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False Alarm Prevention
HSMC
Home: Customer
Info: False Alarm Prevention:
 False
alarms are one of the most serious, most costly, and most frustrating
problems facing the alarm community today. They cause a nuisance
for neighbors and are frustrating for everyone concerned. Both
the security industry and the consumer must be cognizant of
the problems that frequent false alarms cause and the burdens
they place on the resources of all emergency responding agencies.
All of us must work together and make every effort to help alleviate
the stigma that false alarms bring to the alarm community. Or,
we will face ever-increasing false alarm charges from the effected
municipalities and risk losing our credibility entirely.
As concerned security specialists, we thought
that including a special section of “False Alarm Prevention
Tips” might prove helpful. These suggestions may
lessen the occurrence of false alarms.
We want to thank you in advance for your cooperation
and your assistance in trying to curb the problem of false alarms.
Without our joint action, the response by the authorities to
alarm system activations will become less urgent and, consequently,
less effective in providing the protection we all require and
expect.
False Alarm Prevention Tips:
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Make sure that everyone, who is going to
use the alarm system, understands how to “arm”
and “disarm” it – including responsible
children, friends, relatives, key holders, maintenance personnel,
permanent and temporary employees, etc.
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Show all users how to disable the panel
and/or how to locate and disconnect the RJ31X Telephone Jack,
in the event of an extreme alarm system mal-function.
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Teach all users how to reset or
silence the alarm system after a fire alarm, or other alarm
activation.
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Make sure everyone, who has a key
to your home or business, knows how to use the system correctly.
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Be certain that all users know the appropriate
and most current identifying abort codes, pass codes or code
words. Please advise them to answer the phone, if the
Central Monitoring Station calls the property, and be ready
with the appropriate abort code.
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Make all users aware of whom to
call in the event the alarm system is tripped by mistake.
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Do not allow children to “play with” the keypad(s), medical
pendants, portable panic device(s), or any other portion of
the alarm system.
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If you have an undo amount of smoke in
the building (Example: from burned toast, from a backed-up
fireplace, etc.) but are not in
need of the Fire Department, please call the Central Monitoring
Station immediately! In that way, you can prevent the
Central Monitoring Station from dispatching the Fire Department
when it's not necessary.
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Have the entire alarm system professionally
“Tested and Inspected” annually.
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If the alarm system activation was accidental,
“disarm” your system and contact the Central Monitoring
Station immediately! Be ready to supply the security
dispatcher with your password, pass code or abort code.
If the Central Monitoring Station is advised quickly enough,
it may stop them from dispatching the authorities unnecessarily.
Please, don't leave your home or business until you have spoken
with the Central Monitoring Station and have assured them
there is not an emergency.
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Test the alarm system, and its monitored
capabilities, yourself frequently throughout the year.
Be sure to call the Central Monitoring Station before
you do this!
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Do not leave any hanging decorations
or plants, loose curtains, open windows, fans/heaters, balloons,
etc. in rooms that have motion detection.
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Optimally, arrange with your security dealer
to have the system send an automatic “Scheduled System
Test” code to the Central Monitoring Station.
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Make sure that all pets are relegated
to a portion of the premises that has no motion detection
devices or under carpet mats.
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If a fireplace is in use, make sure
that any motion or heat-sensing devices in the area are “bypassed”
before engaging the alarm system.
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Ceiling fans, if installed in the
wrong place(s), can cause motion devices to trip accidentally.
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Be sure that all employees have left the
building before the alarm system is engaged.
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Become familiar with how to operate
the system and how to use its features.
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If you are having any remodeling done,
changing phone systems, installing skylights or even spray
painting or fumigating, you should contact your alarm security
professionals beforehand to avoid false alarms or system failures.
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Please read the operator’s
manual for your alarm system and retain the manual in your
files with your other important papers.
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Rehearse alarm cancellation procedures
with everyone who might use your system.
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If your alarm system does not seem to be
working properly, call your alarm installer immediately.
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Call the Central Monitoring Station
before and after testing … or before and after working
on any monitored alarm system.
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When cooking, always use a kitchen
exhaust fan to avoid activating any smoke detectors in the
area.
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Inform the Central Monitoring Station of all modifications at the monitored property, such as: new or disconnected phone numbers, changes in names, key holders, personnel, equipment, business hours, Opening/Closing times, abort codes, 911 addresses, etc.
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If the owner of an alarm system is selling
their property, it is critical that the alarm dealer and the
Central Monitoring Station are notified before the “closing.”
That way the disposition of the future monitoring of the system
can be determined, and all arrangements can be made beforehand.
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Notify the Central Monitoring Station if
the premises will be unoccupied for a prolonged period of
time. Be sure to leave all phone numbers of where you
can be reached with the Central Monitoring Station in the
event of an emergency at the premises.
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Make sure that all windows fit properly
and are securely locked before engaging the alarm system.
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Upgrade outmoded alarm equipment
and get faulty equipment repaired immediately.
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Regularly change the batteries on all wireless,
monitored alarm equipment.
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Make sure that all motion detectors
are clear of insects and spider webs.
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Within the business environment, make sure
that a telephone is accessible, and within hearing distance,
to all employees who will “arm” and “disarm”
the alarm system. This way, personnel can answer the
telephone in the event the Central Monitoring Station calls
the premises at the time of alarm activation.
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