Alarm System
This document describes key pieces of information regarding the UM’s alarm system.
The UM has two alarmed facilities: Kent Hall which is the UM’s primary location, and Wells Hall which is used for off-site storage of archaeological materials. Both alarm systems were installed by Coyote Cabling.
Alarm Code Sharing
When Craig began at the UM as Iterim Curator, a new alarm system had been recently installed in Kent Hall. Craig quickly discovered that alarm codes were being shared between staff, including the Director. Importantly, when codes are shared it is impossible to accurately track who has accessed controlled spaces, and individuals no longer on staff still had functioning access codes.
On 2023-12-03, as Interim Director Craig contacted Steven Jensen, the Controls and Safety Systems Tech, Lead to remove old codes that were widely shared and to set up a situation where each individual has their own code. Individualized alarm codes would allow better tracking of who was accessing controlled spaces and would facilitate deactivating codes when individuals were no longer on UM staff. Jensen and Craig worked with Nikki Thornock from Coyote Cabling to set up a system where each user has their own code. This system was put in place on 2024-01-22.
Each individual granted access to controlled areas of Kent Hall now has their own code. The Director has alarm user administrative privileges. Users are managed through the www.virtualkeypad.com, and there are various user levels. Administrators can also use the Virtual Keypad smartphone app for arming and disarming the building or for bypassing particular zones. For users who are no longer at the UM, Nikki at Coyote Cabling recommended setting these users as “inactive” rather than removing their accounts.
System Upgrades
On 2024-02-07, Bill Rutherford from the ICT Business Office contacted Craig to inform him that the KH alarm system expired on November 2023, was non-compliant, and was in need of testing and acceptance. Furthermore, to come in compliance with NMSU ARP 16.02, the system needed to have a SIM card installed. Craig approved the upgrade to the Kent Hall alarm system.
On 2024-03-05, Bill Rutherford contacted Craig stating that the Wells Hall Bay 5 rooms 509 and 511 reached “End-of-Life-System,” would be taken down, and asked Craig if he wanted to request a quote for the replacement alarm. Craig recommended to Stanford that a request be sought for an upgraded alarm. On 2024-03-14, as part of gathering information for the quote, Craig visited Wells Hall with Patrick Campo (Coyote Cabling), Steven Jensen, Bill Rutherford, Ruben Matero, and other unidentified individuals. At this time, it was determined that the alarm was not reporting to NMSU PD.
Following the meeting, Coyote Cabling prepared the quote. Recommending approval, Craig forwarded the quote to Stanford. Stanford approved the expense. The Wells Hall alarm will be a Wi-Fi system and work should commence at the end of April.