Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a defined space. The monitoring system includes a plurality of sensor elements distributed throughout the defined space, a plurality of alarms distributed throughout the defined space and a monitoring station. The monitoring station is receptive of information from the respective pluralities of the sensor elements and the alarms. The monitoring station is configured to generate from the information a device list, an alarm and event list, a layout of audio/video playback windows, a playback control interface and a standard timeline representing a standard playback time of audio signals and videos being played in the audio/video playback windows.