S
Schedule Change Reports
A programming option that allows schedule changes to be sent to a receiver.
Scheduled Openings and Closings
A prearranged schedule between the alarm subscriber and monitoring center for turning the system on and off. The monitoring center records this event and knows when a system has been left off inadvertently.
Schedules
A feature that allows the user to program various panel functions to occur at predetermined times. One use of schedules is for turning relay outputs on or off at certain times of the day or week. Schedules are often used to create opening/closing windows when users can access the building or disarm the system.
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF)
A secure room or data center that guards against electronic surveillance and suppresses data leakage of sensitive security and military information.
Sealed Lead-Acid Battery
A battery, similar in construction to an automobile battery, used to provide primary or backup power to alarm systems. A sealed lead-acid battery is rechargeable, has good temperature characteristics, but has relatively low energy density.
Second Line
The ability to use an additional telephone line as a back-up option for panel communications. The second line can be programmed to use any of the standard communication options. See Communication Type.
Secondary Schedules
Programmable schedules in DMP panels for use in applications such as as Late to Close annunciation and Auto Arming. The user can also program secondary schedules to restrict codes that have certain authority levels to disarm the system only during selected times.
Security Code
See User Code.
Segment
A length of network cable. A segment can be connected to the port of a repeater, bridge, router, or gateway.
Select Key(s)
The top row of keys on the keypad. Each time a Select key is used, the keypad displays the function or option above the key. Displaying choices above the individual select keys allows them to be used for many different applications. For example, the user can enter AM or PM when programming the automatic test time or answer YES or NO for a system option.
During programming, the Select keys also allow the user to change information currently in the panel memory. The Select keys can be used to select a section from the programming menu. On touchscreen keypads, the keys are replaced by areas on the touchscreen and operate in the same way as Select keys.
Serial
A method of connecting an electric circuit where each element is connected one by one to each other.
A transmission format that sends data one bit at a time.
Serial 3
A data link layer protocol used by IBM SNA networks and DMP Command Processor panels.
Serial Interface
A port that can be used for serial communication where only one bit is transmitted at a time. Most serial ports on personal computers conform to the RS-232C or RS-422 standards. A serial port is a general purposed interface that can be used for almost any type of device, including modems, mice, and printers (although most printers connect to a parallel port).
Serial Number
A numeric code used to identify wireless equipment to the panel.
Server
A network device or process that provides a service to networked clients, such as file servers or print servers.
Service
The repair and maintenance of an alarm system.
Service Receiver
A receiver that is designed with the main purpose of performing service to panels from a remote location, such as changing programming or viewing events.
Service Required
A keypad display that indicates the keypad has lost communication with the panel.
Set Lockout Code
Shielded Cable/Wire
A cable that is surrounded by a grounded metallic material. It minimizes disruption of the signal by external electrical noise and prevents the cable from emitting unwanted electrical signals.
Note: Shielded cable/wire is not recommend for the DMP Bus. The user may use shielded wire between two 708 Modules.
Shunt
The length of time a door can remain open before causing an alarm. If the door is open at the end of the bypass timer, a fault generates on Zone 2. See Bypass.
Shunt Switch
A key-operated switch at the protected premises that permits the proprietor to temporarily bypass an initiating device from the protection circuit.
SIA/CP-01-2000 Certification
Control panel false alarm standard certification category. See American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Signal
An electrical wave used to convey information.
An alerting signal.
An acoustic device, such as a bell or a visual device like a strobe that informs on-site people to an alarm situation.
To transmit an information signal or alerting signal.
Silent Alarm
An alarm that does not sound a local bell when activated but signals a remote monitoring station.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
A management protocol used to maintain and query network components. SNMP uses agents on managed nodes to maintain a database known as a Management Information Base (MIB). The data stored within the MIB can be transmitted to the management software on request.
Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT)
A switch or relay that connects one wire to either of two wires.
Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST)
A switch with only one moving and one stationary contact, available as either normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).
Siren
See Alarm Bell.
Sleep
A panel arming mode that arms the perimeter and interior areas but leaves devices near bedrooms and other nighttime areas off.
Smoke Detector
A device that detects the visible or invisible combustion particles.
Sort
To order the records in a database based on the contents of one or more fields.
Split Reporting
A method of sending different signals to two separate receivers. An example would be to send alarms to receiver 1 and openings/closings to receiver 2.
Spike
A momentary increase in electrical current. Spikes can damage electronic equipment.
Spot Detector
A device with a detecting element that is concentrated at a particular location. Typical examples are bimetallic detectors, fusible alloy detectors, certain pneumatic rate-of-rise detectors, certain smoke detectors, and thermoelectric effect detectors.
Star Topology
A centralized network with a hub, concentrator, or repeater at the center of the network.
Static Address
Generally refers to a computer location address that is fixed and not capable of action or change. The opposite of static is dynamic.
Status List
Displays any alarm or trouble condition on a zone and any trouble condition on an internal system monitor. The system monitors include the AC power, battery power, panel box tamper, printer, and phone lines. If more than one alarm or trouble condition occurs at the same time, the keypad sequences this information on its display.
Stratification
An effect that occurs when heated air containing smoke particles or gaseous combustion products rises until it reaches a level where there is no longer a difference in temperature between it and the surrounding air. Stratification can also be caused by powered ventilation that develops an opposing airflow.
Strike Time
The length of time that a keypad relay or an access control device relay is activated.
Structured Query Language (SQL)
A language, standardized by ANSI, used to manipulate relational databases.
Subscriber
An alarm system owner who has the system monitored by a monitoring station.
Supervised Alarm Service
A monitoring center alarm system that reports opening, closing, and other activities. Supervision assures that the system is turned on and off and that only authorized personnel can gain access to protected premises.
Supervised Circuit
A circuit that indicates alarm and trouble conditions.
Supervised System
A system where a break or ground in the wiring, which prevents the transmission of an alarm signal, actuates a trouble signal.
Supervision
The ability to detect a fault condition in the installation wiring that would prevent normal operation of the fire alarm system.
Supervisory Signal
A signal indicating the need for action in connection with the supervision of guard tours, automatic sprinkler, or other extinguishing systems or equipment, or the maintenance features of other protective systems.
Supervisory Zone (SV)
A 24-hour zone type typically used for supervising fire alarm valve tamper switches on OS&Ys, butterfly valves, and PIVs.
Swinger
A zone that intermittently trips while armed, resulting in erroneous alarm activation. Swingers can be caused due to light or heat fluctuations near motion detectors, or loose or partially broken wires on a zone.
Swinger Bypass
A programmable function that allows the panel to bypass a zone that repeatedly trips. Swingers (zones that trip often) are a serious false alarm problem but can be controlled by using the Swinger Bypass feature. A swinger bypassed zone may be restored to the system after it has remained stable for one hour. DMP panels use this feature to help reduce false alarms.
Swinger Bypass Trips
The number of times a zone can go into an alarm or trouble condition within one hour before being automatically bypassed. The installer can select from one to seven trips. Entering a zero disables this function. A report of the automatic bypass is sent to the receiver if bypass reports has also been selected.
Bypassed zones are automatically reset when the area they are assigned to is disarmed. All 24-hour zones are reset when any area of the system is disarmed. See Reset Swinger Bypass.
Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC)
See Serial 3.
System Armed
With non-touchscreen keypads, indicated by a red LED indicator on the keypad.
With touchscreen keypads, indicated by a graphic that shows the system is armed.
System Monitor
The function that allows the panel to monitor its AC power, battery power, enclosure tamper (if used), phone line one, and phone line two. Troubles with any of these elements can be reported to a monitoring center or displayed on the system keypads.
Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
A suite of communications protocols developed by IBM. It is similar to the AppleTalk protocol suite for the Macintosh.
System Test
A check of the panel and monitoring system to verify all circuits are connected and operating correctly. DMP panels use this feature to help reduce false alarms.