Frequently Asked Questions

 In 2005 there were 23 million crimes committed against nearly 300 million U.S. citizens. That equates to one victimization for every 13 people ages 12 and above. Approximately 18 million, or 77% of these 23 million victimizations involved property crime; 5.2 million, or 22%, involved crimes of violence, and 227,000, or 1%, involved acts of theft against an individual.

 A key FOB is a wireless device carried in hand or on a key chain, that allows an alarm owner to turn their system on and off. Some models have a third button that can be used to initiate a panic or duress alarm. In some cases this third button can be used to turn lights off and on.

New construction most often requires that the alarm company submit a set of plans with supporting documentation to a local building department. Depending on the community there are two charges that the alarm owner must pay for: a plans examination fee and a permit fee. In most cases one or both of these fees will not appear in your initial quotation. In this case these charges will appear on your final bill.

Yes, system-type detectors are more reliable and capable of detecting valid sources of smoke than battery operated models. In addition, they are more resilient to false alarms because system-type smoke detectors are made to more exacting specifications.

No, it is not always necessary to install detection on every door and window. If your main concern is when you are away, ProTech Security will install interior motion detectors in addition to protecting all perimeter doors. But if you’re concern includes the time when you’re at home, then ProTech can install protection on all ground-accessible windows and doors.

Interior motion detectors offer a second line of defense against criminals who are learned in the art of alarm circumvention. In homes where all perimeter doors and windows are protected, the number of interior motion detectors used can be reduced, but it is still smart to have one or two to act as a back-up to your perimeter detection scheme. Interior detection represents a second line of defense against those who might make it through the perimeter. This is especially helpful in commercial applications where hide-ins can occur (Hide-ins are criminals who hide inside the building just before close of business).

Yes, so long as a pet is not excessively large. Motion detectors are available that can ignore pets up to 65 pounds or more. These detectors, which are called pet motion sensors, come in a variety of shapes and sizes to cover a wide assortment of detection patterns.

Yes, all the alarm systems installed by ProTech Security have a rechargeable battery back-up. ProTech fire alarm systems are required by code to have enough battery power to sustain a fire alarm system for a period of 24 hours with a subsequent alarm period of 5 minutes. Security systems will vary depending on the type of system installed and the application in which it is installed. Ask your ProTech salesman or after-market representative whether additional battery power is available for the system you have. This is recommended for installations where there is a history of brownouts and blackouts.

One of the most compelling reasons for central station monitoring is the fact that knowledgeable burglars know that on-time police response depends on it. There are other reasons to have monitoring. For example, monitoring enables parents to know when their children have arrived home from school. It also assures that the fire department and paramedics arrive in a reasonable period of time when they’re needed.

Unlike most security firms, ProTech uses a mirrored-response method that is well above and beyond most others in the security business. This enables ProTech operators to respond more quickly and with greater efficiency when an alarm happens. Others can talk about redundancy and reliability, but ProTech offers a dual-monitoring service of utmost quality. Redundancy is achieved by sending alarm signals to two different central monitoring stations—one local and the other out of state. This mirrored reporting process is achieved using the most dependable and fastest monitoring equipment available.

How many times have you witnessed a supposed burglary on television where the criminal cuts the phone line before he enters the victim’s home or place of business? Those who specialize in committing crimes watch television, too, and this is why the number of line cuts taking place nationally has skyrocketed over the last ten years.

The best way to protect your home or business from this possibility is to have a ProTech Security radio back-up system installed. A ProTech radio back-up system assures that alarm signals get through to the central monitoring station. The combination of ProTech’s dual central station system and the Uplink service makes ProTech’s central station service the finest in Ohio.

ProTech uses Uplink, the best back-up reporting system available in the security industry to date. The Uplink system uses the national cellular infrastructure to send alarm signals from your home, business, or an institution to ProTech’s dual central monitoring stations. ProTech’s radio back-up system operates in tandem with the ordinary phone line so two signal paths always exist to each of the central stations. The combination of ProTech’s dual central station approach and the Uplink service makes ProTech’s central station service hard to beat.

If you reset your alarm system within a few seconds, you can prevent ProTech’s central monitoring station operators from dispatching the police, fire department, or paramedics. Because you enter a valid passcode, the alarm system knows that you are the authorized person. This will cause the alarm panel to cancel the alarm call to the central monitoring station.

There are two ways in which the functionality of an alarm system can be assured. The first is an automatic test feature where the alarm panel sends a signal once a day or week to ProTech’s central monitoring stations. If this signal is not received, ProTech will take steps to alert the alarm owner of the situation. Daily test signals are used in commercial fire applications and weekly tests are usually used in residential installations.

The second method used to verify that an alarm system is still working occurs at the local level where the alarm system is in use. Most manufacturers suggest that the alarm owner perform a test on their system every week or once every 30 days.

A routine testing program is a must if an alarm system is expected to perform when called upon to do so. The alarm owner should test the system weekly or monthly.

To test your alarm system:

1. Call ProTech with your customer ID number and ask to have your system placed on test.
2. Arm and then trip the system and allow it to operate for several minutes.
3. Reset/disarm the system after it has rang for several minutes.
4. Call ProTech and ask if any signals were received.
5. If everything seems to be in order have the ProTech operator take your system off test.

Yes, you should make ProTech Security aware of the fact that you will be away from home or business for a period of time. Provide ProTech with a phone number where you can be reached if something should happen or the system requires attention. If possible, provide the name and phone number of someone who has a key so they can be contacted if something should occur that requires immediate attention. Do not have your telephone placed in “vacation mode” if you expect your alarm system to continue reporting signals to ProTech’s central station system. If you have a cell phone, please provide that number to ProTech as well.

Call ProTech Security to discuss your need. This type of problem can often be solved over the phone. You may also use our contact form by CLICKING HERE.

Always call ProTech Security when you expect to make changes to your telephone service. DSL can adversely affect certain types of alarm control panels. Some of the newer models will continue to work despite the switch, but to make absolutely sure, call your ProTech representative and discuss the matter before you make change.

VoIP (voice over IP) has also been known to prevent alarm equipment from communicating with the central monitoring station, so always call ProTech to discuss changes you intend to make to your phone service before you make them.

You may also use our contact form by CLICKING HERE.

This feature is not yet available to ProTech clients. Check back again soon.

Yes, you can pay your monitoring bill on line. To qualify, you must fill out an online form and supply your credit/debit card information. To take advantage of this feature, please CLICK HERE.

Cameras in the home are ideal for those who are constantly on the go. Not only do they allow you to view your home when away, but they can be made to document break-ins and other events that take place therein. In commercial and institutional applications managers and owners can use on-site cameras to view parking lots, loiterers, and to review employee performance.

In some cases an alarm system can be used to control lighting and environmental conditions in a home. This depends on the make and model that’s in place. Signals are carried either using wireless radio or through the existing electrical wiring already in the home. Remote control from outside the home is also available using an ordinary telephone or a cellular phone. In some cases control is possible using the Internet.

In terms of convenience, safety, and security, lighting can be programmed to go on and off at certain times, or when someone is detected at the door or any other locations inside or outside the home. The temperature of the home can also be controlled by a predetermined schedule, by event, or manually.

ProTech offers a complete set of owner manuals for the DMP line of security products. For other makes and models, contact ProTech by E-Mail or by telephone at 330-499-3555 or toll free at 800-229-1475.

To view a comprehensive list, CLICK HERE.

There are some insurance companies that will provide a discount for having a monitored fire and burglar alarm system. Contact your insurance company to find out the details. ProTech Security will be glad to provide a Certificate of Protection. To request a Certificate of Protection, contact ProTech by E-Mail or by phone at 330-499-3555 or toll free at 800-229-1475.

The term access control refers to the act of controlling access to a facility by electronic means. Using a keypad, card reader, or some other type of identification technology, the system will only allow access to authorized individuals. To enter therein each user must have a valid PIN (personal identification number), card, or some other means of entry, which includes wireless transmitters or some means of determining identity through the use of a biologic identifier. Possible biometric identifiers include a fingerprint, retina/iris blood vessel patterns, the human voice, and more.