Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ's

Q: Do you offer free estimates?
A: Yes.

Q: Will you match a competitor's offer/estimate?
A: ASMD, Inc. will match or beat any competitor's advertised specials or written estimates for equivalent products and services.

Q: I see other companies advertising free alarm systems, does ASMD, Inc. offer that type of deal?
A: As we stated before, ASMD, Inc. will match any competitor's advertised specials or written estimates for equivalent products and services so we will match such an offer if you wish. However, it is very important to note a few things about those "free" offers other companies are advertising:

What those other companies aren't telling you...

The "free" systems many other alarm companies are offering usually do not include enough equipment to provide adequate protection for your home or business. As a result, you'll end up paying to cover extra doors or rooms.
The free deals actual end up costing you more money in the long run!
Here's How:
They offer you a "free" alarm that is worth about $150-$300 (Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say it was worth $300). You are then required to sign a 5-year monitoring agreement for about $32/month.
(Note: In many cases they don't lock your rate, so it could go up! Again we'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they don't raise your rate...)
5 years x 12 months x $32 = $1920!
Now compare...
Monitoring with ASMD, Inc. for 5 years = $1320
(or $1200 if you pay annually)
$1920 (their cost) - $1320 (our cost) = $600
This means they made $600 on a system you should have paid $300 for! (You just paid $300 more than you needed to pay!)
NOT SO FREE AFTER ALL!

Security FAQ's

Q: Will my alarm system still work if the power goes out?
A: All security systems have what is called a standby or backup battery. In the event of a power loss in your home or business, this battery can supply power to the system for several hours.

Q: How often should my standby battery be changed?
A: Approximately every 3-5 years. Note that if you have frequent power outages and the battery goes dead earlier than normal, the panels that we install will send a signal to the central station indicating the battery needs replaced.

Q: What is the difference between a wired and wireless system?
A: In a wired system all components (Door switches, Motion Detectors, Glass Break Detectors, etc) are directly wired to the alarm panel. In a wireless system components that include a wireless transmitter to communicate with the panel may be installed, eliminating the need for a wire to be run from the component to the control panel. A wired system is usually less expensive but may take slightly longer to install. A wireless system is most useful in situations where there are few or no places to conceal wires. Both systems can be equally reliable assuming batteries are changed in the wireless components when needed. ASMD, Inc. recommends which type to install based on your specific situation; in most cases we are able to install a wired system (saving you money).

Q: How often should I change the batteries in my wireless transmitters?
A: Battery life varies by device manufacturer, but on average your batteries will usually last a minimum of 2 years on up to 5 years. When in doubt changing your batteries every 2 years will help to keep your transmitters trouble free.

Q: I have signs that hang from the ceiling in my business; will this cause my motion detectors to generate a false alarm?
A: Conventional motions will trigger if a hanging sign moves while your alarm is armed. The good news is that ASMD, Inc. offers motions with new technology that can help totally prevent these nuisance alarms. This is especially helpful since many police departments have instituted fines for responding to false alarms.

Q: Will my motion detector be triggered by my pet?
A: If you have an older motion detector it may have a "pet alley" feature to prevent such a false alarm. Newer models that we offer are designed to be pet immune up to 40 lbs, for an economical model, or up to 100 lbs, for a more costly model designed for locations with larger pets.

Q: Will my alarm work if my phone lines are cut?
A: Your alarm will continue to be able to sound on the premise, but if your phone lines are cut your system will not be able to contact the central monitoring station. This is the case for all alarm systems regardless of who installs them. The solution to eliminating this vulnerability is to install a cellular backup unit, which can transmit a signal to the central station if your phone line is cut, and then transmit all the alarm signals that follow.

Q: How do I use/operate my system?
A: An interactive demo is available on our site. This demo allows you to operate a virtual keypad that will simulate how most of the systems that ASMD, Inc. installs work. The look of your keypad may vary but the functionality is the same.
The demo requires Macromedia Shockwave. If you do not already have Shockwave installed click on the button below.

Fire Protection FAQ's

Q: Do I need a separate system in order to add fire protection to my home or business?
A: In most cases no. For nearly all residential circumstances when you have a security system panel installed the alarm has built in capability to handle fire zones eliminating the need for an additional control panel. For smaller businesses the same can be true. In the case of larger corporate facilities codes in your local area may require a sizeable number of fire devices and zones. For these circumstances a separate fire control is usually needed.

Q: How often do the batteries in my wireless smoke detector need to be changed?
A: Smoke detector batteries should be replaced every year.

Q: How many smoke detectors do I need in my home?
A: The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) now requires that one smoke detector be installed in every bedroom/sleeping area, one in the hallway(s) adjacent to the bedrooms, and one on every level of the home.

Q: Can having a fire alarm help reduce my homeowner's insurance?
A: In most cases, yes. Contact your insurance agent to find out if they offer a discount for having a fire alarm.

Monitoring FAQ's

Q: Where is the central station located?
A: For security reasons we do not give the exact location of the monitoring station, however we can tell you it is located in the Baltimore Area.

Q: Is the central station UL listed?
A: Yes

Q: How is an alarm event handled?
A: First your alarm is triggered. The signal is sent to the central station where an operator receives the signal. The operator will (unless instructed otherwise in advance by you) attempt to call the premises.

If you call the central station or if they reach you at the premises you will be asked for your code number to cancel the alarm. If you give the correct code the alarm will be cancelled and the call will be noted in the central station logs. If you or someone else gives an incorrect code they will ask for confirmation, if the code is incorrect they will end the phone call and dispatch the appropriate local authorities (police, fire, etc) to respond to the alarm.

If the operator is unable to get an answer they will contact the appropriate local authorities (police, fire, etc) to respond to the alarm.

Q: If my alarm is triggered how quickly will I be called?
A: You can expect to receive a call within 1-2 minutes maximum.

Q: What happens if I call the monitoring station to cancel the alarm after the police/fire dept has been dispatched?
A: If you call in after authorities have been dispatched and give the correct cancel code then the operator will attempt to cancel the alarm with the authorities if possible to stop a response to a false alarm. If too much time has passed the alarm response may not be able to be cancelled.

Q: Will I be charged for a false alarm where the police or fire dept responded?
A: While ASMD, Inc. does not charge for false alarms, your local county or city may charge a fine for responses to false alarms. In many cases where a policy like this has been enacted you are allowed a small quota of false alarms before you are charged a fine. To find out whether or not a policy like this exists in your area, contact your local city or county for more information. There may be a false alarm reduction unit in your local police dept that can help give you the full details.

Q: How long is the term on your standard monitoring agreement?
A: Our standard monitoring agreement has a term of three years after which you may renew the contract if you wish.

Q: I rent/lease my property and I'm not sure if I'll be here for more than a year; can I get a monitoring agreement for that length of time?
A: Yes, we will consider those circumstances and will offer a reduced term. Note that a contract for a shorter term may be subject to a higher monitoring rate.

Q: Is my monitoring rate subject to increases while I'm under contract?
A: No. We lock you rates in so it will not go up while you're under contract. Additionally we do not regularly raise our rates like many other companies. As a result, it is very probable that when your monitoring agreement comes up for renewal that you'll be able to continue enjoying the same low rate once you renew.

Service FAQ's

Q: What sort of Service Plans do you offer?
A: ASMD, Inc. offers a number of service options including service plans that can cover the costs of parts and labor and add emergency service and/or key service to provide the ultimate in accessibility. For more details visit our Repair Service page.

Cabling FAQ's

Q: Do you offer bulk rate pricing for larger jobs?
A: Yes.

Q: What is a Plenum ceiling?
A: According to the National Electric Code (NEC) a plenum is a "compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and [which] forms part of the air distribution system." In other words, the open space above your ceiling extends above other rooms in the same building or is open to ducts that connect it to other parts of the building. In a plenum ceiling air can circulate through the air ducts to the whole building.

Q: If I have a Plenum ceiling how does that affect my cabling needs? (What is the difference between PVC and Plenum rated Cable.)
A: PVC Cable is the most common type of cable used today and consists of a chemical compound called Poly Vinyl Chloride. If a fire occurs, burning PVC Cable can emit large quantities of dense black toxic smoke, and significant amounts of hydrochloric acid. If you have a Plenum ceiling, having PVC cable in the ceiling during a fire would cause a concentration of these fumes to be spread throughout the building. Exposure to these fumes could then hinder the safe evacuation of persons in the vicinity and result in increased fatalities. Plenum Rated Cable has a special coating on the wire, which causes it to burn at a much higher temperature and emit fewer fumes than conventional PVC. As a result, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires that only plenum rated cables be installed in plenum air spaces.
The chief difference when planning cabling for a facility with a plenum ceiling is to know that plenum Cable is more expensive than PVC so make sure when you're getting estimates that they are all for plenum cable.

Q: If I don't have a Plenum Ceiling can I/should I have Plenum Cable installed anyway?
A: You most certainly can have plenum installed if you wish. The NEC does not require it though, so the decision is really up to you. Just remember that Plenum is more costly to install than PVC.

Q: What is the difference between Cat3, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, etc.?
A: This is actually a somewhat complex question to answer as it involves a number of technical details. The most basic answer is that each Category of cable is supposed to meet (or exceed) a specific set of standards, the most significant of which, is the ability to pass all signals up to a particular carrier frequency (or signaling rate). Additional standards have to be met include values for attenuation, near end cross talk (NEXT), ACR, etc.
Below is a table of the types of Category Cable we install. The table shows the Maximum Carrier Frequencies required by the EIA/TIA 568 Standards for each category of cable and the Maximum Frequencies the manufacturer actually tests the cable to.

Category Typical Applications Frequency Required Tested to EIA/TIA Ratified Standard?

Cat 3 Voice 16 MHz 16 MHz Yes

Cat 5 Voice, Data (10/100 Mbps Ethernet) 100 MHz 100 MHz Yes

Cat 5e Voice, Data (10/100 Mbps/ Gigabit Ethernet) 100 MHz 200 MHz Yes

Cat 5 ENH¹ Voice, Data (10/100 Mbps/ Gigabit Ethernet) * 350 MHz See note 1.

Cat 6² Voice, Data (10/100 Mbps/ Gigabit Ethernet) 200(250?) MHz 500 MHz Draft

¹ Cat 5 ENH is another version of Cat 5e offered by the manufacturer we use that further exceeds the Cat 5e EIA/TIA Standard.
² The Cat 6 Standard has not yet been officially ratified by the EIA/TIA so the specs used by the manufacturer to claim the cable is Cat 6 are based on the current draft of the Standard.

Q: What do you recommend we have installed for use in our Ethernet network?
A: At this time we would recommend the certified Cat 5e or the special Cat 5 ENH offered by the manufacturer we use. We feel these cables offer the security of conforming to a ratified standard, while also leaving the needed room for growth towards Gigabit Ethernet applications.

Q: I need both voice and data cable installed; is there any advantage to installing Cat 5/5e for my phone system?
A: Having Cat 5/5e installed for both your data and phones offers you the flexibility to use your phone jacks as network jacks in the future (assuming you have the cables terminated onto a patch panel). If you use Cat 3 for your phones then your future use of those cables will be pretty much limited to that purpose. Note that while the price differential between Cat 3 and Cat 5/5e is getting slimmer the one disadvantage is still that a Cat 5/5e installation will still be more expensive.