HR systems.

Provision and revoke badge access by department; Replace Wiegand readers with OSDP for encrypted communication; Integrate access events to pop matching camera views in the VMS.

Addressable Fire Alarm System

Fire alarm architecture where each device (detector/module) has a unique address on a signaling line circuit (SLC), enabling pinpointed alarm/trouble reporting and flexible programming.

Program device 24-012 as a smoke in 4th-floor corridor; Convert SLCs to Class A for survivability; Use isolator modules to segment loops.

AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)

The organization or official responsible for enforcing codes and approving installations (e.g., fire marshal, building inspector, insurance authority). Their interpretation governs compliance.

Submit shop drawings to the AHJ for plan review; AHJ requires duct detectors on all RTUs; Coordinate final acceptance test with the AHJ and owner.

Alarm Verification

Process of confirming an alarm’s validity before dispatch via enhanced call verification (ECV), audio listen-in, video clips, analytics, or cross-zoning to reduce false alarms.

Enable ECV to reduce false dispatches; Add video verification to prioritize law enforcement response; Configure cross-zone verification on the intrusion panel.

BACnet

Open protocol for building automation and control that allows fire, HVAC, and security systems to share data points for monitoring and coordination.

Expose FACP supervisory points over BACnet/IP to the BAS; Use a BBMD to traverse subnets; Map MNS paging states into the building automation system.

Battery Standby Capacity

Required amp-hour capacity of standby and alarm batteries to power systems during outages per code (e.g., 24h standby/5m alarm, or 24h/15m for voice systems).

Calculate 24-hour standby plus 5 or 15 minutes alarm time per code; Size NAC power considering voltage drop and amplifier taps; Replace SLA batteries that fail capacity tests.

CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)

Total cost to acquire a new customer, including marketing, sales, incentives, and onboarding expenses; a key metric for profitability and growth planning.

Target an LTV:CAC ratio of at least 3:1; Include sales commissions and truck-roll costs in CAC; Track CAC by channel (referrals vs paid ads).

Central Station Monitoring

24/7 offsite monitoring of alarms, troubles, and supervisory signals by a staffed facility with redundancy, procedures, and compliance (often UL 827).

Migrate accounts to a UL 827-listed central station; Set 5-minute supervision for fire radios; Implement ASAP-to-PSAP for faster dispatch.

Class A/B Circuits

NFPA pathway classifications: Class A circuits return to the panel to maintain operation through a single open, while Class B circuits terminate with end-of-line supervision and may be interrupted by an open.

Design NACs as Class A to maintain notification on single open; Use Class B IDCs with EOLRs per manufacturer specs; Document pathway class on as-builts.

Cloud VMS (Cloud Video Management System)

Video platform where recording, management, and analytics are hosted or orchestrated in the cloud, reducing on-prem servers and enabling remote management at scale.

Store 30 days cloud retention with local buffering; Manage multi-site cameras from a browser; Generate RMR via per-camera cloud licenses.

Contact ID (Ademco)

A widely used alarm reporting format (DTMF-based) conveying standardized event codes from panels to receivers for intrusion and fire signals.

Map CID code 1134 to burglary alarm; Test CID reporting after IP communicator install; Program receiver format to Contact ID at the central station.

DACT (Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter)

Panel module that dials out over telephone lines to transmit alarms to a receiver; increasingly replaced by IP, cellular, or radio due to analog line retirement.

Replace legacy DACTs due to POTS sunset; Program two line seize numbers to the receiver; Transition to IP/cellular communicators for reliability.

Dual-Path Communication

Use of two independent signaling paths (e.g., IP plus cellular or radio) to transmit alarms, improving reliability and meeting code/UL supervision requirements.

Configure IP as primary with LTE backup; Set 5-minute supervision on both paths; Document failover test results in commissioning report.

Duct Smoke Detector

Detector mounted in air ducts to sense smoke and control HVAC (e.g., fan shutdown), preventing smoke spread through ventilation systems.

Shut down AHU fans on duct detector alarm; Size sampling tubes per duct width; Test with approved smoke per manufacturer instructions.

ECV (Enhanced Call Verification)

Central station practice of calling multiple responsible parties before requesting police response to reduce false alarms and municipal penalties.

Add a second phone number to the call list; Meet the city’s ECV ordinance to reduce fines; Combine ECV and video to cut false dispatches by 50%.

End-of-Line Resistor (EOLR)

A resistor installed at the end of a supervised circuit (e.g., IDC/NAC) to enable the panel to detect opens, shorts, and device removal.

Place EOLR at the last device, not in the panel; Use the exact resistor value provided by the manufacturer; Identify troubles caused by missing/incorrect EOLRs.

EVACS (Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System)

Voice evacuation/paging system integrated with the fire alarm to deliver intelligible emergency messages to occupants by zone.

Verify STI-PA meets intelligibility requirements; Program pre-recorded messages by building zone; Calculate 24h/15m battery capacity for amplifiers.

FACP (Fire Alarm Control Panel)

The system brain that monitors inputs (detectors/modules), processes logic, and drives outputs (NACs/relays/voice) for fire alarm and signaling.

Upload/download panel programming before acceptance; Record panel event history during commissioning; Confirm UL 864 listing of the control unit.

Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure

Door hardware behavior on power loss: fail-safe unlocks to allow egress; fail-secure stays locked to maintain security (egress codes still apply).

Use fail-safe maglocks on egress paths; Use fail-secure strikes on data center doors; Program fire alarm relay to unlock doors on alarm.

False Alarm Reduction

Policies, technology, and training used to lower nuisance dispatches, fines, and attrition while maintaining life-safety and security response.

Enable SIA CP-01 features on intrusion panels; Provide user training and better sensor placement; Apply video verification to confirm events before dispatch.

FM Approved

Certification mark from FM Approvals indicating products and services meet loss prevention standards, often required by insurers or large enterprises.

Specify FM Approved equipment for insured facilities; Verify FM approvals in critical infrastructure bids; Combine UL and FM listings in submittals.

Ground Fault Monitoring

Continuous detection of unintended current to ground on circuits; a ground fault can mask other faults and must be cleared for code compliance.

Investigate panel ground fault using split-bus isolation; Verify proper bonding and surge protection; Replace damaged cable causing insulation leakage.

Hardening (Cybersecurity)

Securing security/life-safety devices and networks by applying best practices: strong credentials, encryption, patching, segmentation, and secure remote access.

Change default passwords and enable MFA; Disable UPnP and avoid port forwarding; Segment cameras and controllers on dedicated VLANs with ACLs.

Heat Detector

Fire detector responding to temperature thresholds or rate-of-rise, suited for areas unsuitable for smoke detectors (e.g., steamy or dusty environments).

Use 135°F fixed-temp detector in kitchens; Choose rate-of-rise for fast temperature increases; Test with proper heat source per manufacturer.

IDS (Intrusion Detection System)

System of sensors, control panel, and communications to detect unauthorized entry or motion, often integrated with access control and video.

Deploy glass-breaks and door contacts on perimeter; Partition IDS by tenant suite; Use cross-zoning to reduce false alarms.

Intelligibility (STI-PA)

Quantified clarity of voice messages in EVACS/MNS, commonly measured by STI-PA, affected by acoustics, speaker layout, and ambient noise.

Achieve STI-PA ≥ 0.5 in occupied areas; Increase speaker density or adjust taps to improve scores; Measure during acceptance and after layout changes.

ITM (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance)

Code-mandated ongoing activities to keep systems operational and compliant, with defined frequencies, procedures, and recordkeeping.

Perform annual NFPA 72 inspections and document deficiencies; Schedule semiannual smoke detector sensitivity tests per code; Track impairments and restore service with fire watch if needed.

KPI (Key Performance Indicator)

Quantifiable metrics that indicate operational and financial performance for installation, service, monitoring, and customer success.

Monitor first-time fix rate for service calls; Track RMR growth and churn; Measure average time to dispatch on high-priority alarms.

LTE Cellular Communicator

Alarm transmission device using 4G/LTE networks (often LTE-M/Cat-M1) to carry signals to monitoring centers, replacing legacy cellular/POTS.

Swap 3G radios for LTE-M units; Verify signal at -85 dBm or better; Enable dual-SIM for carrier redundancy where available.

Managed Services

Ongoing, subscription-based delivery of system functionality and upkeep (monitoring, cloud, maintenance), creating predictable RMR and outcomes.

Offer managed access control per door per month; Provide camera health monitoring and firmware updates as a subscription; Bundle SLA-backed support with monitoring.

Mass Notification System (MNS)

Platform to warn and inform people during emergencies via multiple channels (voice, strobes, text, email, signage), sometimes integrated with EVACS.

Integrate indoor/outdoor speakers and SMS alerts; Follow UFC 4-021-01 for DoD projects; Coordinate messages with local emergency plans.

Mesh Radio (AES-IntelliNet)

Long-range, self-healing radio networks used for alarm transmission where nodes relay signals through a mesh to the receiver, improving path diversity.

Enroll a new node on the AES mesh and verify routing; Use radio as primary with IP as backup; Monitor mesh health KPIs at the central station.

NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit)

Panel outputs that power and control audible/visual notification appliances (horns, strobes, speakers), with supervision and synchronization requirements.

Calculate voltage drop for horn/strobe runs; Use sync modules for consistent strobe flash; Configure Class A NACs in high-rise cores.

NFPA 72

National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code governing design, installation, ITM, and performance of fire alarm and emergency communication systems.

Design per NFPA 72 (edition specified by AHJ); Determine pathway classes and survivability from Chapter 12; Perform acceptance tests from Chapter 14.

NICET Certification

Professional certification for engineering technicians; fire alarm levels validate knowledge and experience and are often required by AHJs and employers.

Require NICET II for technicians on fire projects; Have NICET III/IV review and stamp drawings; Use NICET credentials for state licensing eligibility.

Nuisance Alarm

Unwanted alarm not caused by an actual hazard, often due to environmental factors, misapplication, or user error; addressed by design and configuration.

Move smoke detectors away from bathrooms to avoid steam alarms; Enable alarm verification features; Replace with heat detectors where appropriate.

ONVIF

Open standard enabling interoperability among IP video devices and VMS platforms, defining profiles for streaming, analytics, and configuration.

Ensure cameras conform to ONVIF Profile S/G/T before bidding; Use ONVIF events to trigger recordings; Add multi-vendor cameras to the VMS via ONVIF.

OPEX vs CAPEX

Operating expenses (ongoing) versus capital expenditures (one-time assets); financing choice affects cash flow, accounting, and sales strategy.

Offer Security-as-a-Service to shift customers to OPEX; Compare 5-year TCO of CAPEX purchase vs OPEX subscription; Capitalize large new builds, OPEX for upgrades.

OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol)

Bi-directional, encrypted access control reader protocol that supports supervision, configuration, and multi-drop, improving security over Wiegand.

Migrate readers from Wiegand to OSDP Secure Channel; Daisy-chain multiple readers on an OSDP bus; Monitor reader tamper status via OSDP.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

Standardized delivery of power and data over Ethernet cables to devices like cameras and controllers, simplifying installation and backup power design.

Confirm switch power budget for 802.3af/at/bt loads; Use PoE extenders for long camera runs; Power door controllers and intercoms via PoE.

POTS Sunset

The retirement and price escalation of traditional analog phone lines, driving migration to IP, cellular, or radio-based alarm communications.

Audit sites using analog lines for alarms; Replace with cellular/IP communicators; Coordinate permits and signal format changes with the central station.

PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point)

911 emergency call center that receives alarm dispatch requests; some integrate with monitoring centers via ASAP-to-PSAP for faster, error-reduced data exchange.

Enable ASAP-to-PSAP to reduce call handling time; Verify your jurisdiction accepts ASAP; Provide accurate premise info to the PSAP.

PTZ Camera

Pan-tilt-zoom camera enabling remote directional and zoom control for situational awareness, often integrated with alarms and guard operations.

Trigger PTZ presets on perimeter alarms; Schedule guard tours during off-hours; Use analytics for auto-tracking of moving targets.

REX (Request to Exit)

Devices (sensors, buttons) that release access-controlled doors for egress, required to comply with life-safety and accessibility regulations.

Install REX on delayed egress doors; Tie REX input to unlock on egress motion; Set REX timers to meet life safety codes.

RMR (Recurring Monthly Revenue)

Predictable subscription revenue from services like monitoring, managed access/video, and maintenance agreements; a core valuation driver.

Bundle monitoring, cloud storage, and maintenance for steady RMR; Track RMR per account and per service; Reduce churn to protect RMR base.

ROI (Return on Investment)

Measure of financial return relative to cost for projects or services; used to justify upgrades and managed service subscriptions.

Show ROI from video verification via reduced fines; Calculate payback for LED strobes and lower power supplies; Include avoided loss in ROI analysis.

SLC (Signaling Line Circuit)

Addressable data/power bus connecting fire alarm devices to the FACP; supports device addressing, supervision, and pathway survivability options.

Segment SLC loops with short-circuit isolators; Keep device counts within loop capacity; Upgrade to Class A (Style 6/7) for survivability.

UL 827 (Central Station Services)

UL standard specifying construction, redundancy, staffing, and operational requirements for central station alarm services.

Partner only with UL 827-listed monitoring centers; Verify generator runtime and telecom redundancy; Audit response time records for compliance.

Video Verification

Use of live or recorded video to confirm alarm events, improving response priority and reducing false dispatches and fines.

Send 10-second pre/post alarm clips to operators; Configure analytics to flag human/vehicle for verification; Market priority response for verified alarms.

VMS (Video Management System)

Software platform that manages video streams, recording, playback, events, and integrations for surveillance systems.

Set 30-day retention with motion-based recording; Federate multi-site locations under one VMS; Sync access control events to video bookmarks.