FARA Adopts Position on DIY Systems Response

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Board of Directors of the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) has adopted a position on dispatch response for do-it-yourself (DIY) alarm systems. 

The position reaffirms FARA’s commitment to the involvement of all stakeholders in the development of local solutions to the false alarm problem. It also addresses the issue that since DIY systems can be a significant source of false alarms, localities should consider several mitigating factors for DIY systems. 

“The position was adopted because of questions about how to apply local alarms ordinances to do-it-yourself systems,” says FARA President Kerri McDonald. “[DIY] systems can cause false alarms and localities need to consider regulating them.” 

The position states: 

“FARA believes that each community has a right to enact whatever false alarm solution best meets its needs. FARA also believes that [DIY] systems should be considered in your alarm ordinance in the following ways: 

  • Your ordinance should prohibit a [DIY] alarm system from directly dialing or otherwise contacting public safety. 
  • Any registration or permitting requirements and fines or fees and/or response limitations that apply to the user for a professionally installed system should apply to the user with a [DIY] system.
  • You should consider requiring an inspection by a professional alarm technician for systems that have too many alarms. 
  • If the alarm user calls in a dispatch request to public safety based on a [DIY] system and it turns out to be a false alarm, the same fees and/or response limitations that apply to professionally installed systems should apply.” 

To learn more about FARA or its position on DIY systems response, contact Brad Shipp, FARA executive director, at (301) 519-9237, E-mail [email protected] or visit faraonline.org.

 

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