What Is A False Alarm?

The definition of a false alarm is any signal notification of any alarm condition to the local authorities when the responders find no evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense. In the case of Fire Alarms, any activation of the system that is caused by misuse, negligence or an intentional act  where the local department is dispatched and the activation is not caused by smoke, heat or an actual fire.

How Can I Reduce False Alarms?

While there are many ways to reduce or eliminate false alarms, we have listed the most common causes and ways to correct them.

Proper Maintenance

Alarm Systems like anything else that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, periodic maintenance is needed to keep the system at peak operating performance. All systems should have a main backup battery and that battery should be changed every 3 to 5 years. The longer the battery is in service, the less backup time you will have when you are in a power failure situation. Make sure your system is available to operate properly when you need it.

Low batteries are the most common equipment reason for false alarm activation’s.

User Training

Make sure that those who will use your system are properly trained to do so. If you allow maintenance workers, cleaning crews,  or even house sitters access to your home of facility, make sure they have proper training, codes and even a password for the system should they need to cancel an alarm. Give those people our telephone number so they can reach us in the event of a service emergency should you be away for any period of time.

Accurate Account Information

Your information on file with us needs to be correct and should be reviewed at least once per year to make sure that telephone and cellphone numbers are updated as you change devices. Keep out information stored in your cell phone to contact us in an emergency. Our communications people are always online and you can request to be connected to a technician at any time for an emergency.

If you change your email address, notify us so that when we send out important updated information, you will be sure to get it.

Simple Solutions

• A motion detector should not be aimed directly toward an air vent or fireplace.
• Caution should be used in placing plants in field of view of motion detector.
• Mylar balloons are a common cause of false alarms. Keep them away from detection devices.
• If pets are in your premises while the interior motion(s) is/are on, be sure the detector and lens are designed to ignore pets.  If you acquire a pet, please contact us.
• Closed but not latched or locked doors are quite common and will cause an alarm. Make sure your doors are properly secured any time your system is in an armed state.
• Watch out for increased gaps between doors and jambs due to settling. A simple adjustment or a contact replacement might be enough to prevent this issue.
• If you have double doors, make sure the fixed side is pinned on top and bottom as shaking a door should not set off an alarm.
• If your windows are protected, they should be completely closed and locked. A unlocked window that shows secure at the time of arming may easily cause a false alarm with a simple change of humidity or temperature.

Check On Any Displays

Always ensure that hanging or moving decorations will not activate motion detectors, especially when heating systems come on.

Take Care When Rearranging

Before rearranging your furniture or putting up the new spring curtains or drapes, first determine whether the design change would interfere with the operation of your motion detectors.

Check before Remodeling

Contact us prior to starting any remodeling project. You will need to work with us to make sure the remodeling process does not cause false alarms and that your system will continue to work properly after the work is completed. If we monitor your system there is no charge to have a consultant visit your faciltiy to discuss the changes with you.

Use of Technology

There are many programming options that are built into all of the alarm systems that we install here at Advanced Alarm Systems. Talk to us about any special concerns that you may have and in all likelihood we have a very simple programming solution that will take care of your needs.

Should Storms Cause A False Alarm?

NO. Power surges and lightning strikes should not cause false alarms! False alarms caused by lightning strikes are controllable through the proper grounding of alarm systems and the use of power AND phone line surge suppressors. Use of surge suppressors greatly reduces false alarms by redirecting and dissipating electrical current to the ground. Power outages or interruption of power should not cause false alarms!