KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** more comments on central station technical errors can't keep up with technology June 11, 2025 ******************** more comments on central station technical errors can't keep up with technology from article on May 28, 2025 ******************** Ken, Yes, we alarm dealers and monitoring stations can all agree that Contact ID alarm reporting format is preferable. But there are multi-thousands, millions likely, of alarm systems being monitored by contract monitoring stations, including fire alarm systems, using 3+1 and 4+2 and similar older formats, and which cannot be simply reprogrammed to send Contact ID format signals. But rather than blaming the alarm dealer ('Anon' in this case), who likely is not aware of the technical limitations involved, another way of viewing this situation is: (1.) the false advertising of contract monitoring stations, which claims "We can monitor all formats" (like older 3+1 and 4+2 format), and which induces the alarm dealer (like 'Anon') to bring their business to them, and then; (2.) the monitoring station puts online, and accepts payment to monitor, those dealer accounts which are known to use those older formats, and then; (3.) the monitoring station intentionally provides, for use by the alarm dealer (like 'Anon'), limited-bandwidth receiver phone lines which they know from experience will not reliably support receipt of alarm signals using those older formats, and; (4.) they do this, most likely, because those limited-bandwidth receiver phone lines are cheaper than the receiver phone lines previously used for this purpose, and then; (5.) they pass the buck and blame the alarm dealer for missed/corrupted signals, and lastly; (6.) they expect the alarm dealer to indemnify them when it all hits the fan. Does this sound like willful disregard, or perhaps gross negligence? Been There in Alarmland ***************** Response ***************** I think both the central station and the dealer are responsible for alarm monitoring and setting up a system which either knows is likely to fail could very well cross the line from ordinary negligence to gross negligence. Alarm monitoring can't be hit or miss; "it gets through most of the time". Subscribers have a right to expect reliable monitoring services. Of course the Standard Form Agreements make it clear that alarm company is not responsible for communication pathways it does not own or control, but that doesn't mean a dealer can install, and a central station can agree to monitor, a system that relies on communication pathway or programming or equipment the they think will not be reliable. ******************** STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** WEBINARS: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth *********************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-kirschenbaum-presents/id1794851477 ************************* Getting on our email list / Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
