SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL INC
8-K, 1999-10-15
DETECTIVE, GUARD & ARMORED CAR SERVICES
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<PAGE>   1
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 1999



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       Date of Report: September 30, 1999
                        (Date of earliest event reported)



                     SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                     <C>                                 <C>
           Delaware                           000-20870                         87-0467198
 (State or other Jurisdiction           (Commission File No.)                  (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                                                    Identification No.)
</TABLE>



                  2101 South Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100
                     Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4142
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (847) 956-8650
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)

                                       n/a
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>   2



ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

RESTRUCTURING OF TJS PARTNERS, L.P.'S INVESTMENT.

         On September 30, 1999, SAI entered into the Second Amendment to
Security Associates International, Inc. Common Stock Subscription and Purchase
Agreement with TJS Partners, L.P., SAI's principal stockholder. Pursuant to this
agreement: (i) $10,000,000 of subordinated debt and accrued interest owed by SAI
to TJS Partners, L.P., (ii) 66,910 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock; and,
(iii) 500,000 shares of 12% Redeemable Preferred Stock, together with all
accrued dividends, which were held by TJS Partners, L.P., were exchanged for
135,709 shares of newly designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

         The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has a $10 par value, a
liquidation preference of $350 per share and is convertible into 13,570,900
shares of SAI's common stock. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is also
entitled to receive dividends equal to those that would have been received if
the holder had converted into common stock.

         The holder of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled to vote
on all matters on which holders of SAI's common stock are entitled to vote, on
an as-converted basis. However, the total voting power of all securities owned
by the holder of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is limited to a maximum of
45% of the total number of votes eligible to vote on a matter submitted to our
stockholders.

         In connection with the restructuring, SAI's By-laws were amended to
increase the percentage of votes required to approve matters presented to the
stockholders from a simple majority to requiring greater than sixty (60)
percent. This super-majority provision will be in effect for as long as TJS
Partners, L.P. owns 30% of SAI's common stock on an as-converted basis.
Additionally, for so long as TJS Partners, L.P. owns at least fifteen percent
(15%) of SAI's common stock on an as-converted basis, SAI's Board of Directors
will consist of five directors.

REFINANCING OF SAI LINE OF CREDIT:

         On September 30, 1999, SAI refinanced its previous $30,000,000 line of
credit with FINOVA Capital Corporation. This previous line of credit had a
principal balance outstanding of approximately $6,600,000 on the closing date.
The refinancing with FINOVA and State Street Bank and Trust Company consists of
a term loan and an acquisition line of credit. The term loan was in the
principal amount of $7,000,000, which covered SAI's existing indebtedness to
FINOVA (approximately $6,600,000) as well as transaction costs for the
refinancing (approximately $390,000) and working capital. The acquisition line
of credit of up to $38,000,000 is solely for acquisitions of central monitoring
stations. SAI may draw on this line of credit for eighteen months. Both the term
loan and the acquisition line of credit bear initial interest at a variable rate
of prime plus 0.75% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.5%, at SAI's discretion. The
interest rate




                                       2
<PAGE>   3

is, however subject to an upward adjustment depending on the loan to recurring
monthly revenue ratio. The loans mature in five years.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)      Financial statements of  businesses acquired.

                  Not required.

         (b)      Pro forma financial information.

                  Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for the
                  Six Month Period Ended June 30, 1999..................  F-1

                  Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for the
                  Year Ended December 31, 1998..........................  F-2

                  Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of
                  June 30, 1999.........................................  F-3



         (c)      Exhibits.

                  3.1      Amended and Restated By-laws of Security Associates
                           International, Inc. as of 9/27/99

                  3.2      Certificate of Designations, Rights, Preferences and
                           Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
                           $10.00 par value per share, of Security Associates
                           International, Inc.

                  10.1     Second Amendment to Security Associates
                           International, Inc. Common Stock Subscription and
                           Purchase Agreement Dated as of September 5, 1996
                           between TJS Partners, L.P. and Security Associates
                           International, Inc. dated September 30, 1999.


                  10.2     Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement among
                           Security Associates International, Inc., FINOVA
                           Capital Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust
                           Company dated September 30, 1999.



                                       3
<PAGE>   4


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                Security Associates International, Inc.
                                              (Registrant)

                                By:    /s/      Daniel S. Zittnan
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Daniel S. Zittnan
                                   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                   Officer

Date: October 15, 1999





                                       4
<PAGE>   5


                          PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      (in thousands, except per share data)

         The following unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for the
         six month period ended June 30, 1999 was prepared to illustrate the
         estimated effects of Security Associates International, Inc.'s (the
         Company) conversion of subordinated debt and preferred stock into a
         newly issued convertible preferred stock as if it had occurred on
         January 1, 1999. The Pro Forma Statement of Income does not purport to
         represent what the Company's results of operations would actually have
         been if the transaction had occurred on the dates indicated or to
         predict the Company's results of operations for any future period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ISSUANCE OF
                                                            CONVERTIBLE
                                                THE          PREFERRED            PRO FORMA
                                             COMPANY(1)      STOCK(2)              COMBINED
                                             ----------      --------              --------

<S>                                            <C>                <C>              <C>
Monitoring fees and other revenues             $12,631              --              $12,631
Direct Expenses                                  7,645              --                7,645
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Direct Margin                                    4,986              --                4,986
                                            --------------------------------------------------
General and administrative                       1,540              --                1,540
Selling and marketing                            1,035              --                1,035
Amortization and depreciation                    3,681              --                3,681
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Loss from operations                            (1,270)             --               (1,270)
Gain on sale of owned accounts                   2,649              --                2,649
Interest expense, net                           (1,797)           (567)(2)           (1,230)
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before income taxes             (418)           (567)                 149
Income tax expense                                  --              --                   --
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                 (418)           (567)                 149
Dividends accrued on preferred stock               300            (300)(2)               --
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) available to common
    Stockholders                                 $(718)           (867)                 149
                                            --------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share-Basic                                                     $ .02
Net income (loss) per share-Diluted                                                   $ .01
Weighted average shares outstanding-Basic                                         6,773,638
Weighted average shares outstanding-Diluted                                      21,022,522
</TABLE>



(1)  Data for the Company is for the six month period ended June 30, 1999.
(2)  Reflects interest expense on subordinated debt and dividends on redeemable
     preferred stock for the six month period ended June 30, 1999. Subordinated
     debt, convertible preferred stock, and 12% redeemable preferred stock has
     been exchanged for 135,709 shares of convertible preferred stock, par value
     $10 per share, no dividend, convertible into 13,570,900 shares of common
     stock. This new convertible preferred stock will have a liquidation
     preference of $350 per share under certain circumstances.






                                      F-1

<PAGE>   6


                          PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      (in thousands, except per share data)

         The following unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income for the
         year ended December 31, 1998 was prepared to illustrate the estimated
         effects of Security Associates International, Inc.'s (the Company)
         conversion of subordinated debt and preferred stock into a newly issued
         convertible preferred stock as if it had occurred on January 1, 1998.
         The Pro Forma Statement of Income does not purport to represent what
         the Company's results of operations would actually have been if the
         transaction had occurred on the dates indicated or to predict the
         Company's results of operations for any future period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ISSUANCE OF
                                                            CONVERTIBLE
                                                 THE         PREFERRED            PRO FORMA
                                             COMPANY(1)      STOCK(2)              COMBINED
                                             ----------      --------              --------

<S>                                            <C>              <C>                <C>
Monitoring fees and other revenues             $20,204              --              $20,204
General, selling and administrative expenses    17,322              --               17,322
Amortization and depreciation                    6,288              --                6,288
                                            ------------------------------       -------------
Loss from operations                            (3,406)                              (3,406)
Interest expense, net                            2,870            (673)(2)            2,197
                                            ------------------------------       -------------
Net income (loss) before income taxes           (6,276)           (673)              (5,603)
Income tax expense                                  --              --                   --
                                            ------------------------------       -------------
Net income (loss)                               (6,276)           (673)              (5,603)
Dividends accrued on preferred stock               522            (522)(2)               --
                                            ------------------------------       -------------
Net income (loss) available to common
    Stockholders                               $(6,798)         (1,195)              (5,603)
                                            ------------------------------       -------------
Net loss per share                                                                   $ (.88)
Weighted average shares outstanding                                               6,394,048
</TABLE>

(1)  Data for the Company is for the year period ended December 31, 1998.
(2)  Reflects interest expense on subordinated debt and dividends on redeemable
     preferred stock for the year ended December 31, 1998. Subordinated debt,
     convertible preferred stock, and 12% redeemable preferred stock has been
     exchanged for 135,709 shares of convertible preferred stock, par value $10
     per share, no dividend, convertible into 13,570,900 shares of common stock.
     This new convertible preferred stock will have a liquidation preference of
     $350 per share under certain circumstances.






                                      F-2

<PAGE>   7


                             PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                      (in thousands, except per share data)

         The following unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30,
         1999 was prepared to illustrate the estimated effects of Security
         Associates International, Inc.'s (the Company) conversion of
         subordinated debt and preferred stock into a newly issued convertible
         preferred stock as if it had occurred on January 1, 1999. The Pro Forma
         Balance Sheet does not purport to represent what the Company's
         financial position would actually have been if the transaction had
         occurred on the dates indicated or to predict the Company's financial
         position for any future period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ISSUANCE OF
                                                            CONVERTIBLE
                                                 THE         PREFERRED          PRO FORMA
                                              COMPANY(1)     STOCK(3)           COMBINED
                                              ----------     --------           --------
                   ASSETS
<S>                                               <C>         <C>                  <C>
Cash                                              $3,868           --              $3,868
Account Receivables, net                           2,347           --               2,347
Other assets, net                                    393           --                 393
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          Total current assets                     6,608           --               6,608
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
Fixed assets, net                                  3,512           --               3,512
Goodwill, net                                     21,687           --              21,687

                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          Total other assets                      25,199           --              25,199
                                              ----------------------------     ------------

                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          TOTAL ASSETS                            31,807           --              31,807
                                              ============================     ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY
Accounts Payable                                    $537           --                 537
Current maturities of long-term notes payable      2,333           --               2,333
Accrued expenses                                   6,962       (3,124) (3)          3,838
Unearned revenue                                   1,915           --               1,915
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          Total current liabilities               11,747       (3,124)              8,623
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
Notes Payable, net of current maturities           6,682           --               6,682
Subordinated debt                                 10,000      (10,000) (2)             --
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          Total liabilities                       28,429      (13,124)             15,305
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Convertible preferred stock, $10 par value,
    66,600 shares outstanding, liquidation
    value $16,665,000                                667         (667) (2)             --
12% Redeemable preferred stock, $10 par
    value, 500,000 shares outstanding              5,000       (5,000) (2)             --
Convertible preferred stock, $10 par value
    137,686 shares authorized, 135,709
    outstanding,                                      --        1,357  (2)          1,357
Common stock, .001 par value, 6,887,683
    shares outstanding                                 7           --                   7
Warrants                                              86           --                  86
Additional paid-in capital                        16,561       17,434              33,995
Retained deficit                                 (18,943)          --             (18,943)
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
          Total stockholders' equity               3,378       13,124              16,502
                                              ----------------------------     ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        31,807           --              31,807
                                              ============================     ============
</TABLE>

(1)  Data for the Company is as of June 30, 1999.
(2)  Subordinated debt, convertible preferred stock, and 12% redeemable
     preferred stock has been exchanged for 135,709 shares of convertible
     preferred stock, par value $10 per share, no dividend, convertible into
     13,570,900 shares of common stock. This new convertible preferred stock
     will have a liquidation preference of $350 per share under certain
     circumstances.
(3)  Accrued interest and dividends paid through the issuance of new convertible
     preferred stock.




                                      F-3



<PAGE>   1
                                                              Effective 11/30/96















                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                     SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.




<PAGE>   2



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                    Page
                                                                    ----

1. STOCKHOLDER.......................................................1
   1.1.  PLACE OF MEETINGS...........................................1
   1.2.  ANNUAL MEETINGS.............................................1
   1.3.  SPECIAL MEETINGS............................................1
   1.4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS..........................................1
   1.5.  VOTING LIST.................................................1
   1.6.  QUORUM......................................................2
   1.7.  ADJOURNMENTS................................................2
   1.8.  VOTING PROXIES..............................................2
   1.9.  ACTION AT MEETING...........................................2
   1.10. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING......................................2
2. DIRECTORS.........................................................3
   2.1.  GENERAL POWERS..............................................3
   2.2.  NUMBER: ELECTION AND QUALIFICATION..........................3
   2.3.  ENLARGEMENT OF THE BOARD....................................3
   2.4.  TENURE......................................................3
   2.5.  VACANCIES...................................................3
   2.6.  RESIGNATION.................................................3
   2.7.  REGULAR MEETINGS............................................3
   2.8.  SPECIAL MEETINGS............................................4
   2.9.  NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS..................................4
   2.10. MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALLS......................4
   2.11. QUORUM......................................................4
   2.12. ACTION AT MEETING...........................................4
   2.13. ACTION BY CONSENT...........................................4
   2.14. REMOVAL.....................................................4
   2.15. COMMITTEES..................................................5
   2.16. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS...................................5
3. OFFICERS..........................................................6
   3.1.  GENERAL.....................................................6
   3.2.  ELECTION....................................................6
   3.3.  QUALIFICATION...............................................6
   3.4.  TENURE......................................................6
   3.5.  RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL.....................................6
   3.6.  VACANCIES...................................................6
   3.7.  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD........7
   3.8.  PRESIDENT...................................................7
   3.9.  VICE PRESIDENTS.............................................7
   3.10. SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.........................7
   3.11. TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS..........................8
   3.12. SALARIES....................................................8
4. CAPITAL STOCK.....................................................8
   4.1.  ISSUANCE OF STOCK...........................................8
   4.2.  CERTIFICATES OF STOCK.......................................8
   4.3.  TRANSFERS...................................................9
   4.4.  LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES......................9
   4.5.  RECORD DATE.................................................9

                                        i

<PAGE>   3



5.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS..........................10
    5.1.   ACTIONS AGAINST A PERSON....................................10
    5.2.   ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION...............10
    5.3.   INDEMNIFICATION IN EVENT OF SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE..............11
    5.4.   BOARD OF DIRECTORS' APPROVAL................................11
    5.5.   ADVANCE INDEMNITY PAYMENTS..................................11
    5.6.   NON-EXCLUSIVITY.............................................11
    5.7.   INDEMNITY INSURANCE.........................................11
    5.8.   CONSOLIDATION...............................................11
6.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................................12
    6.1.   FISCAL YEAR.................................................12
    6.2.   CORPORATE SEAL..............................................12
    6.3.   WRITTEN NOTICE OF MEETINGS..................................12
    6.4.   WAIVER OF NOTICE............................................12
    6.5.   VOTING OF SECURITIES........................................13
    6.6.   EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY.......................................13
    6.7.   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION................................13
    6.8.   TRANSACTIONS WITH INTERESTED PARTIES........................13
    6.9.   SEVERABILITY................................................14
    6.10.  PRONOUNS....................................................14
7.  AMENDMENTS.........................................................14
    7.1.   BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS...................................14
    7.1.   BY THE STOCKHOLDERS.........................................14


































                                       ii

<PAGE>   4



                              Amended and Restated
                                     Bylaws

                     Security Associates International, Inc.

                                     ARTICLE
                                        1


                                  Stockholders

         1.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at
such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from
time to time by the board of directors or the president or, if not so
designated, at the registered office of the corporation.

         1.2 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders for the
election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly be brought before the meeting, shall be held on the second Tuesday of
the third month after the end of thc Corporation's fiscal year, at a time fixed
by the board of directors or the president. If this date shall fall upon a legal
holiday, then such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day at
the same hour. If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing
provisions, the board of directors shall cause the meeting to be held as soon
thereafter as convenient or a special meeting may be held in lieu of the annual
meeting, and any action taken at that special meeting shall have the same effect
as if it had been taken at the annual meeting, and in such case all references
in these Bylaws to the annual meeting of the stockholders shall be deemed to
refer to such special meeting.

         1.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at
any time by the chairman of thc board of directors, by the board of directors or
by thc holders of not less than one-fourth (1/4) of all the shares entitled to
vote at the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders
shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the
notice of meeting.

         1.4 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, written
notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be
given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to
each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notices of all meetings
shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting. The notice of a special
meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called.

         1.5 Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.


<PAGE>   5



         1.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the
capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding are entitled to vote at
the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.

         1.7 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to any
other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held
under these Bylaws by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote, although less than a quorum, or, if no stockholders is
present, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as secretary of such
meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the
adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of
the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to
vote at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any
business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

         1.8 Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each
share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a
proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote
at a meeting of stockholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, may vote or express such consent or dissent
in person or may authorize another person or persons to vote or act for him by
written proxy executed by the stockholder or his authorized agent and delivered
to the secretary of the Corporation. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable
if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled
with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. No proxy
shall be voted or acted upon after three years from the date of its execution,
unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period.

         1.9 Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the
holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of the stock present or represented and
voting on a matter (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled to
vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, the holders of a
majority of the stock of that class present or represented and voting on a
matter) shall decide any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders at such
meeting, except when a different vote is required by express provision of law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Any election by stockholders
shall be determined by a plurality of the votes case by the stockholders
entitled to vote at the election.

         1.10 Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be
taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent
in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of
outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be
necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares
entitled to vote on such action were present and voted. Prompt notice of the
taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written
consent shall be given to those stockholders which have not consented in
writing.












                                        2

<PAGE>   6



                                     ARTICLE
                                        2


                                    Directors

         2.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of a board of directors, who may exercise
of all other powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. In the event of a vacancy on the
board of directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by
law, may exercise the powers of the full board of directors until the vacancy is
filled.

         2.2 Number: Election and Qualification. The number of directors of the
Corporation shall not be less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) as
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. The
directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders by such
stockholders as have the right to vote in such election. Directors need not be
stockholders of the corporation.

         2.3 Enlargement of the Board. The number of directors may be increased
at any time and from time to time by the stockholders or by a majority of the
directors then in office.

         2.4 Tenure. Each director shall hold office until the next annual
meeting and until such time as his successor is elected and qualified, or until
his earlier death, resignation or removal.

         2.5 Vacancies. Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy
in the board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from
an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of
the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for
the unexpired term of his predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a
position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office
until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is elected
and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

         2.6 Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering his written
resignation to the Corporation at its principal office or to the secretary. Such
resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be
effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

         2.7 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors may
beheld without notice at such time and place, either within or without the State
of Delaware, as shall be determined from time to time by the board of directors,
provided that any director who is absent from such a determination is made shall
be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the board of
directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as
the annual meeting of stockholders.



                                        3

<PAGE>   7




         2.8 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be
held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, designated
in a call by the chairman of the Board, president or two or more directors, or
by one director in the event that there is only a single director in office.

         2.9 Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of any special meeting of
directors shall be given to each director by the secretary or one of the
directors call the meeting. Notice shall be duly given to each director (i) by
giving notice to such director in person or by telephone at least 48 hours in
advance of the meeting, (ii) by sending a telegram or telex, or delivering
written notice by hand to his last known business or home address at least 48
hours in advance of the meeting, or (iii) by mailing written notice to his last
known business or home address at least 72 ours in advance of the meeting. A
notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the board of directors need not
specify the purpose of the meeting.

         2.10 Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls. Directors or any members
of any committee designated by the directors may participate in a meeting of the
board of directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting.

         2.11 Quorum. A majority of the whole board of directors shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the board of directors. In the event one
or more of the directors shall be disqualified to vote at any meeting, then the
required quorum shall be reduced by one for each such director so disqualified;
provided, however, that in no case shall less than one-third (1/3) of the whole
board of directors constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum at any such
meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time
to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum shall be present.

         2.12 Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the board of directors at
which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be
sufficient to take any action, unless a different vote is specified by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

         2.13 Acton by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee of the board of
directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board of
directors or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing,
and the written consents are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board
of directors or committee.

         2.14 Removal. Any one or more or all of the directors may be removed,
with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled
to vote at an election of directors, except that (i) the directors elected by
the holders of a particular class or series of stock may be removed without
cause only by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
such


                                        4


<PAGE>   8


class or series and (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting,
if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed
without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect
him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors.

         2.15 Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a
majority of the whole board of directors, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more of thc directors of the Corporation. The
Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee,
who may replace any absent or disqualified member of any meeting of the
committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the
member or members of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified
from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the
place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the
extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors and subject to the
provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall have
any may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the
seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no
such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the
Certificate of Incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent
authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares
of stock adopted by the board of directors as provided in subsection (a) of
Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, fix the
designations and any of the preferences of rights of such shares relating to
dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the
Corporation or thc conversion into, or thc exchange of such shares for, shares
of any other class or classes of stock holder the Corporation or fix the number
of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or decrease of the
shares of any series), adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation,
recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the Corporation' property and assets, recommending to the
stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution,
or amending Bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution, Bylaws or
Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provides, no such committee shall have
the power or authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock
or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger. Each such committee shall
keep minutes and make such reports as the board of directors may from time to
time request. Except as the board of directors may otherwise determine, any
committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but any committee may
make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the
directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as
possible in the same manner as is provided in these Bylaws for the board of
directors.

         2.16 Compensation of Directors. Directors may be paid such compensation
for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings
as the board of directors may from time to time determine. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the Corporation or any of its parent or
subsidiary corporations in any other capacity and receiving compensation for
such service.








                                        5

<PAGE>   9



                                     ARTICLE
                                        3

                                     Officers

         3.1 General. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a
chairman of the board, a president, a secretary, a treasurer and such other
officers with such other titles as the board of directors may determine,
including a vice chairman of the board, and one or more vice presidents,
assistant treasurers, and assistant secretaries. The board of directors may
appoint such other officers with such other powers and duties as it may deem
appropriate.

         3.2 Election. The chairman of the board, president, treasurer and
secretary shall be elected annually by the board of directors at its first
meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be
appointed by the board of directors at such meeting or at any other meeting.

         3.3 Qualification. No officer need by a stockholder. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same person.

         3.4 Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of
Incorporation or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until his
successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the
vote choosing or appointing him, or until his earlier death, resignation or
removal.

         3.5 Resignation and Removal. Any officer may resign by delivering his
written resignation to the Corporation at its principal office or to the
president or secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless
it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some
other event.

         Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by vote
of a majority of the entire number of directors then in office.

         Except as the board of directors may otherwise determine, no officer
who resigns or is removed shall have any right to arty compensation as an
officer for arty period following his resignation or removal, or any right to
damages on account of such removal, whether his compensation be by the month or
by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided in a
duly authorized written agreement with the corporation.

         3.6 Vacancies. The board of directors may fill any vacancy occurring in
any office for any reason and may, in its discretion, leave unfilled for such
period as it may determine any offices other than those of president, treasurer
and secretary. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of
his predecessor and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his
earlier death, resignation or removal.

                                        6

<PAGE>   10



         3.7 Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. The chairman
of the board of directors shall perform such duties and possess such powers as
are assigned to him from time to time by the board of directors. Unless
otherwise provided by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of
directors shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of
directors. The board of directors may appoint a vice chairman of the board of
directors who may, in the absence or disability of the chairman, perform the
duties and exercise the powers of the chairman and perform such other duties and
possess such other powers as from time to time are authorized by the board of
directors.

         3.8 President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of
the Corporation, shall have charge and supervision of the business operations of
the Corporation, and shall have full authority to take all lawful actions
necessary to implement corporate and business policy established by the board of
directors. Unless the board of directors shall otherwise direct, all executive
officers of the Corporation shall report, directly or through their immediate
superior officers, to the president. The president shall perform such other
duties and shall have such other powers as the board of directors may from time
to time prescribe and shall be subject at all times to the authority of the
board of directors in the performance of his duties.

         3.9 Vice Presidents. The vice president shall perform such duties and
shall have such powers as the board of directors, chairman of the board of
directors or the president may from time to time prescribe. The vice president
shall discharge the duties of the president when the president, for any reason,
cannot discharge the duties of his office. He shall have such other powers and
perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the directors.

         Any assistant vice presidents shall perform such duties and possess
such powers as the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors,
the president or the vice president may from time to time prescribe.

         3.10 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall perform
such duties and shall have such powers as the board of directors, chairman of
the board of directors or the president may from time to time prescribe. In
addition, the secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are
incident to the office of the secretary, including without limitation, the duty
and power to giving notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings
of the board of directors, to attend all meetings of stockholders and the board
of directors and keep a record of the proceedings, to maintain a stock ledger
and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be
custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal, if any, and to affix and
attest to the same on documents.

         Any assistant secretary shall perform such duties and possess such
powers as the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the
president or the secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the
absence, inability or refusal to act of the secretary, the assistant secretary
(or if there be more than one, the assigned secretaries in the order determined
by the board of directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of
the secretary.



                                        7

<PAGE>   11



         In the absence of the secretary or any assistant secretary at any
meeting of stockholders or directors, the person presiding at the meeting shall
designate a temporary secretary to keep a record of the meeting.

         3.11 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The treasurer shall perform
such duties and shall have such powers as from time to time be assigned to him
by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the
president. In addition, the treasurer shall perform such duties and have such
powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation
the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of
the Corporation, to deposit funds of the Corporation in depositories selected in
accordance with these Bylaws, to disburse such funds as ordered by the board of
directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the president or any vice
president of the Corporation so authorized to act by specific authorization of
the board of directors or chairman of the Directors, to make proper accounts of
such funds, and to render, as required by the board of directors, chairman of
the board of directors or president, statements of all such transactions and of
the financial condition of the Corporation.

         The assistant treasurers shall perform such duties and possess such
powers as the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the
president or the treasurer may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the
absence, inability or refusal to act of the treasurer, the assistant treasurer
(or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurer (or if there shall
be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board
of directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer.

         3.12 Salaries. Officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to such
salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time
to time by the board of directors.



                                     ARTICLE
                                        4


                                  Capital Stock

         4.1 Issuance of Stock. Unless otherwise voted by the stockholders and
subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the whole or any
part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation
or the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock
of the Corporation held in its treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of by vote of the board of directors in such manner, for such
consideration and on such terms as the board of directors may determine.

         4.2 Certificates of Stock. Every holder of stock of the Corporation
shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by
law and by the board of directors, certifying the number and class of shares
owned by him in the Corporation. Each such certificate shall be signed by, or in
the name of the Corporation by the chairman or vice chairman, if any, of

                                        8


<PAGE>   12



the board of directors, or the president or a vice president, and the treasurer
or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the
Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.

         Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any
restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, the
Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of
shareholders or among such holders and the Corporation shall have conspicuously
noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the
restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.

         4.3 Transfers. Except as otherwise established by rules and regulations
adopted by the board of directors, and subject to applicable laws, shares of
stock may he transferred on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the
Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares
properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney
properly executed, and with such proof authority or the authenticity of
signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonable require.
Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation
or by these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder
of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes,
including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such
stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock
until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in
accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.

         4.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a
new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate of stock
in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors may
prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft
or destruction and the giving such indemnity as the board of directors may
require for the protection of the Corporation or any transfer agent or
registrar.

         4.5 Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a date as
retard date for the determination of the stockholders entitled notice of or to
vote at any meeting of stockholders or to express consent (or dissent) to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any
change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful
action. Such record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to any other
action to which such record date relates.

         If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be at the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given,
or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on
which the meeting is held. The record date for determining stockholders entitled
to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no
prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which
the first written consent is expressed. The record



                                        9


<PAGE>   13


date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of
business on the date on which the board of directors adopts the resolution
relating to such purpose.

         A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
providing, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for
the adjourned meeting.


                                     ARTICLE
                                        5


                    Indemnification of Officers and Directors

         5.1 Actions Against a Person. The Corporation shall indemnify any
person who or is a party or is threatened to-be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the fight of the
(Corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer
employee or agent, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

         5.2 Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation
shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by mason of the fact that
he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action' or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

                                       10


<PAGE>   14



         5.3 Indemnification in Event of Successful Defense. To the extent that
a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

         5.4 Board Of Directors' Approval. Any indemnification under Sections
5.1 and 5.2 of these By-Laws (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board
of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable but a quorum of disinterested directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
stockholders.

         5.5 Advance Indemnity Payments. Expenses incurred in defending a civil
or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance
of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent, to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled
to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article.

         5.6 Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by or granted pursuant to, Article SIXTH, Section 2(A) of the
Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, the Delaware General Corporation Law
and this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other fights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
and By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office.

         5.7 Indemnity Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer, of the,
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not he is indemnified against such liability under the provisions of
this Article.

         5.8 Consolidation. For the purposes of this Article, references to "the
Corporation" include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees
or agents, so that any person who is or was serving as a director, officer,
employee or agent, of such constituent corporation or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint


                                       11


<PAGE>   15


venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the
provisions of this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.

         For the purposes of this Article, references to "other enterprises
shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any
excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this
Article.

         The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursusant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer,
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a person.


                                     ARTICLE
                                        6


                               General Provisions

         6.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be
determined by the board of directors.


         6.2 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal, if any, shall be in such form
as shall be approved by the board of directors.

         6.3 Written Notice of Meetings. Whenever written notice is required to
be given to any person pursuant to law, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, it may be given to such person, either personally or by sending a
copy thereof by first class mail, or by telegram, charges prepaid, to his
address appearing on the books of the Corporation, or to his business or other
address supplied by him to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If the
notice is sent by first class mail or by telegraph, it shall be deemed to have
been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States
mail or with a telegraph office for transmission to such person. Such notice
shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special
meeting of the shareholders, the general nature of the business to be
transacted.

         6.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be
given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a waiver
of such notice either in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice or
such person's duly authorized attorney, or by telegraph, cable or any other
available method, whether before, at or after the time stated in

                                       12

<PAGE>   16



such waiver, or the appearance of such person or persons at such meeting in
person or by proxy, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.

         6.5 Voting of Securities. Except as the directors may otherwise
designate, the president or treasurer may waive notice of, and act as, or
appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this
corporation (with or without power of substitution) at any meeting of
stockholders or shareholders of any other Corporation or organization, the
securities of which may be held by this Corporation.

         6.6 Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the secretary, or an
assistant secretary, or a temporary secretary, as to any action taken by the
stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer of representative of the
Corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be
conclusive evidence of such action.

         6.7 Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these Bylaws to the
certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.

         6.8 Transactions with Interested Parties. No contract or transaction
between the Corporation and one or more of the directors or officers, or between
the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of the directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or violable solely for
this mason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the
board of directors which authorizes the contract or transaction or solely
because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:

         The material facts as to his relationship or interest as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or
the committee, and the board of directors or committee in good faith authorized
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a
quorum;

         The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitle
to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in
good faith by vote of the stockholders; or

         The contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the
time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors, a
committee of the board of directors, or the stockholders,

         Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee
which authorizes the contract or transaction.


                                       13

<PAGE>   17



         6.9 Severability. Any determination that any provision of these Bylaws
is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or
invalidate any other provision of these Bylaws.

         6.10 Pronouns. All pronouns used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to
refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity
of the person or persons may require.



                                     ARTICLE
                                        7


                                   Amendments

         7.1 By the Board of Directors. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or
repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the board of
directors at which a quorum is present.

         7.2 By the Stockholders. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or
repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote at any regular meeting of stockholders, or at
any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alternation,
amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws shall have been stated in the notice
of such special meeting.

         ADOPTED THIS 30th day of November, 1996


                            By:  /s/ James S. Brannen
                               ---------------------------
                                     James S. Brannen
                                        President


ATTEST:


By:  /s/ Stephen Rubin
     -----------------
       Secretary





                                       14


<PAGE>   1



EXHIBIT 3.2

<PAGE>   2
                CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, RIGHTS, PREFERENCES
            AND LIMITATIONS OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK,
                         $10.00 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF
                     SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
         PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE
                               STATE OF DELAWARE


         SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (the "Corporation"), a
corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

         That pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation, and pursuant to
the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, said Board of Directors, acting by unanimous written consent dated to
be effective as of September 27, 1999, adopted and approved a resolution
providing for: (i) the designation of one hundred thirty-seven thousand six
hundred eighty-six (137,686) shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
$10.00 par value per share, which resolution is as follows:

         RESOLVED, pursuant to the authority expressly granted and vested in the
Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of its
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Board of Directors hereby
designates one hundred thirty-seven thousand six hundred eighty-six (137,686)
shares of the Corporation's authorized and unissued preferred stock, $10.00 par
value per share, as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock") which shall have the following powers,
designations, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other special
rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions:

         1.       Rank. As to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution and
winding up, the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall rank equal
to the Corporation's outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock, junior to the
Corporation's outstanding 12% Redeemable Preferred Stock (in each case, for only
so long as the Convertible Preferred Stock and 12% Redeemable Preferred Stock
remain authorized, as the Company is obligated to eliminate such classes of
stock promptly after the filing of this Certificate and the first issuance of
stock hereunder) and rank senior to the Corporation's Common Stock and to all
future classes of capital stock of the Company unless otherwise expressly
approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) in interest of the holders of the Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class.




<PAGE>   3



         2.       Voting Rights.

                  (a) Except as otherwise required by law or expressly provided
herein, each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall entitle the
holder thereof to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation and to have the number of votes equal to the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is
then convertible pursuant to the provisions hereof, at the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to vote on such matters, or if no such
record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written
consent of stockholders is solicited. Except as otherwise required by law or
expressly provided herein, the holders of shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock and Common Stock shall vote together as a single class and not
as separate classes.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holder of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to total voting power, in any
matter submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, in excess of
forty-five percent (45%) of all votes entitled to vote on that matter. In
determining the number of votes as to which any holder is entitled in respect of
any such matter, all votes attributable to all securities of the Corporation
which that holder and any affiliate of that holder are entitled to vote in
respect of such matter shall be included. In the event that the total vote
entitlement of any holder in respect of such matter exceeds forty-five percent
(45%), such holder's vote entitlement with respect to its shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock shall be reduced, for purposes of the vote on such
matter only, to that number of votes necessary for such holder's total voting
entitlement to equal forty-five percent (45%) of the total number of votes after
taking into account the reduction. An "affiliate" shall mean in respect of any
person or entity any other person or entity that directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such first person or entity.

         3.       Dividends and Distributions. In the event any dividend or
other distribution payable in cash or other property (including shares of Common
Stock) is declared on the Common Stock, each holder of shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock on the record date for such dividend or distribution
shall be entitled to receive on the date of payment or distribution of such
dividend or other distribution the same cash or other property which such holder
would have received if on such record date such holder were the holder of record
of the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock then held by such holder are then convertible (the
"Participating Dividend").

         4.       Liquidation Rights.

                  (a) Preferences and Participations Upon Liquidation. Upon the
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for
distribution to stockholders, the Stated Value (as





                                       2
<PAGE>   4

defined below) per share before any payment or distribution shall be made in
respect of the Common Stock. For purposes hereof, the "Stated Value" shall equal
$350.00 per share, such amount to be adjusted to reflect stock splits, stock
dividends, subdivisions, combinations or reclassifications which occur
subsequent to the date hereof. If, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets shall be
insufficient to permit the payment to the holders of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount aforesaid due them, all of the
assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock shall be distributed ratably to the holders Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with the amount payable with respect
to each such share.

                  (b)      As Converted Liquidating Distributions. For purposes
of this Section 4, the merger or consolidation of the Corporation or the sale of
all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets shall, in and of
themselves, be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with another corporation occurring on or before December 31, 2000
shall not be deemed a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up for the purposes
hereof.

         5.       Conversion.

                  (a)      Conversion Procedure.

                           (1) Any holder of shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock may at any time, upon written notice to the Corporation, convert
all or any number of such shares held by such holder ("OPTIONAL CONVERSION")
into a number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock equal to the then in effect Conversion Ratio, as defined below,
multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock being
converted. At the time of Optional Conversion, the Corporation, to the extent it
has funds legally available therefor, shall pay in cash to each holder of Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
Participating Dividends to the date of Optional Conversion. In the event of
Optional Conversion, the Corporation shall forthwith transmit to such holder of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock upon surrender of the certificate(s)
representing such shares, stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock
issued as a result thereof, dated the date of Optional Conversion, and such
holder shall be deemed for all purposes to be the holder of such Common Stock as
of the date of Optional Conversion.

                           (2) Upon the first sale of Common Stock by the
Corporation to underwriters for the account of the Corporation pursuant to a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("SECURITIES
ACT"), filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, provided the offering results in the receipt by the Corporation of
proceeds of not less than $30.0 million at not less than $10.00 per share of





                                       3
<PAGE>   5

Common Stock (as adjusted to reflect stock splits, stock dividends,
subdivisions, combinations or reclassifications, subsequent to the date hereof)
(such sale being herein called the "INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING"), all of the
remaining shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding, if any,
shall be converted without any further action on the part of the Corporation or
the holders of such Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("MANDATORY
CONVERSION") into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the then in effect
Conversion Ratio, as defined below, multiplied by the number of shares of Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock being converted. In the event of Mandatory
Conversion, the Corporation shall forthwith transmit to each holder of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock upon surrender of the certificates representing such
shares, stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock issued as a result
thereof, dated the date of Mandatory Conversion whether or not certificates for
shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have been submitted for exchange.

                           (3) Initially each share of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock shall be convertible into one hundred shares of Common Stock
(the "CONVERSION RATIO"). In the event of any split, stock dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock, or other
recapitalization of the Corporation, having the effect of increasing or
decreasing the issued and outstanding Common Stock held by each holder thereof,
the Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted so that the number of shares of Common
Stock into which each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock may be
converted is equal to that number of shares of Common Stock that represents the
same proportionate ownership interest in the Corporation as would have resulted
if the conversion had taken place immediately prior to the event causing such
adjustment.

                           (4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, no holder of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to convert shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (whether by
means of Optional Conversion or Mandatory Conversion) in excess of that number
of shares that will entitle that holder to total voting power in any matter
submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock in excess of such forty-five
percent (45%) of all votes. In the event that conversion would result in a total
vote entitlement in excess of forty-five percent (45%), such holder may only
convert that number of shares that would cause that holder's voting entitlement
with respect to Common Stock and all other voting securities of the Corporation
to equal forty-five percent (45%) of the total number of votes.

                           (5) As soon as practicable after the date of
conversion (but in any event within ten business days following surrender of
certificates representing the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
that have been or are to be converted), the Corporation will deliver to the
converting holder:


                                       4
<PAGE>   6


                                    (A) a certificate or certificates
representing the number of whole shares (cash shall be paid in lieu of
fractional shares) of Common Stock issuable by reason of such conversion
registered in such name or names (subject to applicable securities laws and
regulations) and in such denomination or denominations as the converting holder
has specified;

                                    (B) payment, from funds legally available
therefor, in an amount equal to all Participating Dividends declared, unpaid and
owing pursuant to Section 3 hereof with respect to each share converted which
have not been paid prior to the date of conversion plus cash for all fractional
shares; and

                                    (C) a certificate representing any shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (including fractional shares) which were
represented by the certificate(s) delivered to the Corporation in connection
with such conversion but which were not converted.

                           (6) If for any reason the Corporation is unable to
pay any Participating Dividends accrued, unpaid and owing pursuant to Section 3
on the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock being converted, the
Corporation will pay such Participating Dividends to the converting holder, plus
interest on the unpaid dividends for the period in excess of thirty (30) days
during which such dividends shall remain unpaid, calculated at the rate of 12%
per annum for the period prior to the occurrence of a Refinancing as defined
below and at 18% per annum thereafter, to the converting holder as soon
thereafter as funds of the Corporation are legally available for such payment,
with accrued and unpaid payments to be made in the order in which they accrued.
At the request of any such converting holder, the Corporation will provide such
holder with written evidence of such obligation. As used herein, "Refinancing"
shall mean a transaction or series of transactions in which the Corporation
(which for this purpose shall include all subsidiaries of the Corporation)
raises new equity after September 28, 1999 through the sale of shares of capital
stock in a cumulative amount in excess of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000)
excluding any intercorporate investments among the Corporation and its
subsidiaries.

                  (b)      Authorization and Issuance of Common Stock. The
Corporation covenants and agrees that:

                           (1) The Corporation will at all times reserve and
keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely
for the purpose of issuance upon the conversion of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 5, such number of shares of Common
Stock as shall then be issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares
of Common Stock which shall be so issuable shall, when issued, be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and
charges. The Corporation will take all such actions as may be necessary to
assure that all shares of




                                       5
<PAGE>   7

Common Stock may be so issued without violation of any applicable law or
regulation or any requirements of any domestic stock exchange or market upon
which any shares of Common Stock may be listed.

                           (2) The Corporation will not take any action which
results in any adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of a share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock if the total
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding, together with the total number of
shares of Common Stock then outstanding and the total number of shares of Common
Stock reserved for any purpose other than issuance upon conversion of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, would exceed the total number of shares of Common
Stock then authorized by the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended.

                           (3) The issuance of certificates for shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will be
made without charge to the holders of such shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock for any issuance tax in respect thereof.

                           (4) The Corporation will not close its books against
the transfer of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock or of Common
Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock in any manner which interferes with the timely conversion of
shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

                  (c)      Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation,
Merger or Sale.

Any capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation merger or sale of
all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets to another person or entity
which is effected in such a way that holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock, securities or
assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock is referred to herein as
an "ORGANIC CHANGE." Prior to the consummation of any Organic Change, the
Corporation will make appropriate provisions to insure that each of the holders
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will thereafter have the right to
acquire and receive such shares of stock, securities or assets as such holder
would have received if such holder had converted the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock immediately prior to such Organic Change. In any such Organic
Change, the Corporation will make appropriate provisions to insure that the
provisions of this Section 5 will thereafter be applicable as nearly as may be
possible to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The Corporation will not
effect any consolidation, merger or sale, unless prior to the consummation
thereof, the successor entity resulting from consolidation or merger or the
entity purchasing such assets assumes the obligation to deliver to such holder
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock such shares of stock, securities or
assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such holder may be
entitled to acquire.



                                       6
<PAGE>   8

                  (d)      Notices.

                           (1) The Corporation will give written notice to all
holders of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as soon as practicable
but in any event at least ten business days prior to the date on which the
Corporation closes its books or takes a record on with respect to any dividend
or distribution upon Common Stock or upon any other class of the Corporation's
capital stock or with respect to any proposed Organic Change.

                           (2) Any notice required by the provisions of this
Certificate of Designations to be given to the Corporation or any holder of
shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall be deemed given upon the
first to occur of (x) the date when personally delivered to such holder of (y)
on the first business day following the date on which it was delivered properly
addressed to the agent of a reputable commercial overnight delivery service or
(z) five (5) business days after the same has been deposited properly addressed
in the United States mail, certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid.

                  (e)      Taxes and charges. The Corporation will pay all taxes
and other governmental charges, if any, that may be imposed in respect of the
issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

         6.       Amendment. Except if a higher threshold is established by the
terms hereof, any of the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock may
be amended or waived if the Corporation has obtained the affirmative vote of or
written consent by the holders of a majority of the shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting as a separate class.

         7.       Restrictions. This Certificate of Designations, Rights,
Preferences and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (this
"Certificate") is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in
that certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of December 2, 1997
(as the same has been, and may further be, amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time (the "Senior Loan Agreement")), among the
Corporation, certain affiliates of the Corporation and FINOVA Capital
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in its individual capacity as agent for all
lenders, including, without limitation, the restrictions on (i) payment of
dividends, (ii) redemption of shares and (iii) modification, amendment or change
to this Certificate, in each case and in every other case as contained in the
Senior Loan Agreement.

         8.       Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between any term,
covenant, or condition of this Certificate and any term, covenant or condition
of the Senior Loan Agreement, the provisions of the Senior Loan Agreement shall
govern.


                                       7
<PAGE>   9

         This Certificate of Designations, Rights, Preferences and Limitations
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock herein certified has been duly adopted
in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.



                                          Signed on September 28, 1999

                                          /s/ JAMES S. BRANNEN
                                          --------------------------------------
                                              James S. Brannen, President





                                       8

<PAGE>   1


EXHIBIT 10.1
<PAGE>   2
                                SECOND AMENDMENT
                                       TO
                     SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                COMMON STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                          DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 5, 1996


         This amendment (the "Second Amendment") to that certain Common Stock
Subscription and Purchase Agreement between Security Associates International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and TJS Partners, L.P., a New York
limited partnership ("TJS"), dated as of September 5, 1996 (the "Original
Agreement"), and first amended as of December 31, 1996, is made and entered into
effective as of September 28, 1999 (the "Effective Date"). All capitalized terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Original Agreement.


                                    RECITALS

A.   The Company and TJS (the "Parties") entered into the Original Agreement, as
     of September 5, 1996.

B.   Pursuant to the Original Agreement, the Company: (i) issued 3,525,682
     shares of its Common Stock (the "New Shares") to TJS for an aggregate
     purchase price of One Million Five Hundred Fifty-Eight Thousand Three
     Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($1,558,351.00); the Company Borrowed Three
     Million Four Hundred Forty-One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty-Nine Dollars
     ($3,441,649.00) from TJS pursuant to the Promissory Note; and the Company
     and TJS entered into the Standby Option and Warrant Agreement.

C.   On December 31, 1996, the Company and TJS entered into an Amendment to the
     Original Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "First Amendment"),
     which amended the Original Agreement by: (i) canceling the New Shares and
     the Promissory Note and issuing to TJS in lieu thereof, (a) 35,257 of the
     Company's Convertible Preferred Stock having the designations, rights,
     preferences and limitations set forth in Exhibit "A" thereto (the
     "Convertible Preferred Stock"), (b) 344,165 shares of the Company's 12%
     Redeemable Preferred Stock having the designations, rights, preferences and
     limitations set forth in Exhibit "B" thereto (the "Redeemable Preferred
     Stock"), (c) a Warrant to purchase 15,000 shares of Convertible Preferred
     Stock in the form of Exhibit "C" thereto (the "Warrant"); (ii) amending the
     Standby Option and Warrant Agreement such that TJS' purchase rights were
     for Convertible Preferred Stock rather than Common Stock, as set forth in
     Exhibit "D" thereto (the "Amended Standby Option and Warrant Agreement");
     (iii) by TJS, providing the Company with a Five Million Dollar
     ($5,000,000.) line of credit pursuant to a loan agreement in the form of
     Exhibit "E" thereto (the "Subordinated Loan Agreement"); and (iv) such
     other amendments to the Original Agreement as were set forth in the First
     Amendment Exhibits A through E are exhibits to the First Amendment and are
     incorporated herein by reference.

D.   On November 12, 1997, TJS exercised its Warrant to purchase 15,000 shares
     of Convertible Preferred Stock, and it has subsequently, in addition,
     exercised Standby Options to purchase 16,652.44 shares of Convertible
     Preferred Stock. Thus, TJS now owns a total of 66,909.44 shares of
     Convertible Preferred Stock. 250 shares were issued to TJS in July 1999
     upon exercise of mirror options for Hagedal, Burgwald and B. Davis.

E.   On May 19, 1998, the Company authorized an additional 500,000 shares of
     Preferred Stock, $10.00 par value per share, and designated an additional
     155,835 of these shares as Redeemable Preferred Stock, all of which TJS has
     purchased. Thus, TJS now owns 500,000 shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock.


<PAGE>   3

F.   On May 19, 1998, the Company and TJS entered into a First Amendment to
     Subordinated Loan Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit F, wherein TJS
     agreed to increase the "new equity threshold" that triggers TJS' right to
     receive Mandatory Prepayment of all of the Corporation's obligations under
     the line of credit, from $15,000,000 to $30,000,000. On November 13, 1998,
     the Parties entered into a Second Amendment to Subordinated Loan Agreement,
     attached hereto as Exhibit G, wherein TJS agreed to increase the line of
     credit specified therein to $8,000,000. On June 1, 1999, the Parties
     entered into a Third Amendment to Subordinated Loan Agreement, attached
     hereto as Exhibit H, wherein TJS agreed to increase the line of credit to
     $10,000,000. As of the date hereof, the Company has utilized the entire
     $10,000,000 line of credit, and has executed Allonges to the original Note
     to evidence $10,000,000 in subordinated debt ("Subordinated Debt") to TJS.
     On June 1, 1999 the Company and TJS entered into a Second Amendment to
     Standby Option and Warrant Agreement to include Beverly Davis' option to
     purchase 7,723 shares of the Company's Common Stock which was
     unintentionally omitted from the original Standby Option and Warrant
     Agreement.

G.   The Company owes TJS accrued dividends on the Redeemable Preferred Stock
     ("Accrued Dividends") plus accrued interest on the Accrued Dividends and
     Subordinated Debt under the Subordinated Loan Agreement ("Accrued Dividends
     and Interest"), totaling approximately $3,583,665.68.

H.   The Parties have agreed to enter into this Second Amendment to the Original
     Agreement, in order to accomplish the following:

     1)  To designate 137,686 shares of the 431,190 authorized but undesignated
         shares of the Company's Preferred Stock, $10.00 par value per share, as
         "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock."

     2)  To redeem all outstanding Subordinated Debt and Interest thereon, all
         Redeemable Preferred Stock, and all Accrued Dividends and Interest
         thereon (having a total value on the date hereof of approximately
         $3,583,665.68), in exchange for 68,800 shares of Series A Convertible
         Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
         would be convertible into Common Stock at a ratio of 1 to 100, and
         would have a liquidation preference of $350.00 per share.

     3)  To exchange 66,909 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for
         TJS's 66,909.44 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock.

     4)  To limit the voting power of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
         while it is held by TJS or any affiliate of TJS, to no more than 45% of
         the Company's total shares of voting stock. When used herein, the term
         "affiliate" shall mean in respect of any person or entity any other
         person or entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more
         intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
         control with such first person or entity.


I.   Except as expressly amended hereby the Company and TJS wish the Original
     Agreement and the First Amendment thereto to remain in full force and
     effect.


         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises recited above, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


1.       Authorization. The Company will authorize all of the transactions
         contemplated by this Second Amendment, including, but not limited to,
         the transactions set forth in Recital "H" above, and shall have filed
         with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the Certificate of
         Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A
         Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Certificate of
         Designations") in the form of Exhibit "I" hereto.



                                      2

<PAGE>   4


2.       Closing; Consummation of Transactions. The Closing of the transaction
         contemplated by this Second Amendment (the "Closing") shall occur prior
         to September 30, 1999 and concurrently with the refinancing of the
         Company's line of credit with FINOVA Capital Corporation (the "Closing
         Date"). All of the transactions shall be deemed to have occurred as of
         the Effective Date, except as otherwise stated herein. On the Closing
         Date, subject to the terms and conditions hereof:

         2.1.  Issuance of Securities. The Company will issue to TJS: a
               certificate for 135,709 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred
               Stock.

         2.2.  Cancellation of Previously Issued Securities. TJS will deliver to
               the Company for cancellation the stock certificates representing
               500,000 Shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock and 66,909.44 Shares
               of Convertible Preferred Stock;

         2.3.  Subordinated Loan Agreement. The Company and TJS will execute and
               deliver a written agreement terminating the Subordinated Loan
               Agreement;

         2.4.  Cancellation of Note. TJS will deliver the Note evidencing the
               Subordinated Debt and all Allonges thereto to the Company for
               cancellation; and

         2.5.  Other Amendments and Transactions. All other amendments and
               transactions contemplated by this Second Amendment will be deemed
               to have been consummated.

3.       Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
         and warrants, except as may be effected by the transactions
         contemplated by this Second Amendment:

         3.1.  Organization and Standing; Certificate of Incorporation and
               By-laws. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly
               existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the State of
               Delaware and is in good standing under such laws. The Company has
               requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its
               properties and assets, and to carry on its business as presently
               conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly
               qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign
               corporation in each jurisdiction wherein the character of its
               properties or the nature of the activities conducted by it makes
               such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the
               failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a material
               adverse effect on the Company or its property or business.

         3.2.  Corporate Power. The Company will have at the Closing Date all
               requisite legal and corporate power and authority to execute and
               deliver this Second Amendment, to issue the Series A Convertible
               Preferred Stock hereunder, and to carry out and perform its
               obligations under the terms of this Second Amendment.

         3.3.  Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company will
               consist, immediately prior to the Closing Date, of 50,000,000
               shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Common
               Stock"), of which 6,940,325 of such shares (as of September 7,
               1999) are issued and outstanding and 1,000,000 shares of
               preferred stock, $10.00 par value per share ("Preferred Stock"),
               of which 500,000 shares have been designated Redeemable Preferred
               Stock (500,000 of which are issued and outstanding and which
               will be redeemed pursuant to this Second Amendment) and 68,810 of
               which have been designated Convertible Preferred Stock (66,909.44
               of which are issued and outstanding and will be redeemed pursuant
               to this Second Amendment). All outstanding shares of Common Stock
               and Preferred Stock (collectively, "Capital Stock") have been
               duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and
               nonassessable. Options and warrants to purchase 1,973,827 shares
               of Common Stock are issued and outstanding excluding



                                       3

<PAGE>   5

               197,723 contingent options exercisable by TJS pursuant to the
               Standby Option and Warrant Agreement, to purchase 1,977.23 shares
               of Convertible Preferred Stock, contingent upon exercise of
               options to purchase up to 197,723 shares of Common Stock held by
               other stockholders. All outstanding securities of the Company
               were issued in compliance with applicable Federal and state
               securities laws. Except as set forth above or pursuant to this
               Second Amendment, there are no options, warrants or other rights
               to purchase any of the Company's authorized and unissued Capital
               Stock.

         3.4.  Only Voting Stock Outstanding. The only issued and outstanding
               shares of capital stock of the Company at Closing will be common
               voting shares possessing identical rights and privileges and the
               Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this
               Second Amendment.

         3.5.  Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company,
         its directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization,
         execution, delivery and performance of this Second Amendment by the
         Company, the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of the Series A
         Convertible Preferred Stock, for the cancellation of the certificates
         of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Convertible Preferred Stock and the
         Note and all Allonges thereto, and the termination of the Subordinated
         Loan Agreement and the performance of all of the Company's obligations
         hereunder has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. This
         Second Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall
         constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
         in accordance with its terms. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
         when issued in compliance with the provisions of this Second Amendment,
         will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will have the
         rights set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws,
         attached as Exhibits "J" and "K" hereto. No further approval or
         authorization of the stockholders or the directors of the Company or of
         any governmental authority or agency will be required for the issuance
         and sale of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, or the
         cancellation of the Redeemable and Convertible Preferred Stock, as
         contemplated by this Second Amendment. Except for the rights of first
         refusal granted to TJS pursuant to the Original Agreement, no
         stockholder of the Company or any other person is entitled to any
         preemptive rights with respect to the purchase or sale of any
         securities by the Company. The Company does not require any consent,
         approval, authorization or order of, or declaration, filing or
         registration with, any court or governmental or regulatory agency or
         board, or any other third party in connection with the execution and
         delivery of this Second Amendment and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby, other than the consent of FINOVA
         Capital Corporation, which the Company will obtain prior to Closing.

4.       Representations and Warranties of TJS. TJS represents and warrants that
         each of the following statements shall be true as of the Closing Date:

         4.1.  Investment Intent.  It is acquiring the Series A Convertible
               Preferred Stock for its own account, not as a nominee or agent,
               and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any
               distribution thereof. It understands that the Series A
               Convertible Preferred Stock has not been, nor will it be,
               registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
               "Securities Act"), or the securities laws and regulations of any
               state by reason of specific exemption(s) from the registration
               provisions of the Securities Act and such state laws and
               regulations, the availability of which depends upon, among other
               things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the
               accuracy of TJS' representations as expressed herein and in the
               Suitability Questionnaire accompanying the Original Agreement.

         4.2.  Legend.  TJS acknowledges that the certificates representing the
               Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will bear a legend of
               substantially the following form:



                                       4
<PAGE>   6

                        THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS
                        CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR ANY
                        STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES
                        MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT
                        SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS THE COMPANY HAS
                        RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
                        SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT A PROPOSED SALE
                        OR TRANSFER DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION
                        UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

         4.3.  Rule 144. TJS acknowledges that the Series A Convertible
               Preferred Stock must be held indefinitely unless subsequently
               registered under the Securities Act and applicable state
               securities laws and regulations or unless an exemption from such
               registration is available. TJS is aware of the provisions of Rule
               144 promulgated under the Securities Act, which permit limited
               resale of securities purchased in a private placement subject to
               the satisfaction of certain conditions.

         4.4.  Public Market. TJS understands that while the Company's Common
               Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange - NASDAQ, there is
               a very limited public market for the Common Stock of the Company
               and none for the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, that the
               trading in the Common Stock is extremely limited and that the
               Company has made no assurances that any significant public demand
               will ever exist for the Company's securities. TJS acknowledges
               that because the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock acquired
               hereby will not be registered under the Securities Act, TJS will
               not be able to participate in any public market for the Common
               Stock until such time as the shares acquired by TJS are
               registered under the Securities Act and applicable state laws and
               regulations or exemptions from such registration is available.

         4.5.  Authorization. This Second Amendment, when executed and delivered
               by TJS, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of
               TJS, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         4.6.  Organization and Standing. TJS is a limited partnership duly
               formed and existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the
               State of New York and is in good standing under such laws. TJS
               has requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate
               its properties and assets, and to carry on its business as
               presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. TJS has
               furnished the Company with a copy of its Articles of Partnership,
               as amended. Said copy is true, correct and complete and contains
               all amendments through the Closing Date.

         4.7.  Power and Authority. TJS will have at the Closing Date all
               requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
               obligations under this Second Amendment, and to subscribe for and
               purchase the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock subscribed for
               hereby.

4.8      Authorization. All action on the part of TJS necessary for the
authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Second Amendment by
TJS, the subscription and purchase of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
and the performance of all of TJS' obligations hereunder has been taken or will
be taken prior to the Closing. This Second Amendment, when executed and
delivered by the TJS, shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of TJS,
enforceable in accordance with its terms.


                                       5
<PAGE>   7

5.       Additional Amendments and Agreements. The parties hereto agree to the
         following additional amendments to the Original Agreement and the First
         Amendment thereto and to the following additional agreements. All such
         additional amendments and agreements shall be effective as of the
         Effective Date unless otherwise stated herein.

         5.1   Section 7 of the Original Agreement. (a) The introductory
               sentence of Section 7.2 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended by deleting the words "for so long as, and at any time
               when, Purchaser is the holder of the Promissory Note or a holder
               of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the issued and outstanding
               Common Stock of the Company" and replacing such words with the
               following words: "for so long as the Purchaser owns beneficially
               not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Common Stock of the
               Company issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis (assuming
               the exercise, exchange or other conversion of all securities
               exercisable, exchangeable or otherwise convertible into Common
               Stock)."

                        (b) The introductory clause of Section 7.3 of the
               Original Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the words "as
               long as Purchaser is the holder of the Promissory Note or, at any
               time when Purchaser is a holder of at least fifteen percent (15%)
               of the total issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company"
               and replacing such words with the following words: "for so long
               as the Purchaser owns beneficially not less than fifteen percent
               (15%) of the Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding
               on a fully diluted basis (assuming the exercise, exchange or
               other conversion of all securities exercisable, exchangeable or
               otherwise convertible into Common Stock)."

                        (c) Section 7.5 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended by deleting the words "Section 7" and replacing such
               words with the following words: "Sections 7.2 and 7.3."

                        (d) Section 7.9 of the Original Agreement as previously
               amended by the First Amendment is hereby further amended and
               restated to read in its entirety as follows:

               "Nomination of Directors. For so long as the Purchaser owns
               beneficially not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Common
               Stock of the Company issued and outstanding on a fully diluted
               basis (assuming the exercise, exchange or other conversion of all
               securities exercisable, exchangeable or otherwise convertible
               into Common Stock), the Company covenants that: (a) the Company's
               Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) directors and the
               Company's by-laws will contain provisions indemnifying its
               directors to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law;
               (b) the Purchaser shall be entitled to nominate two (2) directors
               for election as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company
               at the annual meeting of stockholders or any other meeting at
               which (or as part of any other action by which) directors are
               elected, and the Company shall include such nominees in the slate
               of nominee directors recommended for election by the incumbent
               directors and management, consistent with Delaware law; and (c)
               if elected to the Board of Directors, at least one of the
               Purchaser's designees shall be appointed to each of the
               committees established or maintained by the Board of Directors,
               to the extent permissible by applicable law."

                        (e) Section 7.20 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended by deleting the words "the New Shares, the Promissory
               Note or any other agreements attached as exhibits hereto,
               including, but not limited to, registration rights relating to
               the New Shares" and replacing such words with the following
               words: "any amendment hereto, any agreements attached hereto or
               thereto, or the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
               including, but not limited to, registration rights relating to
               the Common Stock underlying the Series A Convertible Preferred
               Stock."



                                       6
<PAGE>   8

                        (f) As previously and hereby amended, Section 7 of the
               Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

         5.2   Section 8 of the Original Agreement. (a) The introductory clause
               to Section 8 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and
               restated to read in its entirety as follows:

               "The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser that, for so
               long as the Purchaser owns beneficially not less than fifteen
               percent (15%) of the Common Stock of the Company issued and
               outstanding on a fully diluted basis (assuming the exercise,
               exchange or other conversion of all securities exercisable,
               exchangeable or otherwise convertible into Common Stock), without
               the consent of (x) the Purchaser, which shall not be unreasonably
               withheld or (y) in the case of Sections 8.5 and 8.7 below, all
               directors nominated by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.9
               above and, in fact, elected to the Board of Directors of the
               Company (such elected directors, if any, the "TJS Directors"), it
               being understood that, if no such directors are elected, the
               consent of the Purchaser shall be required in respect of such
               Sections 8.5 and 8.7 as aforesaid."

                        (b) Section 8.1 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended by deleting the words "unless such transaction is
               approved by 2/3 of the minority stockholders of the Company
               (excluding shares held directly or indirectly by Purchaser and
               the officers and directors of the Company)."

                        (c) Section 8.5 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

               "Indebtedness. After September 28, 1999, the Company will not
               create, incur, assume, refinance or otherwise become liable with
               respect to any new or additional indebtedness, including the
               Company's effecting any extension of time that it remains liable
               for any existing indebtedness; provided, however, that the
               Company may become obligated, without the express consent of the
               Purchaser, for trade payables incurred by the Company in the
               ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.

                        (d) Section 8.7 of the Original Agreement is hereby
               amended by deleting the words "25% of owned accounts or 25% of
               third party maintained accounts if it is a single transaction
               acquisition" and replacing such words with the following words:
               "three million dollars ($3,000,000)."

                        (e) As previously and hereby amended, Section 8 of the
               Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

         5.3   Section 9 of the Original Agreement. Section 9.1(f) of the
               Original Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the words "as to
               Purchaser, if Purchaser no longer holds at least fifteen percent
               (15%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Company" and
               replacing such words with the following words: "as to the
               Purchaser, if the Purchaser no longer owns beneficially at least
               fifteen percent (15%) of the Common Stock of the Company issued
               and outstanding on a fully diluted basis (assuming the exercise,
               exchange or other conversion of all securities exercisable,
               exchangeable or otherwise convertible into Common Stock)." As
               previously and hereby amended, Section 9 of the Original
               Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

         5.4   Section 10 of the Original Agreement. The definition of
               "Registrable Securities" in Section 10.11 of the Original
               Agreement as previously amended by the First Amendment is hereby
               further amended by deleting the words "The Convertible Preferred
               Stock" from clause (i) and replacing such words with the
               following words: "The Company's Series A


                                       7


<PAGE>   9

               Convertible Preferred Stock." As previously and hereby amended,
               Section 10 of the Original Agreement shall remain in full force
               and effect.

         5.5   Notice of Certain Corporate Actions. The Company covenants and
               agrees with TJS that, for so long as TJS owns beneficially not
               less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Common Stock of the
               Company issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis (assuming
               the exercise, exchange or other conversion of all securities
               exercisable, exchangeable or otherwise convertible into Common
               Stock), the Company shall provide TJS with no less than 15
               business days' prior notice of (a) any meeting of the Board of
               Directors of the Company and the action to be taken at such
               meeting, (b) any action to be taken by the Board of Directors by
               written consent, (c) any record date to be established in respect
               of stockholders of the Company and the reason(s) for the
               establishment of such record date, including, without limitation,
               in respect of any meeting of such stockholders, the action to be
               taken at such meeting, (d) any meeting of the stockholders of the
               Company for which no record date is to be established and the
               action to be taken at such meeting and (e) any action known of by
               the Company to be taken by the stockholders of the Company by
               written consent; provided, however, that the requirement for such
               notice shall be deemed waived in the case of (x) any action taken
               by the Board of Directors of the Company if the TJS Directors
               shall have voted in favor of, or consented to, such action and
               (y) any stockholder action if TJS shall have cast all votes held
               by it as a stockholder of the Company in favor of such
               stockholder action.

         5.6   Requisite Vote. The Company covenants and agrees with TJS that
               prior to the Closing the Company shall have effected amendments
               of its by-laws and other applicable governing documents to
               provide that any matter submitted to the vote of holders of
               Common Stock of the Company shall require the affirmative vote in
               support of such matter of more than sixty (60) percent in voting
               interest of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote on
               such matter for such matter to be duly authorized by the
               stockholders. The Company further covenants and agrees with TJS
               that, unless otherwise agreed in writing by TJS and for so long
               as TJS owns beneficially not less than thirty percent (30%) of
               the Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding on a fully
               diluted basis (assuming the exercise, exchange or other
               conversion of all securities exercisable, exchangeable or
               otherwise convertible into Common Stock), the Company shall cause
               the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding sentence to
               remain in effect.

         5.7   Retirement of Stock. The Company covenants and agrees with TJS
               that immediately after the consummation of the Closing, the
               Company (a) shall retire, by resolution of its Board of Directors
               in accordance with Section 243 of the Delaware General
               Corporation Law, all of its issued but then not outstanding
               shares of (i) Convertible Preferred Stock and (ii) the Redeemable
               Preferred Stock; and (b) shall effect a reduction to zero of the
               number of the authorized shares of such classes of capital stock
               and shall take such actions as are necessary under Delaware law
               to completely eliminate such classes of capital stock; provided,
               however, that the Company shall not effect a corresponding
               reduction in the aggregate number of shares of preferred stock it
               is authorized to issue.

         5.8   Affiliates. The parties hereto agree that for purposes of the
               definition of "affiliate" in Recital "H" to this Second Amendment
               and in Section 2(b) of the Series A Certificate of Designations,
               the limited partners of TJS, of its general partner and of any
               affiliate of its general partner or of the managing general
               partner of its general partner shall not, by virtue of being such
               limited partners be "affiliates" of TJS.

         5.9   Original Agreement, First Amendment, Standby Option and Warrant
               Agreement. Except as expressly amended in this Second Amendment,
               the provisions of the Original Agreement and First Amendment
               thereto shall continue to have full force and effect, except as
               otherwise provided therein. The Standby Option and Warrant
               Agreement, as


                                       8

<PAGE>   10


               previously amended, is hereby further amended to provide that
               TJS' purchase rights shall be for Series A Convertible Preferred
               Stock rather than for Convertible Preferred Stock or Common
               Stock, as set forth in Exhibit "D."


               6.       Miscellaneous.

         6.1   Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
               AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE
               OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT GIVING ANY EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
               OF LAWS. The Company agrees that it will not assert against any
               partner of TJS (or against any partner, officer, director,
               employee or agent of TJS or any of its Affiliates) any claim it
               may have under this Second Amendment by reason of any failure or
               alleged failure by TJS to meet its obligations hereunder. The
               parties hereto agree and intend that the proper and exclusive
               forum for the litigation of any disputes or controversies arising
               out of, or related to, this Second Amendment shall be the courts
               of the State of Illinois and of any Federal Court located in such
               state. The Company agrees that it will not commence or move to
               transfer any action or proceeding, arising out of or relating to
               this Second Amendment, in or to any court other than one located
               in the State of Illinois. The Company irrevocably consents to the
               service of process of any of the aforesaid courts in any such
               action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by
               registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Company at
               the address provided herein, such service to become effective 30
               days after such mailing. Nothing contained in this Section shall
               affect the right of TJS to serve process in any other manner
               permitted by law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise
               proceed against the Company in any other jurisdiction. In the
               event the Company should commence or maintain any action arising
               out of or related to this Second Amendment in a forum other than
               the courts located in the State of Illinois, TJS shall be
               entitled to request the dismissal of such action, and the Company
               stipulates that such action shall be dismissed.

         6.2   Survival. The representations and warranties, covenants and
               agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by
               any party and the closing of the transactions contemplated
               hereby.

         6.3   Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
               provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
               upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and
               administrators of the parties hereto. TJS may not assign any part
               of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written
               consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
               other than as part of a distribution of its interests under this
               Second Amendment including, without limitation, a transfer of any
               shares issued to it hereunder to its partners, to the partners of
               its general partner, to any of its affiliates, or to the partners
               of any of its affiliates. Notwithstanding anything to the
               contrary contained in this Second Amendment, no right of TJS
               contingent on a specified percentage ownership interest of
               capital stock of the Company (e.g. supermajority voting
               provisions) shall be assignable without the Company's express
               written consent, except to another person or entity controlled by
               TJS, by its general partner or by the managing general partner of
               such general partner for which assignment no such consent shall
               be required. A person to whom all or a part of TJS' rights are
               assigned shall become a party to this Second Amendment, entitled
               to all the rights and benefits and subject to all of the duties
               and obligations of TJS hereunder. Whenever reference is made to
               TJS in this Second Amendment, such reference shall include any
               assignees of TJS' rights hereunder.

         6.4   Entire Agreement; Amendment. The Original Agreement, the First
               Amendment thereto, this Second Amendment thereto and the other
               documents delivered pursuant hereto at the Closing constitute the
               full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties


                                       9

<PAGE>   11

               with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof, and no party
               shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any
               warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically
               set forth herein or therein. Except as expressly provided herein,
               neither this Second Amendment nor any term hereof may be amended,
               waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written
               instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any
               such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

         6.5   Notices, etc. All notices and other communications required or
               permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by
               registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or otherwise
               delivered by hand or by messenger, addressed (a) if to TJS, at
               115 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830, or at such other
               address TJS shall have furnished to the Company in writing; or
               (b) if to the Company, at 2101 South Arlington Heights Road,
               Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4142, addressed to the
               President of the Company, or at such other address the Company
               shall have furnished to TJS in writing.

               Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of
               this Second Amendment be treated as effective or having been
               given when delivered if delivered personally, or, if sent by
               mail, at the earlier of its receipt or seventy-two (72) hours
               after the same has been deposited in a regularly maintained
               receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed
               and mailed as aforesaid.

         6.6   Delays or Omissions. Except as expressly provided herein, no
               delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing
               to any holder of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, upon any
               breach or default of the Company under the Original Agreement,
               the First Amendment thereto, or this Second Amendment, shall
               impair any such right, power or remedy of such holder nor shall
               it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or
               an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or
               default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit,
               consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any
               holder of any breach or default under the Original Agreement, the
               First Amendment thereto, or this Second Amendment, or any waiver
               on the part of any holder of any provisions or conditions of the
               Original Agreement, the First Amendment thereto, or this Second
               Amendment, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the
               extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies,
               either under the Original Agreement, the First Amendment thereto,
               or this Second Amendment or by law or otherwise afforded to any
               holder, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

         6.7   Expenses. The Company and TJS shall each bear its own legal and
               other expenses incurred on its behalf with respect to the
               preparation of this Second Amendment, any related documents and
               the transactions contemplated hereby.

         6.8   Counterparts. This Second Amendment may be executed in any number
               of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the
               parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which
               together shall constitute one instrument.

         6.9   Severability. In the event that any provision of this Second
               Amendment becomes or is declared by a court of competent
               jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Second
               Amendment shall continue in full force and effect without said
               provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective
               if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Second
               Amendment to any party.

         6.10  Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used herein are
               used for convenience only and are not considered in construing or
               interpreting this Second Amendment.

         6.11  Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby expressly waive any
               right they may have to a jury trial in any suit, action or
               proceeding existing under or relating to the Original


                                       10

<PAGE>   12

               Agreement, the First Amendment thereto, or this Second Amendment,
               any stock, promissory notes or other securities issued by the
               Company pursuant to the Original Agreement, the First Amendment
               thereto, or this Second Amendment or any of the other documents
               executed and delivered in connection with this Second Amendment.




                                       11
<PAGE>   13



The foregoing Second Amendment is hereby executed as of the date first above
written.


                                      SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                      By: /s/ JAMES S. BRANNEN
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                             James S. Brannen, President


                                      TJS PARTNERS, L. P.

                                      By: /s/ THOMAS J. SALVATORE
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                            Thomas J. Salvatore, General Partner



                                       12


<PAGE>   1



Exhibit 10.2
<PAGE>   2









                   SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT


                                      among

                           FINOVA CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                    as Agent,


                           THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,
                                   as Lenders


                                       and


                    SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
                                   as Borrower












                         Dated as of September 30, 1999





<PAGE>   3




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                               PAGE
<S>               <C>                                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE I     DEFINITIONS AND DETERMINATIONS......................................................................2
         1.1      Definitions.....................................................................................2
         1.2      Time Periods...................................................................................22
         1.3      Accounting Terms and Determinations............................................................22
         1.4      References.....................................................................................22
         1.5      Lender's or Agent's Discretion.................................................................22
         1.6      Borrower's Knowledge...........................................................................22

ARTICLE II    LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT..........................................................................23
         2.1      Loan...........................................................................................23
                  2.1.1    Aggregate Loan Amount.................................................................23
                  2.1.2    Initial Portion.......................................................................23
                  2.1.3    Acquisition Portion...................................................................23
                  2.1.4    Use of Proceeds.......................................................................23
                  2.1.5    Notes.................................................................................23
                  2.1.6    Reborrowing...........................................................................23
                  2.1.7    Funding Procedures....................................................................23
         2.2      Interest.......................................................................................24
                  2.2.1  Interest Rate...........................................................................24
                  2.2.2    Interest Computation..................................................................25
                  2.2.3    Maximum Interest......................................................................25
                  2.2.4    Increased Costs.......................................................................26
                  2.2.5    Interest Hedge Contract...............................................................26
         2.3      Principal and Interest Payments................................................................27
                  2.3.1    Interest..............................................................................27
                  2.3.2    Principal.............................................................................27
         2.4      Late Charges...................................................................................27
         2.5      LIBOR Loans....................................................................................27
                  2.5.1    Election by Borrower..................................................................27
                  2.5.2    LIBOR Limitations.....................................................................28
                  2.5.3    Eurodollar Deposits Unavailable or Interest Rate Unascertainable......................28
                  2.5.4    Tax and Other Laws....................................................................28
                  2.5.5    Changes in Law Rendering LIBOR Loans Unlawful.........................................29
                  2.5.6    Indemnity.............................................................................29
         2.6      Loan Fees......................................................................................29
                  2.6.1    Closing Fee...........................................................................29
                  2.6.2    Non-Utilization Fee...................................................................29
         2.7      Prepayments....................................................................................30
                  2.7.1    Voluntary Prepayment of Loan..........................................................30
                  2.7.2    Mandatory Prepayments of the Loan.....................................................30
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  2.7.3    No Prepayment Premium.................................................................31
                  2.7.4    Involuntary Prepayment................................................................31
         2.8      Default Rate Period............................................................................31
         2.9      Method of Payment..............................................................................31
                  2.9.1    Lockboxes and Lockbox Accounts; Payments; Application of Funds........................31
                  2.9.2    Other Payments........................................................................32

ARTICLE III  SECURITY............................................................................................33

ARTICLE IV   CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND ACQUISITIONS..............................................................33
         4.1      Closing Conditions for each Disbursement.......................................................33
                  4.1.1    Representations and Warranties........................................................33
                  4.1.2    Performance; No Default...............................................................33
                  4.1.3    UL Certifications.....................................................................33
                  4.1.4    Alarm Licenses........................................................................33
                  4.1.5    Insurance.............................................................................34
                  4.1.6    Environmental Audit...................................................................34
                  4.1.7    Approval of Instruments and Security Interests........................................34
                  4.1.8    Security Interests....................................................................34
                  4.1.9    Use of Assets.........................................................................34
                  4.1.10   Material Adverse Change...............................................................34
                  4.1.11   Proceedings and Documents.............................................................34
                  4.1.12   Broker Fees...........................................................................35
                  4.1.13   Payment of Fees and Expenses..........................................................35
                  4.1.14   Maximum Times RMR.....................................................................35
         4.2      Closing Conditions for Initial Portion.........................................................35
                  4.2.1    Delivery of Documents.................................................................35
                  4.2.2    RMR...................................................................................36
                  4.2.3    Evidence of Junior Capital............................................................36
                  4.2.4    Conversion of Subordinated Debt to Equity Interests...................................36
         4.3      Conditions for Acquisition Portion.............................................................36
                  4.3.1    Initial Portion.......................................................................36
                  4.3.2    Maximum Facility Cash Flow Leverage Ratio.............................................36
                  4.3.3    Amount and Frequency of Advances......................................................36
                  4.3.4    Information Regarding Acquisitions....................................................37
                  4.3.5    Consent to Acquisition................................................................37
                  4.3.6    Consummation of Acquisition...........................................................37
                  4.3.7    Delivery of Documents.................................................................37

ARTICLE V    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................................38
         5.1      Existence and Power............................................................................38
         5.2      Authority......................................................................................38
         5.3      Capital Stock and Related Matters..............................................................38
                  5.3.1    Capitalization........................................................................39
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  5.3.2    Restrictions..........................................................................39
         5.4      Binding Agreements.............................................................................39
         5.5      Business and Property of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.........................................39
                  5.5.1    Business and Property.................................................................39
                  5.5.2    Facility Sites........................................................................40
                  5.5.3    Leases................................................................................40
                  5.5.4    Real Estate...........................................................................40
                  5.5.5    Operation and Maintenance of Equipment................................................40
         5.6      Title to Property; Liens.......................................................................40
         5.7      Projections and Financial Statements...........................................................41
                  5.7.1    Financial Statements..................................................................41
                  5.7.2    Projections...........................................................................41
         5.8      Litigation.....................................................................................41
         5.9      Defaults in Other Agreements; Consents; Conflicting Agreements.................................41
         5.10     Taxes..........................................................................................42
         5.11     Compliance with Applicable Laws................................................................42
         5.12     Patents, Trademarks, Franchises, Agreements....................................................42
         5.13     Environmental Matters..........................................................................42
         5.14     Application of Certain Laws and Regulations....................................................43
                  5.14.1   Investment Company Act................................................................43
                  5.14.2   Holding Company Act...................................................................43
                  5.14.3   Foreign or Enemy Status...............................................................43
                  5.14.4   Regulations as to Borrowing...........................................................43
         5.15     Margin Regulations.............................................................................43
         5.16     Other Indebtedness.............................................................................43
         5.17     No Misrepresentation...........................................................................43
         5.18     Employee Benefit Plans.........................................................................44
                  5.18.1   No Other Plans........................................................................44
                  5.18.2   ERISA and Code Compliance and Liability...............................................44
                  5.18.3   Funding...............................................................................44
                  5.18.4   Prohibited Transactions and Payments..................................................45
                  5.18.5   No Termination Event..................................................................45
                  5.18.6   ERISA Litigation......................................................................45
         5.19     Employee Matters...............................................................................45
                  5.19.1   Collective Bargaining Agreements; Grievances..........................................45
                  5.19.2   Claims Relating to Employment.........................................................45
         5.20     Burdensome Obligations.........................................................................45
         5.21     Year 2000......................................................................................46

ARTICLE VI  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................................................46
         6.1      Legal Existence; Good Standing.................................................................46
         6.2      Inspection.....................................................................................46
         6.3      Financial Statements and Other Information.....................................................46
                  6.3.1    Monthly Statements....................................................................47
</TABLE>



                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>

<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  6.3.2    Quarterly Agings......................................................................47
                  6.3.3    Annual Statements.....................................................................47
                  6.3.4    Compliance Certificates...............................................................48
                  6.3.5    Accountants'Certificate...............................................................48
                  6.3.6    Audit Reports.........................................................................48
                  6.3.7    Business Plans........................................................................48
                  6.3.8    Notice of Defaults; Loss..............................................................48
                  6.3.9    Notice of Suits, Adverse Events.......................................................49
                  6.3.10   Reports to Shareholders, Members, Creditors and
                           Governmental Bodies...................................................................49
                  6.3.11   ERISA Notices and Requests............................................................50
                  6.3.12   Other Information.....................................................................50
         6.4      Reports to Governmental Bodies and Other Persons...............................................51
         6.5      Maintenance of UL Certifications, Alarm Licenses, Licenses, Franchises and Other Agreements....51
                  6.5.1    Maintenance of UL Certifications and Alarm Licenses...................................51
                  6.5.2    Maintenance of Licenses, Franchises and Agreements....................................51
         6.6      Insurance......................................................................................52
                  6.6.1    Business Insurance....................................................................52
                  6.6.2    Claims and Proceeds...................................................................52
         6.7      Future Leases..................................................................................53
         6.8      Future Acquisitions of Real Property...........................................................53
         6.9      Environmental Matters..........................................................................53
                  6.9.1    Compliance............................................................................53
                  6.9.2    Certification.........................................................................54
         6.10     Compliance with Laws...........................................................................54
         6.11     Taxes and Claims...............................................................................54
         6.12     Maintenance of Properties......................................................................54
         6.13     Governmental Approvals.........................................................................54
         6.14     Year 2000......................................................................................54
         6.15     Dissolution or Merger of Certain Subsidiaries..................................................55

ARTICLE VII  NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................................55
         7.1      Borrowing......................................................................................55
         7.2      Liens..........................................................................................55
         7.3      Merger and Acquisition.........................................................................55
         7.4      Contingent Liabilities.........................................................................55
         7.5      Distributions..................................................................................55
         7.6      Capital Expenditures...........................................................................55
         7.7      Payments of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money....................................................56
         7.8      Obligations as Lessee Under Operating Leases...................................................56
         7.9      Investments, Loans.............................................................................56
         7.10     Fundamental Business Changes...................................................................56
         7.11     Facility Sites.................................................................................56
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>   7

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
         7.12     Sale or Transfer of Assets.....................................................................56
         7.13     Amendment of Certain Documents.................................................................57
         7.14     Acquisition of Additional Properties...........................................................57
         7.15     Issuance of Equity Interests...................................................................57
         7.16     Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................57
         7.17     Compliance with ERISA..........................................................................57
         7.18     Facility Cash Flow Leverage Ratio..............................................................58
         7.19     Operating Cash Flow Leverage Ratio.............................................................58
         7.20     Ratio of Total Debt to RMR.....................................................................58
         7.21     Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio....................................................................59
         7.22     Senior Interest Coverage Ratio.................................................................59

ARTICLE VIII  DEFAULT AND REMEDIES...............................................................................59
         8.1      Events of Default..............................................................................59
                  8.1.1    Default in Payment....................................................................59
                  8.1.2    Breach of Covenants...................................................................59
                  8.1.3    Breach of Warranty....................................................................60
                  8.1.4    Default Under Other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money...................................60
                  8.1.5    Bankruptcy............................................................................60
                  8.1.6    Judgments.............................................................................61
                  8.1.7    Impairment of Licenses; Other Agreements..............................................61
                  8.1.8    Collateral............................................................................61
                  8.1.9    Interruption of Operations............................................................61
                  8.1.10   Plans.................................................................................61
                  8.1.11   Change in Control.....................................................................62
                  8.1.12   Change in Management..................................................................62
         8.2      Acceleration of Borrower's Obligations.........................................................62
         8.3      Remedies on Default............................................................................62
                  8.3.1    Enforcement of Security Interests.....................................................62
                  8.3.2    Other Remedies........................................................................62
         8.4      Application of Funds...........................................................................63
                  8.4.1    Expenses..............................................................................63
                  8.4.2    Borrower's Obligations................................................................64
                  8.4.3    Surplus...............................................................................64
         8.5      Performance of Borrower's Obligations..........................................................64

ARTICLE IX  ADDITIONAL LENDERS AND PARTICIPANTS; THE AGENT.......................................................64
         9.1      Assignment to Other Lenders....................................................................64
                  9.1.1    Assignment............................................................................64
                  9.1.2    Effect of Loan Assignment.............................................................65
                  9.1.3    Register..............................................................................65
                  9.1.4    Substitution of Notes.................................................................65
                  9.1.5    Inspections...........................................................................65
         9.2      Participations.................................................................................65
</TABLE>

                                      -v-
<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>

<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
         9.3      Set Off and Sharing of Payments................................................................66
         9.4      Appointment of Agent...........................................................................66
         9.5      Delegation of Duties...........................................................................66
         9.6      Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation.............................................67
         9.7      Instructions from Lenders......................................................................67
         9.8      Exculpatory Provisions.........................................................................67
         9.9      Reimbursement and Indemnification by Lenders of Agent..........................................67
         9.10     Reliance by Agent..............................................................................68
         9.11     Notice of Default..............................................................................68
         9.12     Release of Collateral..........................................................................68
         9.13     Lenders in Their Individual Capacities.........................................................68
         9.14     Holders of Notes...............................................................................68
         9.15     Successor Agent................................................................................69
         9.16     Delivery of Information........................................................................69
         9.17     Beneficiaries..................................................................................69

ARTICLE X  CLOSING...............................................................................................69

ARTICLE XI  EXPENSES AND INDEMNITY...............................................................................70
         11.1     Attorneys'Fees and Other Fees and Expenses.....................................................70
                  11.1.1   Fees and Expenses for Preparation of Loan Instruments.................................70
                  11.1.2   Fees and Expenses in Enforcement of Rights or Defense of Loan Instruments.............70
         11.2     Indemnity......................................................................................70
                  11.2.1   Brokerage Fees........................................................................70
                  11.2.2   General...............................................................................70
                  11.2.3   Operation of Collateral; Joint Venturers..............................................71
                  11.2.4   Environmental Indemnity...............................................................71

ARTICLE XII  MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................71
         12.1     Notices........................................................................................71
         12.2     Survival of Loan Agreement; Indemnities........................................................73
         12.3     Further Assurance..............................................................................73
         12.4     Taxes and Fees.................................................................................73
         12.5     Severability...................................................................................73
         12.6     Waiver.........................................................................................73
         12.7     Modification of Loan Instruments; Amendments...................................................74
         12.8     Captions.......................................................................................74
         12.9     Successors and Assigns.........................................................................74
         12.10    Remedies Cumulative............................................................................74
         12.11    Entire Agreement; Conflict.....................................................................74
         12.12    Applicable Law.................................................................................74
         12.13    Jurisdiction and Venue.........................................................................74
         12.14    Waiver of Right to Jury Trial..................................................................75

</TABLE>

                                      -vi-
<PAGE>   9

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
         12.15    Time of Essence................................................................................75
         12.16    Estoppel Certificate...........................................................................75
         12.17    Consequential Damages..........................................................................76
         12.18    Counterparts...................................................................................76
         12.19    No Fiduciary  Relationship.....................................................................76
         12.20    No Strict Construction.........................................................................76
</TABLE>

                                     -vii-


<PAGE>   10

                   SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT


         THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of September
30, 1999, is among SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("BORROWER"), FINOVA CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("FINOVA"), in its individual capacity and as agent for the financial
institutions from time to time parties hereto, STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY ("STATE STREET"), and the other financial institutions from time to time
parties hereto.

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Borrower, Telecommunications Associates Group, Inc., an Ohio
corporation ("ERC"), All-Security Monitoring Services, L.L.C., an Illinois
limited liability company ("ASMS"), AMJ Central Station Corporation, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("AMJ") (Borrower, ASMS, AMJ and ERC sometimes hereinafter
are referred to collectively as the "ORIGINAL BORROWERS"), Security Associates
Command Center II, L.L.C., a Michigan limited liability company ("SACC"),
Monitor Service Group, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("MSG"), and
FINOVA entered into an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of December
2, 1997 (the "ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT"), as amended by a First Amendment to Loan
Instruments dated as of June 17, 1998 (the "FIRST AMENDMENT") among the Original
Borrowers, SACC, MSG, Texas Security Central, Inc., a Texas corporation ("TSC"),
and FINOVA, as further amended by a Second Amendment to Loan Instruments dated
as of July 17, 1998 (the "SECOND AMENDMENT") among the Original Borrowers, TSC,
Reliance Protection Services, Ltd., an Illinois corporation ("RELIANCE"), and
FINOVA, as further amended by a Third Amendment to Loan Instruments dated as of
March 23, 1999 (the "THIRD AMENDMENT") among the Original Borrowers, TSC,
Reliance and FINOVA, and as further amended by a Fourth Amendment to Loan
Instruments dated as of June 30, 1999 (the "FOURTH AMENDMENT") among Borrower,
ERC, TSC and FINOVA (such Original Loan Agreement, as amended by the First
Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Third Amendment and the Fourth Amendment
hereinafter is referred to as the "EXISTING LOAN AGREEMENT").

         B. Pursuant to the Existing Loan Agreement, FINOVA extended to
Borrower, ERC and TSC a $30,000,000 credit facility. The outstanding principal
balance of all loans made pursuant to the Existing Loan Agreement (the "EXISTING
PRINCIPAL BALANCE") is $6,609,730.35 as of the date hereof.

         C. Borrower has requested an increase in the maximum credit facility
provided under the Existing Loan Agreement from $30,000,000 to $45,000,000 and
certain other amendments to the Existing Loan Agreement. The proceeds of such
increased credit facility will be used by Borrower (i) to pay transaction costs,
(ii) to provide funds for Acquisitions and (iii) for working capital.



<PAGE>   11

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed that the Existing Loan Agreement is
amended and restated in its entirety as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                         DEFINITIONS AND DETERMINATIONS

         I.1 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Loan Agreement and in the other Loan
Instruments, unless otherwise expressly indicated herein or therein, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be
applicable equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

             Account Debtor:  any Person who is obligated on or under an Account
         Receivable.

             Accountants:  Arthur  Andersen,  L.L.P.  or any  other  independent
         certified  public  accounting  firm selected by Borrower and reasonably
         satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

             Accounting  Changes:  has the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in
         Section 1.3.

             Accounts  Receivable:  all presently existing and hereafter arising
         accounts  receivable  and other rights to payment  owing to Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries.

             Accounts  Receivable  Decrease:  for any period,  the excess of the
         Eligible  Accounts at the  beginning  of such period over the  Eligible
         Accounts at the end of such period.

             Accounts  Receivable  Increase:  for  any  period,  the  excess  of
         Eligible  Accounts at the end of such period over the Eligible Accounts
         at the beginning of such period.

             ACM: Alarm Central Monitoring, Inc., a Texas corporation.

             Acquisition: an Asset Acquisition or an Equity Acquisition.

             Acquisition Closing: the consummation of an Acquisition.

             Acquisition Closing Date: the date of an Acquisition Closing.

             Acquisition  Instruments:  the  purchase  agreement  and all  other
         documents executed in connection with an Acquisition.

             Acquisition  Operating Cash Flow  Adjustment:  for any  three-month
         period (the "SUBJECT PERIOD") shall mean:


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   12



                  (a) for purposes of calculating the Facility Cash Flow
             Leverage Ratio under Section 7.18, the sum of:

                      (i) with respect to each Central Station Business acquired
                  by Borrower during the Subject Period, the Adjusted Acquired
                  Operating Cash Flow of all such Central Station Business(es)
                  for the three-month period ended on the last day of the second
                  month prior to the month in which the applicable Acquisition
                  Closing Date with respect to such Central Station Business
                  occurred, plus

                      (ii) with respect to each Central Station Business
                  acquired by Borrower during the three-month period immediately
                  preceding the Subject Period, the Operating Cash Flow of
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries derived from the operation of
                  all such Central Station Business(es) during the Subject
                  Period; and

                  (b) for purposes of calculating the Facility Cash Flow
             Leverage Ratio when determining the maximum amount of an Advance
             requested in connection with a proposed Acquisition under
             subsection 4.3.2, the sum of:

                      (i) with respect to each Central Station Business acquired
                  by Borrower during the Subject Period:

                          (A) if the applicable Acquisition Closing Date
                      occurred during a quarter ending on or after the end of
                      the Subject Period, the Adjusted Acquired Operating Cash
                      Flow of all such Central Station Business(es) for the
                      three-month period ended on the last day of the second
                      month prior to the month in which such Acquisition Closing
                      Date occurred, plus

                          (B) if the applicable Acquisition Closing Date
                      occurred during a quarter ending prior to the end of the
                      Subject Period, the sum of:

                              (1) the product of (x) the number of months of
                          such quarter falling in such Subject Period multiplied
                          by (y) one-third of the Adjusted Acquired Operating
                          Cash Flow of all such Central Station Business(es) for
                          the three-month period ended on the last day of the
                          second month prior to the month in which such
                          Acquisition Closing Date occurred, plus


                              (2) the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its
                          Subsidiaries derived from the operation of all such
                          Central

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   13
                               Station Business(es) during the number of months
                               of such Subject Period after the end of such
                               quarter; plus

                          (ii) the Adjusted Acquired Operating Cash Flow of the
                   Central Station Business which is the subject of the proposed
                   Acquisition for such Subject Period.

             Acquisition Portion: a portion of the Loan equal to $38,000,000.

             ADA: the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, any
         successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations issued
         thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

             Additional Loan Instruments: collectively, the following documents,
         as applicable, to be executed and delivered in connection with each
         Acquisition, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
         to Agent:

             (i)   the applicable Assignment of Acquisition Instruments, a
                   Notice of Borrowing with respect to the applicable Advance,
                   any amendments to the Loan Instruments and any mortgages,
                   security agreements, pledge agreements, UCC Financing
                   Statements and other agreements reasonably required by Agent
                   to (A) reflect the effect of such Acquisition, (B) grant to
                   Agent a perfected first Lien, subject only to Permitted Prior
                   Liens, upon all existing and after-acquired Property (x)
                   acquired by Borrower upon the consummation of such
                   Acquisition and (y) of the Person acquired by Borrower, if
                   such Acquisition is an Equity Acquisition;

             (ii)  an Environmental Certificate covering any Real Estate
                   acquired by Borrower in connection with such Acquisition;

             (iii) a Landlord Consent and Waiver executed by each Landlord under
                   each Lease assumed or executed by Borrower in connection with
                   such Acquisition; and

             (iv)  any other instruments and documents as Agent may reasonably
                   require in connection with such Acquisition.

             Adjusted Acquired Operating Cash Flow: for any period with respect
         to a Central Station Business acquired or proposed to be acquired by
         Borrower, the sum of the following, as determined by the Required
         Lenders based on financial and other information submitted to Agent by
         Borrower: (i) the Operating Cash Flow of such Central Station Business
         for such period plus (ii) such adjustments to the Operating Cash Flow
         of such Central Station Business for such period as the Required
         Lenders deem appropriate to take into account reductions or increases
         in expenses for such period which would have been effected assuming
         Borrower had acquired such Central Station Business at the beginning of
         such period.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   14

             Adjusted Total Debt: as of any Funding Date, the Total Debt as of
         such date plus the requested Advance.

             Advance: a disbursement of any portion of the Acquisition Portion.

             Affiliate: any Person that directly or indirectly, through one or
         more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common
         control with another Person. The term "control" means possession,
         direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
         the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership
         of voting securities or equity interests, by contract or otherwise. For
         the purposes hereof, any Person which owns or controls, directly or
         indirectly, 10% or more of the securities or equity interests, as
         applicable, whether voting or non-voting, of any other Person shall be
         deemed to "control" such Person.

             Agent: FINOVA, as agent for all Lenders.

             Alarm Licenses: a license or licenses issued by a state licensing
         authority that authorize a Person to provide remote security monitoring
         services to consumers and/or businesses within such state.

             AMJ: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this
         Loan Agreement.

             Applicable Margin: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.2.1.

             ASMS: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this
         Loan Agreement.

             Asset Acquisition: an acquisition by Borrower of Property used in a
         Central Station Business.

             Assignee: any Person to which a Loan Assignment is made in
         compliance with the provisions of subsection 9.1.1.

             Assignment and Acceptance: an assignment and acceptance agreement
         to be executed in connection with each Loan Assignment substantially in
         the form of EXHIBIT 1.1(A).

             Assignment of Interest Hedge Contract: an assignment of the
         Interest Hedge Contract executed by Borrower in favor of Agent.

             Assignments of Leases: collateral assignments of leases executed by
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent.

             Assignments of Acquisition Instruments: assignments of Acquisition
         Instruments executed by Borrower in connection with each Acquisition
         made by Borrower on or after the

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   15



         Closing Date, each such assignment to be consented to by the applicable
         seller if such consent is required by the terms of such Acquisition
         Instruments.

             Bankruptcy Code: the United States Bankruptcy Code and any
         successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations issued
         thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

             Base Rate: the per annum rate of interest announced or published
         publicly from time to time by Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York as
         its corporate base (or equivalent) rate of interest, which rate shall
         change automatically without notice and simultaneously with each change
         in such corporate base rate. The Base Rate is a reference rate and does
         not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to
         any customer by Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York.

             Base Rate Portion: the Principal Balance other than the portion
         thereof consisting of LIBOR Loans.

             Basic Financial Statements: has the meaning assigned to that term
         in subsection 6.3.3.

             Borrower: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble to
         this Loan Agreement.

             Borrower's Obligations: (i) any and all Indebtedness due or to
         become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of Borrower to Lenders
         and/or Agent pursuant to the terms of this Loan Agreement or any other
         Loan Instrument and (ii) the performance of the covenants of Borrower
         contained in the Loan Instruments.

             Business Day: (i) except as provided in clause (ii), any day other
         than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in Phoenix, Arizona
         or New York, New York are required or authorized to close, and (ii)
         with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in
         connection with a LIBOR Loan, any day which is a Business Day described
         in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks
         in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

             Business Insurance: such property, casualty, business interruption
         and other insurance as Agent from time to time reasonably requires
         Borrower to maintain.

             Capital Expenditures: payments that are made or liabilities that
         are incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the lease,
         purchase, improvement, construction or use of any Property, the value
         or cost of which under GAAP is required to be capitalized and appears
         on such Person's balance sheet in the category of property, plant or
         equipment, without regard to the manner in which such payments or the
         instruments pursuant to which they are made are characterized by
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person, but excluding
         payments made or liabilities incurred in connection with an
         Acquisition.

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   16

         Except for the purpose of determining Excess Cash Flow, a Capital
         Expenditure shall be deemed to be made as of the time the Property
         which is the subject thereof is put into service by Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

             Capitalized Lease: any lease of Property, the obligations for the
         rental of which are required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

             Cash Equivalents: the aggregate of Borrower's and each of its
         Subsidiaries' (i) cash on hand or in any bank or trust company, and
         checks on hand and in transit, (ii) monies on deposit in any money
         market account, and (iii) treasury bills, certificates of deposit,
         commercial paper and readily marketable securities at current market
         value having, in each instance, a maturity of not more than 180 days.

             Cash Instruments: all cash, checks, drafts and other similar
         writings for the payment of money.

             Central Station Business: the business of owning and operating one
         or more central monitoring stations and related businesses and
         providing service pursuant to Central Station Contracts.

             Central Station Contracts: contracts with Dealers to provide
         security monitoring services to the customers of the Dealers.

             Chief Financial Officer: the duly elected and acting chief
         financial officer of Borrower.

             Closing: the disbursement of the remaining $390,269.65 of the
         Initial Portion.

             Closing Certificate: a closing certificate executed by Borrower.

             Closing Date: the date of the Closing.

             Code: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
         successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations issued
         thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

             Collateral: (i) all existing and after-acquired Property of
         Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, including without limitation all
         existing and after-acquired Accounts Receivable, equipment, inventory
         and general intangibles, (ii) the Pledged Capital Stock and (iii) all
         proceeds of the foregoing.

             Collected Funds: defined in subsection 2.9.1(b).

             Commitment: shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount
         initially set forth opposite its name in the column labeled
         "Commitment" on SCHEDULE I, as adjusted from time to time to reflect
         any Assignment and Acceptances.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   17

             Compliance Certificate: a Compliance Certificate executed by
         Borrower in the form of EXHIBIT 1.1(B) attached hereto.

             Dealer: any Person whose primary business is the installation or
         servicing of alarm equipment and the sale of security monitoring
         services.

             Default Rate: with respect to (i) the Base Rate Portion and all of
         the other of Borrower's Obligations other than LIBOR Loans, a per annum
         rate equal to the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the
         Applicable Margin plus 2.0% per annum and (ii) each LIBOR Loan, a per
         annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate applicable thereto plus the
         Applicable Margin plus 2.0% per annum.

             Default Rate Period: a period of time commencing on the date that
         an Event of Default has occurred and ending on the date that such Event
         of Default is cured or waived.

             Determination Date: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.2.1.

             Dollar: lawful currency of the United States.

             Eligible Accounts: at any given time, the aggregate of the face
         amount of the accounts receivable of Borrower and its Subsidiaries not
         over 75 days past due.

             Employee Benefit Plan: any employee benefit plan within the meaning
         of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (i) is maintained for employees of
         Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate or (ii) has at
         any time within the preceding six years been maintained for the
         employees of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any current or former
         ERISA Affiliate.

             Environmental Audit: (i) a Phase I audit report with respect to a
         parcel of real estate and such other studies and reports as Agent deems
         necessary after review of the results of such Phase I audit report,
         including, if reasonably required by Agent, soil and ground water
         tests, each such report and study to be in form and content and issued
         by Persons reasonably acceptable to Agent and (ii) a letter from each
         Person issuing each such report or study entitling Lenders to rely
         thereon.

             Environmental Certificate: an environmental certificate executed by
         Borrower.

             Environmental Compliance Certificate: an Environmental Compliance
         Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT 1.1(C).

             Environmental Laws: any and all federal, state and local laws that
         relate to or impose liability or standards of conduct concerning public
         or occupational health and safety or protection of the environment, as
         now or hereafter in effect and as have been or hereafter may be amended
         or reauthorized, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   18

         Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C.
         ss.9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (42 U.S.C.
         ss.1802 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C.
         ss.6901 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
         ss.1251 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. ss.2601
         et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. ss.7901 et seq.), the National
         Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. ss.4231, et seq.), the Refuse Act
         (33 U.S.C. ss.407, et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C.
         ss.300(f) et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C.
         ss.651 et seq.), and all rules, regulations, codes, ordinances and
         guidance documents promulgated or published thereunder, and the
         provisions of any licenses, permits, orders and decrees issued pursuant
         to any of the foregoing.

             Equity Acquisition: an acquisition by Borrower of all of the
         capital stock or other equity interests of a Person or Persons which
         owns a Central Station Business.

             Equity Interests: all of the issued and outstanding capital stock,
         membership interests, partnership interests and other equity interests,
         and all warrant, options and other rights to acquire the same, of a
         Person.

             ERC: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble to this
         Loan Agreement.

             ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
         amended, any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations
         issued thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

             ERISA Affiliate: any Person who is a member of a group which is
         under common control with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, who
         together with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a
         single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c) and (m) of
         the Code.

             Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements means, for any day as applied to
         a LIBOR Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the rates
         (expressed as a decimal rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of
         reserve requirements in effect on such day (including, without,
         limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under
         any regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
         of the United States or other Governmental Body, or any successor
         thereto, having jurisdiction with respect thereto) prescribed for
         Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
         Liabilities" in Regulation D of such Board) maintained by a member bank
         of the Federal Reserve System.

             Event of Default: any of the Events of Default set forth in Section
         8.1.

            Excess Cash Flow: for any period, (i) the Operating Cash Flow of
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, (ii) plus, the Accounts
         Receivable Decrease, if any, for such period and (iii) minus, the sum
         of the following for such period: (A) Total Debt Service actually paid
         during such period, (B) Capital Expenditures for such period which are
         permitted pursuant to Section 7.6, other than any such Capital
         Expenditures made with the


                                      -9-

<PAGE>   19


         proceeds of Permitted Senior Indebtedness and (C) the Accounts
         Receivable Increase, if any, for such period.

             Excess Interest: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.2.3.

             Existing Loan Agreement: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         the Recitals to this Loan Agreement.

             Existing Principal Balance: has the meaning assigned to that term
         in the Recitals to this Loan Agreement.

             Facility Cash Flow: for any three-month period, the remainder of
         (i) the sum of (A) the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period plus (B) the Acquisition Operating Cash
         Flow Adjustment for such period plus (C) the Facility Cash Flow
         Adjustment for such period, minus (ii) the Operating Cash Flow of
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries derived from the operation of any Central
         Station Business(es) acquired by Borrower during such period or during
         the immediately preceding three-month period

             Facility Cash Flow Adjustment: for any three month period, the sum
         of the amounts set forth on EXHIBIT 1.1(D) for each month in such three
         month period.

             Facility Cash Flow Leverage Ratio: has the meaning assigned to that
         term in Section 7.18.

             FINOVA: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble to
         this Loan Agreement.

             Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: has the meaning assigned to that term
         in Section 7.21.

             Funding Date: the date an Advance is disbursed.

             GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from
         time to time, which shall include but shall not be limited to the
         official interpretations thereof by the Financial Accounting Standards
         Board or any successor thereto.

             Good Funds: United States Dollars available in Federal funds to
         FINOVA at or before 2:00 p.m., Phoenix time, on a Business Day.

             Governmental Body: any foreign, federal, state, municipal or other
         government or any department, commission, board, bureau, agency, public
         authority or instrumentality thereof or any court or arbitrator.

             Guarantor: any of the Guarantors.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   20


             Guarantors: ERC, TSC, ACM, Guardian and each other Subsidiary of
         Borrower.

             Guarantor Security Agreement: a security agreement executed by ERC,
         TSC, ACM and Guardian in favor of Agent to secure Guarantors'
         Obligations.

             Guarantors' Obligations: (i) any and all Indebtedness due or to
         become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of each Guarantor to
         Lenders and/or Agent pursuant to the terms of any Guaranty or any other
         Loan Instrument and (ii) the performance of the covenants of Guarantors
         contained in the Loan Instruments.

             Guaranty: a guaranty of Borrower's Obligations executed by each
         Guarantor.

             Guardian: Guardian Security Systems, Inc., an Ohio corporation.

             Hazardous Materials: any hazardous, toxic, dangerous or other
         waste, substance or material defined as such in, regulated by or for
         purposes of any Environmental Law.

             Hurdle Amount: the monthly estimate of the accrued and unpaid
         interest on the Principal Balance, as determined by Agent.

             Incipient Default: any event or condition which, with the giving of
         notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default.

             Indebtedness: all liabilities, obligations and reserves, contingent
         or otherwise, which, in accordance with GAAP, would be reflected as a
         liability on a balance sheet or would be required to be disclosed in a
         financial statement, including, without duplication: (i) Indebtedness
         for Borrowed Money, (ii) obligations secured by any Lien upon Property,
         (iii) guaranties, letters of credit and other contingent obligations
         and (iv) liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any
         Pension Plan or in respect of withdrawal liabilities incurred under
         ERISA by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate to
         any Multiemployer Plan.

             Indebtedness for Borrowed Money: without duplication, all
         Indebtedness (i) in respect of money borrowed, (ii) evidenced by a
         note, debenture or other like written obligation to pay money
         (including, without limitation, all of Borrower's Obligations and
         Permitted Senior Indebtedness), (iii) in respect of rent or hire of
         Property under Capitalized Leases or for the deferred purchase price of
         Property, (iv) in respect of obligations under conditional sales or
         other title retention agreements and (v) all guaranties of any or all
         of the foregoing.

             Initial Loan Instruments:

                  (i)     Loan Agreement:


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   21


                  (ii)    Notes;

                  (ii)    Guaranty;

                  (iii)   Security Instruments;

                  (iv)    SAFE Subordination Agreement;

                  (v)     Closing Certificate;

                  (vi)    Solvency Certificate;

                  (vii)   Environmental Certificate;

                  (viii)  Uniform Commercial Code financing statements delivered
                          to Agent prior to the Closing and any such statements
                          required by Agent on or after the Closing Date; and

                  (ix)    such other instruments and documents as Agent
                          reasonably may require in connection with the
                          transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement.

             Initial Portion: a portion of the Loan equal to $7,000,000.

             Inspection: has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.2.

             Instruments: collectively, the (i) Loan Instruments, (ii) SAFE Debt
         Instruments, (iii) the SAFE Attrition Guaranty and (iii) SAFE Asset
         Purchase Agreement.

             Interest Hedge Contract: the interest rate cap, hedge or similar
         agreement required to be maintained by Borrower pursuant to subsection
         2.2.5, which shall be issued by a financial institution and be in form
         and substance acceptable to the Required Lenders.

             Interest Period: a period (i) commencing (A) on the applicable
         Funding Date, if Borrower prior thereto has elected pursuant to
         subsection 2.5.1 to have all or a portion the Principal Balance
         disbursed on such date to bear interest from such date at a LIBOR Rate,
         (B) with respect to the conversion of all or a portion of the Base Rate
         Portion to a LIBOR Loan, on the Business Day specified by Borrower in
         the applicable LIBOR Election Notice and (c) with respect to the
         continuation as a LIBOR Loan after the expiration of the Interest
         Period applicable to such existing LIBOR Loan, on the day after the
         last day of the Interest Period applicable to such existing LIBOR Loan,
         and (ii) ending 30, 60 or 90 days thereafter, as selected by Borrower
         in the corresponding LIBOR Election Notice; provided, however:

                                      -12-

<PAGE>   22


                  (1) if any Interest Period otherwise would end on a day that
             is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next
             succeeding Business Day, unless the result of such extension would
             be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in
             which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
             preceding Business Day; and

                  (2) any Interest Period that otherwise would extend beyond the
             Maturity Date shall end on such date.

             Interest Rate Determination Date: the date for determining a LIBOR
         Rate, which date shall be two Business Days prior to the date of
         commencement of the applicable Interest Period.

             Landlord: a lessor under a Lease.

             Landlord Consent and Waiver: a landlord consent and waiver in the
         form of EXHIBIT 1.1(E).

             Leases: any lease of real estate under which Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries is the lessee.

             Leasehold Property: any real estate which is the subject of a
         Lease.

             Lenders: FINOVA, State Street and each Assignee.

             LIBOR Election Notice: a notice by Borrower to the Agent to have
         all or any portion of the Principal Balance bear or continue to bear
         interest determined by reference to a LIBOR Rate, in the form of
         EXHIBIT 1.1(F) attached hereto.

             LIBOR Loan: each portion of the Principal Balance which bears
         interest determined by reference to a LIBOR Rate.

             LIBOR Rate: for each Interest Period a rate of interest equal to
         (i) the rate per annum determined by Agent (rounded up to the nearest
         1/100th of 1%) identified as the lowest London Interbank Offered Rate
         (LIBOR) for the relevant Interest Period appearing on Page 3750 of the
         Telerate Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such
         service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing
         rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of
         such service, as determined by Agent from time to time for purposes of
         providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in
         the London interbank market) at 11:00 a.m. London time on the
         applicable Interest Rate Determination Date divided by (ii) 1.00 minus
         the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements in effect on the applicable
         Interest Rate Determination Date. The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted with
         respect to any LIBOR Loan outstanding on the effective date of any
         change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements as of such effective
         date. Agent shall give prompt

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   23


         notice to Borrower of the LIBOR Rate as determined or adjusted in
         accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent
         manifest error.

             Lien: any mortgage, pledge, assignment, lien, charge, encumbrance
         or security interest of any kind, or the interest of a vendor or lessor
         under any conditional sale agreement, Capitalized Lease or other title
         retention agreement.

             Loan: the term loan made by Lenders to Borrower in the maximum
         aggregate amount of $45,000,000 pursuant to Section 2.1.

             Loan Agreement: this Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement.

             Loan Assignment: the assignment by a Lender of (i) any portion of
         such Lender's interest in Borrower's Obligations and (ii) any of such
         Lender's other rights under any of the Loan Instruments.

             Loan Fees: the fees to be paid by Borrower to Agent in accordance
         with Section 2.6.

             Loan Instruments: collectively, the Initial Loan Instruments and
         the Additional Loan Instruments.

             Loan Year: a period of time from the Closing Date or any
         anniversary of the Closing Date to the immediately succeeding
         anniversary of the Closing Date.

             Lockbox Accounts: the accounts identified in the Lockbox Account
         Agreement which shall be credited for all Cash Instruments deposited in
         the Lockboxes.

             Lockbox Account Agreement: the Restricted Lockbox and Cash
         Collateral Accounts Agreement among Agent, Borrower, Borrower's
         Subsidiaries and Lockbox Bank dated as of December 2, 1997, as amended
         from time to time.

             Lockbox Bank: shall mean American National Bank and Trust Company
         of Chicago or any other financial institution acceptable to Agent and
         Borrower.

             Lockboxes: the lockboxes identified in the Lockbox Account
         Agreement into which all Cash Instruments received by Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries from an Account Debtor shall be deposited.

             Material Adverse Effect: (i) a material adverse effect upon the
         business, operations, Property or financial condition of Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) a material impairment of the ability of
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations under
         any Loan Instrument to which it is a party.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>   24


             Maturity Date: the earlier to occur of (i) December 31, 2004 and
         (ii) the date Borrower's Obligations are accelerated.

             Maximum Rate: has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
         2.2.3.

             MSG: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this
         Loan Agreement.

             Multiemployer Plan: any multiemployer plan as defined pursuant to
         Section 3(37) of ERISA to which Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or
         any ERISA Affiliate makes, or accrues an obligation to make,
         contributions, or has made, or been obligated to make, contributions
         within the preceding six years.

             Non-Utilization Fee: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.6.2.

             Notes: the promissory notes executed by Borrower payable to the
         order of each Lender in the amount of such Lender's Commitment, each
         dated as of the Closing Date, and any notes issued in substitution
         therefor pursuant to subsection 9.1.4.

             Notice of Borrowing: a notice of borrowing/disbursement request
         from Borrower to Lenders in the form of EXHIBIT 1.1(G).

             Operating Cash Flow: for any period, the consolidated net income of
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries or a Central Station Business, as
         applicable, for such period:

                  (i)  plus the sum of the following (without duplication), to
             the extent deducted in determining such net income for such period:

                       (A) losses from sales, exchanges and other dispositions
                  of Property or other extraordinary losses not in the ordinary
                  course of business;

                       (B) interest paid or accrued on Indebtedness, including,
                  without limitation, interest on Capitalized Leases that is
                  imputed in accordance with GAAP and any other Debt;

                       (C) depreciation and amortization of assets;

                       (D) income taxes which are accrued but not paid during
                  such period;

                       (E) casualty losses; and

                       (F) any other non-cash item deducted in determining such
                  net income; and


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   25

                  (ii) minus the sum of the following (without duplication), to
             the extent included in determining net income for such period:

                       (A) gains from sales, transactions, exchanges and other
                  dispositions of Property or other extraordinary gains not in
                  the ordinary course of business;

                       (B) proceeds of any insurance other than business
                  interruption insurance; and

                       (C) any other non-cash item included in determining such
                  net income.

             Operating Cash Flow Leverage Ratio: has the meaning assigned to
         that term in Section 7.19.

             Operating Lease: any lease which, under GAAP, is not required to be
         capitalized.

             Original Borrowers: has the meaning assigned to that term in the
         Recitals to this Loan Agreement.

             Participant: any Person to which a Lender sells or assigns a
         Participation.

             Participation: a sale or an assignment by a Lender of a
         participating interest in (i) any portion of such Lender's interest in
         Borrower's Obligations and (ii) any of such Lender's rights under any
         of the Loan Instruments.

             PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any Governmental
         Body succeeding to the functions thereof.

             Pension Plan: any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer
         Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Part 3 of Title I of ERISA,
         Title IV of ERISA, or Section 412 of the Code and which (i) is
         maintained for employees of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any
         ERISA Affiliate, or (ii) has at any time within the preceding six years
         been maintained for the employees of Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any of their current or former ERISA Affiliates.

             Permitted Liens: any of the following Liens:

                  (i)     the Security Interests;

                  (ii)    the Permitted Senior Indebtedness Liens;

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   26


                  (iii)   Liens for taxes or assessments and similar charges,
                          which either are (A) not delinquent or (B) being
                          contested diligently and in good faith by appropriate
                          proceedings, and as to which Borrower or any of its
                          Subsidiaries has set aside reserves on its books which
                          are satisfactory to the Required Lenders;

                  (iv)    statutory Liens, such as mechanic's, materialman's,
                          warehouseman's, carrier's or other like Liens,
                          incurred in good faith in the ordinary course of
                          business, provided that the underlying obligations
                          relating to such Liens are paid in the ordinary course
                          of business, or are being contested diligently and in
                          good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which
                          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has set aside
                          reserves on its books satisfactory to the Required
                          Lenders, or the payment of which obligations are
                          otherwise secured in a manner reasonably satisfactory
                          to the Required Lenders;

                  (v)     zoning ordinances, easements, licenses, reservations,
                          provisions, covenants, conditions, waivers or
                          restrictions on the use of Property and other title
                          exceptions, in each case, that are reasonably
                          acceptable to the Required Lenders;

                  (vi)    Liens in respect of judgments or awards with respect
                          to which no Event of Default would exist pursuant to
                          subsection 8.1.6;

                  (vii)   Liens to secure payment of insurance premiums (A) to
                          be paid in accordance with applicable laws in the
                          ordinary course of business relating to payment of
                          worker's compensation, or (B) that are required for
                          the participation in any fund in connection with
                          worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age
                          pensions or other social security programs; and

                  (viii)  the SAFE Liens.

             Permitted Prior Liens: any of the following Liens:

                  (i)     the Permitted Senior Indebtedness Liens;

                  (ii)    the Permitted Liens described in clauses (iii) and
                          (iv) of the definition of Permitted Liens that are
                          accorded priority to the Security Interests by law;
                          and

                  (iii)   the Permitted Liens described in clauses (v) and (vii)
                          of the definition of Permitted Liens, subject to the
                          limitations set forth therein.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   27


             Permitted Senior Indebtedness: Indebtedness, other than Borrower's
         Obligations, incurred by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
         purchase tangible personal property or Indebtedness incurred to lease
         tangible personal property pursuant to Capitalized Leases, provided
         that (i) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness of all Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $200,000,
         and (ii) no Event of Default exists at the time or will be caused as a
         result of the incurrence of any Indebtedness described in clause (i).

             Permitted Senior Indebtedness Liens: Liens that secure Permitted
         Senior Indebtedness, provided that (i) each such Lien attaches only to
         the Property purchased or leased with the proceeds of the Permitted
         Senior Indebtedness incurred with respect to such Property and (ii)
         Agent is granted a Lien upon such Property, subject only to the Lien
         granted to the holder of the applicable Permitted Senior Indebtedness.

             Person: any individual, firm, corporation, limited liability
         company, business enterprise, trust, association, joint venture,
         partnership, Governmental Body or other entity, whether acting in an
         individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

             Pledge Agreements: pledge agreements executed by the holders of the
         Pledged Capital Stock pursuant to which Agent is granted a Lien upon
         the Pledged Capital Stock.

             Pledged Capital Stock: all of the Equity Interests of Borrower's
         Subsidiaries.

             Prepayment Premium: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.7.1(a).

             Principal Balance: the unpaid principal balance of the Loan or any
         specified portion thereof outstanding from time to time.

             Property: all types of real, personal or mixed property and all
         types of tangible or intangible property.

             Pro Rata Share: the proportion that a Lender's Commitment bears to
         the total Commitments of all Lenders.

             Qualified Depository: a member bank of the Federal Reserve System
         having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000.

             Reliance: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to
         this Loan Agreement.

             Remainder Funds: has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.9.1(b).

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   28


             Required Lenders: at any time, Lenders who in the aggregate hold
         not less than 66_% of the total Commitments of all Lenders, provided,
         however, so long as FINOVA and State Street are the only Lenders,
         Required Lenders shall mean FINOVA and State Street.

             RMR: as of any date of determination, the total recurring regular
         monthly amounts billable to all customers of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries who are not more than 90 days delinquent in payment of any
         amounts payable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and who have not
         made the equivalent of two months' payments within 90 days of such date
         (regardless of whether such customers are billed monthly or less
         frequently), measured by the amount most recently billed to such
         customers attributable to a one month period.

             SACC: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this
         Loan Agreement.

             SAFE: Security Alarm Financing Enterprises, Inc., a California
         corporation.

             SAFE Asset Purchase Agreement: the Asset Purchase Agreement dated
         as of June 30, 1999 between SAFE and Borrower.

             SAFE Attrition Guaranty: the guaranty made by Borrower in favor of
         SAFE, as more particularly described in Section 3.1 of the SAFE Asset
         Purchase Agreement.

             SAFE Debt: the Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owed by Borrower to
         SAFE pursuant to the SAFE Note.

             SAFE Debt Instruments: the SAFE Note, the SAFE Pledge Agreement and
         all documents, instruments and agreements executed and delivered in
         connection therewith.

             SAFE Liens: the Liens granted by Borrower in favor of SAFE in (i)
         the "Commissions" (as defined in the SAFE Asset Purchase Agreement) and
         (ii) the capital stock, warrants, options and other equity interests of
         TSC and ERC pursuant to the SAFE Debt Instruments.

             SAFE Note: that certain Secured Promissory Note of even date
         herewith executed by Borrower in favor of SAFE in the aggregate
         principal amount of $1,800,000.

             SAFE Pledge Agreement: that certain Pledge Agreement of even date
         herewith executed by Borrower in favor of SAFE to secure the SAFE Debt.

             SAFE Subordination Agreement: the Subordination Agreement dated as
         of June 30, 1999 among SAFE, Borrower, ERC, TSC and Agent.

             Securities Act: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
         similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
         Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, as in effect
         from time to time.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   29


             Security Agreement: a security agreement executed by Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent to secure Borrower's Obligations.

             Security Interests: the Liens in the Collateral granted to Agent
         pursuant to the Security Instruments.

             Security Instruments: collectively, the Assignments of Leases, the
         Assignments of Acquisition Instruments, the Security Agreement, the
         Guarantor Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Lockbox Account
         Agreement, the Assignment of Interest Hedge Contract and each other
         agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted
         to Agent on any Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
         including, without limitation, applicable Additional Loan Instruments,
         to secure Borrower's Obligations or Guarantors' Obligations.

             Senior Debt Service: during any period, all payments of principal,
         interest, premium, fees and other charges with respect to Borrower's
         Obligations, Guarantors' Obligations and Permitted Senior Indebtedness
         which are due and payable during such period, but excluding the Loan
         Fees and any Prepayment Premium.

             Senior Interest Coverage Ratio: has the meaning assigned to that
         term in Section 7.22.

             Small Acquisition: an Acquisition with respect to which (i) the
         gross purchase price payable is less than $2,000,000 and (ii) Agent has
         reviewed and approved any liabilities, whether liquidated or
         contingent, to be assumed or incurred by Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition.

             Solvency Certificate: a solvency certificate executed by Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries.

             Stated Rate: has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
         2.2.3.

             State Street: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble
         to this Loan Agreement.

             Subsidiary: any corporation, general partnership, limited
         partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership
         or other entity with respect to which another Person owns or controls,
         directly or indirectly, such amount of outstanding shares or other
         equity interests of such corporation, general partnership, limited
         partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership
         or other entity as have at the time of any determination hereunder 50%
         or more of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
         their equivalent under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of
         such corporation, general

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   30


         partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited
         liability partnership or other entity).

             Termination Event: (i) a "Reportable Event" described in Section
         4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder; or (ii) the
         withdrawal of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
         from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial
         employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2); or (iii) the termination of
         a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension
         Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination
         under Section 4041 of ERISA; or (iv) the institution of proceedings to
         terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension
         Plan by the PBGC; or (v) any other event or condition which would
         constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination
         of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; or
         (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal of Borrower, any of its
         Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; or (vii)
         the imposition of a lien pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section
         302 of ERISA; or (viii) any event or condition which results in the
         reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections
         4241 or 4245 of ERISA; or (ix) any event or condition which results in
         the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or
         the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer
         Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA.

             TJS Partners: TJS Partners, L.P., a New York limited partnership.

             Total Debt: as of any date, the aggregate principal amount of all
         Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
         such date, including, without limitation, (i) Borrower's Obligations,
         (ii) Guarantors' Obligations, (iii) Permitted Senior Indebtedness, (iv)
         the SAFE Debt, (v) all amounts then due and payable under the SAFE
         Attrition Guaranty and (vi) the dealer holdback debt described on
         EXHIBIT 7.11.

             Total Debt Service: during any period, all payments of principal,
         interest, premium, fees and other charges with respect to all
         Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         permitted hereunder (including, without limitation, all of Borrower's
         Obligations, Guarantors' Obligations, Permitted Senior Indebtedness,
         the SAFE Debt and amounts payable under the SAFE Attrition Guaranty),
         which are due and payable during such period, but excluding the Loan
         Fees and any Prepayment Premium.

             TSC: has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this
         Loan Agreement.

             UL Certification: Underwriters Laboratories approval of a Central
         Station Business.

         I.2 TIME PERIODS. In this Loan Agreement and the other Loan
Instruments, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a
later specified date, (i) the word "from" means "from and including," (ii) the
words "to" and "until" each mean "to, but excluding" and (iii) the words
"through," "end of" and "expiration" each mean "through and including." Unless
otherwise specified, all references in this Loan Agreement and the other Loan
Instruments to (i) a


                                      -21-

<PAGE>   31


"month" shall be deemed to refer to a calendar month, (ii) a "quarter" shall be
deemed to refer to a calendar quarter and (iii) a "year" shall be deemed to
refer to a calendar year.

         I.3 ACCOUNTING TERMS AND DETERMINATIONS. All accounting terms not
specifically defined herein shall be construed, all accounting determinations
hereunder shall be made and all financial statements required to be delivered
pursuant hereto shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the
time of such interpretation, determination or preparation, as applicable. In the
event that any "Accounting Changes" (as hereinafter defined) occur and such
changes result in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants,
standards or terms contained in this Loan Agreement, then Borrower and Lenders
agree to enter into negotiations to amend such provisions of this Loan Agreement
so as to reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the
criteria for evaluating the financial condition of Borrower shall be the same
after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made.
For purposes hereof, "Accounting Changes" shall mean (i) changes in generally
accepted accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule,
regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board
of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor
thereto) or other appropriate authoritative body and (ii) changes in accounting
principles as approved by the Accountants.

         I.4 REFERENCES. All references contained in (i) this Loan Agreement to
"Article," "Section," "subsection," "subparagraph," "clause" or "Exhibit,"
unless otherwise indicated, shall be deemed to refer to an Article, Section,
subsection, subparagraph, clause or Exhibit, as applicable, of this Loan
Agreement, and (ii) any Loan Instrument to any Loan Instrument at any given time
shall be to such Loan Instrument as the same shall have been amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified as of such time.

         I.5 LENDER'S OR AGENT'S DISCRETION. Whenever the terms "satisfactory to
Lenders, the Required Lenders or Agent," "determined by Lenders, the Required
Lenders or Agent," "acceptable to Lenders, the Required Lenders or Agent,"
"Lenders, the Required Lenders or Agent shall elect," "Lenders, the Required
Lenders or Agent shall request," "at the option or election of Lenders, the
Required Lenders or Agent," or similar terms are used in the Loan Instruments,
except as otherwise specifically provided therein, such terms shall mean
satisfactory to, at the election or option of, determined by, acceptable to or
requested by Lenders, the Required Lenders or Agent, as applicable, in their or
its sole and unlimited discretion.

         I.6 BORROWER'S KNOWLEDGE. Any statements, representations or warranties
that are based upon the best knowledge of Borrower or an officer thereof shall
be deemed to have been made after due inquiry by Borrower or an officer thereof
with respect to the matter in question.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   32
         II.1     LOAN.

                  II.1.1 AGGREGATE LOAN AMOUNT. The Loan shall consist of a term
         credit facility made available by Lenders to Borrower in the maximum
         aggregate amount of $45,000,000, comprised of the Initial Portion and
         the Acquisition Portion.

                  II.1.2 INITIAL PORTION. Provided all of the terms and
         conditions set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been satisfied (i)
         the Existing Principal Balance shall be deemed to have been converted
         to the Principal Balance of the Initial Portion, and (ii) each Lender
         severally agrees to disburse its Pro Rata Share of the remaining
         $390,269.65 of the Initial Portion to or as directed by Borrower.

                  II.1.3 ACQUISITION PORTION. Each Lender severally agrees to
         disburse its Pro Rata Share of Advances of the Acquisition Portion to
         or as directed by Borrower from time to time prior to April 1, 2001
         provided all of the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 4.1 and
         4.3 have been satisfied.

                  II.1.4 USE OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of the Initial Portion
         shall be used (i) to pay transaction costs and (ii) for working
         capital. The proceeds of the Acquisition Portion shall be used (i)
         consummate Acquisitions and (ii) to pay transaction costs incurred in
         connection therewith.

                  II.1.5 NOTES.  The Loan shall be evidenced by the Notes.

                  II.1.6 REBORROWING. Borrower shall not be entitled to reborrow
         any portion of the Loan which is repaid or prepaid.

                  II.1.7 FUNDING PROCEDURES. Agent shall give each Lender prompt
         notice by telephone or facsimile transmission of a Notice of Borrowing
         that is received by it. Provided that all of the conditions set forth
         in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 have been satisfied with respect to the Advance
         requested in such Notice of Borrowing, each applicable Lender shall
         make available to Agent, no later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the
         applicable Funding Date set forth in the Notice of Borrowing, for
         deposit into such account as Borrower may direct, its Pro Rata Share of
         such Advance in immediately available funds in Dollars.

                  Unless Agent receives contrary written notice prior to any
         such Advance, it is entitled to assume that each applicable Lender will
         make available its Pro Rata Share of the Advance and in reliance upon
         that assumption, but without any obligation to do so, may advance such
         Pro Rata Share on behalf of the applicable Lender, without the
         necessity of giving daily notice to such Lender of the receipt of a
         Notice of Borrowing. If the applicable amount is not in fact made
         available to Agent by such Lender, Agent shall be entitled to recover
         such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon,
         for each day from such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid
         to Agent, at the Base Rate. If such Lender pays such

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   33
         amount to Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Pro
         Rata Share of the applicable Advance. If such Lender does not pay such
         corresponding amount forthwith upon Agent's demand therefor, Agent
         shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately
         pay such corresponding amount to Agent together with interest thereon,
         for each day from such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid
         to Agent, at the rate payable under this Loan Agreement for the Base
         Rate Portion.

                  Nothing in this subsection 2.1.7 shall be deemed to relieve
         any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or
         to prejudice any rights that Borrower may have against any Lender as a
         result of any default by such Lender hereunder. It is understood and
         agreed that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other
         Lender in that other Lender's obligation to make an Advance requested
         hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any Lender to make the particular
         type of Advance requested be increased or decreased as a result of a
         default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to make
         an Advance requested hereunder.

         II.2     INTEREST.

                  II.2.1 INTEREST RATE. Except as provided in Section 2.8, the
         Base Rate Portion of the Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate in
         effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin and each LIBOR Loan
         shall bear interest at the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable
         Margin. The Applicable Margin for any quarter shall be determined on
         the last day of the preceding quarter (the "DETERMINATION DATE") based
         upon the most recent financial statements delivered to Agent pursuant
         to Section 6.3 which Agent has had at least ten days to review. As used
         herein, the term "APPLICABLE MARGIN," as of any Determination Date
         shall mean with respect to the Base Rate Portion and each LIBOR Loan
         the per annum rate set forth below opposite the ratio of the Principal
         Balance as of such Determination Date to the RMR as of such
         Determination Date:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Principal Balance       Base Rate                LIBOR Loan
                     to RMR                  Portion                  Portion
                     ------                  -------                  -------
                     <S>                     <C>                      <C>
                     greater than               1.50%                    4.25%
                     or equal to 12.0

                     greater than               1.25%                    4.00%
                     or equal to 9.0
                     but less than 12.0

                     less than 9.0              0.75%                    3.50%
</TABLE>
                                      -24-
<PAGE>   34

         The Applicable Margin shall be 0.75% per annum for the Base Rate
         Portion and 3.50% per annum for the LIBOR Loans from the Closing Date
         until the first Determination Date following the Closing Date upon
         which an adjustment to the Applicable Margin is warranted.

                  II.2.2 INTEREST COMPUTATION. Interest shall be computed on the
         basis of a year consisting of 360 days and charged for the actual
         number of days during the period for which interest is being charged.
         In computing interest, the date of funding of an advance of the Loan
         shall be included and the date of payment shall be excluded.

                  II.2.3 MAXIMUM INTEREST. Notwithstanding any provision to the
         contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Instrument, Lenders
         shall not collect a rate of interest on any obligation or liability due
         and owing by Borrower to Lenders in excess of the maximum contract rate
         of interest permitted by applicable law ("EXCESS INTEREST"). Lenders
         and Borrower agrees that the interest laws of the State of Arizona
         govern the relationship among them, but in the event of a final
         adjudication to the contrary, Borrower shall be obligated to pay, nunc
         pro tunc, to Lenders only such interest as then shall be permitted by
         the laws of the state found to govern the contract relationship among
         Lenders and Borrower. If any Excess Interest is provided for or
         determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been provided
         for in this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Instrument, then in such
         event (i) neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be
         obligated to pay such Excess Interest, (ii) any Excess Interest
         collected by Lenders shall be, at Lenders' option, (A) applied to the
         Principal Balance or to accrued and unpaid interest not in excess of
         the maximum rate permitted by applicable law or (B) refunded to the
         payor thereof, (iii) the interest rates provided for herein
         (collectively, the "STATED RATE") shall be automatically reduced to the
         maximum rate allowed from time to time under applicable law (the
         "MAXIMUM RATE") and this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Instruments,
         as applicable, shall be deemed to have been, and shall be, modified to
         reflect such reduction, and (iv) neither Borrower nor any of its
         Subsidiaries shall have any action against Lenders for any damages
         arising out of the payment or collection of such Excess Interest;
         provided, however, that if at any time thereafter the Stated Rate is
         less than the Maximum Rate, Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by
         law, continue to pay interest at the Maximum Rate until such time as
         the total interest received by Lenders is equal to the total interest
         which Lenders would have received had the Stated Rate been (but for the
         operation of this provision) the interest rate payable. Thereafter, the
         interest rate payable shall be the Stated Rate unless and until the
         Stated Rate again exceeds the Maximum Rate, in which event the
         provisions contained in this subsection 2.2.3 shall again apply.

                  II.2.4 INCREASED COSTS. If, after the Closing Date, either (i)
         any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation is
         introduced, including, without limitation, with respect to reserve
         requirements applicable to any Lender (other than reserves included in
         the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements), (ii) any Lender complies with
         any future guideline or request from any central bank or other
         Governmental Body proposed or promulgated after the Closing Date or
         (iii) any Lender determines that the adoption of any applicable law,
         rule

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   35

         or regulation regarding capital adequacy or any change therein, or any
         change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any
         Governmental Body, central bank or comparable agency charged with the
         interpretation or administration thereof announced after the Closing
         Date has or would have the effect described below, or any Lender
         complies with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy
         (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Body,
         central bank or comparable agency announced after the Closing Date and
         in case of any event set forth in this clause (iii), such adoption,
         change or compliance has or would have the direct or indirect effect of
         reducing the rate of return on any of any Lender's capital as a
         consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which
         such Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
         compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's policies with
         respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be
         material, and any of the foregoing events described in clauses (i),
         (ii) or (iii) increases the cost to any Lender of funding or
         maintaining the Commitment or reduces the amount receivable in respect
         thereof by such Lender, then Borrower shall upon demand by such Lender
         at any time within 180 days after the date on which an officer of such
         Lender responsible for overseeing this Loan Agreement knows or has
         reason to know of its right to additional compensation under this
         subsection 2.2.4, pay to such Lender additional amounts sufficient to
         reimburse such Lender against such increase in cost or reduction in
         amount receivable; provided, however, if such Lender fails to deliver
         such demand within such 180 day period, such entity shall only be
         entitled to additional compensation for any such costs incurred from
         and after the date that is 180 days prior to the date Borrower receives
         such demand. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost, and
         setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation thereof, shall be
         submitted to Borrower by such Lender, and shall be conclusive absent
         manifest error. Each Lender will promptly notify Borrower of any event
         of which it has knowledge that would entitle such Lender to additional
         compensation under this subsection 2.2.4. No Lender shall request any
         additional compensation under this subsection 2.2.4 unless it is
         generally making similar requests of other borrowers similarly
         situated, and such Lender agrees to use a reasonable basis for
         calculating amounts allocable hereunder.

         II.2.5   INTEREST HEDGE CONTRACT. Borrower shall enter into an Interest
Hedge Contract reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, to provide
protection to Borrower against fluctuations in interest rates, and deliver to
Agent the Assignment of Interest Hedge Contract, within 30 days after the
earlier to occur of (i) March 31, 2000 and (ii) the delivery to Lenders of the
Basic Financial Statements for 1999.

         II.3     PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.

                  II.3.1 INTEREST. Except as otherwise provided in subsections
         2.7.1(c) and 2.7.2(b), interest on (i) the Base Rate Portion shall be
         payable monthly in arrears on the first Business Day of each month
         beginning with the month following the month in which the Closing Date
         occurs and (ii) each LIBOR Loan shall be payable on the last day of the
         Interest Period applicable thereto.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   36



                  II.3.2 PRINCIPAL. The Principal Balance shall be payable in
         consecutive quarterly installments on the first Business Day of each
         quarter set forth below in an amount equal to the product of (i) the
         percentage set forth below opposite such quarter, multiplied by (ii)
         the outstanding Principal Balance as of April 1, 2001 as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Quarter Beginning                  Percentage
                           <S>                                <C>
                           July, 2001                               2.75%
                           October, 2001                            2.75%
                           January, 2002                            2.75%
                           April, 2002                              3.00%
                           July, 2002                               3.00%
                           October, 2002                            3.00%
                           January, 2003                            3.00%
                           April, 2003                              4.25%
                           July, 2003                               4.25%
                           October, 2003                            4.25%
                           January, 2004                            4.25%
                           April, 2004                              5.75%
                           July, 2004                               5.75%
                           October, 2004                            5.75%
</TABLE>

         The remaining Principal Balance, together with any other sums which
         then are due and payable pursuant to the terms of the Loan Instruments,
         shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

         II.4 LATE CHARGES. If a payment of principal or interest to be made
pursuant to this Loan Agreement becomes past due for a period in excess of five
days, Borrower shall pay on demand to Lenders a late charge of 2% of the amount
of such overdue payment.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   37

         II.5     LIBOR LOANS.

                  II.5.1 ELECTION BY BORROWER. Subject to the provisions of
         subsection 2.5.2 and provided no Event of Default then exists, Borrower
         from time to time may elect to have all or a portion of the Principal
         Balance bear or continue to bear interest at a LIBOR Rate, such
         election to be exercised by delivery of a LIBOR Election Notice to
         Agent c/o Jill Johnston, FINOVA Capital Corporation, 311 South Wacker
         Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Telecopy No. (312) 322-3533, by
         facsimile transmission not less than three Business Days prior to the
         commencement of the applicable Interest Period. Agent promptly
         thereafter shall send a copy of such notice to each Lender. Agent shall
         determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be
         presumptively correct) the LIBOR Rate applicable to the relevant LIBOR
         Loan on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date and promptly
         shall give notice thereof to Borrower. Agent and Lenders shall have the
         right without further confirmation to assume that any LIBOR Election
         Notice executed by James S. Brannen or any senior officer of Borrower
         received by Agent has been given by a person duly authorized to act on
         behalf of Borrower. Upon the expiration of an Interest Period the
         applicable LIBOR Loan shall be converted to and become part of the Base
         Rate Portion unless such LIBOR Loan has been continued as a LIBOR Loan
         in accordance with this subsection 2.5.1. If Borrower delivers a LIBOR
         Election Notice to Agent and thereafter withdraws such election before
         it becomes effective, Borrower shall reimburse Lenders on demand for
         the amount of any loss, cost and/or expense incurred by Lenders as a
         result of Lenders' reliance on such notice, including, without
         limitation, any loss, cost or expense resulting from Lenders'
         contractual obligations in connection with the applicable Dollar
         deposits.

                  II.5.2 LIBOR LIMITATIONS. Each LIBOR Loan shall be in the
         amount of not less than $1,000,000 or in integral multiples of $500,000
         in excess thereof. At no time shall more than three LIBOR Loans be in
         effect.

                  II.5.3 EURODOLLAR DEPOSITS UNAVAILABLE OR INTEREST RATE
         UNASCERTAINABLE. If, prior to the commencement of any Interest Period,
         Lenders determine that Dollar deposits of the relevant amount for the
         relevant Interest Period are not available in the London Interbank
         Market or the rate at which such Dollar deposits are being offered will
         not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of
         maintaining a LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period, or that by reason of
         circumstances affecting such market, adequate and reasonable means do
         not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR Rate applicable to such Interest
         Period, Agent promptly shall give notice of such determination to
         Borrower and Lenders and any LIBOR Election Notice previously given by
         Borrower which has not yet become effective shall be deemed to be
         canceled.

                  II.5.4 TAX AND OTHER LAWS. In the event that by reason of any
         law, regulation or requirement or interpretation thereof by any
         Governmental Body, or the imposition of any requirement of any such
         Governmental Body, whether or not having the force of law, including
         the imposition of any reserve and/or special deposit requirement (other
         than reserves included in the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements), any
         Lender shall be subjected

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   38

         to any tax, levy, impost, charge, fee, duty, deduction or withholding
         of any kind whatsoever (other than any tax imposed upon the total net
         income of such Lender) and if any such measures or any other similar
         measure shall result in an increase in the cost to any Lender of
         maintaining its share of any LIBOR Loan or in a reduction in the
         amount of principal or interest receivable by any Lender in respect
         thereof, then Borrower shall pay to the affected Lender within ten days
         after receipt of a notice from such Lender (which notice shall be
         accompanied by a statement in reasonable detail setting forth the basis
         for the calculation thereof, which calculation, in the absence of
         demonstrable error, shall be conclusive and binding and a copy of such
         notice concurrently therewith shall be delivered to Agent), an amount
         equal to such increased cost or reduced amount. At any time after
         receipt of such notice, Borrower may convert all LIBOR Loans to the
         Base Rate Portion, and such conversion shall be effective three
         Business Days after the Agent has received notice from Borrower of such
         conversion.

                  II.5.5 CHANGES IN LAW RENDERING LIBOR LOANS UNLAWFUL. If at
         any time any law, treaty or regulation, or any interpretation thereof
         by any Governmental Body shall make it unlawful for any Lender to fund
         or maintain its share of any LIBOR Loan with monies obtained in the
         London Interbank Market, such Lender, upon the occurrence of such
         event, shall notify Borrower thereof (and a copy of such notice
         concurrently shall be delivered to Agent) and thereupon (i) the right
         of Borrower to make any LIBOR Election shall be suspended for the
         duration of such illegality and (ii) if required by such law,
         regulation or interpretation, on such date as shall be specified in
         such notice all Interest Periods then in effect with respect to the
         affected Lender shall be terminated, and thereafter all LIBOR Loans
         with respect to the affected Lender shall be deemed converted to the
         Base Rate Portion.

                  II.5.6 INDEMNITY. In addition to any other payments payable by
         Borrower to Lenders pursuant to the Loan Instruments, Borrower shall
         indemnify and reimburse each Lender on demand for any loss or expense
         which such Lender may sustain as a consequence of any prepayment of any
         LIBOR Loan prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable
         thereto and/or any failure by Borrower to (i) make any payment when due
         of any amount payable with respect to any LIBOR Loan or (ii) borrow the
         amount set forth in any LIBOR Election Notice on the date specified
         therefor.

         II.6     LOAN FEES.

                  II.6.1 CLOSING FEE. Borrower shall pay a loan fee to Agent,
         for the pro rata benefit of Lenders, in the amount of $337,500, which
         shall be deemed to be fully earned and payable on the Closing Date.

                  II.6.2 NON-UTILIZATION FEE. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for
         the benefit of Lenders, for each month through March, 2001, a fee in
         the amount of one-half of one percent (.50%) per annum (the
         "NON-UTILIZATION FEE") on the remainder of (i) $38,000,000 minus (ii)
         the aggregate amount of all prior Advances of the Acquisition Portion
         as of the last day

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   39

         of such month. The Non-Utilization Fee shall be payable monthly in
         arrears on the first Business Day of each month.

         II.7     PREPAYMENTS.

                  II.7.1 VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT OF LOAN. Borrower may at any time
         voluntarily prepay the Principal Balance in whole or in part, subject
         to the following conditions:

                           (A PREPAYMENT PREMIUM. Except as provided in
                  subsection 2.7.3, concurrently with any voluntary prepayment
                  of all or any part of the Principal Balance, Borrower shall
                  pay to Lenders a prepayment premium (the "PREPAYMENT PREMIUM")
                  equal to a percentage of the amount of the Principal Balance
                  prepaid, determined in accordance with the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Percentage of Principal
                        Period of Prepayment             Balance Prepaid
                        --------------------             ---------------
                        <S>                              <C>
                        First Loan Year                              2.0%
                        Thereafter                                   0.0%

</TABLE>

                           (B NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT; NUMBER AND AMOUNT OF
                  PREPAYMENTS. Not less than 20 days prior to the date upon
                  which Borrower desires to make any voluntary prepayment of the
                  Principal Balance, Borrower shall deliver to Lenders notice of
                  its intention to prepay, which notice shall state the
                  prepayment date and the amount of the Principal Balance to be
                  prepaid. The amount of any partial prepayment of the Principal
                  Balance shall be not less than $100,000 or integral multiples
                  thereof. A prepayment of the Principal Balance shall not be
                  made more frequently than once a month. If Borrower delivers
                  to Lenders a notice of prepayment and fails to make such
                  prepayment, Borrower shall reimburse Lenders on demand in the
                  amount of any loss, cost and/or expense reasonably incurred by
                  Lenders as a result of Lenders' reliance on such notice,
                  including without limitation, any loss, cost or expense
                  resulting from Lenders' contractual obligations in connection
                  with the reinvestment of the amount indicated in such notice
                  of prepayment.

                           (C ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS. Concurrently with any
                  prepayment of the Principal Balance pursuant to this
                  subsection 2.7.1, Borrower shall pay to Lenders accrued and
                  unpaid interest on the portion of the Principal Balance which
                  is being prepaid to the date on which Lenders are in receipt
                  of Good Funds, and any other sums which are due and payable
                  pursuant to the terms of any of the Loan Instruments.

                           (D APPLICATION OF PARTIAL PREPAYMENTS. Any partial
                  prepayment of the Principal Balance pursuant to this
                  subsection 2.7.1 shall be applied to the installments of the
                  Principal Balance in the inverse order of maturity.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   40

                  II.7.2   MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS OF THE LOAN.

                           (A EXCESS CASH FLOW PAYMENTS. Until the Loan is paid
                  in full, for each year commencing with the year 2000 Borrower
                  shall pay to Lenders not later than the earlier of (x) 30 days
                  after receipt by Lenders of the Basic Financial Statements for
                  such year and (y) 120 days after the end of such year, an
                  amount equal to the lesser of (i) 50% of the Excess Cash Flow
                  for such year and (ii) the amount by which the Cash
                  Equivalents as of the last day of such year exceeds $750,000.

                           (B APPLICATION OF MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. Prepayments
                  received by Lenders pursuant to this subsection 2.7.2 shall be
                  applied in the following order of priority to the payment of:
                  (i) any and all sums which are due and payable pursuant to the
                  terms of the Loan Instruments, except the Principal Balance
                  and accrued interest thereon, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest
                  on the portion of the Principal Balance being prepaid and
                  (iii) the installments of the Principal Balance in the inverse
                  order of maturity.

                  II.7.3   NO PREPAYMENT PREMIUM. No Prepayment Premium shall be
         payable with respect to prepayments pursuant to subsection 2.7.2.

                  II.7.4   INVOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT. Concurrently with any payment
         of the Principal Balance received by Lenders resulting from the
         exercise by Agent and/or Lenders of any remedy available to Agent
         and/or Lenders subsequent to the occurrence of an Event of Default and
         the acceleration of Borrower's Obligations, Borrower shall pay to
         Lenders a Prepayment Premium in an amount equal to the Prepayment
         Premium which would be payable if such payment was made pursuant to
         subsection 2.7.1.

         II.8 DEFAULT RATE PERIOD. During a Default Rate Period, (i) Borrower's
Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate and (ii) all payments
received by Lenders shall be applied in accordance with Section 8.4.

         II.9     METHOD OF PAYMENT.

                  II.9.1   LOCKBOXES AND LOCKBOX ACCOUNTS; PAYMENTS; APPLICATION
                           OF FUNDS.

                           (A MAINTENANCE OF LOCKBOXES AND LOCKBOX ACCOUNTS.
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain at Lockbox Bank
                  the Lockboxes and Lockbox Accounts. The Lockboxes and Lockbox
                  Accounts shall be under the sole dominion and control of Agent
                  and neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have
                  any right of withdrawal therefrom. Promptly after the Closing
                  Date, Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries which has not
                  previously done so shall notify such Person's Account Debtors
                  that all payments shall be made directly to the applicable
                  Lockbox or, if by

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   41

                  wire transfer, to the applicable Lockbox Account. All items
                  deposited in the applicable Lockbox shall be credited to the
                  Lockbox Account.

                           (B HURDLE AMOUNT. On the first Business Day of each
                  month, Agent shall notify Lockbox Bank of the Hurdle Amount
                  for such month. Upon the opening of business on each Business
                  Day of each month, Lockbox Bank shall calculate the amount of
                  collected funds on deposit in the Lockbox Accounts for such
                  month (the "COLLECTED FUNDS"). For each month, beginning with
                  the second Business Day following the Business Day on which
                  the Lockbox Bank has determined that the Collected Funds
                  exceed the Hurdle Amount for such month (the amount of such
                  excess hereinafter is referred to as the "REMAINDER FUNDS"),
                  Lockbox Bank shall remit the Remainder Funds to Borrower and
                  its Subsidiaries until the end of such month.

                           (C MONTHLY PAYMENTS FROM THE LOCKBOX. Beginning with
                  the first Business Day of the month following the month in
                  which the Closing occurs, Lockbox Bank shall remit the Hurdle
                  Amount to Agent in Good Funds prior to 1:00 P.M. Chicago time
                  for application to Borrower's Obligations in the following
                  order of priority: (i) first, to the payment of all Borrower's
                  Obligations then due and payable other than the Principal
                  Balance and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and (ii)
                  second, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest then due
                  and payable on the Principal Balance. If no Event of Default
                  or Incipient Default then exists, the remainder, if any, shall
                  be remitted to Borrower and its Subsidiaries. If an Event of
                  Default exists such remainder may, at the option of Agent, be
                  applied in accordance with Section 8.4.

                           (D CASH INSTRUMENTS RECEIVED BY BORROWER AND ITS
                  SUBSIDIARIES. At the close of each Business Day following the
                  Closing Date, Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
                  transmit, in the form received, all Cash Instruments received
                  by such Person since the close of business on the preceding
                  Business Day to the applicable Lockbox or directly to the
                  Lockbox Bank for deposit in the applicable Lockbox Account.
                  All Cash Instruments received by Borrower and each of its
                  Subsidiaries shall be held in express trust for Lenders until
                  delivery thereof is made to the applicable Lockbox or the
                  Lockbox Bank for deposit in the applicable Lockbox Account and
                  shall not be commingled with any other Property of such
                  Person.

                  II.9.2 OTHER PAYMENTS. All payments other than those specified
         in subsection 2.9.1 to be made pursuant to the Loan Instruments by
         Borrower shall be made by wire transfer of Good Funds to the account of
         Agent at Citibank, N.A., 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York, ABA
         021000089, Credit: FINOVA Capital Corporation, Credit Account No.
         40701338, or to such other account with respect to which FINOVA shall
         have given five Business Days prior written notice to Borrower. Agent
         shall distribute to each Lender which is in compliance with subsection
         2.1.7 its Pro Rata Share of all payments received by Agent from
         Borrower which are payable to such Lender (i) on the Business Day
         received by Agent

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   42


         if received by Agent on or before 1:00 p.m. Eastern time in immediately
         available Federal funds or (ii) on the Business Day immediately
         succeeding the Business Day received by Agent if received by Agent
         after 1:00 p.m. Eastern time in immediately available Federal funds.



                                   ARTICLE III

                                    SECURITY

         Borrower's Obligations and Guarantors' Obligations shall be secured by
a Lien upon all of the Collateral, which at all times shall be superior and
prior to all other Liens, except Permitted Prior Liens.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                     CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND ACQUISITIONS

         IV.1     CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR EACH DISBURSEMENT. The obligation of
Lenders to disburse any portion of the Loan shall be subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of all of the following conditions on or before the applicable Funding
Date in a manner, form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders:

                  IV.1.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. On such Funding Date,
         the representations and warranties of Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries set forth in the Instruments to which such Person is a
         party shall be true and correct in all material respects.

                  IV.1.2 PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT. Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries shall have, in all material respects, performed and
         complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the
         Instruments to be performed by or complied with by such Person prior to
         or on such Funding Date, and no Event of Default or Incipient Default
         then shall exist.

                  IV.1.3 UL CERTIFICATIONS. Agent shall have received (i)
         certified copies of all UL Certifications which are required under
         subsection 6.5.1 and (ii) evidence that such UL Certifications are in
         full force and effect as of the applicable Funding Date and no event
         has occurred which could result in the termination, revocation or
         non-renewal of any such UL Certification.

                  IV.1.4 ALARM LICENSES. Agent shall have received (i) copies of
         the Alarm Licenses which are necessary for the operation of Borrower's
         and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station Business, certified by
         Borrower as correct and complete and (ii) evidence that (A) such Alarm
         Licenses are in full force and effect as of the applicable Funding Date
         and (B) no event has occurred which could result in the termination,
         revocation or non-renewal of any such Alarm License.

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   43


                  IV.1.5 INSURANCE. At least three Business Days prior to the
         applicable Funding Date, Borrower shall have delivered to Agent
         evidence satisfactory to Agent that all insurance coverage required
         pursuant to Section 6.6 is in full force and effect and all premiums
         then due thereon have been paid in full.

                  IV.1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT. At the request of Agent, Agent
         shall have received an Environmental Audit with respect to any real
         estate which is the subject of a Lease.

                  IV.1.7 APPROVAL OF INSTRUMENTS AND SECURITY INTERESTS. Agent
         shall have received evidence that the approval or consent shall have
         been obtained from all Governmental Bodies and all other Persons whose
         approval or consent is required to enable (i) Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries to enter into and perform their respective obligations
         under the Instruments to which each such Person is a party and (ii)
         Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries to grant to Agent the Security
         Interests contemplated in the Instruments to which such Person is a
         party.

                  IV.1.8 SECURITY INTERESTS. All filings of Uniform Commercial
         Code financing statements and all other filings and actions necessary
         to perfect and maintain the Security Interests as first, valid and
         perfected Liens in the Property covered thereby, subject only to
         Permitted Prior Liens, shall have been filed or taken and Agent shall
         have received such UCC, state and federal tax Lien, pending suit,
         judgment and other Lien searches as it deems necessary to confirm the
         foregoing.

                  IV.1.9 USE OF ASSETS. Agent shall be satisfied that Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries at all times shall be entitled to the use and
         quiet enjoyment of all Property necessary for the continued ownership
         and operation of the Central Station Business conducted by Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the use of equipment,
         fixtures, licenses, offices and means of ingress and egress thereto,
         and any easements or rights-of-way necessary to reach any equipment or
         other items necessary for the operation of such Central Station
         Business.

                  IV.1.10 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No event shall have occurred
         which has had or reasonably could be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect since the end of the most recent period for which
         Borrower has delivered to Agent financial statements pursuant to
         Section 6.3.1.

                  IV.1.11 PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS. All corporate, limited
         liability company and other proceedings in connection with the
         transactions contemplated by the Instruments and all documents and
         instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably
         satisfactory to the Required Lenders, and Agent shall have received all
         such counterpart originals or certified or other copies as Agent may
         reasonably request.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   44


                  IV.1.12   BROKER FEES. If the services of a broker or other
         agent have been used in connection with the Loan, all fees owed to such
         broker or agent shall have been paid by Borrower and Agent shall have
         received evidence of such payment.

                  IV.1.13   PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES. Borrower shall have
         paid the Loan Fees and all fees and expenses described in subsection
         11.1.1 incurred in connection with the Loan.

                  IV.1.14   MAXIMUM TIMES RMR. The Adjusted Total Debt as of the
         requested Funding Date shall not exceed 15 times the RMR as of such
         date, including the RMR which is the subject of the proposed
         Acquisition, if any.

         IV.2 CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR INITIAL PORTION. The obligation of Lenders
to disburse the Initial Portion shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of all of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date in a manner,
form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders:

                  IV.2.1   DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The following shall have been
         delivered to Agent, except to the extent previously delivered to Agent,
         each duly authorized and executed, where applicable:

                           (A) the Loan Instruments, other than the Assignment
                  of Interest Hedge Contract;

                           (B) a good standing or similar certificate, dated a
                  recent date prior to the Closing Date, for Borrower and each
                  of its Subsidiaries from the Secretary of State in each state
                  in which such Person organized or is qualified to transact
                  business;

                           (C) copies of (i) the articles of incorporation and
                  all amendments thereto of Borrower and each of its
                  Subsidiaries, together with the Certificate of Designations,
                  Rights, Preferences and Limitations of Series A Convertible
                  Preferred Stock, of Borrower, certified by the Secretary of
                  State of their respective states of incorporation as of a
                  recent date prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) the following,
                  each certified by the President of Borrower or its
                  Subsidiaries: (A) the by-laws of such Person and (C) all
                  agreements among the shareholders of such Person known to
                  Borrower;

                           (D) certified copies of resolutions adopted by the
                  board of directors of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
                  authorizing the execution and delivery of the Instruments to
                  which each such Person is a party;

                           (E) signature and incumbency certificates of each
                  officer of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries executing any
                  of the Loan Instruments on behalf of such Person;

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   45


                           (F) such other instruments, documents, certificates,
                  consents, waivers and opinions as Agent may reasonably
                  request; and

                           (G) an opinion dated the Closing Date from Howard
                  Schickler, general counsel to Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
                  addressed to Agent, as a Lender and as Agent, in such form and
                  covering such matters as Agent may require.

                  IV.2.2 RMR. Agent shall have received evidence that the
         Adjusted Total Debt as of the Closing Date does not exceed the sum of
         15 times the RMR as of the Closing Date.

                  IV.2.3 EVIDENCE OF JUNIOR CAPITAL. Agent shall have received
         evidence that Borrower has received not less than $27,000,000 in
         proceeds of capital contributions or subordinated debt since January 1,
         1996.

                  IV.2.4 CONVERSION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT TO EQUITY INTERESTS.
         Agent shall have received evidence that (i) all conditions to the
         conversion of all Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owed by Borrower to
         TJS Partners and all preferred stock in Borrower owned by TJS Partners
         prior to the Closing Date into Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of
         Borrower have been satisfied, (ii) Stroock and Stroock and Lavan has
         been directed to release from escrow to Borrower the original
         subordinated notes previously issued by Borrower to TJS Partners and
         the original stock certificates for all preferred stock owned by TJS
         Partners in Borrower prior to the Closing Date and (iii) LaSalle
         National Bank, N.A., Borrower's transfer agent, has been directed to
         issue to TJS Partners certificates representing the Series A
         Convertible Preferred Stock of Borrower to be issued to TJS Partners as
         a result of the conversion described in clause (i) above.

         IV.3 CONDITIONS FOR ACQUISITION PORTION. The obligation of Lenders to
disburse Advances of the Acquisition Portion, and the right of Borrower to
consummate Acquisitions, shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all
of the following conditions on or before the Acquisition Closing Date in a
manner, form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders:

                  IV.3.1 INITIAL PORTION. The Initial Portion shall have been
         disbursed.

                  IV.3.2 MAXIMUM FACILITY CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO. Borrower
         shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of Agent that, assuming the
         requested Advance, if any, had been disbursed and the applicable
         Acquisition, if any, had been consummated on the last day of the second
         month prior to the month in which the applicable Acquisition Closing
         Date is to occur, the Facility Cash Flow Leverage Ratio as of such last
         day would not exceed 3.5.

                  IV.3.3 AMOUNT AND FREQUENCY OF ADVANCES. The requested Advance
         shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 or integral multiples of
         $100,000 in excess thereof and no more than two Advances shall be made
         in any month. The amount of the requested Advance, when added to the
         aggregate amount of all prior Advances, shall not exceed the amount of
         the Acquisition Portion then in effect.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   46

                  IV.3.4 INFORMATION REGARDING ACQUISITIONS. Not less than 45
         days prior to the proposed Acquisition Closing Date of the requested
         Advance, Agent shall have received notice from Borrower describing the
         proposed Acquisition and affording Lenders an opportunity to inspect
         the Central Station Business proposed to be acquired. Not later than 15
         days prior to the proposed Acquisition Closing Date of the requested
         Advance, Agent shall have received from Borrower a description of the
         proposed Acquisition accompanied by a description of the operations
         history and relevant market information with respect to the Central
         Station Business proposed to be acquired, a discussion of competition
         and information regarding key personnel with respect to such Central
         Station Business, and such other financial statements, reports,
         projections and information with respect to the operation of such
         Central Station Business as Agent reasonably may require. Not later
         than 5 days prior to the proposed Acquisition Closing Date of the
         requested Advance, Borrower shall provide to Agent drafts of the
         applicable Acquisition Instruments.

                  IV.3.5 CONSENT TO ACQUISITION. If the proceeds of the
         requested Advance are to be used to consummate an Acquisition other
         than a Small Acquisition, or if the aggregate gross purchase prices
         payable in connection with all prior Small Acquisitions is $7,500,000
         or greater, Agent shall have consented to such Acquisition, which
         consent may be given or withheld in Agent's sole discretion.

                  IV.3.6 CONSUMMATION OF ACQUISITION. Prior to or concurrently
         with each Acquisition Closing, Agent shall have received evidence that
         (i) such Acquisition is in accordance with the terms of the applicable
         Acquisition Instruments with such modifications as are reasonably
         satisfactory to the Required Lenders and (ii) (A) Borrower will acquire
         concurrently with the Acquisition Closing, good and marketable title to
         the Property which is the subject to such Acquisition and (B) if the
         subject of such Acquisition is a Subsidiary of Borrower, such
         Subsidiary will on the Acquisition Closing Date own good and marketable
         title to all of its Property, in each case free and clear of all Liens
         and Indebtedness.

                  IV.3.7 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The following shall have been
         delivered to Agent, each duly authorized and executed where applicable:

                         (A)  the Additional Loan Instruments;
                         (B) if such Subsidiary is a corporation, the
                  certificates representing all of the capital stock of such
                  Subsidiary and stock powers for each certificate in form
                  acceptable to Agent;

                         (C) such certificates of incumbency, good-standing
                  and corporate and limited liability company resolutions as
                  Agent may reasonably require in connection with such
                  Acquisition;

                         (D) Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing
                  from Borrower respect to each such Advance no later than 12:00
                  p.m., Chicago time, at least five (5)

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   47

                  Business Days prior to the proposed Acquisition Closing Date
                  with respect to such Advance, which such Acquisition Closing
                  Date shall be on a Business Day;

                           (D) certified or executed original copies of each of
                  the following, the terms and conditions of all of which shall
                  be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders:

                                   (i)      the applicable Acquisition
                                            Instruments; and

                                   (ii)     the Leases assumed or entered into
                                            by Borrower in connection with such
                                            Acquisition; and

                           (E) such other instruments, documents, certificates,
                  consents, waivers and opinions as Agent may reasonably
                  require.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders as follows:

         V.1 EXISTENCE AND POWER. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is a
corporation or limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under
the laws of the state of its organization or incorporation. Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries is in good standing and qualified to transact business in each
jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify could have a Material Adverse
Effect. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have all requisite power and
authority to own its Property and to carry on its business as now conducted and
as proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

         V.2 AUTHORITY. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has full power and
authority to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out the terms of the
Instruments to which it is a party and to incur the obligations provided for
therein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary
action and are not prohibited by the organizational instruments of such Person.

         V.3 CAPITAL STOCK AND RELATED MATTERS.

             V.3.1 CAPITALIZATION. There is set forth in EXHIBIT 5.3.1 a
         complete description of the Equity Interests of Borrower and each of
         its Subsidiaries. All of such Equity Interests are validly issued,
         fully paid and non-assessable, and have been issued and sold in
         compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and
         regulations, including, without limitation, all so-called "Blue-Sky"
         laws, excepting only possible instances of noncompliance which in the
         aggregate are not material. All of the Equity Interests of each
         Subsidiary of Borrower are

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   48

         owned beneficially and of record by Borrower and are free and clear of
         all Liens except the Security Interests and the SAFE Liens.

                  V.3.2 RESTRICTIONS. Except as set forth on EXHIBIT 5.3.2,
         neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a party to, or has
         knowledge of any agreements restricting the transfer of the Equity
         Interests of such Person, except the Loan Instruments and the SAFE Debt
         Instruments, (ii) has issued any rights which can be convertible into
         or exchangeable or exercisable for any of such Person's Equity
         Interests, or any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any
         options for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the
         issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or
         claims of any character relating to, any of such Person's Equity
         Interests or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
         exercisable for any of such Person's Equity Interests and (iii) is
         subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or
         otherwise acquire or retire any of such Person's Equity Interests or
         any convertible rights or options. No Subsidiary of Borrower is
         required to file or has filed, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933
         or Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a
         registration statement relating to any class of debt or equity
         securities.

         V.4      BINDING AGREEMENTS. This Loan Agreement and the other
Instruments, when executed and delivered, will constitute the valid and legally
binding obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent such Person
is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their
respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws now or
hereafter in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally,
and (ii) equitable principles (whether or not any action to enforce such
document is brought at law or in equity).

         V.5      BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OF BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.

                  V.5.1 BUSINESS AND PROPERTY. Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries is the owner of all Property and the holder of all UL
         Certifications, Alarm Licenses and Central Station Contracts necessary
         to conduct such Person's Central Station Business in the places where a
         material portion of such Central Station business is now conducted. All
         of such UL Certifications, Alarm Licenses and Central Station Contracts
         are in full force and effect and no invalidity, default or breach
         exists thereunder which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect or result in the revocation, termination or non-renewal
         of such UL Certifications or Alarm Licenses where such revocation,
         termination or non-renewal could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect. There is set forth in EXHIBIT 5.5.1 a
         description of all UL Certifications and Alarm Licenses which have been
         issued to Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries. Neither Borrower nor
         any of its Subsidiaries engage or propose to engage in any business or
         activity other than the Central Station Business.

                  V.5.2 FACILITY SITES. There is set forth in EXHIBIT 5.5.2 the
         location of the chief executive office of Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries and the locations all central station

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   49

         monitoring operations, offices and other Property used in the
         operation of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
         Business.

                  V.5.3 LEASES. There is set forth in EXHIBIT 5.5.3 a list of
         all leases of real property under which Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries is the lessee, together with a complete and accurate
         address and legal description of each such parcel of Leasehold Property
         and the current Landlord under each Lease. Each Lease is in full force
         and effect, there has been no material default in the performance of
         any of its terms or conditions by any party thereto, and no claims of
         default have been asserted with respect thereto. To the best knowledge
         of Borrower, the present and contemplated use of the Leasehold Property
         is in material compliance with all applicable zoning ordinances and
         regulations and other laws and regulations.

                  V.5.4 REAL ESTATE. Neither Borrower nor any of its
         Subsidiaries owns any real property.

                  V.5.5 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT. To the best
         knowledge of Borrower, no Person owning or operating any equipment
         necessary for the operation of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries'
         Central Station Business has used, operated or maintained the same in a
         manner which now or hereafter could result in the cancellation or
         termination of the right of such Person to use or make use of the same
         or which could result in any material liability of such Person for
         damages in connection therewith. All of the equipment and other
         tangible personal property owned by Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
         the Closing Date is, in all material respects, in good operating
         condition and repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and has to the
         best knowledge of Borrower, been used, operated and maintained in
         substantial compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

         V.6      TITLE TO PROPERTY; LIENS. Upon the Closing Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries shall have (i) good and marketable title to all of its
Property, except (A) any UL Certification which cannot be transferred and (B)
the portion thereof consisting of a leasehold estate and (ii) a valid leasehold
estate in each portion of its Property which consists of a leasehold estate.
Upon the Closing, all of such Property shall be free and clear of all Liens,
except Permitted Liens. Upon the proper filing with the appropriate Governmental
Bodies of appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, the
applicable Loan Instruments will create valid and perfected Liens in the
Property described therein, subject only to Permitted Prior Liens.

         V.7      PROJECTIONS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                  V.7.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower has delivered to Agent
         the consolidated financial statements described in EXHIBIT 5.7.1
         pertaining to Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
         Business. Such financial statements present fairly in all material
         respects the results of operations of Borrower's and each of its
         Subsidiaries' Central Station Business for the periods covered thereby
         and the financial condition of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries'
         Central Station Business as of the dates indicated therein. All of such

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   50

         financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. Since
         June 30, 1999 there has been no change which has had a Material Adverse
         Effect. Borrower also has delivered to Agent pro-forma consolidated and
         consolidating balance sheets as of the Closing Date. Such pro-forma
         balance sheets, which assume the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated by the Loan Instruments, presents fairly in all material
         respects the anticipated financial condition of Borrower and each of
         its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

             V.7.2 PROJECTIONS. Borrower has delivered to Agent the
         projections described in EXHIBIT 5.7.2 of the future operations of
         Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries. Such projections represent the
         best estimates of Borrower as of the Closing Date of Borrower's and
         each of its Subsidiaries' future financial performance.

         V.8 LITIGATION. There is set forth in EXHIBIT 5.8 a description of all
actions and suits, arbitration proceedings and claims pending or, to the best
knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
maintained by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at law or in equity or before
any Governmental Body where the amount claimed exceeds $10,000 or is not covered
by insurance. None of the matters set forth in such EXHIBIT 5.8, if adversely
determined, could have a Material Adverse Effect.

         V.9 DEFAULTS IN OTHER AGREEMENTS; CONSENTS; CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS.
Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any agreement
to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or any of the Property
of such Person is bound, the effect of which default could have a Material
Adverse Effect. No authorization, consent, approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any Governmental Body or any other Person which has
not already been obtained, taken or filed, as applicable, is required (i) for
the due execution, delivery or performance by Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any of the Loan Instruments to which such Person is a party or
(ii) as a condition to the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan
Instruments to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or any of
the transactions contemplated thereby or the priority of the Security Interests,
except for certain filings to establish and perfect the Security Interests. No
provision of any material mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, statute,
rule, regulation, judgment, decree or order binding on Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or affecting the Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
conflicts with, or requires any consent which has not already been obtained
under, or would in any way prevent the execution, delivery or performance of the
terms of any of the Loan Instruments or affect the validity or priority of the
Security Interests. The execution, delivery or performance of the terms of the
Loan Instruments will not constitute a default under, or result in the creation
or imposition of, or obligation to create, any Lien upon the Property of
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any such material
mortgage, indenture, contract or agreement, other than the Loan Instruments.

         V.10 TAXES. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all tax
returns required to be filed, and has paid, or made adequate provision for the
payment of, all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or in any
assessments made against any such Person, and no tax Liens have been filed and
no claims are being asserted in respect of such taxes which are required by GAAP
to

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   51

be reflected in the financial statements of Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries and are not so reflected therein. The charges, accruals and
reserves on the books of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with respect to
all federal, state, local and other taxes are considered by the management of
such Person to be adequate, and there is no unpaid assessment which is or might
be due and payable by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or create a Lien
against Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Property, except such assessments
as are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance
with GAAP. None of the tax returns of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are
under audit.

         V.11 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. Neither Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in default in respect of any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
decree or decision of any Governmental Body, which default would have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise provided herein, Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
statutes and regulations, including, without limitation, all laws, statutes and
regulations relating to UL Certification, all Environmental Laws, ERISA, ADA and
all laws and regulations relating to unfair labor practices, equal employment
opportunity and employee safety, of all Governmental Bodies, a violation of
which could have a Material Adverse Effect. No material condemnation, eminent
domain or expropriation has been commenced or, to the best knowledge of
Borrower, threatened against the Property which Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries will own upon the Closing.

         V.12 PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, FRANCHISES, AGREEMENTS. Upon the Closing,
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will own, possess or have the right to use
all patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, franchises and
rights with respect thereto, necessary for the conduct of such Person's Central
Station Business as proposed to be conducted by such Person after the Closing
Date, without any known conflict with the rights of others and, in each case,
free of any Liens.

         V.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and, to the best of Borrower's
knowledge, no portion of the Leasehold Property has been used as a land fill.
There currently are not any known Hazardous Materials generated, manufactured,
released, stored, buried or deposited over, beneath, in or on (or used in the
construction and/or renovation of) the Leasehold Property in violation of
applicable Environmental Laws which could have a Material Adverse Effect.

         V.14 APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LAWS AND REGULATIONS. Neither Borrower, any
of Borrower's Subsidiaries, nor any Affiliate of any such Persons is:

              V.14.1 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. An "investment company," or a
         company "controlled" by an "investment company," within the meaning of
         the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   52
                  V.14.2 HOLDING COMPANY ACT. A "holding company," or a
         "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a
         "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company,"
         as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
         1935, as amended.

                  V.14.3 FOREIGN OR ENEMY STATUS. (i) An "enemy" or an "ally of
         an enemy" within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy
         Act, (ii) a "national" of a foreign country designated in Executive
         Order No. 8389, as amended, or of any "designated enemy country" as
         defined in Executive Order No. 9095, as amended, of the President of
         the United States of America, in each case within the meaning of such
         Executive Orders, as amended, or of any regulation issued thereunder,
         (iii) a "national of any designated foreign country" within the meaning
         of the Foreign Assets Control Regulations or of the Cuban Assets
         Control Regulations of the United States of America (Code of Federal
         Regulations, Title 31, Chapter V, Part 515, Subpart B, as amended), or
         (iv) an alien or a representative of any alien or foreign government
         within the meaning of Section 310 of Title 47 of the United States
         Code.

                  V.14.4 REGULATIONS AS TO BORROWING. Subject to any statute or
         regulation which regulates the incurrence of any Indebtedness for
         Borrowed Money, including, without limitation, statutes or regulations
         relative to common or interstate carriers or to the sale of
         electricity, gas, steam, water, telephone, telegraph or other public
         utility services.

         V.15     MARGIN REGULATIONS. None of the transactions contemplated by
this Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Instruments, including the use of
the proceeds of the Loan, will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any regulations issued
pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, Regulations G, T, U and X, and
neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries owns or intends to carry or
purchase any "margin security" within the meaning of such Regulation U or G.

         V.16     OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Upon the Closing, neither Borrower nor any
of its Subsidiaries will have any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, except (i)
Borrower's Obligations, (ii) Guarantors' Obligations, (iii) Permitted Senior
Indebtedness permitted to exist as of the Closing Date pursuant to this Loan
Agreement, (iv) the SAFE Debt and (v) the dealer holdback debt described on
EXHIBIT 7.1.

         V.17     NO MISREPRESENTATION. Neither this Loan Agreement nor any
other Loan Instrument, certificate, information or report furnished or to be
furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to Agent or any
Lender in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, contains or will contain a misstatement of material fact, or omits or
will omit to state a material fact required to be stated in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein, taken as a whole, not misleading in the
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made. There is no
fact, other than information known to the public generally, known to or
reasonably foreseen by Borrower after diligent inquiry, that would be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not expressly been disclosed to Agent
in writing.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   53

         V.18     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

                  V.18.1 NO OTHER PLANS. Neither Borrower, any of its
         Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or
         has any obligation under, any Employee Benefit Plan other than those
         identified on EXHIBIT 5.18.1. Borrower has provided Agent accurate and
         complete copies of all Contracts, agreements and documents described on
         EXHIBIT 5.18.1.

                  V.18.2 ERISA AND CODE COMPLIANCE AND LIABILITY. Borrower, each
         of its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate is in compliance with all
         applicable provisions of ERISA with respect to all Employee Benefit
         Plans except where failure to comply would not result in a material
         liability to any such Person and except for any required amendments for
         which the remedial amendment period as defined in Section 401(b) of the
         Code has not yet expired. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended
         to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by
         the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified (except that Agent and
         Lenders acknowledge that as of the Closing Date, Borrower is awaiting a
         letter of determination from the Internal Revenue Service as to the
         qualification of its 401(k) plan), and each trust related to such plan
         has been determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code
         (except that Agent and Lenders acknowledge that as of the Closing Date,
         Borrower is awaiting a letter of determination from the Internal
         Revenue Service as to the exemption of such trust with respect to
         Borrower's 401(k) plan), except for any amendments for which the
         remedial amendment period as defined in Section 401(b) of the Code has
         not yet expired. No material liability has been incurred by Borrower,
         any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliate which remains unsatisfied
         for any taxes or penalties with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or
         any Multiemployer Plan.

                  V.18.3 FUNDING. No Pension Plan has been terminated, nor has
         any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the
         Code) been insured (without regard to any waiver granted under Section
         412 of the Code), nor has any funding waiver from the Internal Revenue
         Service been received or requested with respect to any Pension Plan,
         nor has Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate failed
         to make any contributions or to pay any amounts due and owing as
         required by Section 412 of the Code, Section 302 of ERISA or the terms
         of any Pension Plan prior to the due dates of such contributions under
         Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, nor has there been any
         event requiring any disclosure under Section 4041(c)(3)(C), 4063(a) or
         4068 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

                  V.18.4 PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS AND PAYMENTS. Neither Borrower,
         any of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has: (i) engaged in a
         nonexempt "prohibited transaction" as such term is defined in Section
         406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code; (ii) incurred any liability
         to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of
         premiums and there are no premium payments which are due and unpaid;
         (iii) failed to make a required contribution or payment to a
         Multiemployer Plan; or (iv) failed to make a required installment or
         other required payment under Section 412 of the Code.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   54

                  V.18.5 NO TERMINATION EVENT. No Termination Event has occurred
         or is reasonably expected to occur.

                  V.18.6 ERISA LITIGATION. No material proceeding, claim,
         lawsuit and/or investigation is existing or, to the best knowledge of
         Borrower, threatened concerning or involving any (i) employee welfare
         benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) currently maintained
         or contributed to by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
         Affiliate, (ii) Pension Plan or (iii) Multiemployer Plan.

         V.19     EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

                  V.19.1 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS; GRIEVANCES. (i) None
         of the employees of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to
         any collective bargaining agreement, (ii) no petition for certification
         or union election is pending with respect to the employees of Borrower
         or any of its Subsidiaries and no union or collective bargaining unit
         has sought such certification or recognition with respect to the
         employees of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) there are no
         strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages, unfair labor practice complaints,
         grievances, arbitration proceedings or controversies pending or, to the
         best knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries by Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' employees, other
         than employee grievances or controversies arising in the ordinary
         course of business that could not in the aggregate be expected to have
         a Material Adverse Effect.

                  V.19.2 CLAIMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT. Neither Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries, nor, to Borrower's best knowledge, any partner,
         shareholder or employee of any such Person, is subject to any
         employment agreement or non-competition agreement with any former
         employer or any other Person which agreement would have a Material
         Adverse Effect due to (i) any information which such Person would be
         prohibited from using under the terms of such agreement or (ii) any
         legal considerations relating to unfair competition, trade secrets or
         proprietary information.

         V.20 BURDENSOME OBLIGATIONS. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Instruments, (i) neither Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries (A) will be a party to or be bound by any franchise, agreement,
deed, lease or other instrument, or be subject to any restriction, which is so
unusual or burdensome so as to cause, in the foreseeable future, a Material
Adverse Effect and (B) intends to incur, or believes that it will incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due, and (ii) Borrower and
each of its Subsidiaries (A) owns and will own Property, the fair saleable value
of which is (I) greater than the total amount of its liabilities (including
contingent liabilities) and (II) greater than the amount that will be required
to pay the probable liabilities of its then existing debts as they become
absolute and matured, and (B) has and will have capital that is not unreasonably
small in relation to its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries presently anticipates
that

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   55
future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of federal or state statutes,
orders, rules or regulations will be so burdensome so as to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         V.21 YEAR 2000. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have taken all
action necessary to assure that no Material Adverse Effect shall occur by reason
of the advent of the year 2000, including, without limitation, that all
computer-based systems, embedded microchips and other processing capabilities
effectively recognize and process dates after December 31, 1999.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all of Borrower's Obligations are paid and performed in full
Borrower agrees that it will, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

         VI.1 LEGAL EXISTENCE; GOOD STANDING. Maintain its existence and its
good standing in the jurisdiction of its formation and its qualification in each
jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify would have a Material Adverse
Effect, and in any event in each jurisdiction in which any central monitoring
station owned or operated by such Person is located.

         VI.2 INSPECTION. Permit representatives of Agent and Lenders, upon two
Business Days prior notice if no Event of Default exists, or at any time if any
Event of Default exists, to (i) visit its offices, (ii) examine its books and
records and Accountants' reports relating thereto, (iii) make copies or extracts
therefrom, (iv) discuss its affairs with its employees, (v) examine and inspect
its Property and (vi) meet and discuss its affairs with the Accountants, and
such Accountants, as a condition to their retention by such Person, are hereby
irrevocably authorized by such Person to fully discuss and disclose all such
affairs with Agent and Lenders (the foregoing items (i) through (vi) hereinafter
are referred to collectively as an "INSPECTION"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if no Event of Default exists, Agent shall not (A) conduct an Inspection more
than once a quarter and (B) charge Borrower more than $2,000 on account of such
Inspection. For purposes of this Section 6.2, Agent agrees to comply with the
rules and regulations with respect to UL Certifications.

         VI.3     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION. Maintain a
standard system of accounting in accordance with GAAP and furnish to each
Lender:

                  VI.3.1 MONTHLY STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any
         event within 30 days after the close of each month:

                         (A) the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets
                  of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries as of the end of such
                  month,

                         (B) the consolidated statements of operations and
                  Operating Cash Flow of Borrower, the consolidating statements
                  of each central monitoring station of

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   56

                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the consolidating statements
                  of Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and each of its
                  Subsidiaries for such month and for the period from the
                  beginning of the then current year to the end of such month,
                  setting forth in each case in comparative form the
                  corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the
                  preceding year, and

                         (C) a report providing the following information as
                  of the end of such month: (i) the number of Central Station
                  Contracts monitored by Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries;
                  and (ii) the RMR as of the end of such month,

         all in reasonable detail, containing such information as Lenders
         reasonably may require, and certified by the Chief Financial Officer of
         Borrower as complete and correct, subject to normal year-end
         adjustments.

                  VI.3.2 QUARTERLY AGINGS. As soon as available and in any event
         within 45 days after the close of each quarter of each year, an aging
         of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' outstanding accounts
         payable and accounts receivable as of the end of such quarter, all in
         reasonable detail, containing such information as Lenders reasonably
         may require, and certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower
         as complete and correct, subject to normal year-end adjustments.

                  VI.3.3 ANNUAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any
         event within 120 days after the close of each year:

                         (A) the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower as of
                  the end of such year and the consolidated statements of
                  operations, cash flows, shareholders' equity or members'
                  equity of Borrower for such year (collectively, the "Basic
                  Financial Statements"), the consolidating balance sheet of
                  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries as of the end of such
                  year, the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows
                  and shareholders' equity or members' equity, as applicable, of
                  Borrower for such year and the consolidated and consolidating
                  statements of Operating Cash Flow and Excess Cash Flow of
                  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries for such year, setting
                  forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding
                  figures for the preceding year,

                           (B) an opinion of the Accountants which shall
                  accompany the Basic Financial Statements, which opinion shall
                  be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit, stating
                  that (i) the examination by the Accountants in connection with
                  such Basic Financial Statements has been made in accordance
                  with generally accepted auditing standards, (ii) such Basic
                  Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with
                  GAAP and in a manner consistent with prior periods, and (iii)
                  such Basic Financial Statements fairy present in all material
                  respects the financial position and results of operations of
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   57
                         (C) a letter from the Accountants stating that the
                  statements of Operating Cash Flow and Excess Cash Flow were
                  computed in accordance with the requirements of this Loan
                  Agreement.

                  VI.3.4 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES. The financial statements
         described in subsections 6.3.1, 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 shall be accompanied by
         a Compliance Certificate.

                  VI.3.5 ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATE. Simultaneously with the
         delivery of the certified Basic Financial Statements required by
         subsection 6.3.3, copies of a certificate of the Accountants stating
         that (i) they have checked the computations delivered by Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries in compliance with subsection 6.3.3, and (ii) in
         making the examination necessary for their audit of the Basic Financial
         Statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such year, nothing came
         to their attention of a financial or accounting nature that caused them
         to believe that (A) Borrower and its Subsidiaries were not in
         compliance with the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of any
         of the Loan Instruments, or (B) there shall have occurred any condition
         or event which would constitute an Event of Default, or, if so,
         specifying in such certificate all such instances of non-compliance and
         the nature and status thereof.

                  VI.3.6 AUDIT REPORTS. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of
         each report, other than the reports referred to in subsection 6.3.3,
         including any so-called "Management Letter" or similar report,
         submitted to Borrower and its Subsidiaries by the Accountants in
         connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by the
         Accountants of the books of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  VI.3.7 BUSINESS PLANS. Before the end of each year, a business
         plan for the following year setting forth in reasonable detail the
         projected operations budget of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries'
         business for such year and such other information as Lenders reasonably
         may request, for such following year.

                  VI.3.8 NOTICE OF DEFAULTS; LOSS. Prompt notice if: (i) any
         Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is declared or
         shall become due and payable prior to its declared or stated maturity,
         or called and not paid when due, (ii) an event has occurred that
         enables the holder of any note, or other evidence of such Indebtedness,
         certificate or security evidencing any such Indebtedness of Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries to declare such Indebtedness due and payable
         prior to its stated maturity, (iii) there shall occur and be continuing
         an Incipient Default or Event of Default, accompanied by a statement
         setting forth what action Borrower propose to take in respect thereof,
         or (iv) any event shall occur which has a Material Adverse Effect,
         including the amount or the estimated amount of any loss or
         depreciation or adverse effect.

                  VI.3.9 NOTICE OF SUITS, ADVERSE EVENTS. Prompt notice of: (i)
         any citation, summons, subpoena, order to show cause or other order
         naming Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries a party to any proceeding
         before any Governmental Body which might

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   58

         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and include
         with such notice a copy of such citation, summons, subpoena, order to
         show cause or other order, (ii) any lapse or other termination of any
         UL Certification, Alarm License, license, permit, franchise, agreement
         or other authorization issued to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         by any Governmental Body or any other Person that is material to the
         operation of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
         Business, (iii) any refusal by any Governmental Body or any other
         Person that is material to Borrower or any central monitoring station
         of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to renew or extend any such UL
         Certification, Alarm License, license, permit, franchise, agreement or
         other authorization and (iv) any dispute between Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries and any Governmental Body or any other Person, which
         lapse, termination, refusal or dispute referred to in clauses (ii) and
         (iii) above or in this clause (iv) could reasonably be expected to have
         a Material Adverse Effect.

                  VI.3.10  REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS, MEMBERS, CREDITORS AND
         GOVERNMENTAL BODIES.

                           (A) Promptly upon becoming available, copies of all
                  financial statements, reports, notices and other statements
                  sent or made available generally by Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries to such Person's shareholders or members to the
                  extent the same contain any information not included in any
                  financial statements previously furnished to Lenders pursuant
                  to subsections 6.3.1, 6.3.2 or 6.3.3, of all regular and
                  periodic reports and all registration statements and
                  prospectuses filed by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with
                  any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission or any Governmental Body succeeding to any of its
                  functions, and of all statements generally made available by
                  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries or others concerning
                  material developments in the business of Borrower or any of
                  its Subsidiaries.

                           (B) Promptly upon becoming available, copies of any
                  periodic or special reports filed by Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries with any Governmental Body or Person, if such
                  reports indicate any material change in the business,
                  operations, affairs or condition of such Person, or if copies
                  thereof are requested by Lender, and copies of any material
                  notices and other communications from any Governmental Body or
                  Person which specifically relate to Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries.

                  VI.3.11  ERISA NOTICES AND REQUESTS.

                           (A) With reasonable promptness, and in any event
                  within 25 Business Days after occurrence of any of the
                  following, Borrower will give notice of and/or deliver to
                  Agent copies of: (i) the establishment of any new Pension Plan
                  or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) the commencement of contributions
                  to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan to which Borrower or
                  any of its Subsidiaries or any of its ERISA Affiliates was not
                  previously contributing or any increase in the benefits of any
                  existing Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (iii) each
                  funding waiver request filed with respect to any Pension Plan
                  and all communications received or sent by Borrower or any of
                  its

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   59


                  Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such
                  request; and (iv) the failure of Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliate to make a required installment
                  or payment to a Pension Plan under Section 302 of ERISA or
                  Section 412 of the Code by the due date.

                           (B) Promptly and in any event within 10 Business Days
                  of becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming
                  occurrence of any (i) Termination Event or (ii) non-exempt
                  "prohibited transaction", as such term is defined in Section
                  406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, in connection with
                  any Pension Plan or any trust created thereunder, Borrower
                  will deliver to Agent a notice specifying the nature thereof,
                  what action Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take
                  with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or
                  threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of
                  Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto.

                           (C) With reasonable promptness but in any event
                  within 10 Business Days after the occurrence of, or receipt
                  of, any of the following, Borrower will deliver to Agent
                  copies of: (i) any favorable or unfavorable determination
                  letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the
                  qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a)
                  of the Code; (ii) all notices received by Borrower or any of
                  its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC's intent
                  to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed
                  to administer any Pension Plan; (iii) each Schedule B
                  (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500
                  Series) filed by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
                  ERISA Affiliate with the Internal Revenue Service with respect
                  to each Pension Plan; and (iv) all notices received by
                  Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
                  from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or
                  amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of
                  ERISA. Borrower will notify Agent in writing within two
                  Business Days of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any
                  ERISA Affiliate that has filed a notice of intent to terminate
                  any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the
                  meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA.

                  VI.3.12      OTHER INFORMATION.

                           (A) Immediate notice of any change in the location of
                  any Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which is
                  material to or necessary for the continued operation of such
                  Person's Central Station Business, any change in the name of
                  Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any sale or purchase of
                  Property outside the regular course of business of Borrower or
                  any of its Subsidiaries, and any change in the business or
                  financial affairs of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
                  which change would have a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (B) Promptly upon request therefor, such other
                  information and reports relating to the past, present or
                  future financial condition, operations, plans and

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   60


                  projections of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries as
                  Lenders reasonably may request from time to time.

         VI.4     REPORTS TO GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AND OTHER PERSONS. Timely file
all material reports, applications, documents, instruments and information
required to be filed pursuant to all rules, regulations or requests of any
Governmental Body or other Person having jurisdiction over the operation of
Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station Business, including,
but not limited to, such of the Loan Instruments as are required to be filed
with any such Governmental Body or other Person pursuant to applicable rules and
regulations promulgated by such Governmental Body or other Person.

         VI.5     MAINTENANCE OF UL CERTIFICATIONS, ALARM LICENSES, LICENSES,
FRANCHISES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS.

                  VI.5.1 MAINTENANCE OF UL CERTIFICATIONS AND ALARM LICENSES.
         Maintain in full force and effect at all times, and apply in a timely
         manner for renewal of, all Alarm Licenses required by applicable law
         for the operation of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central
         Station Business, and UL Certifications for each of its central
         monitoring stations (provided, however that any central monitoring
         station which is the subject of an Acquisition need not have a UL
         Certification as of the applicable Acquisition Closing Date if such UL
         Certification is obtained for such central monitoring station within
         180 days after the applicable Acquisition Closing Date), and deliver to
         Agent (i) at least 30 days prior notice of the proposed amendment of
         any of such UL Certifications and Alarm Licenses and (ii) (A) evidence
         of the filing of any application for renewal of such UL Certifications
         and Alarm Licenses not less than the earlier of (x) 60 days prior to
         the expiration of such UL Certifications and Alarm Licenses or (y) the
         last day such application may be filed in accordance with applicable
         law and (B) copies of any petition or other document filed to deny or
         object to any such renewal application promptly after receipt thereof
         by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  VI.5.2 MAINTENANCE OF LICENSES, FRANCHISES AND AGREEMENTS.
         Maintain in full force and effect at all times, and apply in a timely
         manner for renewal of all other licenses, franchises, trademarks,
         tradenames and agreements necessary for the operation of Borrower's and
         each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station Business, the loss of any of
         which would have a Material Adverse Effect, and deliver to Agent (i) at
         least 30 days prior notice of the proposed amendment of any of such
         other licenses, franchises, trademarks, tradenames and agreements and
         (ii) (A) evidence of the filing of any application for renewal of such
         other licenses, franchises, trademarks, tradenames and agreements not
         less than the earlier of (x) 60 days prior to the expiration of such
         licenses, license or franchise or (y) the last day such application may
         be filed in accordance with applicable law and (B) copies of any
         petition or other document filed to deny or object to any such renewal
         application promptly after receipt thereof by Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries.

         VI.6     INSURANCE.

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   61

                  VI.6.1 BUSINESS INSURANCE. Maintain in full force and effect
         at all times Business Insurance as required by the insurance letter
         agreement among Borrower, its Subsidiaries and Agent, a copy of which
         is attached hereto as EXHIBIT 6.6.1, all of which shall be written by
         insurers and in amounts and forms reasonably satisfactory to the
         Required Lenders and otherwise comply with the terms of such insurance
         letter agreement, and deliver to Agent, from time to time as Agent
         reasonably may request, evidence of compliance with this subsection
         6.6.1.

                  VI.6.2 CLAIMS AND PROCEEDS. Borrower hereby directs all
         insurers, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to direct all
         insurers, under all policies of Business Insurance to pay all proceeds
         payable thereunder directly to Agent and Borrower hereby authorizes,
         and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to authorize, Agent to collect
         all such proceeds. Borrower irrevocably appoints, and will cause each
         of its Subsidiaries to appoint, Agent (and all officers, employees or
         agents designated by Agent) as Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries'
         true and lawful attorney and agent in fact for the purpose of and with
         power to make, settle and adjust claims under such policies of
         insurance, endorse the name of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on
         any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds
         of such policies of insurance, and to make all determinations and
         decisions with respect to such policies of insurance. Borrower
         acknowledges that such appointment of Agent as its attorney and agent
         in fact is a power coupled with an interest and therefore is
         irrevocable. Borrower shall promptly notify Agent of any loss, damage,
         destruction or other casualty to the Collateral. The insurance proceeds
         received on account of any loss, damage, destruction or other casualty
         shall, at the option of Lenders, be (i) applied in reduction of
         Borrower's Obligations in the following order of priority: (A) first,
         to the payment of any and all sums which are then due and payable
         pursuant to the terms of the Loan Instruments, other than the Principal
         Balance and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (B) next, to accrued
         and unpaid interest on the Principal Balance and (C) then to the
         Principal Balance in the inverse order of the maturity of the
         installments thereof, or (ii) held by Agent and applied to pay for the
         cost of repair or replacement of the Collateral subject to such loss,
         damage, destruction or other casualty, in which event such proceeds
         shall be made available in the manner and under such conditions as
         Agent reasonably may require. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
         contained in this subsection 6.6.2, if the amount of the proceeds from
         any loss, damage, destruction or other casualty to the Collateral
         reasonably is expected to be less than $100,000 and neither an Event of
         Default nor an Incipient Default then shall exist, Borrower shall have
         the right to make, settle and adjust any claim regarding such proceeds
         and Agent shall collect such proceeds and make such proceeds available
         to Borrower to pay for the repair or replacement of the Collateral
         which was the subject of such loss, damage, destruction or other
         casualty in the manner and under such terms and conditions as Agent
         reasonably may require. In the event the proceeds are to be applied to
         the repair or replacement of Collateral, the Collateral shall be
         repaired or replaced so as to be of at least equal value and
         substantially the same character as prior to such loss, damage,
         destruction or other casualty.

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   62

         VI.7  FUTURE LEASES. Deliver to Agent, concurrently with the execution
by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as lessee, of any lease pertaining to
real property, (i) an executed copy thereof, (ii) at the option of Agent, either
a leasehold mortgage upon or a collateral assignment of such lease in favor of
Agent, in either case in a form reasonably acceptable to Agent, and (iii) a
Landlord Consent and Waiver from the lessor under such lease.

         VI.8  FUTURE ACQUISITIONS OF REAL PROPERTY. Deliver to Agent
concurrently with the (i) execution by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
any contract relating to the purchase by such Person of real property, an
executed copy of such contract and (ii) closing of the purchase of such real
property, (A) a first mortgage or deed of trust in favor of Agent on such real
property, in form and content satisfactory to the Required Lenders, (B) a
lender's policy of title insurance, in such form and amount and containing such
endorsements as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, (C) an
ALTA/ACSM survey of such real property and (D) such other documents and
assurances with respect to such real property as Agent may require.

         VI.9  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

               VI.9.1 COMPLIANCE. At all times comply with, and be responsible
         for, its obligations under all Environmental Laws applicable to the
         Leasehold Property, any parcel of real estate acquired in connection
         with an Acquisition and any other Property owned by Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries or used by such Person in the operation of its
         business. At its sole cost and expense, Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries shall (i) comply in all respects with (A) any notice of
         any violation or administrative or judicial complaint or order having
         been filed against such Person, any portion of the Leasehold Property,
         any parcel of real estate acquired in connection with an Acquisition or
         any other Property owned by such Person or used by such Person in the
         operation of its business alleging violations of any law, ordinance
         and/or regulation requiring such Person to take any action in
         connection with the release, transportation and/or clean-up of any
         Hazardous Materials, and (B) any notice from any Governmental Body or
         any other Person alleging that such Person is or may be liable for
         costs associated with a response or clean-up of any Hazardous Materials
         or any damages resulting from such release or transportation, or (ii)
         diligently contest in good faith by appropriate proceedings any demands
         set forth in such notices, provided (A) reserves in an amount
         satisfactory to the Required Lenders to pay the costs associated with
         complying with any such notice are established by such Person and (B)
         no Lien would or will attach to the Property which is the subject of
         any such notice as a result of any compliance by such Person which is
         delayed during any such contest. Promptly upon receipt of any notice
         described in the foregoing clause (i), Borrower shall deliver to Agent
         a copy thereof.

               VI.9.2 CERTIFICATION. Deliver to Agent, not later than January 1
         of each year, an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

         VI.10 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Comply with all laws, statutes and
regulations relating to UL Certification and all other federal, state and local
laws, ordinances, requirements and regulations and all judgments, orders,
injunctions and decrees applicable to Borrower and each of its


                                      -53-
<PAGE>   63

Subsidiaries and its operations, the failure to comply with which would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         VI.11 TAXES AND CLAIMS. Pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or
upon any Property belonging to it, prior to the date on which penalties attach
thereto, and all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might become a Lien (other than
a Permitted Lien) upon the Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
provided that so long as no Lien has attached to the Property of Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries as a result of any of the foregoing, neither Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries shall be required by this Section 6.11 to pay any such
amount if the same is being contested diligently and in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and as to which such Person has set aside reserves on
its books satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

         VI.12 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Maintain all of its Property necessary
in the operation of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
Business in good working order and condition.

         VI.13 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. Upon the exercise by Agent and/or Lenders
of any power, right or privilege pursuant to the provisions of any of the Loan
Instruments requiring any consent, approval or authorization of any Governmental
Body (including, without limitation, transfers of UL Certifications), promptly
execute and cause the execution of all applications, certificates, instruments
and other documents that Agent and/or Lenders may reasonably be required to
obtain for such consent, approval or authorization.

         VI.14 YEAR 2000. Take all action necessary to assure that no Material
Adverse Effect shall occur by reason of the advent of the year 2000, including,
without limitation, that all computer-based systems, embedded microchips and
other processing capabilities effectively recognize and process dates after
December 31, 1999, and provide, at Agent's request, assurance reasonable
acceptable to Lenders that Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries'
computer-based systems, embedded microchips and other processing capabilities
are year 2000 compatible.

         VI.15 DISSOLUTION OR MERGER OF CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES. Dissolve and
wind-up the affairs of, or cause to be merged with and into Borrower, Guardian,
ACM, TSC and ERC on or before the earlier to occur of (i) September 30, 2000 or
(ii) 60 days after the SAFE Debt is paid in full.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all of Borrower's Obligations are paid and performed in full,
without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

         VII.1 BORROWING. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liability
for Indebtedness for Borrowed Money except (i) Borrower's Obligations, (ii)
Guarantors' Obligations, (iii) Permitted

                                      -54-
<PAGE>   64

Senior Indebtedness, (iv) the SAFE Debt, (v) amounts payable under the SAFE
Attrition Guaranty and (vi) the dealer holdback debt described on EXHIBIT 7.1.

         VII.2 LIENS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any
of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted
Liens.

         VII.3 MERGER AND ACQUISITION. Consolidate with or merge with or into
any Person, or acquire directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the
capital stock, equity interests, membership interests or Property of any Person,
or otherwise enter into any agreement for, or consummate any Acquisition, except
that (i) Borrower may enter into agreements for, and may consummate,
Acquisitions financed with the proceeds of an Advance and (ii) any Subsidiary of
Borrower may merge with and into Borrower.

         VII.4 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. Assume, guarantee, endorse, contingently
agree to purchase, become liable in respect of any letter of credit, or
otherwise become liable upon the obligation of any Person, except (i)
liabilities arising from the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit
or collection, (ii) the posting of bonds to secure performance to the extent
necessary in connection with Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Central
Station Business and similar transactions in the ordinary course of business,
(iii) guaranties by Borrower of the obligations of any of its Subsidiaries under
any Lease, (iv) Guarantors' Obligations and (v) the SAFE Attrition Guaranty.

         VII.5 DISTRIBUTIONS. Pay any dividends or make any distributions with
respect to, or purchase or redeem all or any portion of its Equity Interests,
except that any of Borrower's Subsidiaries may pay dividends or make
distributions to Borrower.

         VII.6 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Make or incur any Capital Expenditures in
any year set forth in EXHIBIT 7.6 if the aggregate amount of all Capital
Expenditures made by Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with respect to such
year would exceed the amount set forth opposite such year.

         VII.7 PAYMENTS OF INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY. Make any (i)
voluntary or optional prepayment of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money other
than Borrower's Obligations, or (ii) any payments with respect to the SAFE Debt,
except as permitted pursuant to the SAFE Subordination Agreement.

         VII.8 OBLIGATIONS AS LESSEE UNDER OPERATING LEASES. Enter into any
arrangement as lessee of Property under any Operating Lease if the aggregate
rentals for by Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries for all such Operating
Leases during any year would exceed $750,000.

         VII.9 INVESTMENTS, LOANS. At any time purchase or otherwise acquire,
hold or invest in the capital stock of, or any other interest in, any Person, or
make any loan or advance to, or enter into any arrangement for the purpose of
providing funds or credit to, or make any other investment, whether by way of
capital contribution or otherwise, in or with any Person, including, without
limitation, any Affiliate, except (i) investments in direct obligations of, or
instruments unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America or in
certificates of deposit issued by





                                      -55-
<PAGE>   65

a Qualified Depository, (ii) investments in commercial or finance paper which,
at the time of investment, is rated either "A" or better by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., or Standard & Poor's Corporation, respectively, or at the
equivalent rate by any of their respective successors, (iii) any interests in
any money market account maintained, at the time of investment, with a Qualified
Depository, the investments of which, at the time of investment, are restricted
to the types specified in clause (i) above, (iv) the formation and
capitalization by Borrower of any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any
Acquisition permitted hereunder and (v) investments by Borrower in ERC, TSC, ACM
and Guardian. All investments permitted pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
of this Section 7.9 shall have a maturity not exceeding one year.

         VII.10 FUNDAMENTAL BUSINESS CHANGES. Materially change the nature of
its business or engage in any business other than the Central Station Business
or permit ACM or Guardian to incur any Indebtedness or own any material
Property.

         VII.11 FACILITY SITES. Change the locations of its chief executive
office, Central Station Businesses, offices or other Property used in the
operation of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries's Central Station Business
unless (i) Agent shall have received at least 30 days' prior notice thereof,
(ii) such Person shall have complied with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations and shall have received all required consents and approvals from any
Governmental Body, (iii) Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that
such change could not reasonably be expected to affect adversely the operations
or business prospects of such Person and (iv) such Person shall have executed
and delivered to Agent any documents Agent may reasonably require in order to
maintain the validity and priority of the Security Interests.

         VII.12 SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Sell, lease, assign or transfer or
otherwise dispose of any Property (other than in the ordinary course of
business) except for the sale or disposition of (i) Property which is not
material to or necessary for the continued operation of its business and (ii)
obsolete or unusable items of equipment which promptly are replaced with new
items of equipment of like function and comparable value to the unusable items
of equipment when the same were new or not obsolete or unusable, provided such
replacement items of equipment shall become subject to the Security Interests.

         VII.13 AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS. Amend, modify or waive any term
or provision of the (i) the articles of incorporation, by-laws or other
constitutive documents of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) the SAFE
Debt Instruments, (iii) the SAFE Attrition Guaranty or (iv) the SAFE Asset
Purchase Agreement.

         VII.14 ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES. Acquire any additional
Property except (i) such Property as is necessary to or useful in the operation
of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Central Station Business, provided
such acquisitions shall be subject to the conditions and limitations set forth
in this Loan Agreement and (ii) Acquisitions permitted under Section 7.3.

         VII.15 ISSUANCE OF EQUITY INTERESTS. Issue or sell, permit to be issued
or sold, any additional Equity


                                      -56-
<PAGE>   66


Interests or any interests convertible into or exercisable for any such
additional Equity Interests, other than (i) Equity Interests issued by any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries to Borrower, (ii) common stock of Borrower issued upon
conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Borrower and (iii) other
Equity Interests issued or sold by Borrower, provided the terms under which such
Equity Interests are issued or sold do not and could not provide for any
mandatory payments or dividends on such Equity Interests, mandatory
distributions with respect to such Equity Interests or mandatory redemptions of
such Equity Interests prior to the Maturity Date.

         VII.16 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Sell, lease, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any Property to any Affiliate of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), lease Property,
render or receive services or purchase assets from any such Affiliate, or
otherwise enter into any contractual relationship with any such Affiliate.

         VII.17   COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA.

                  (a) Permit the occurrence of any Termination Event which would
         result in a liability to Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA
         Affiliate in excess of $50,000;

                  (b) Permit the present value of all benefit liabilities under
         all Pension Plans to exceed the current value of the assets of such
         Pension Plans allocable to such benefit liabilities by more than
         $50,000;

                  (c) Permit any accumulated funding deficiency in excess of
         $50,000 (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
         Code) with respect to any Pension Plan, whether or not waived;

                  (d) Fail to make any contribution or payment to any
         Multiemployer Plan which Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA
         Affiliate may be required to make under any agreement relating to such
         Multiemployer Plan, or any law pertaining thereto which results in or
         is likely to result in a liability in excess of $50,000;

                  (e) Engage, or permit Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or
         ERISA Affiliate to engage, in any "prohibited transaction" as such term
         is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for
         which a civil penalty pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax
         pursuant to Section 4975 Of the Code in excess of $50,000 is imposed;

                  (f) Permit the establishment of any Employee Benefit Plan
         providing post-retirement welfare benefits or establish or amend any
         Employee Benefit Plan which establishment or amendment could result in
         liability to Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliate or
         increase the obligation of such Person to a Multiemployer Plan which
         liability or increase, individually or together with all similar
         liabilities and increases, is material to such Person; or

                  (g) Fail, or permit Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA
         Affiliate to fail, to establish, maintain and operate each Employee
         Benefit Plan in compliance in all material



                                      -57-
<PAGE>   67



         respects with ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and
         regulations and interpretations thereof.

         VII.18 FACILITY CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Facility Cash Flow
Leverage Ratio as of any date set forth on EXHIBIT 7.18 to be greater than the
amount set forth opposite such date in EXHIBIT 7.18. As used herein, the term
"FACILITY CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO" as of any date shall mean the ratio of (i)
Total Debt as of such date to (ii) the product of (A) the Facility Cash Flow for
the three month period then ending multiplied by (B) 4.

         VII.19 OPERATING CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Operating Cash
Flow Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any quarter set forth in EXHIBIT 7.19
to be greater than the amount set forth opposite such last day in EXHIBIT 7.19.
As used herein, the term "OPERATING CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO" as of the last day
of any quarter shall mean the ratio of (i) Total Debt as of such last day to
(ii) for the quarter ending (A) December 31, 2001, the product of the Operating
Cash Flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such quarter multiplied by 4, (B)
March 31, 2002, the product of the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the six months then ended multiplied by 2, (C) June 30, 2002,
the product of the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
nine months then ended multiplied by 1.33 and (D) September 30, 2002 and the
last day of each quarter thereafter, the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the twelve months then ended.

         VII.20 RATIO OF TOTAL DEBT TO RMR. Permit the ratio of Total Debt as of
the last day of any quarter set forth in EXHIBIT 7.20 to RMR as of such last day
to be greater than the amount set forth opposite such quarter in EXHIBIT 7.20.

         VII.21 FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio as of the last day of any quarter to be less than 1.05. As used herein,
the term:

                "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" as of the last day of any
         quarter shall mean a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the sum of
         (A) the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
         Test Period then ended plus (B) income taxes of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries which are paid during such Test Period and (ii) the
         denominator of which is the sum of (A) Senior Debt Service for such
         Test Period plus (B) Capital Expenditures for such Test Period (other
         than any such Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of Permitted
         Senior Indebtedness) plus (C) income taxes of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries which are paid during such Test Period.

                "TEST PERIOD" shall mean (i) the quarter ending December 31,
         1999, (ii) the six month period ending March 31, 2000, (iii) the nine
         month period ending June 30, 2000 and (iv) the twelve month period
         ending September 30, 2000 and the last day of each quarter thereafter.

         VII.22 SENIOR INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Senior Interest
Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any quarter set forth in EXHIBIT 7.22 to be
less than the amount set forth opposite such






                                      -58-
<PAGE>   68

quarter in EXHIBIT 7.22. As used herein, the term "SENIOR INTEREST COVERAGE
RATIO" as of the last day of any quarter shall mean a fraction (i) the numerator
of which is the Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
quarter and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of all
interest paid or accrued on the Principal Balance for such quarter.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         VIII.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following shall
constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Instruments:

                VIII.1.1 DEFAULT IN PAYMENT. If Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries shall fail to pay all or any portion of Borrower's
         Obligations when the same become due and payable.

                VIII.1.2 BREACH OF COVENANTS.

                     (a) If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
                observe or perform any covenant or agreement made by it
                contained in Section 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.9, or in Article VII;

                     (b) If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
                observe or perform any covenant or agreement (other than those
                referred to in subparagraph (a) above or specifically addressed
                elsewhere in this Section 8.1) made by such Person in any of the
                Loan Instruments to which such Person is a party, and such
                failure shall continue for a period of 30 days after notice of
                such failure is given by Agent, provided that, if such failure
                is in connection with subsection 6.5, such Person shall have an
                additional 30 days to cure such failure, if such Person (i) is
                diligently pursuing a cure for such failure and (ii) provides
                Agent with evidence to that effect in form and substance
                reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

                VIII.1.3 BREACH OF WARRANTY. If any representation or warranty
         made by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or
         pursuant to any of the Loan Instruments or in any instrument or
         document furnished in compliance with the Loan Instruments shall prove
         to be false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of
         which made.

                VIII.1.4 DEFAULT UNDER OTHER INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY. If
         (i) Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at any time shall be in default
         (as principal or guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any
         principal of or premium or interest on any Indebtedness for Borrowed
         Money (other than Borrower's Obligations) beyond the grace period, if
         any, applicable thereto and the aggregate amount of such payments then
         in default beyond such grace period shall exceed $25,000 or (ii) any
         default shall occur in respect of any issue of Indebtedness for
         Borrowed Money of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
         Borrower's Obligations) outstanding in a principal amount of at least
         $50,000, or in



                                      -59-
<PAGE>   69

         respect of any agreement or instrument relating to any such issue of
         Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, and such default shall continue beyond
         the grace period, if any, applicable thereto.

                VIII.1.5 BANKRUPTCY.

                     (a) If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i)
                generally not be paying its debts as they become due, (ii) file,
                or consent, by answer or otherwise, to the filing against it of
                a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any
                other petition in bankruptcy or insolvency under the laws of any
                jurisdiction, (iii) make an assignment for the benefit of
                creditors, (iv) consent to the appointment of a custodian,
                receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers for such
                Person, or for any substantial part of the Property of such
                Person or (v) be adjudicated insolvent.

                     (b) If any Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction
                shall enter an order appointing, without consent of such Person,
                a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar
                powers with respect to such Person, or with respect to any
                substantial part of the Property belonging to any such Person,
                or if an order for relief shall be entered in any case or
                proceeding for liquidation or reorganization or otherwise to
                take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any
                jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or
                liquidation of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or if any
                petition for any such relief shall be filed against Borrower or
                any of its Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed
                or stayed within 60 days.

                VIII.1.6 JUDGMENTS. If there shall exist a final judgment or
         award against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which shall have been
         outstanding for a period of 30 days or more from the date of the entry
         thereof and shall not have been discharged or paid in full or stayed
         pending appeal, if the aggregate amount of all such judgments and
         awards exceeds $50,000.

                VIII.1.7 IMPAIRMENT OF LICENSES; OTHER AGREEMENTS. If (i) any
         Governmental Body shall revoke, terminate, suspend or adversely modify
         any UL Certification or Alarm License of Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, the non-continuation of which could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) there shall exist
         any violation or default in the performance of, or a material failure
         to comply with any agreement, or condition or term of any UL
         Certification or Alarm License, which violation, default or failure
         could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or any
         such UL Certification or Alarm Licenses shall cease to be in full force
         and effect and such cessation could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect, (iii) any agreement which is necessary to the
         operation of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries's Central Station
         Business shall be revoked or terminated and not replaced by a
         substitute acceptable to Lenders within 30 days after the date of such
         revocation or termination, and


                                      -60-
<PAGE>   70

         such revocation or termination and non-replacement could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                VIII.1.8 COLLATERAL. If any material portion of the Collateral
         shall be seized or taken by a Governmental Body or Person, or Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries shall fail to maintain or cause to be maintained
         the Security Interests and priority of the Loan Instruments as against
         any Person, or the title and rights of Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries to any material portion of the Collateral shall have
         become the subject matter of litigation which could reasonably be
         expected to result in impairment or loss of the security provided by
         the Loan Instruments.

                VIII.1.9 INTERRUPTION OF OPERATIONS. If the operations of any
         portion of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
         Business is interrupted at any time for more than 48 hours during any
         period of 10 consecutive days and such interruption could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, unless such Person shall be
         entitled to receive during such period of interruption proceeds of
         business interruption insurance sufficient to assure that the per diem
         Operating Cash Flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries derived from the
         operation of such portion of such Person's Central Station Business
         during such period is at least equal to such per diem Operating Cash
         Flow for the month preceding the initial date of interruption.

                VIII.1.10 PLANS. If an event or condition specified in
         subsection 6.3.11 hereof shall occur or exist with respect to any
         Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan and, as a result of such event or
         condition, together with all other such events or conditions, Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries or any member of a Controlled Group shall incur,
         or in the opinion of Lender be reasonably likely to incur, a liability
         to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC (or any of them)
         which, in the reasonable judgment of Lender, would have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                VIII.1.11 CHANGE IN CONTROL. If at any time (i) TJS Partners
         ceases to own at least 25% of the Equity Interests of Borrower, (ii)
         Thomas J. Salvatore or an entity controlled by Thomas J. Salvatore,
         ceases to be a general partner of and hold, directly or indirectly, a
         controlling general partnership interest in TJS Partners or (iii)
         Borrower ceases to own and control all of the Equity Interests of each
         of its Subsidiaries.

                VIII.1.12 CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT. If at any time (i) James S.
         Brannen, or any successor to him reasonably acceptable to the Required
         Lenders, ceases to be the President and Chief Executive Officer of
         Borrower, (ii) Ronald Carr, or any successor to him reasonably
         acceptable to the Required Lenders, ceases to manage the day-to-day
         operation of Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Central Station
         Business or (iii) Ronald Davis, or any successor to him reasonably
         acceptable to the Required Lenders, ceases to be the Chairman of
         Borrower.

         VIII.2 ACCELERATION OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS.  Upon the occurrence of:



                                      -61-
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                (A) any Event of Default described in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv)
         and (v) of subsection 8.1.5(a) or in 8.1.5(b), all of Borrower's
         Obligations at that time outstanding automatically shall mature and
         become due, and

                (B) any other Event of Default, Lenders, at any time (unless
         such Event of Default shall have been waived in writing or remedied),
         at their option, without further notice or demand, may declare all of
         Borrower's Obligations due and payable, whereupon Borrower's
         Obligations immediately shall mature and become due and payable,

all without presentment, demand, protest or notice (other than the declaration
referred to in clause (b) above), all of which hereby are waived.

         VIII.3 REMEDIES ON DEFAULT. If Borrower's Obligations have been
accelerated pursuant to Section 8.2, Lenders, at their option, may:


                VIII.3.1 ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Enforce their rights
         and remedies under the Loan Instruments in accordance with their
         respective terms.

                VIII.3.2 OTHER REMEDIES. Enforce any of the rights or remedies
         accorded to Lenders and/or Agent at equity or law, by virtue of statute
         or otherwise, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i)
         take possession of all or any part of the Collateral, exclude Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries wholly or partly therefrom and thereafter hold,
         store and/or use, operate, manage and control the Collateral, (ii) upon
         such taking of possession, from time to time, at the expense of
         Borrower, make all such repairs, replacements, alterations, additions
         and improvements to and of the Collateral as Lenders may deem proper,
         (iii) carry on the Central Station Businesses of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries and exercise all rights and powers of Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries with respect thereto as Lenders shall deem best, including
         the right to enter into agreements with respect to the operation of the
         Collateral or any part thereof as Lenders may see fit, (iv) collect and
         receive all rents, issues, profits, fees, revenues and other income of
         the Collateral and every part thereof (and the reasonable costs and
         expenses of such collection, including, without limitation, reasonable
         attorneys' fees, shall be paid by Borrower to Agent upon demand and
         shall be deemed to be a part of Borrower's Obligations) and (v) apply
         for and have a receiver appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction
         as provided in the following sentence. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY
         OF THE FOREGOING AND WITHOUT DEROGATING FROM ANY RIGHT, REMEDY OR OTHER
         PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS LOAN AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
         INSTRUMENTS, AT ANY TIME FROM AND AFTER 30 DAYS AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF
         AN EVENT OF DEFAULT UNDER SUBSECTION 8.1.1 AND THE ACCELERATION OF
         BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 8.2, LENDERS AND/OR AGENT
         SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR AND HAVE A RECEIVER APPOINTED BY A
         COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION TAKEN BY AGENT AND/OR
         LENDERS TO ENFORCE THE RIGHTS ACCORDED TO THEM HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER
         IN ORDER TO MANAGE, PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE COLLATERAL AND CONTINUE
         THE OPERATION OF THE CENTRAL STATION BUSINESS OF BORROWER AND ITS
         SUBSIDIARIES, OR TO SELL OR DISPOSE OF THE COLLATERAL, AND TO COLLECT
         ALL REVENUES AND PROFITS THEREOF AND APPLY THE SAME AS SET



                                      -62-
<PAGE>   72


         FORTH IN SECTION 8.4. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
         BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT
         TO OR OTHERWISE CONTEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER AS PROVIDED
         ABOVE. BORROWER (I) GRANTS SUCH WAIVER AND CONSENT KNOWINGLY AFTER
         HAVING DISCUSSED THE IMPLICATIONS THEREOF WITH COUNSEL, (II)
         ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) THE UNCONTESTED RIGHT TO HAVE A RECEIVER
         APPOINTED FOR THE FOREGOING PURPOSES IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL BY LENDERS
         IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
         HEREUNDER AND UNDER THE OTHER LOAN INSTRUMENTS AND (B) THE AVAILABILITY
         OF SUCH APPOINTMENT AS A REMEDY UNDER THE FOREGOING CIRCUMSTANCES WAS A
         MATERIAL FACTOR IN INDUCING LENDERS TO MAKE THE LOAN TO BORROWER AND
         (III) TO THE EXTENT NO PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AGREES TO ENTER
         INTO ANY AND ALL STIPULATIONS IN ANY LEGAL ACTIONS, OR AGREEMENTS OR
         OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING, AND TO COOPERATE
         FULLY WITH AGENT AND LENDERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSUMPTION AND
         EXERCISE OF CONTROL BY THE RECEIVER OVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE
         COLLATERAL.

         VIII.4 APPLICATION OF FUNDS. Any funds received by Lenders or Agent
pursuant to the exercise of any rights accorded to Lenders and/or Agent pursuant
to, or by the operation of any of the terms of, any of the Loan Instruments,
including, without limitation, insurance proceeds, condemnation proceeds or
proceeds from the sale of Collateral, shall be applied to Borrower's Obligations
in the following order of priority:

                VIII.4.1 EXPENSES. First, to the payment of (i) all reasonable
         fees and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation,
         court costs, fees of appraisers, title charges, costs of maintaining
         and preserving the Collateral, costs of sale, and all other costs
         incurred by Lenders and Agent in exercising any rights accorded to such
         Persons pursuant to the Loan Instruments or by applicable law,
         including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, and (ii) all
         Liens (excluding Permitted Liens other than the Security Interests)
         superior to the Liens of Agent except such superior Liens subject to
         which any sale of the Collateral may have been made.

                VIII.4.2 BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS. Next, to the payment of the
         remaining portion of Borrower's Obligations in such order as Lenders
         may determine.

                VIII.4.3 SURPLUS. Any surplus, to the Person or Persons entitled
         thereto.

         VIII.5 PERFORMANCE OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS. If Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries fails to (i) maintain in force and pay for any insurance policy or
bond which such Person is required to provide pursuant to any of the Loan
Instruments, (ii) keep the Collateral free from all Liens except for Permitted
Liens, (iii) pay when due all taxes, levies and assessments on or in respect of
the Collateral, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms hereof, (iv)
make all payments and perform all acts on the part of such Person to be paid or
performed in the manner required by the terms hereof and by the terms of the
other Loan Instruments with respect to any of the Collateral, including, without
limitation, all expenses of protecting, storing, warehousing, insuring, handling
and maintaining the Collateral, (v) keep fully and perform promptly any other of
the obligations of




                                      -63-
<PAGE>   73

such Person hereunder or under any of the other Loan Instruments, and (vi) keep
fully and perform promptly the obligations of such Person with respect to any
issue of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money secured by a Permitted Prior Lien, then
Agent or Lenders may (but shall not be required to) procure and pay for such
insurance policy or bond, place such Collateral in good repair and operating
condition, pay, contest or settle such Liens or taxes or any judgments based
thereon or otherwise make good any other aforesaid failure of such Person.
Borrower shall reimburse Agent and Lenders immediately upon demand for all
reasonable sums paid or advanced on behalf of Borrower for any such purpose,
together with reasonable and/or necessary costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) paid or incurred by Agent and Lenders in connection
therewith and interest on all sums advanced from the date of advancement until
repaid to Agent and Lenders at the Default Rate. All such sums advanced by Agent
and Lenders, with interest thereon, immediately upon advancement thereof, shall
be deemed to be part of Borrower's Obligations.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                 ADDITIONAL LENDERS AND PARTICIPANTS; THE AGENT

         IX.1   ASSIGNMENT TO OTHER LENDERS.

                IX.1.1 ASSIGNMENT. FINOVA and State Street may make one or more
         Loan Assignments and each Assignee, with the prior written consent of
         Agent (which may be given or denied in the sole discretion of Agent),
         may make a Loan Assignment of the rights and obligations which were
         assigned to such Assignee, provided, however, that (i) each Loan
         Assignment shall not be less than $5,000,000 and shall be in integral
         multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (ii) the parties to each
         such Loan Assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an
         Assignment and Acceptance, together with any Note or Notes subject to
         such assignment and (iii) the Assignee shall pay to Agent an assignment
         fee of $3,500. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
         herein, any Lender may at any time pledge all or any portion of its
         interests and rights under the Loan Instruments (including all or any
         portion of any Notes payable to the order of such Lender) to any of the
         twelve Federal Reserve Banks organized under ss.4 of the Federal
         Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. ss.341. No such pledge or the enforcement
         thereof shall release any Lender from its obligations hereunder or
         under any other Loan Instrument.

                IX.1.2 EFFECT OF LOAN ASSIGNMENT. Upon the execution, delivery,
         acceptance and recording of an Assignment and Acceptance (i) the
         Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Loan Agreement and, to the
         extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it
         pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and
         obligations of a Lender hereunder and (ii) the Lender thereunder shall,
         to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned
         by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights
         and be released from its obligations under this Loan Agreement.



                                      -64-
<PAGE>   74

                IX.1.3 REGISTER. Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment
         and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the
         recordation of the names, addresses, and interests of the Lenders in
         Borrower's Obligations (the "REGISTER"). The entries in the Register
         shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest
         error, and Borrower, Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name
         is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of
         this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by
         Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time
         upon reasonable prior notice.

                IX.1.4 SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES. Simultaneously with the delivery
         by Agent to Borrower of any Note which is the subject of a Loan
         Assignment which is marked "canceled," Borrower shall execute and
         deliver to Agent for delivery to (i) the applicable Assignee, a Note
         payable to the order of such Assignee in an amount equal to the amount
         assigned to such Assignee, and (ii) the assigning Lender, a Note
         payable to the order of such Lender in an amount equal to the amount
         retained by such Lender, each such Note to be substantially in the form
         of the canceled Note.

                IX.1.5 INSPECTIONS. Any Inspection which any Lender shall desire
         to undertake, and all communications between any Lender and Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries, shall be coordinated by such Lender through
         Agent, and Agent shall accompany each Lender on any Inspection which
         such Lender desires to undertake.

         IX.2   PARTICIPATIONS. Subject to the restrictions set forth in
subsection 9.1.1, each Lender shall have the right to sell Participations. In
the event of the sale of a Participation, the obligations of the Lender selling
such a Participation shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely
responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain the holder of
any Note which previously has been delivered to Lender pursuant to the terms of
this Loan Agreement, and Borrower shall continue to deal solely and directly
with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under
this Loan Agreement. Notwithstanding the sale of any Participation, all amounts
payable by Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Loan Instruments shall be
determined as if no such Participation had been sold. No Participant shall be
entitled to require a Lender to take or omit to take any action pursuant to the
Loan Instruments except as provided in the Participation Agreement executed by
and between the Participant and such Lender.

         IX.3   SET OFF AND SHARING OF PAYMENTS. Upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default, regardless of the value of the Collateral or any other
security for the repayment of Borrower's Obligations, and in addition to and not
in limitation of the rights of offset that any Lender may have under applicable
law, and whether or not any Lender has made any demand or Borrower's Obligations
have matured, each Lender shall have the right, at any time or from time to time
after the occurrence of such Event of Default, without notice to Borrower or to
any other Person, to set off and to appropriate and apply to the payment of
Borrower's Obligations any and all deposits, balances and other obligations held
by such Lender for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and any
other Property at any time held or owing by such Lender to or for the credit or
for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Lender exercising
such rights shall


                                      -65-
<PAGE>   75


notify the Agent thereof and any amount received as a result of the exercise of
such rights shall be shared by Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares.
Borrower agrees that (i) each Lender may exercise its right to set off with
respect to amounts in excess of such Lender's share of Borrower's Obligations
and may sell Participations in such excess to other Lenders and (ii) any Lender
so purchasing a Participation in the Loan made or other of Borrower's
Obligations held by other Lenders may exercise all rights of set-off, bankers'
lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such Participation as fully
as if such Lender were a direct holder of the Loan and other of Borrower's
Obligations in the amount of such Participation.

         IX.4   APPOINTMENT OF AGENT. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints
and authorizes FINOVA to act as Agent for such Lender under this Loan Agreement
and to execute and deliver or accept the other Loan Instruments on behalf of
such Lender. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any
Note by the acceptance of a Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the
Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Loan
Agreement and the other Loan Instruments and any other instruments and
agreements referred to herein and therein, and to exercise such powers and to
perform such duties hereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of
the Agent by the terms of this Loan Agreement, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. FINOVA agrees to act as the Agent on behalf of
the Lenders to the extent provided in this Loan Agreement.

         IX.5   DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Agent may perform any of its duties
hereunder by or through agents or employees and shall be entitled to engage and
pay a reasonable fee for the advice or services of any attorneys, accountants or
other experts concerning all matters pertaining to its duties hereunder and to
rely upon any advice so obtained.

         IX.6   NATURE OF DUTIES; INDEPENDENT CREDIT INVESTIGATION. Agent shall
have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Loan
Agreement and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Loan Agreement or otherwise
exist. The duties of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature.
Agent shall not have by reason of this Loan Agreement a fiduciary or trust
relationship in respect of any Lender, and nothing in this Loan Agreement
express or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon
Agent any obligations in respect of this Loan Agreement except as expressly set
forth herein. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that (i) Agent has not made any
representations or warranties to it and that no act by Agent hereafter taken,
including any review of the affairs of any of the Persons party to any Loan
Instrument shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by Agent
to any Lender and (ii) it has made and will continue to make, without reliance
upon Agent, its own independent investigation of the financial condition and
affairs and its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of each of the Persons
party to any Loan Instrument and the condition and value of the Collateral in
connection with this Loan Agreement and the making of the Loan.

         IX.7   INSTRUCTIONS FROM LENDERS. Agent shall have the right to request
instructions from the Lenders by notice to each of the Lenders. If Agent shall
request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any act or action
(including the failure to act) in connection with this Loan



                                      -66-
<PAGE>   76

Agreement, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such
action unless and until Agent shall have received instructions from the Lenders
or the Required Lenders, as applicable, and Agent shall not incur liability to
any Person by reason of so refraining. No Lender shall have any right of action
against Agent as a result of Agent acting or refraining from acting in
accordance with the instructions of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as
applicable.

         IX.8   EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither Agent nor any of its respective
directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates shall (i) be
liable to any Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them
pursuant to any Loan Instruments unless caused by it or its respective
directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates own gross
negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) be responsible in any manner to any
Lender for the effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or due
execution of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Instruments or for any
recital, representation, warranty, document, certificate, report or statement
herein or made or furnished under or in connection with this Loan Agreement or
any other Loan Instruments, or (iii) be under any obligation to any Lender to
ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms,
covenants or conditions hereof or thereof on the part of the Persons party to
any Loan Instrument, the financial condition of such Persons, or the existence
or possible existence of any Event of Default or Incipient Default.

         IX.9   REIMBURSEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION BY LENDERS OF AGENT. Each
Lender agrees to reimburse and indemnify Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by
Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so) in proportion
to its Pro Rata Share from and against all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against Agent in its respective capacities as such, in any way relating
to or arising out of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Instruments or any
action taken or omitted by Agent hereunder or thereunder, provided that no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from Agent's own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         IX.10  RELIANCE BY AGENT. Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any
writing, telegram, telex or teletype message, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, letter, statement, order or other document or conversation by
telephone or otherwise reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and
to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon the
advice and opinions of counsel and other professional advisers selected by
Agent, as the case may be. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing
to take any action hereunder unless it shall first be indemnified to its
satisfaction by Lenders against any and all liability and expense (other than a
liability or expense relating to gross negligence or willful misconduct) which
may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

         IX.11  NOTICE OF DEFAULT. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of any Incipient Default or Event of Default unless
Agent has received written notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this
Loan Agreement, describing such Incipient Default or Event of Default and
stating that such notice is a "notice of default."



                                      -67-
<PAGE>   77

         IX.12  RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. Lenders hereby authorize Agent to release
any Lien granted to Agent upon any Collateral upon (i) the payment and
satisfaction of all of Borrower's Obligations or (ii) the request of Borrower if
such release is required pursuant to the terms of any of the Loan Instruments.

         IX.13  LENDERS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. With respect to the
portions of the Loan made by it, Agent shall have the same rights and powers as
any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not Agent, and the
term "Lenders" shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Agent in
its individual capacity. Agent and its Affiliates and each of the Lenders and
their respective Affiliates may, without liability to account, except as
prohibited herein, make loans to, accept deposits from, discount drafts for, act
as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of banking or
trust business with, Borrower, any of Borrower's Subsidiaries and their
Affiliates as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder.

         IX.14  HOLDERS OF NOTES. Agent may deem and treat any payee of any Note
as the owner hereof for all purposes unless and until Agent receives an
Assignment and Acceptance with respect thereto. Any request, authority or
consent of any Person who at the time of making such request or giving such
authority or consent is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding
on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Note or of any Note or
Notes issued in exchange therefor.

         IX.15  SUCCESSOR AGENT. Agent may resign at any time by giving not less
than 30 days' prior written notice to Borrower and the other Lenders. The
Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If a successor Agent
is not appointed within 30 days following Agent's notice of its resignation or
its removal, Agent shall appoint a successor agent who shall serve as Agent
until such time as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent. Upon its appointment,
such successor Agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of Agent and
the term "Agent" shall mean such successor effective upon its appointment, and
the former Agent's rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated
without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any
of the parties to this Agreement. After the resignation of any Agent, the
provisions of this Article IX shall inure to the benefit of such former Agent
and such former Agent shall not by reason of such resignation be deemed to be
released from liability for any actions taken or not taken by it while it was
Agent.

         IX.16  DELIVERY OF INFORMATION. Agent shall not be required to deliver
to any Lender originals or copies of any documents, instruments, reports,
notices, communications or other information received by Agent from Borrower or
any other Person under or in connection with any Loan Instruments except (i) as
specifically provided in the Loan Instruments or (ii) as specifically requested
from time to time in writing by any Lender with respect to a specific document,
instrument, notice or other written communication received by and in the
possession of Agent at the time of receipt of such request and then only in
accordance with such specific request.



                                      -68-
<PAGE>   78

         IX.17  BENEFICIARIES. Except as expressly provided in this Loan
Agreement, the provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of Agent
and Lenders, and Borrower shall not have any rights to rely on or enforce any of
the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Loan
Agreement, Agent shall act solely as agent of Lenders and does not assume and
shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward or relationship of
agency or trust with or for Borrower.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                     CLOSING

         The Closing Date shall be such date as the parties shall determine, and
the Closing shall take place on such date, provided all conditions for the
Closing as set forth in this Loan Agreement have been satisfied or otherwise
waived by Lenders. The Closing shall take place at the office of Altheimer &
Gray, 10 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, or such other place as the
parties hereto shall agree. Unless the Closing occurs on or before September 30,
1999, this Loan Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect
and, except for any obligation of Borrower to Lenders pursuant to Article XI,
none of the parties hereto shall have any further obligation to any other party.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                             EXPENSES AND INDEMNITY

         XI.1   ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER FEES AND EXPENSES. Whether or not any
of the transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement shall be consummated,
Borrower agrees to pay to Lenders on demand all reasonable expenses incurred by
Lenders in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including,
without limitation, any appraisal fees, environmental audit fees and title and
recording charges) and in connection with any amendments, modifications or
waivers (whether or not the same become effective) under or in respect of any of
the Loan Instruments, including, without limitation:

                XI.1.1 FEES AND EXPENSES FOR PREPARATION OF LOAN INSTRUMENTS.
         All reasonable expenses, disbursements and reasonable attorneys' fees,
         actually incurred (including, without limitation, charges for required
         mortgagee's title insurance, lien searches, reproduction of documents,
         long distance telephone calls and overnight express carriers) of
         special counsel and other counsel retained by Lenders in connection
         with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Instruments or any
         amendments, modifications or waivers hereto or thereto.

                XI.1.2 FEES AND EXPENSES IN ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS OR DEFENSE OF
         LOAN INSTRUMENTS. Any reasonable expenses or other costs, including
         reasonable attorneys' fees and expert witness fees, actually incurred
         by Agent or Lenders in connection with the


                                      -69-
<PAGE>   79


         administration and monitoring of the Commitments or the enforcement or
         collection (except to the extent Borrower is the prevailing party in
         any such enforcement or collection proceeding) against Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries of any provision of any of the Loan Instruments,
         and in connection with or arising out of any litigation, investigation
         or proceeding instituted by any Governmental Body or any other Person
         with respect to any of the Loan Instruments, whether or not suit is
         instituted, including, but not limited to, such costs or expenses
         arising from the enforcement or collection against Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries of any provision of any of the Loan Instruments in any
         state or federal bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.

         XI.2   INDEMNITY. Borrower agrees to indemnify and save Agent and
Lenders harmless of and from the following:

                XI.2.1 BROKERAGE FEES. The fees, if any, of brokers and finders
         engaged by Borrower.

                XI.2.2 GENERAL. Any loss, cost, liability, damage or expense
         (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by Agent
         or Lenders in investigating, preparing for, defending against,
         providing evidence, producing documents or taking other action in
         respect of any commenced or threatened litigation, administrative
         proceeding, suit instituted by any Person or investigation under any
         law, including any federal securities law, the Bankruptcy Code, any
         relevant state corporate statute or any other securities law,
         bankruptcy law or law affecting creditors generally of any
         jurisdiction, or any regulation pertaining to any of the foregoing, or
         at common law or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated
         by or referred to in, or any other matter related to, the Loan
         Instruments, whether or not Agent or any Lender is a party to such
         litigation, proceeding or suit, or is subject to such investigation.

                XI.2.3 OPERATION OF COLLATERAL; JOINT VENTURERS. Any loss, cost,
         liability, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
         expenses) incurred in connection with the ownership, operation or
         maintenance of the Collateral, the construction of Agent or any Lender
         and Borrower as having the relationship of joint venturers or partners
         or the determination that Agent or any Lender has acted as agent for
         Borrower.

                XI.2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY. Any and all claims, losses,
         damages, out of pocket response costs, clean-up costs and expenses
         suffered and/or incurred at any time by Agent or any Lender arising out
         of or in any way relating to the existence at any time of any Hazardous
         Materials in, on, under, at, transported to or from, or used in the
         construction and/or renovation of, any of the Leasehold Property, any
         parcel of real estate acquired in connection with an Acquisition, or
         otherwise with respect to any Environmental Law, and/or the failure of
         Borrower to perform its obligations and covenants hereunder with
         respect to environmental matters, including, but not limited to: (i)
         claims of any Persons for damages, penalties, response costs, clean-up
         costs, injunctive or other relief, (ii) costs of removal and
         restoration, including fees of attorneys and experts, and costs of
         reporting the existence of Hazardous Materials to any Governmental
         Body, and (iii) any expenses or obligations,


                                      -70-
<PAGE>   80

         including reasonable attorneys' fees and expert witness fees, incurred
         at, before and after any trial or other proceeding before any
         Governmental Body or appeal therefrom whether or not taxable as costs,
         including, without limitation, witness fees, deposition costs, copying
         and telephone charges and other expenses, all of which shall be paid by
         Borrower to Agent or such Lender when incurred by Agent or such Lender,
         except where such costs were directly caused by the gross negligence or
         willful misconduct of FINOVA, any Lender, or by any agent, or third
         party acting on behalf of and at the direction of FINOVA or any Lender.


                                   ARTICLE XII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         XII.1 NOTICES. All notices and communications under this Loan Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered in person, (ii) sent by
facsimile, or (iii) mailed, postage prepaid, either by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight express carrier, addressed in
each case as follows:

         To Borrower:   Security Associates International, Inc.
                        2101 Arlington Heights Road
                        Arlington Heights, Illinois  60005-4142
                        Attention:      James S. Brannen, President
                                        Howard Schickler, Esq., General Counsel
                        Facsimile No.:  847/956-9360

         To Agent or
         FINOVA:        FINOVA Capital Corporation
                        311 South Wacker  Drive, Suite 4400
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
                        Attention:      David J. Alexander
                        Facsimile No.:  312/322-3530

         Copy to:       FINOVA Capital Corporation
                        1850 N. Central Avenue
                        Phoenix, Arizona 85004
                        Attention:      Vice President, Law
                        Facsimile No.:  602/207-5036

         Copy to:       Altheimer & Gray
                        10 South Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
                        Attention:      Michael L. Owen, Esq.
                        Facsimile No.:  312/715-4000



                                      -71-
<PAGE>   81

        To State Street:  State Street Bank and Trust Company
                          225 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                          Attention:      Gregory Spurr, III
                          Facsimile No.:  617/664-3708

         Copy to:         Choate, Hall & Stewart
                          28 State Street
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                          Attention:      Peter M. Pallantino, P.C.
                          Facsimile No.:  617/248-4000

or to any other address or facsimile number, as to any of the parties hereto, as
such party shall designate in a notice to the other parties hereto. All notices
sent pursuant to the terms of this Section 12.1 shall be deemed received (i) if
personally delivered, then on the Business Day of delivery, (ii) if sent by
facsimile before 2:00 p.m. Phoenix time, on the day sent if a Business Day or if
such day is not a Business Day or if sent after 2:00 p.m. Phoenix time, then on
the next Business Day, (iii) if sent by overnight, express carrier, on the next
Business Day immediately following the day sent, or (iv) if sent by registered
or certified mail, on the earlier of the fifth Business Day following the day
sent or when actually received. Any notice by facsimile shall be followed by
delivery on the next Business Day by overnight, express carrier or by hand.

         XII.2  SURVIVAL OF LOAN AGREEMENT; INDEMNITIES. All covenants,
agreements, representations and warranties made in this Loan Agreement and in
the certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the making by Lender of
the Loan and the execution and delivery to Lenders of the Notes and of all other
Loan Instruments, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any of
Borrower's Obligations remain outstanding, unperformed or unpaid.
Notwithstanding the repayment of all amounts due under the Loan Instruments, the
cancellation of the Notes and the release and/or cancellation of any and all of
the Loan Instruments or the foreclosure of any Liens on the Collateral, the
obligations of Borrower to indemnify Agent and Lenders with respect to the
expenses, damages, losses, costs and liabilities described in Section 11.2 shall
survive until all applicable statute of limitations periods with respect to
actions which may be brought against Agent or any Lender have run.

         XII.3  FURTHER ASSURANCE. From time to time, Borrower shall execute and
deliver to Agent and Lenders such additional documents as Lenders reasonably may
require to carry out the purposes of the Loan Instruments and to protect
Lenders' rights thereunder, including, without limitation, using its best
efforts in the event any Collateral is to be sold to secure the approval by any
Governmental Body of any application required by such Governmental Body in
connection with such sale, and not take any action inconsistent with such sale
or the purposes of the Loan Instruments.

         XII.4  TAXES AND FEES. Should any tax (other than taxes based upon the
net income of any Lender), recording or filing fees become payable in respect of
any of the Loan Instruments, or any amendment, modification or supplement
thereof, Borrower agrees to pay the same on demand,



                                      -72-
<PAGE>   82

together with any interest or penalties thereon attributable to any delay by
Borrower in meeting any Lender's demand, and agree to hold Lenders harmless with
respect thereto.

         XII.5  SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Loan
Agreement is deemed to be invalid by reason of the operation of any law, this
Loan Agreement shall be construed as not containing such provision and the
invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of any other
provisions hereof, and any and all other provisions hereof which otherwise are
lawful and valid shall remain in full force and effect.

         XII.6  WAIVER. No delay on the part of Agent or any Lender in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall preclude other or further exercise thereof, or be deemed to
establish a custom or course of dealing or performance between the parties
hereto, or preclude the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

         XII.7  MODIFICATION OF LOAN INSTRUMENTS; AMENDMENTS. No modification or
waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Instruments shall be effective unless
in writing and signed by the Required Lenders or the Agent on their behalf, and
then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and
for the purpose for which given, except that (i) the written consent of all
Lenders is required to (A) increase the Commitment, (B) reduce the principal of
or interest on any Note, (C) postpone any date fixed for payment of any
principal of or interest on any Note or any fee due hereunder, (D) amend or
waive Section 12.6, Section 12.7, Section 12.9 or the definition of "Required
Lenders," (E) release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty or
(F) release any Liens upon the Collateral except as expressly provided in this
Loan Agreement and (ii) the written consent of Agent is required for any
amendments of Article IX. No notice to or demand on Borrower in any case shall
entitle Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar
or other circumstances.

         XII.8  CAPTIONS. The headings in this Loan Agreement are for purposes
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

         XII.9  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Loan Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors
and assigns of the parties hereto.

         XII.10 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. All rights and remedies of Agent and
Lenders pursuant to this Loan Agreement, any other Loan Instruments or
otherwise, shall be cumulative and non-exclusive, and may be exercised
singularly or concurrently. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall be required to
prosecute collection, enforcement or other remedies against Borrower before
proceeding against any of its Subsidiaries or to enforce or resort to any
security, liens, collateral or other rights of Agent or Lenders. One or more
successive actions may be brought against Borrower and/or any of its
Subsidiaries, either in the same action or in separate actions, as often as
Lenders deem advisable, until all of Borrower's Obligations are paid and
performed in full.

         XII.11 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; CONFLICT. This Loan Agreement and the other
Loan Instruments executed pursuant hereto constitute the entire agreement among
the parties hereto with


                                      -73-
<PAGE>   83

respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and supersede any
prior agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter
hereof. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions set forth
herein and the terms and conditions set forth in any other Loan Instrument, the
terms and conditions set forth herein shall govern.

         XII.12 APPLICABLE LAW. THE LOAN INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS AND DECISIONS OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 12.12, THE LOAN INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
PERFORMED AND MADE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

         XII.13 JURISDICTION AND VENUE. BORROWER HEREBY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS
OR PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY BORROWER AND ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF
THE LOAN INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LITIGATED IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MARICOPA
COUNTY, OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA OR, IF
AGENT OR ANY LENDER INITIATES SUCH ACTION, IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING COURTS,
ANY COURT IN WHICH AGENT OR SUCH LENDER SHALL INITIATE OR TO WHICH AGENT OR SUCH
LENDER SHALL REMOVE SUCH ACTION, TO THE EXTENT SUCH COURT HAS JURISDICTION.
BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION
IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED BY AGENT OR ANY LENDER IN OR REMOVED BY
AGENT OR ANY LENDER TO ANY OF SUCH COURTS, AND HEREBY AGREES THAT PERSONAL
SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT, OR OTHER PROCESS OR PAPERS ISSUED THEREIN
MAY BE SERVED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES HEREIN, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE
OF SUCH SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS OR PAPERS MAY BE MADE BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS TO WHICH
NOTICES ARE TO BE SENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.1. BORROWER WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT
MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA OR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR
AN IMPROPER FORUM BASED ON LACK OF VENUE. TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW, SHOULD
BORROWER, AFTER BEING SO SERVED, FAIL TO APPEAR OR ANSWER TO ANY SUMMONS,
COMPLAINT, PROCESS OR PAPERS SO SERVED WITHIN THE NUMBER OF DAYS PRESCRIBED BY
LAW AFTER THE MAILING THEREOF, BORROWER SHALL BE DEEMED IN DEFAULT AND AN ORDER
AND/OR JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED BY THE COURT AGAINST BORROWER AS DEMANDED OR
PRAYED FOR IN SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, PROCESS OR PAPERS. THE EXCLUSIVE CHOICE
OF FORUM FOR BORROWER SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 12.13 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO
PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT BY AGENT OR ANY LENDER OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN ANY
OTHER FORUM OR THE TAKING BY AGENT OR ANY LENDER OF ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE THE
SAME IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION, AND BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES THE RIGHT
TO COLLATERALLY ATTACK ANY SUCH JUDGMENT OR ACTION.

         XII.14 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL. AGENT, LENDERS AND BORROWER
ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER ANY OF THE LOAN
INSTRUMENTS OR WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY WOULD BE
BASED UPON DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT
ANY LAWSUIT ARISING OUT OF ANY SUCH CONTROVERSY WILL BE TRIED IN A COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

         XII.15 TIME OF ESSENCE. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PERFORMANCE BY
BORROWER OF THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
INSTRUMENTS.



                                      -74-
<PAGE>   84

         XII.16 ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Within 15 days after Agent or any Lender
reasonably requests Borrower to do so, Borrower will execute and deliver to
Agent or such Lender a statement certifying (i) that this Loan Agreement is in
full force and effect and has not been modified except as described in such
statement, (ii) the date to which interest on the Notes has been paid, (iii) the
Principal Balance, (iv) whether or not to its knowledge an Incipient Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and, if so, specifying in
reasonable detail each such Incipient Default or Event of Default of which it
has knowledge, (v) whether to its knowledge it has any defense, setoff or
counterclaim to the payment of the Notes in accordance with its terms, and, if
so, specifying each defense, setoff or counterclaim of which it has knowledge in
reasonable detail (including where applicable the amount thereof), and (vi) as
to any other matter reasonably requested by Agent or such Lender.

         XII.17 CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Neither Agent nor any Lender nor any
agent or attorney of Agent or such Lender shall be liable to Borrower for
consequential damages arising from any breach of contract, tort or other wrong
relating to the establishment, administration or collection of Borrower's
Obligations, except in the case of such Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

         XII.18 COUNTERPARTS. This Loan Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in several counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same agreement.

         XII.19 NO FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. No provision in this Loan Agreement
or in any other Loan Instrument, and no course of dealing among the parties
hereto, shall be deemed to create any fiduciary duty by Agent or any Lender to
Borrower.

         XII.20 NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Loan Agreement
shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their
mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any
party hereto.

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                                      -75-
<PAGE>   85



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement has
been executed and delivered by each of the parties hereto by a duly authorized
officer of each such party on the date first set forth above.


                               SECURITY ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
                               a Delaware corporation


                               By: /s/ JAMES S. BRANNEN
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   James S. Brannen
                                   President


                               FINOVA CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware
                               corporation, in its individual capacity as a
                               Lender and as Agent for all Lenders


                               By: /s/ JILL E. JOHNSTON
                                   ----------------------------------
                                   Jill E. Johnston
                                   Assistant Vice President


                               STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                               as Lender


                               By: /s/ GREGORY W. SPURR
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   Gregory W. Spurr
                                   Vice President




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