SIAC Endorses Enhancements to CP-01 Panels

FRISCO, Texas, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In its continuing effort to reduce security alarm activations, the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) participated in and supports recent changes to the ANSI/SIA CP-01 2010 control panel standard. The CP-01 control panel was designed to decrease false activations as a result of user and system errors. However, some dealers were reluctant to install the original CP-01 panel due to these restrictive settings. Through proven alarm activation reduction practices such as Enhanced Call Verification, SIAC endorses these updated standards that will allow more flexibility for dealers and installers.

One of the new SIAC-supported changes will allow the communication delay setting on the control panel to be set to zero, so the monitoring center will be notified of activations immediately. The previous minimum was 15 seconds. The default (out of the box) setting will remain at 30 seconds.

The other major change involves the setting of the swinger shutdown. This internal counter monitors the number of alarm activations by individual zone. The system will then bypass a particular sensor (zone) after a certain number of activations. The original standard set the default threshold at one activation with installers having the option to program the panel to go as high as two. The updated standard sets the default at two and allows the setting to go as high as six.

SIAC believes that the adjustment of these two settings address dealer concerns about the use of CP-01-compliant control panels and will allow manufacturers to convert nearly all of their panels to the updated CP-01 2010 standard.

"Our sincere hope is that all dealers will now request and install panels built to this new standard," said SIAC Executive Director Stan Martin. "With more CP-01-compliant control panels in use, the number of alarm dispatches will keep decreasing. Major manufacturers are already planning to submit upgraded panels with the new CP-01 2010 programming to UL for testing and approval."

ABOUT SIAC

SIAC is comprised of four major North American security associations -- Canadian Security Association (CANASA), Security Industry Association (SIA), Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), and the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) -- representing one voice for the alarm industry on alarm management issues. SIAC's primary charter is to significantly reduce calls for service while strengthening the lines of communication with law enforcement professionals and end users. For more information, contact www.SIACinc.org.

SOURCE SIAC