Avoiding false alarm fines in Florida

False alarm fines cost owners of business security systems millions of dollars every year.  The inexpensive fee of $60 per month for monitoring can easily turn into $160 per month or more due to false alarm fines.

• Train everyone using the security system.

  User error is the number one reason for false alarms.  Find a company who provides personalized training to everyone who will use the alarm service.  If you have someone who only occasionally uses the system, like a family member or service company, find a security system that you can access with a phone app.  Then, when the person arrives at the business, they can call the owner or someone who has access to the app.  This will allow an authorized user to disarm the system whenever necessary.  The right system will allow access to cameras on the app.  The authorized user can check the cameras and confirm everyone has left the building before the system is rearmed.

• Proper door maintenance

  Make sure the company you choose checks each door.  The exterior doors that need security should not “jiggle” or swing open during the middle of the night; especially during extreme Florida weather.  Deadlocks on problem doors are recommended to ensure the security on the door will not alarm in high winds.

• Build the system PROPERLY

  This is where many “do it yourself” systems fail.  An air conditioner turning on blowing the blinds, loud noises (like fire engines), pests, or other items within an office or warehouse, may trigger alarm devices.  A professional installer may cost a bit more.  But their installation knowledge can reduce false alarms and fines.

• Find a company that verifies the alarm BEFORE they dispatch police

  Because law enforcement spend millions of hours and dollars responding to false alarms, Florida has written strict statutes for alarm companies to follow.  These statues include calling multiple police in an effort to verify an alarm.  Because verified alarms react differently, there are fewer false alarms with a faster police response time.  Why? According to Florida statute 489.529, an “alarm signal confirmation is not required if:  (1) The intrusion/burglary alarm has a properly operating visual or auditory sensor that enables the alarm monitoring personnel to verify the alarm signal”.  If the security company can verify that there is a burglary in progress instead of calling on an unknown alarm trigger, the monitoring personnel can dispatch police without notifying the business owner first.  Police respond with the knowledge that there is an actual crime in progress.  Click here to hear an actual burglary and arrest.

Find a company who cares about what happens after installation.  For a free assessment of your property, contact us.