Frequently Asked Questions

1. Free Alarm System? What's the catch?
2. Who is Kansas City Security Systems?
3. What if I'm located outside of Kansas City?
4. What is the difference between a "HARD WIRED" or "WIRELESS" System?
5. What are the main components of an Alarm?
6. What other devices are common additions to compliment a basic alarm?
7. Are wireless systems prone to false alarms or affected by errant radio transmissions?
8. How is the alarm connected to ADT's central station?
9. Where are ADT's Central Stations located?
10. Isn't is better to have my alarm monitored by a near by station?
11. What happens when the alarm goes off?
12. How loud is the siren and will it bother the neighbors, if I set it off by mistake?
13. Do the Police charge for false alarms?
14. I already have smoke detectors, Why would I want to add additional ones to my alarm system?
15. Is there an extra monitoring charge for additional equipment?
16. What happens if we lose the electrical power in our home?
17. How difficult is it to operate?
18. Can the system be set at night, or when the kids are home?
19. How about my Pets?
20. What is the correct design of a good system?
21. In an emergency can I summon the police or fire departments?
22. What about medical emergencies?
23. I have a pager can the alarm automatically call my pager when the system is armed or disarmed?
24. Can I add emergency names and contacts to my call list?
25. What about service or warranties?
26. How much electricity does the alarm use?
27. Is there a contract I need to sign?
28. Do I need an alarm permit?
29. Who will help me design my alarm?
30. How will I be billed?
31. Will my insurance company give me a discount for installing an alarm system?
32. What are ADT's requirements to have an alarm system installed through and authorized dealer?

Q. Who is Kansas City Security Systems?
A. A privately owned alarm company that markets exclusively for ADT under contract as an authorized ADT Dealer.
Dealer number is: 1951503. Monitoring, service and billing is 100% ADT.
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Q. What if I'm located outside of Kansas City?
A. ADT has a dealer network throughout the USA. Submit your name & tel.# from the main page and a local dealer will contact you.
Installation and Service will be provided by the local ADT authorized dealer. Monitoring and Billing will be done by ADT.

Q. What is the difference between a "HARD WIRED" or "WIRELESS" System?
A. A hard wired system is installed when a basement's ceiling is unfinished. Tiny contacts are hidden in the door frame or window well.
The actual wires are out of sight. For finished basement ceilings or additions beyond the original foundation wireless transmitters are used to send signals to the control panel. top

Q. What are the main components of an Alarm?
A. Control Panel w/ battery back-up, Keypad C. Door / Window Contacts or transmitters, Motion detector(s) and Siren.

Q. What other devices are common additions to compliment a basic alarm?
A. Glass Break detector(s), Smoke Detector(s), Carbon monoxide detector, Low temperature device, Wireless keypads and remotes. top

Q. Are wireless systems prone to false alarms or affected by errant radio transmissions?
A. NO ( the technology today is very sophisticated.)

Q. How is the alarm connected to ADT's central station?
A. All alarms are monitored through the telephone lines. Cellular backups are available should the phone line be down. Ask for authorized ADT dealer for details. top

Q. Where are ADT's Central Stations located?
A. Denver, Colorado, New York, Texas, Florida, Kansas City, Missouri.

Q. Isn't is better to have my alarm monitored by a near by station?
A. Proximity to the Central station is irrelevant. ADT's Stations operate 24 hours a day. Signals are received electronically
with no time differential whether your home is 1 block or 1000 miles from a central station. top

Q. What happens when the alarm goes off?
A. A trained dispatcher will call your home to verify if you have set the alarm off by mistake asking for your password. If there is no answer after 5 rings or the correct password is not given the police are immediately dispatched. Your control panel is a computer that identifies which door/window or motion detector has triggered the alarm. The police are given accurate information as to where the intrusion took place. ADT then contacts you or a designated friend or relative. All of this data instantly appears when a signal is received. Your alarm will automatically shut off within 4 minutes and rearm itself.

Q. How loud is the siren and will it bother the neighbors, if I set it off by mistake?
A. The siren is 105 decibels and pursuant to alarm code ordinances sirens are installed inside the home. The siren is loud enough to be heard by any thief on the perimeter who tries to break in but will not bother your neighbors if you set it off by mistake.(the siren is very inconspicuous in design, looking something like an intercom) top

Q. Do the Police charge for false alarms?
A. Some municipalities have implemented a fine for nuisance calls. Typically the 3rd violation in a year averages $25.00. Since your system is monitored and ADT verifies all alarms the police are only dispatched for real emergency's.

Q. I already have smoke detectors, Why would I want to add additional ones to my alarm system?
A. Adding Smoke and fire protection to the system assures the fire department will be called, should there be smoke when you are not home. Smoke detectors as part of your alarm are "supervised" 24Hours a Day even if you forgot to set your alarm. top

Q. Is there an extra monitoring charge for additional equipment? (I.E. Smoke detectors, Carbon monoxide detectors)?
A. NO

Q. What happens if we lose the electrical power in our home?
A. The system has a reserve battery housed in the control panel for this emergency. It is re-charged when the power returns. top

Q. How difficult is it to operate?
A. a 5 year old can use this system, a 4 digit pin number is used to turn it off.

Q. Can the system be set at night, or when the kids are home?
A. Yes, The "STAY MODE" disarms the interior motion detector(s) for freedom of movement while keeping the perimeter armed. top

Q. How about my Pets? (cats, dogs)
A. Specially designed motion detector(s) or "pet alleys" are used, oblivious to their movement.

Q. What is the correct design of a good system?
A. Any Perimeter opening that is easily accessed. Every exterior door should be contacted. Motion sensors are used to cover large areas within the home guarding pathways to the bedrooms. Smoke sensors on all levels of dwelling.
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Q. In an emergency can I summon the police or fire departments?
A. YES. The keypad has emergency Police and Fire panic buttons.

Q. What about medical emergencies?
A. Should a family member have a special condition ADT should have all of this information including medications and doctors names. ADT can dispatch whatever authority is needed, Police, Fire or medial personnel. top

Q. I have a pager can the alarm automatically call my pager when the system is armed or disarmed?
A. Yes, If desired a paging feature built into the control panel will automatically alert you when the system is armed or disarmed. This feature can be valuable to working parents to verify if the kids have come home from school.

Q. Can I add emergency names and contacts to my call list?
A. Yes, Just call the central station and identify yourself with your account number and your secret password. top

Q. What about service or warranties?
A. Defects in workmanship and parts are covered for the first 90 days.
Following the 90 day period the same warranty applies with the addition of a $25.00 trip charge.

Q. How much electricity does the alarm use?
A. No more than the light on your stove or the clock on your VCR, Less than $2 dollars a year. top

Q. Is there a contract I need to sign?
A. Yes, ADT has a 3 Year monitoring agreement. This guarantees the amortization of the free installation.

Q. Do I need an alarm permit?
A. Some towns do require them. Permit Fee's average about $25. top

Q. Who will help me design my alarm?
A. A trained security consultant will visit your home and design the most effective system for your needs as well as answering all your questions.

Q. How will I be billed?
A. ADT direct debits a major credit card, Monthly, Quarterly or annually. Certain exceptions allow automatic debit through a checking account.
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Q. Will my insurance company give me a discount for installing an alarm system?
A. Yes, Discounts vary between 5-20% with the maximum being allowed for systems monitored for fire as well as burglary.

Q. What are ADT's requirements to have an alarm system installed through and authorized dealer?
A. Must be homeowner. Credit Approval Required. 3 Year monitoring agreement.