Know exactly what happens when your alarm triggers.

Intrusion Alarms

Standard Procedure

The standard procedure is to verify all alarms by calling the premises. The station operator will allow the phone to ring 6–7 times (some answering machines do not pick up until the 6th ring). If the phone is not answered, the authorities will be dispatched.

If the phone is answered, the operator will ask the person to identify themselves with a name and a passcode, checked against the valid passcodes on the account. If the passcode does not match or is incorrect, the authorities will be dispatched.

The operator will continue to call the rest of the people on the call list to attend the premises. The alarm is then held for further updates from the authorities and/or keyholders attending.

This is Accurate's standard procedure for intrusion alarms — different requirements can be detailed on your contract.

Private Guard Response

Alternative & Supplement to Police*

When we receive your intrusion alarm and there is no answer at your home, we offer double protection: our Private Guard Response service — uniformed guards in marked radio-dispatch cars, for half the price — respond quickly and work on your behalf only.

Upon arrival, the guard performs a thorough perimeter check. If there is an actual emergency, the guard dispatches the appropriate authorities and stands by at your premises until they arrive. Once a guard verifies an intrusion, police attend without further delay.

Opting for guard response saves you money on false alarms (most are caused by user error or pets, and most cities levy false-alarm fines), delivers faster response in non-emergencies, and relieves stress on Ottawa's emergency services. In the event of a panic or hold-up alarm, police are always dispatched immediately.

*Extra charge billed to the customer. Accurate Security and its affiliates are not responsible for charges incurred from guard or police service, whether the alarm is deemed real or false.

Panic Alarms

Standard Procedure

Pushing a button on a keypad, pendant, or under-counter button activates a panic alarm. In case of a panic alarm, the operator shall:

• Call the premises
• If no answer, or the operator cannot verify a person on site within one minute, dispatch the Police Department
• Continue to notify a keyholder to attend with police
• When a keyholder is contacted, advise police of the contact name and estimated time of arrival
• Hold the alarm 30 minutes for follow-up with keyholders and/or authorities

Accurate Security does not dispatch guard service to a panic alarm. A cancel received with a panic is ignored unless voice contact is made with a person on site and a valid passcode is given. Once dispatched, most police departments will attend on a panic and may not be cancelled; any false-alarm fines are the customer's responsibility.

Medical Alarms

Standard Procedure

The operator will call the premises to verify if this is a false alarm. If the phone is not answered, authorities are dispatched immediately. The operator continues calling all keyholders so a responsible party can give access to the premises; if contact is made, the ambulance service is advised of the ETA and who is attending.

If the phone is answered, the operator asks whether an ambulance is required and the cause of the alarm — and will ask the person on site to check that no one else at the premises requires medical attention. A passcode is not required for medical alarms.

Accurate Security does not authorize attending authorities to forcibly gain entry and will not be held responsible for any associated costs should that situation occur.

Fire Alarms

Standard Procedure

All fire alarms are verified by calling the premises, allowing 6–7 rings. If the phone is not answered, the fire department is dispatched immediately.

If answered, the operator asks whether the fire department is required and the cause. If unexplained, the person on site is asked to check the premises; if they are not sure, the fire department is dispatched to ensure your safety — unless you specifically state not to dispatch. A passcode is not required for fire alarms.

Power Loss & Low Battery

Standard Procedure

Residential accounts: the monitoring station will call the premises and/or keyholders between 08:00–22:00 subscriber time to advise of power loss to the security system.

Commercial accounts: the operator will call the premises and/or keyholders 24 hours a day to advise of low battery.

If both an AC-loss and a low-battery signal are received from a site — commercial or residential — the operator immediately contacts someone at the site or a keyholder to advise.