Frequently Asked Questions

• Research all services the company offers. PAC offers a comprehensive list of services that eliminate the time and expenses you incur when working with multiple vendors.
• Ensure that you understand contract lengths and automatic renewal clauses. Some companies will demand that you sign a three year contract with an “auto-renew clause” which gives you a 30-day window at the end of the contract. If you forget to cancel, you may be responsible for contract fees if you need or want to cancel early.
• Understand who owns your system. Ask the question, “if I move, will I be able to take my system with me?”
• Ask about equipment warranties. What types of service agreements are available? What is the average response time for a service call?

It is difficult to predict when an issue with your fire or burglary system will occur. Our technicians are available 24/7 and can assist you with any emergency. Call us at 800-479-4722 for all your service needs.

Please note overtime rates may apply to after-hours service calls.

There is no simple answer to this question because everyone has a different type of system. Please refer to our manuals section to retrieve user guides. If you are still having difficulties, please call us at 800-479-4PAC (4722).

• Call the Central Station to put your system on test
  You must know your account number and password
• Arm the system
• Open a door or window and let the alarm sound for a few minutes
• Disarm the system and wait a minute or two
• Call the Central Station and check signals

Putting your system on test is essential when testing or conducting maintenance on your burglary or fire alarm system. Your alarm will sound locally, but the fire or police department will not be dispatched when signals are relayed to the central station.

Please access the call list form on our site. Once you have completed the information, fax the call list to 925-687-7662 or email us directly. Please type call lists or write information as legibly as possible.

Please access the call list form on our site. Once you have changed the password information, fax the call list to 925-687-7662 or email us directly. Please type changes or write information as legibly as possible.

Please access the passcode change request form on our site. Once you have completed the information, fax the call list to 925-687-7662 or email us directly.  Please type passcode change requests or write information as legibly as possible.

A password is a unique ID assigned to each account, which every user must know when communicating with the central station. This can typically be found on your call list.

A passcode is a unique ID assigned to each individual user and is generally used to arm and disarm your system.

Your account number or CS code can be found on any invoice. This information is typically located on the right hand side of the document. Commercial customers may also want to contact their managers to access account number information.

You must always have your account number and password available when contacting PAC or the central station. This information guarantees the appropriate users are accessing your system. Please refer to the account number (link to ? below) or password (link to ? below) sections if you do not have access to this information. 

When a home security system is connected to a central monitoring station, these are the steps that occur:

• Your activated security system component senses something.
• The system waits 30 to 45 seconds to give you a chance to deactivate the system to prevent false alarms.
• If the alarm is not deactivated, the security system sends a message to the monitoring company over telephone lines.
• The monitoring company receives the message and verifies the alarm, usually by calling your home. If they do not receive the proper password or do not receive an answer, the police are called.
• The police respond and also notify the fire department or medics if needed.
• There is usually a monthly fee for the monitoring service.

Choosing a home security system provider can be confusing. It’s wise to ask a variety of questions to help differentiate the reputable, reliable firm from the “here today, gone tomorrow” company.

• Ensure that you understand contract lengths and automatic renewal clauses. Some companies will demand that you sign a three year contract with an “auto-renew clause” which gives you a 30-day window at the end of the contract. If you forget to cancel, you may be responsible for contract fees if you need or want to cancel early.
• Understand who owns your system. Ask the question, “if I move, will I be able to take my system with me?”
• How long has the company been in business? Find out if they are members of the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.
• Ask about equipment warranties. What types of service agreements are available? What is the average response time for a service call?
• How does the alarm company screen new employees? Do they conduct background checks for criminal records, etc., especially for installers and service personnel?

Unmonitored systems usually have a combination of loud alarms and flashing lights. This type of system relies on neighbors or passers-by to call the police. The lights and alarms should be installed on the street side of the house where they can be easily seen, but in a position that does not provide easy access.

Motion detectors are not recommended as the primary means of detection because they are activated only after someone breaks in. By themselves, motion sensors do not deter someone from the initial act of breaking and entering. However, other security components, such as surveillance cameras or window sensors, have been shown to deter some burglars from taking that first step to enter your home and harm your property. 

Some home security alarm systems include these additional components:

• Smoke detectors
• Closed circuit TV to monitor and/or record activity inside or outside
• Glass break detectors
• Panic buttons
• Pressure mats for under rugs
• Alarm screens for windows
• Door locks
• Thermostat and lighting

A quality home security alarm system generally includes these basic components:

• Control panel where the system wiring terminates, the backup battery is located and where it is connected to the phone lines for a monitored system.
• Keypad where the system is armed and disarmed.
• Siren to sound the audible alarm.
• Inside motion detector that senses changes in a room caused by human movement. Special motion detectors are available for those with pets.
• Door and window contacts that sound the alarm when the door or window is opened while the security system is activated.
• A central monitoring station that receives notice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if any of these system components are set off or activated.

A quality home security alarm system may decrease the chances that someone breaks into your home. Even if the alarm system does not keep someone from breaking in, it may cause the burglar to be in your home a shorter amount of time.

• Research all services the company offers. PAC offers a comprehensive list of services that eliminate the time and expenses you incur when working with multiple vendors.
• Ensure that you understand contract lengths and automatic renewal clauses. Some companies will demand that you sign a three year contract with an “auto-renew clause” which gives you a 30-day window at the end of the contract. If you forget to cancel, you may be responsible for contract fees if you need or want to cancel early.
• Understand who owns your system. Ask the question, “if I move, will I be able to take my system with me?”
• Ask about equipment warranties. What types of service agreements are available? What is the average response time for a service call?

UL certification has minimal effect on pricing. It is most important to make sure that you compare the various components included in the proposed solution. Elements that are generally considered minimum components for reliable alarm service include:

• Proper equipment required for the application
• Installation made in accordance with codes and standards
• Trained alarm technicians installing the system
• Repair service provided by trained alarm technicians
• A preventative maintenance program by trained alarm technicians

If these elements are in place in competing systems, the cost of a UL Certified alarm system should be competitive with a similar non-UL Certified system.

At PAC Integrations, the answer is yes. It is important to note that the vast majority of alarm systems in the U.S. are not UL certified. A system that has a certificate complies with published, nationally recognized standards and codes that provide a baseline common understanding of the system and service provided.

A “UL certified alarm system” means that, as a certificate-issuing alarm company, PAC Integrations declares that it only provides services that comply with the established UL standards. It is equivalent to a manufacturer whose products are qualified to bear the UL Mark and whose company name is included in a UL product directory. A UL Certified alarm system is subject to random audits to countercheck compliance.

“UL listed central station” ensures that an alarm monitoring facility has demonstrated the ability to provide service that meets or exceeds the standards outlined by UL. In the case of monitoring stations, UL requirements cover building structure, receiving and monitoring equipment, and staffing, as well as installation and ongoing service. In “UL listed central station” ensures that an alarm monitoring facility has demonstrated the ability to provide service that meets or exceeds the standards outlined by UL. In the case of monitoring stations, UL requirements cover building structure, receiving and monitoring equipment, and staffing, as well as installation and ongoing service. In order to be able to provide standards-compliant service, the building, equipment and staffing requirements must be met at all times. PAC Integrations and its central station partners are UL Listed. order to be able to provide standards-compliant service, the building, equipment and staffing requirements must be met at all times. PAC Integrations and its central station partners are UL Listed.

“UL listed alarm service company” is a common way of saying that a company is authorized to use the UL Listing mark on alarm services that are in compliance with UL’s requirements. For alarm systems, the UL mark is a certificate.

UL’s product safety certification programs require companies to submit product samples for UL testing. When products comply with the applicable requirements, the manufacturer is authorized to use the UL Listing Mark. UL follow-up inspection then confirms that all products used in installed solutions match compliance standards. The company is included in UL’s Product Directories. Only products that bear a UL Listing Mark are considered UL Listed. PAC Integrations only uses UL Listed products in its installations.