RUL 05.06.02 – Burglar and Panic Alarms

Authority: Issued by the Associate Vice Chancellor, Environmental Health and Public Safety.

History: First Issued: November 13, 2008.

Additional References:
Facilities Division Construction Guidelines, Building Security 00712 09-26-2003

Contact Info: Associate Vice Chancellor for Environmental Health and Public Safety (919-515-4238)

1. General

1.1 To insure alarm systems are functional and compatible with existing monitoring equipment, this rule establishes guidelines for all university departments relating to the purchase, installation, and operation of intrusion and panic alarms.

2. Procedures

2.1 Colleges and departments located on University property may desire to install intrusion/panic alarm systems where assets and/or sensitive property are of sufficient value to warrant protection. A panic/duress device may be installed to assist personnel who are performing job functions that pose certain risks. A proposal for the installation or expansion of an alarm system that is to be monitored and responded to by University Police must be submitted to and have prior approval of the Director/Chief of Police or his/her designee.

2.2 Any system installed shall be compatible with and connected to the central station monitoring equipment located in the police dispatch center. Non-conforming legacy alarm systems must comply or be removed at the department’s expense prior to January 1, 2011.

2.3 The vendor on contract with University Police or Security Applications and Technology Department will install the equipment.

2.4 University departments receiving approval for installation or expansion of intrusion/panic buttons will schedule a meeting between the department head, a representative from the Police Department, and a member of the alarm vendor on contract. At this meeting the security needs of the department, type of system or device to be installed, and available costs will be discussed.

2.5 Representatives of the University Police Department and the contract vendor will make an onsite inspection of the area to be alarmed. A basic installation plan and estimate for the alarm system will be prepared. The alarm installation plan shall meet the following criteria:

2.5.1 Alarm systems must be compatible with the central station monitoring software located in the police dispatch center.

2.5.2 Panic/duress buttons will only be installed after an initial threat assessment by the University Police has been performed for the individual location. Panic/duress buttons are not permitted in common areas.

2.6 The cost of installation, service, repair, and any maintenance is the responsibility of the college or department requesting the alarm system. Costs and annual charges will be assessed to the user to cover upgrade and maintenance of the central station receiver software and equipment located at in the police telecommunications center.

2.7 The alarm systems coordinator in the University Police Department will verify the completion of installation and ensure the alarm system is functioning properly.

2.8 The contract vendor will maintain the intrusion/panic alarms and ensure system functionality.

2.9 University Police response to alarms will be in accordance with University Police Standard Operating Procedures. These operating procedures are available by contacting the NC State Campus Police Chief.

2.10 It is the responsibility of the individual department to provide the police telecommunications center with up-to-date contact information for all alarm systems. This information is required as soon as changes are made. University Police will verify contact information once a year.

3. Non-University entities located on University property

3.1 The University Police will be the primary responder to verified intrusion alarms on Centennial Campus, Centennial Biomedical Campus and main Raleigh campus.

3.2 A verified alarm is defined as the alarm monitoring company attempting two phone calls to both the primary and secondary contact persons or the alarm monitoring company has video or voice verification from the alarmed facility and can determine a crime is in progress or has occurred.

3.3 Non-university entities with alarm systems will not be monitored directly by the University Police.

3.4 Alarm systems with local audible communication may not sound for more than 10 minutes.

4. False or malfunctioning intrusion / panic alarms

4.1 The University Police will have the discretion to assess a fee for responding to repeat false alarms.

4.2 A false alarm includes but is not limited to: mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction due to installation, or negligence of the alarm subscriber or his/her agents.

4.3 An alarm activation is false when police response indicates no unauthorized entry, break-in, or other type of crime was committed or attempted which would have caused activation with a properly functioning system.