Consumer Information
Where Thieves Gain Entry
* 2005 statistics
SOURCES: Bureau of Justice Statistics; FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program; Dr. Simon Hakim, Temple University; GRAPHIC: Brenna Maloney and Laura Stantion - The Washington Post
Why You Should Use a VBFAA Member
VBFAA members make the best business partners. VBFAA membership is voluntary, no company is required to join our association. The most reputable companies in the industry belong to VBFAA.
We believe that the willingness of our members to seek out educational opportunities in order to better train their employees, submission to our Code of Ethics, and their commitment to cooperate with the association in resolving questions or complaints from consumers, demonstrates their desire to do business professionally and ethically.
We strongly suggest that all Virginia consumers include VBFAA members in their comparative shopping. We believe this will lead consumers to the right system at a fair price, combined with the best possible service.
We sincerely believe that you will receive a better mix of price and quality by doing business with a VBFAA member company. If not, we are here to help resolve any issue that might occur when doing business with a member.
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Types of Systems
The Electronic Systems Industry includes businesses that sell, install, maintain, service and monitor various types of electronic systems in homes, businesses and government installations including:
- Burglar Alarm Systems – A system that alerts homeowners or business owners to an intruder via annunciators and sensors. A burglar alarm system is activated and deactivated by the user via a control panel or keypad. Visit our guide to Burglar alarm systems for more information.
- Fire Alarm Systems – A system that alerts homeowners or business owners to fire via manual pull stations, smoke or detectors or monitoring of sprinkler systems. Visit our guide to Fire alarm systems for more information.
- Robbery Alarms are also known as hold-up, duress, ambush or emergency alarms and have communications capabilities to alert someone off site when the alarm is activated. Visit our guide to robbery alarm systems for more information.
- Access Control Systems – Allow people or vehicles into a restricted area via identification through coded keys, magnetic cards, or biometric readers such as hand, face, voice, finger of retina readers. These systems are used in many businesses, hotels and apartment complexes. Visit our guide to Access Control Systems for more information.
- Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) – A camera system that displays activity on a premise via video monitors. Used primarily in businesses but becoming more popular in homes as well to view visitors at the door or monitor activity in a baby’s room. Visit our guide to Closed Circuit Television systems for more information.
- Audio & Video Systems – An entertainment system can provide you own Home Theater that can be connected via a home automation package to a security, CCTV, or access control system. Visit our guide to Audio & Video systems for more information.
- Home Control and Automation Systems – Home automation connects all aspects of a system together through one central control panel, keypad or remote. Used in what is called a “smart home” where virtually all home functions can be linked together and controlled via one central remote or keypad. Visit our guide to Home Control & Automation systems for more information.
- Telephone and Intercom Systems - Simple communications form room to room can also include capability for music in each room or the addition of video. Visit our guide to Communications systems for more information.
- Computer Cabling and/or networks - Structured cabling can provide for your current and future needs for electronic systems.
- Central Vacuum Systems- eliminate the need to haul heavy and awkward canisters up and down stairs and through the house. Visit our guide to Central Vacuum systems for more information.
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Be an Educated Consumer
In order to be an informed consumer you need to understand the different components of a system. The best systems professional will help you determine what components you need to serve your home or business.
Your systems professional should discuss what options fit your home and/or business and lifestyle, for instance, do you have small children, pets, are you away from your home for long periods of time, do you have expensive items such as jewelry you want to protect. All of these things may factor in to determine which system is best for you.
You may decide to install a system for a specific purpose but keep in mind in you can link other devices into your system such as security, fire, entertainment, controlled heating and lighting, and carbon monoxide detection. There can also be cost savings to combine these features versus installing them at a later date. It all depends on what you want and what suits you best.
The best systems professional will customize your system for your needs!
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Selecting a Contractor
The Virginia Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (VBFAA) recommends that consumers take the following steps BEFORE selecting a systems contractor:
- Check to see if the contractor is a member of the VBFAA. Associations members agree to maintain a high level of conduct under a Code of Ethics and render services at the highest level of quality.
- Call several companies. Ask them if their employees are trained and/or certified by the VBFAA.
- Ask the companies if they have appropriate state and/or local licenses, if required. Some sort of license will be required for any company that provides these services in Virginia (see use licensed contractors section below for more information)
- Ask the companies if they conduct any pre-employment screening.
- Contact your local police department's Crime Prevention Department, state licensing agencies, Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Ask your insurance agent, friends, family or neighbors for referrals.
- After you've narrowed the field to three or four alarm companies, ask for the name of the person who will call on you. It is best to plan the appointment time when all those involved in the decision are present.
- When he/she visits, ask to see some company identification.
- Ask each alarm company representative for an inspection, recommendation and a quote in writing. Use a checklist to compare different packages and price quotes.
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Only Use Licensed Contractors
Virginia law requires any person engaged in the business of providing, or who undertakes to provide, or is employed as armored car personnel, security officers, personal protection specialists, private investigators, couriers, security canine handlers, alarm respondents, central station dispatchers, electronic security employees, electronic security sales representatives or electronic security technicians and their assistants to another person under contract, expressed or implied in the state to be properly licensed to offer or to engage in such services.
Visit the DCJS web site for more information
The Virginia Department Of Professional and Occupational Regulation regulates fire alarm systems.
"Fire alarm systems contracting" (Abbr: FAS) means that service which provides for the installation, repair, or improvement of fire alarm systems which operate at 50 volts or less. The ELE classification also provides for this function. A firm with an FAS license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.
For information on the requirements visit the Virginia Department Of Professional and Occupational Regulation
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Professional Installation Vs. Do It Yourself
Before you decide to install an electronic system yourself consid er these factors:
- Are you aware of all the codes and standards that govern how your system is installed and operated?
- Are you aware of all of the options and features of the equipment you plan to install?
- Have you considered the value of your time to learn about and install the system in calculating the cost of your do it yourself installation?
- Is the equipment you have access to at retail outlets of equal quality to the professional grade equipment?
- Do you own all the tools you will need to install, test and calibrate the equipment you plan to use?
- Will your insurance policies cover you if you are injured or do damage to your property during the installation?
- Does the company you bought the equipment from provide sufficient help in the event something goes wrong during the installation?
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Are Burglar Bars Safe?
Take care when you install burglar bars to keep intruders out you may end up trapping yourself in if there is a fire. Click here to download the US Fire Administration fact sheet of Burglar Bars.
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