UL 827

Central-Station Alarm Services

UL 827

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements apply to:

• a) Central stations providing watchman, fire-alarm, and supervisory services as described in the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72;
• b) Central-station burglar-alarm systems intended and specifically designated for burglary protection use at mercantile and banking premises, on mercantile safes and vaults, and on bank safes and vaults;
• c) Residential monitoring stations monitoring residential alarm systems;
• d) Redundant sites; and
• e) Remote signal management centers.

1.2 These requirements apply to monitoring stations that are intended to be located in buildings constructed in accordance with building codes, such as the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) National Building Code, the International Building Code, the Standard Building Code, and the Uniform Building Code.

1.3 The central-station burglar- and fire-alarm or residential alarm systems covered by these requirements are systems in which the operation of electrical protection circuits and devices are signaled automatically to, recorded in, and supervised from a central-station or residential monitoring station having trained operators on duty at all times.

1.4 Requirements covering the construction and operation of burglar-alarm units used in the burglar-alarm systems covered by this Standard are contained in the Standard for Central-Station Burglar-Alarm Units, UL 1610, and the Standard for Digital Alarm Communicator System Units, UL 1635.

1.5 Burglar-alarm protective devices installed on individual properties are classified as to the extent of protection at each location. Requirements covering installation and classification (of extent) of alarm protective equipment at individual locations are contained in the Standard for Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems, UL 681.

1.6 Burglar-alarm protective devices installed in residential alarm systems at individual properties are classified as to the extent of protection at each location. Requirements covering installation and classification (of extent) of alarm protective equipment at individual locations are contained in the Standard for Installation and Classification of Residential Burglar Alarm Systems, UL 1641.

1.7 Requirements covering the construction and operation of fire-protective signaling equipment used in the systems covered by this standard are contained in the Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems, UL 864.

1.8 Requirements for the installation of fire-alarm initiating devices and notification appliances installed at individual properties are contained in the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72.

1.9 Systems covered by these requirements operate within the limits of the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, as applied by the local authority having jurisdiction. The Articles of the National Electrical Code that apply are:

• a) Article 725, within the limits of Class 2 or Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuits for burglar-alarm systems;
• b) Article 760 for fire-alarm systems;
• c) Article 800 for outside wiring and protectors;
• d) Article 820 for protectors for radio antennas; and
• e) Article 830 for Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems.

1.10 Requirements for software and hardware, and the installation and operation of an automation system in a central station, remote signal management center, redundant site, subsidiary station or residential monitoring station are covered by the Standard for Central-Station Automation Systems, UL 1981, or by the Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems, UL 864, and/or the Standard for Central-Station Burglar-Alarm Units, UL 1610.

1.11 A reference made to “station” refers to a central station (burglary or fire), remote signal management center, subsidiary station, or residential monitoring station, depending upon the context in which it is used

1.12 These requirements do not cover the communication channel between the protected property and the station unless the communication company is owned and operated by the station. This includes:

• a) The company that provides the communication channel; and
• b) The equipment that is used to provide the communication channel.

1.13 The units, devices, and systems covered by the above standards shall operate, and be applied as defined therein, unless this Standard, UL 827, indicates otherwise.