PURPOSE

1.01 The purpose of this policy is to develop standard and consistent guidelines

relating to the purchase, installation, and operation of alarm systems on campus to be

used by University-related departments or private entities.

POLICY

2.01 University departments and non-university entities located on campus may desire

to install security alarm systems where assets and/or sensitive property are of

2.03 The purchase or installation of security alarm equipment by University

departments other than the Physical Plant Department is prohibited. Estimates of cost

to install and maintain a security alarm system shall be obtained from the Physical

Plant.

2.04 The alarm system specifications are developed by the Physical Plant and Security

Departments based on system requirements as determined by the requesting

department. The final determination of need and justification of estimated installation

and maintenance costs shall be made by the head of the requesting department.

PROCEDURES

3.01 A department desiring to install or expand an alarm system should submit a

3.02 When a department has requested the Physical Plant via campus order to

estimate/install a security alarm, a meeting will be scheduled between the requesting

department head, a representative of the Safety Department, and a representative of

the Security Department. At this meeting the following will be determined:

a. The hours of operation of the location to be alarmed

b. How many departmental personnel will need keys

c. What type of equipment, merchandise, money, will be kept on the

premises

d. Daytime custodial service

e. Necessary lock changes to limit access

3.03 Representatives of the Safety and Security Departments will make an onsite

inspection of the area to be alarmed. Based on the limitations of the equipment and the

requirements of the Security Department, a basic installation plan and estimate for the

alarm system will be prepared. The alarm plan will observe the three items listed

below:

a. Alarm systems must be compatible with existing equipment.

b. When the area to be protected involves multi-floors or more than

1,000 square feet, the alarm must be capable of indicating to the police

dispatcher which floor or area has been violated.

c. Hold-up or "panic" buttons are discouraged and will be used only on

3.04 When the estimate and schematic plan of the security alarm has been completed,

it will be submitted to the Director of Safety and Director of Security for their

approval. Once approved, the Physical Plant will return the campus order with

estimated costs to the requesting department.

3.05 If upon receipt of the cost estimate the head of the requesting department

account, the campus order will be forwarded to the Physical Plant. All the necessary

materials will then be ordered and installation of the system will be completed by the

Physical Plant Department.

3.07 When installation is completed, a representative of the Safety Department will

conduct an on-site inspection to determine if the alarm was installed as designed and

is working properly. This will include an inspection of the security alarm receiving

panel in the police dispatchers office.

3.08 Following installation of the alarm system, the Physical Plant will notify for

insurance purposes the University Business Manager's Office of each new installation

or expansion of an existing system.

c. Alarm functions

d. Responsibilities, if an alarm key is lost

e. Marking of alarm keys

g. Using alarm keys (practical application)

h. Actual setting of alarm by each person as if they were going home for

the night or coming to work in the morning

i. False alarm procedures

j. Maintenance and alarm checking procedures

3.10 The Physical Plant Department will provide periodic inspections of the

equipment to determine that the system is operating properly. The Physical Plant is

security alarm systems.

3.11 The department involved agrees to maintain a campus order in effect at the

maintenance, inspection service, or false alarm answering service will result in the

system being discontinued and disconnected from operation.

3.12 Nonuniversity entities desiring to install a security alarm system in their location

in a University facility shall be required to abide by the following additional

procedures.

a. Such a system shall be designed, installed, and maintained by the

installer. Equipment must be compatible with University alarm receiving

equipment and must be acceptable to OSU Security Department. Design

shall be reviewed by Security prior to beginning of installation.

b. Such system shall terminate in a module on the University receiving

Plant to purchase and install the module and to bill the entity for the cost.

d. The non-university entity having the alarm installed shall be

responsible for ensuring that the alarm is maintained and tested every 90

days. Approval of the OSU Security Department must be obtained

recorded in a logbook maintained by the Security Department dispatcher.

3.13 Procedures for operating a security alarm system must be developed by the

procedures for both University and non-university entities must include plans for

routine as well as unscheduled opening and closing of secured areas, identification of

personnel authorized to bypass the alarm, and identification of personnel and

alternates responsible for responding to alarm signals.

3.14 The Security Department will develop a detailed response procedure for each

entity having an alarm installed. The procedure will be prepared and in place before

the final connection is made on the alarm. The procedure will include the following:

a. Name, location, and phone number of the alarmed area

b. The name of the service company and their telephone number

c. The names and home phone numbers of the service personnel

d. The type of alarm system

e. How to activate and reset the alarm

f. Where alarm keys are located

g. The exact location of alarm

h. The names and home phones of personnel who are issued keys

3.15 False Alarms - False alarms generally fall into two categories, equipment

malfunction and employee error. More than three false alarms in one or the other

category in one month can result in the alarm being disconnected until appropriate

measures are taken to ensure proper alarm usage.

a. The agencies having alarms installed will be assessed a standard and

additional equipment purchased, equipment renewal, routine monthly

$15 response assessment. No assessment will be made on the first false

alarm in one month, but each additional false alarm will cause a $15

assessment for each.

3.16 Failure to comply with operating procedures as set forth herein or in an

operations manual or failure to comply with the stipulation of this policy can result in

the system being disconnected or discontinued from operation.