What is a monitoring station?
A monitoring station, also sometimes called a central station, is a commercial entity that monitors fire, commercial security, managed video, and residential security alarm signals and/or live feeds. When an alarm is triggered at a protected property, the signal is sent to the monitoring station, where a trained operator records the signal and initiates the appropriate response. Experience and reliability can vary greatly among monitoring station companies. Those demonstrating a high level of service can opt to become UL Listed in the applicable category or categories.
Monitoring stations must adhere to the requirements of UL 827, the Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services, and demonstrate compliance before becoming UL Listed. We conduct annual audits of each UL Listed monitoring company to help confirm continued compliance.
Becoming a UL Certified monitoring station
The process of evaluating a monitoring station for certification, formally known as Listing, includes UL Solutions staff conducting an on-site examination of the monitoring station facility and operation for compliance with UL 827 and other standards related to the category. If the monitoring station is applying for a full-service category, such as Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems (CPVX) or Central Station Fire Alarm Systems (UUFX), the evaluation will also include examples of installed alarm systems. The results of the evaluation are detailed in a report.
If certification is achieved, a renewable Certificate of Compliance is issued. This certificate allows you to promote your brand and services with the globally respected UL Mark, helping you distinguish yourself in today’s competitive landscape.
The monitoring station will also appear in Product iQ®, our online certification directory, a public-facing, easily searchable database of qualified companies.
The monitoring station may also elect to enroll in our Standards Customer Certification Library (SCCL) for a subscription to UL 827.
If UL Certification of the monitoring station is for a full-service category, such as Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems (CPVX) or Central Station Fire Alarm Systems (UUFX), UL listed stations can issue Protected Property Alarm System Certificates to your customers using CertsView, our certificate management application. These certificates are a declaration of the features of the installed system and related services and are often required by insurance companies and code officials.
Maintaining a monitoring station certification
After a UL Certification has been established, the monitoring station is enrolled in our audit program. Under this program, we conduct yearly audits of monitoring stations and the elements of service associated with their certification. These audits are designed to verify compliant deliveries of services and to provide technical resources to assist the central station with questions related to the program and standards.
When the UL Certification is for a full-service company, the audit also includes an assessment of selected alarm system certificates by visiting protected properties.
Access to our technical experts who can respond to requests and questions from the field is included with every certification.
Monitoring station listings
We offer four monitoring station certifications:
- Central station fire alarm service
- Central station burglar alarm service
- Hosted central station
- Managed video monitoring service
Central station fire alarm service
Fire alarm systems are supervised by a commercial entity serving multiple customers. Fire alarm signals are recorded and acted on by trained operators. Requirements in NFPA 72 address the following elements of service:
- System installation at protected premises
- Signal monitoring
- Retransmission of signals and associated record-keeping
- Testing
- Maintenance
- Runner service
- Certification
Delivery of central station services allowed by NFPA 72:
- A single full-service entity
- A contractual partnership between an alarm service local company or prime contractor and a monitoring company.
Full-service company
Delivers all alarm service elements and can issue UL Certification.
Monitoring only company
Provides signal monitoring and system supervision services under contract to companies authorized to issue UL Certification.
Alarm service local company
Delivers alarm system installation, testing, service, maintenance and runner service to protected premises, while monitoring is subcontracted to a UL Certified central station.
Central station burglar alarm service
Intrusion detection systems at a subscriber’s property send signals to a central station. The information is recorded, maintained and processed by trained operators. Central station systems operation is under joint control of the owner and the central station. The specifics of arming and disarming the system are agreed upon in advance, and any deviations from that understanding are investigated by the central station. Runners are always on duty and are dispatched to investigate any unauthorized entry of protected properties. Local law enforcement may also be dispatched.
Hosted central station
The hosted central station category covers host services that support the delivery of central station services to companies that carry UL Certifications for Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems (CPVX); Central Station Protective Signaling Services (UUFX); or Monitoring Stations, Residential (CVSU). Hosting services may consist of, but are not limited to, data storage from alarm monitoring software, housing the automation system that is running the alarm monitoring software and/or housing the receivers as well as the automation system.
Managed video monitoring service
The managed video monitoring services category covers security services provided by monitoring stations that monitor video cameras and related equipment installed to form all, or part of, an electronic security system at a protected property.
Our monitoring station certification process includes an evaluation of the facility and equipment, as well as an assessment of the agreed-upon monitoring services outlined by the property or business owners. Monitoring stations considering an evaluation may download a listing package, including data sheets describing the process in further detail, with instructions on how to obtain a quote for the evaluation.
After UL Solutions receives an acceptance of the quote and completed data sheets, one of our project handlers will be assigned to conduct the evaluation.
UL Certified central station or monitoring station benefits
Senior members of our staff serve on numerous technical committees with industry groups, and the majority of our audit staff worked in the industry prior to joining UL Solutions.
UL Certified monitoring stations must adhere to strict requirements and demonstrate compliance on an annual basis. For this reason, many monitoring station companies incorporate their UL Certification into their overall marketing strategy, as third-party confirmation of services that meet requirements.
As part of a monitoring station certification, the name of the certified company appears in Product iQ®, our public-facing, easily searchable database of UL Certified companies. Many code authorities use this database to find and recommend qualified alarm companies operating in their jurisdiction.
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