Insurance "alarm sensor"/monitoring requirements?

[Bill]

For a two story three bedroom home with garage door, back door, and front
door. One bedroom downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs....

For burglary, what do insurance companies require for *minimum* devices
installed to get the highest discount off your insurance. (Like all
perimeter doors have sensors, one interior motion sensor, U.L. monitoring
station???)

For fire? (minimum number of smoke detectors/heat sensors, etc., and where
installed???)

 

[Frank Olson]

For a two story three bedroom home with garage door, back door, and front
door. One bedroom downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs....

For burglary, what do insurance companies require for *minimum* devices
installed to get the highest discount off your insurance. (Like all
perimeter doors have sensors, one interior motion sensor, U.L. monitoring
station???)

For fire? (minimum number of smoke detectors/heat sensors, etc., and where
installed???)

All most insurance companies require is confirmation (usually a certificate)
stating that there is a "system" installed and that it's being monitored for
burg and fire. Even the certificates we issue don't detail the level of
protection. As far as I'm concerned that's no one's buisness but the
home-owner. That *is* why they call it "security", after all. )

 

[Crash Gordon]

I issue my own certificates to insurance companies because generally the
ones they want filled out are totally ignorant.

I specify whether the homeowner certain types of detection
Perimeter
Interior
Glassbreakage
Smoke Detectors
Daily Test Signal
Monitored or Local
Panic Police
Panic Fire
Basically a general overview.

On fire we are always asked to install just ONE smoke detector so they can
get their fire discount. **NOT!** We either do fire the right way or we
won't do it at all.


| For a two story three bedroom home with garage door, back door, and front
| door. One bedroom downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs....
|
| For burglary, what do insurance companies require for *minimum* devices
| installed to get the highest discount off your insurance. (Like all
| perimeter doors have sensors, one interior motion sensor, U.L. monitoring
| station???)
|
| For fire? (minimum number of smoke detectors/heat sensors, etc., and where
| installed???)
|
|
|
|

 

[alarman]

I issue my own certificates to insurance companies because generally the
ones they want filled out are totally ignorant.

I specify whether the homeowner certain types of detection
Perimeter
Interior
Glassbreakage
Smoke Detectors
Daily Test Signal
Monitored or Local
Panic Police
Panic Fire
Basically a general overview.

On fire we are always asked to install just ONE smoke detector so they can
get their fire discount. **NOT!** We either do fire the right way or we
won't do it at all.

What do you do for residential fire if they already have smokes in all the
bedrooms, hallways, etc. as in the new homes?
js

 

[Crash Gordon]

I go by the old code...within 15 ft of sleeping area or the ceiling height
diff. is more than whatever inches the code is ( i forget right now). Most
people won't buy 9 alarm smokes in addition to the 9 that came with the
house. So they'd end up with the 9 sparky smokes plus maybe 4 or so more.




|
| | > I issue my own certificates to insurance companies because generally the
| > ones they want filled out are totally ignorant.
| >
| > I specify whether the homeowner certain types of detection
| > Perimeter
| > Interior
| > Glassbreakage
| > Smoke Detectors
| > Daily Test Signal
| > Monitored or Local
| > Panic Police
| > Panic Fire
| > Basically a general overview.
| >
| > On fire we are always asked to install just ONE smoke detector so they
can
| > get their fire discount. **NOT!** We either do fire the right way or we
| > won't do it at all.
| >
|
| What do you do for residential fire if they already have smokes in all the
| bedrooms, hallways, etc. as in the new homes?
| js
|
|

 

[Jim]

For a two story three bedroom home with garage door, back door, and front
door. One bedroom downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs....

For burglary, what do insurance companies require for *minimum* devices
installed to get the highest discount off your insurance. (Like all
perimeter doors have sensors, one interior motion sensor, U.L. monitoring
station???)

For fire? (minimum number of smoke detectors/heat sensors, etc., and where
installed???)

Burglary, there's no minimum requirement that I know of, except some
may "require" central station hookup.

Fire, on the other hand, must have central station hook up for maximum
discount. As far as sensor requirements, it seems that most insurance
companies don't indicate how many sensors should be installed. I guess
because each house is different and layout and occupied areas differ
also. Minimum UL requirements however, are at least one detector on
each level. But, I always point out those areas where more detection
would be adviseable and the home owner decides. Keep in mind that Home
Insurance companies are not so much concerned about whether you survive
or not. They just don't want to pay for your burnt down house.

 

[Robert L Bass]

I go by the old code...within 15 ft of sleeping area...

I always specified that there be a minimum of one smoke in each bedroom, one
within 12 feet outside of every bedroom door, one per living level (all but
the attic or garage) and one between the garage and the main part of the
house where appropriate. Spacing does, as you mentioned, vary with ceiling
height, obstructions, etc.

Most people won't buy 9 alarm smokes in addition
to the 9 that came with the house. So they'd end up
with the 9 sparky smokes plus maybe 4 or so more.

For a long while that wasn't allowed in some districts. The current code
allows "additional protection" without forcing you to duplicate the 110VAC
smokes that the electrician spec'd as part of the building permit.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
941-925-9747 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
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