The Monitoring Association Achieves ANSI Accreditation for TMA-AVS-01

Congratulations to The Monitoring Association for achieving accreditation from the prestigious international ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for its TMA-AVS-01 alarm classification standard. 

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is the trade association that represents companies who install, service, and monitor security systems for commercial, government, and residential markets, in addition to manufacturers and industry service providers

This new methodology for scoring alarm calls for service advances our industry’s goal of being a true partner with law enforcement by finding ways to make notification of an alarm more informative for law enforcement so that they can determine the correct level of response. 

The classification system establishes standardized methods for calculating an alarm score, or classification level, that results in a repeatable metric that estimates the validity or potential threat level of a burglar alarm activation using historical and real-time data.

Once operator training is completed and CAD updates are implemented, calls for Service to Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs)/Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) will include a standardized scoring metric that will assist public safety departments with their alarm response policies by establishing five levels of alarms.  Alarm Level 0 – No Call for Service, Alarm Level 1 – Call for Service with limited to no additional information, Alarm Level 2 – Call for Service with confirmed or ‘highly probable’ human presence with unknown intent, Alarm Level 3 – Call for Service with confirmed threat to property, Alarm Level 4 – Call for Service with confirmed threat to life.

This innovative standard was developed in partnership with law enforcement professionals and improves officer safety, situational awareness, response intel, response logistics and apprehension potential. SIAC was proud to play a small role in its development and looks forward to sharing information about the new standard in its meetings with law enforcement professionals in the coming year.

The mission of The Monitoring Association, formerly Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), is to promote and advance premiere professional monitoring to our consumers and first responders through education, advocacy, and the creation of standards.