UL 681

Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems

UL 681

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements provide criteria for the installation of protective wiring and devices for burglar alarm systems covering premises, stockrooms, alarmed areas, safes, vaults, night depositories, automated teller machines, and other security containers. The amount of alarm protection installed in a system is designated as the extent of protection.

1.2 Burglar-alarm systems are classified by type of system. The types of systems covered by these requirements include central station, mercantile, bank, proprietary, and national industrial security systems. Requirements for residential burglar alarm systems are covered in the Standard for Installation and Classification of Residential Burglar Alarm Systems, UL 1641.

1.3 These requirements also cover the installation of holdup alarm initiating devices used to send holdup or duress signals to an off premises location.

1.4 These systems employ Class 2 remote-control and signal circuits as defined by Article 725 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

1.5 The requirements assume that standard communication industry operating practices are acceptable for leased or other lines connecting to a police or central station as defined by Article 800 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

1.6 A central station burglar alarm system shall transmit signals to a central station operated by the alarm service company and complying with the Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services, UL 827.

1.7 A bank or mercantile burglar alarm system that provides signal transmission to a remote location shall transmit the signals to:

• The dispatch location of the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the protected property; or
• A central station or residential monitoring station complying with the Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services, UL 827.

When signals from a bank or mercantile burglar alarm system are monitored in a remote location the alarm service company and an authorized representative of the protected property shall agree to the signals that are monitored, and the actions that are taken. The alarm service company shall notify the monitoring station of the agreed upon signals and the actions.

1.8 A proprietary burglar alarm system shall transmit signals to a proprietary central supervising station operated by personnel responsible to the owner of the protected property and complying with the Standard for Proprietary Burglar Alarm Units and Systems, UL 1076.

1.9 A national industrial security system shall transmit signals to:

• A monitoring station operated by a government contractor and complying with the Standard for National Industrial Security Systems, UL 2050; or
• A central station or residential monitoring station complying with the Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services, UL 827; or
• The dispatch location of the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the protected property.

1.10 An alarm service that is new or different from that covered in this standard shall be evaluated using the appropriate additional service requirements to determine that the level of safety as originally anticipated by the intent of this Standard is maintained. A service that conflicts with the specific service provisions in this standard shall not be judged to comply with this standard. Where appropriate, the revision of service requirements shall be proposed and adopted in conformance with the methods employed for development, revision, and implementation of this standard.