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Writer's pictureKaren Patenaude

What to look for in a fire alarm monitoring system and company.

Updated: Jan 13, 2022

How to protect your home or business with fire alarm monitoring

Photo of a fire fighter spraying water on a home that is swallowed up in flames.
Image via https://unsplash.com/photos/loeqHoa1uWY

Burglars can take your most valuable belongings, but fires can take everything.


Home and business fires are not uncommon. Annually, local fire departments respond to 1.3 million fires, resulting in $14.8 billion in property damage, 16,600 civilian injuries, and 3,700 civilian deaths.


When it comes to minimizing fire damage and protecting lives, every second counts. That’s why more home and business owners install fire alarm monitoring systems to safeguard themselves, their families, assets, and livelihoods.


What is a fire alarm monitoring system?


Fire alarm monitoring systems deliver 24/7 protection by detecting the early warning signs of a fire and dispatching emergency services fast.


The sooner you can get yourself, family members, and other individuals off your property and your local fire department on the scene, the better the outcome.


And that’s precisely what a smoke and fire alarm monitoring system helps you achieve.


Key features of a fast and reliable fire alarm monitoring system

Choosing a fire alarm monitoring service is not something to take lightly – people’s lives depend on the speed and dependability of your system, so decide wisely.


Whether you are protecting your home or commercial premises, here are some of the key features to look for when weighing up your options:

Round-the-clock monitoring

Fire alarm monitoring only works when you have eyes on your fire alarm 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.


For total peace of mind, you need to know that a dependable monitoring expert has your back when you are sleeping, on vacation, and at work.


Leading-edge technology

When it comes to something as important as fire safety, you don’t want to settle for second best. Seek out an alarm monitoring service that leverages the best technology on the market.


Look for advanced hard-wired smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and other technologies.


Immediate help dispatching

The best fire alarm monitoring services dispatch emergency services from your local fire department as soon as a threat is detected – even when you are not at home.


According to one study, even marginally slower firefighter response times result in significantly greater economic loss.


Design tailored to your property

No two homes are alike, and the same goes for business properties. For your system to work at peak performance, the design and installation must be tailored to your property’s layout.


If the design is not customized, your alarms may fail to detect a fire as quickly as possible – or at all.


Annual system inspections

A state-of-the-art alarm monitoring system is no good if it's faulty or broken, and that’s why annual inspections are vital to the ongoing reliability of your system.


Inspections allow your monitoring services provider to resolve potential issues before they put your home or business in harm’s way.


How to choose a dependable fire alarm monitoring company

A fire alarm system is only as good as the people behind it. You need trusted, experienced professionals that understand the ins and outs of fire protection best practices.


Here are three critical traits every dependable fire alarm monitoring company shares:


1. Deep expertise

Fire protection may seem as simple as installing a few smoke detectors, but there’s more to it. Look for a company with experience and industry expertise.

  • How many years have they been in business?

  • Who are their employees?

  • How many customers do they have?

  • What kinds of customers do they serve?

Answering these questions will help you gauge the company’s depth of expertise.


2. Thorough process

Genuine fire safety is not set-and-forget. It requires maintenance and proactive care.


The best monitoring companies go the extra mile to ensure your safety by customizing your system for your property and performing regular inspections of your equipment.


3. Five-star reputation

What do others say about the company? Read through online reviews and ask your friends and family for their recommendations.

Screenshot of Alternative Telecom and Security's Google reviews

Sometimes, the best way to find out about the quality of a company’s service is to question those that have experienced it first-hand.


Protect your home or business

To learn about our reliable fire alarm monitoring service, reach out today on 413-267-3700.



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