What does “alarm fidelity” measure?

Alarm fidelity refers to the reliability of the alarm signal in terms of its accuracy and validity. When discussing alarm systems, it is crucial that the signals these systems generate are legitimate representations of the conditions they monitor. High alarm fidelity indicates that the system can effectively distinguish between actual emergencies and false alarms, ensuring that alerts sent to monitoring centers and end-users are trustworthy.

This quality is particularly important in contexts where quick responses are necessary, such as in burglary situations. A system with high fidelity reduces the risk of false alarms, leading to fewer unnecessary dispatches of law enforcement and minimizing alarm fatigue among users.

In contrast, the other options mentioned focus on different aspects of alarm systems: cost-effectiveness is concerned with economic value, the duration of the alarm signal pertains to how long it sounds, and the number of sensors relates to the system's coverage and detection capabilities. However, these factors do not directly address the core concept of alarm fidelity, which is central to ensuring the system's reliability in signaling actual threats.