Common Alarm Problems


THE ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN ON (SET)

Check the control box display. This will help you to determine where the fault is.

Before you really need it, check what protection is located on each zone. Make a couple of copies and keep one safe.

Have you had any work done to your premises since you last set the alarm-it could have damaged the system? Check the alarm devices and wiring in the worked on area for damage or movement.

If the display shows a door zone fault, check that the doors are closed -Yes, you know they are closed, but check again.

If they are closed, check that the contacts (switches)are in position. If SURFACE CONTACTS are fitted, check that they are not too far apart - has the door dropped? If recessed (FLUSH FITTING) contacts (switches)are fitted, and the door has not badly dropped, take out the magnet assembly. The magnets can come loose inside their plastic housing. You can usually hear the reed switch "click" if you put your ear close to it, as the door etc. shuts-mind your head! If it clicks it is usually working-but not always!

If you have a WALK TEST facility close all the doors on the faulty zone. Take a spare magnet and open each door at a time and hold the magnet against the contact. If the fault is on that particular door, the zone will set and unset when you remove the magnet. It is worth doing this on any type of magnet operated contact. Don’t forget all other doors etc. on the zone must be closed for this to work.

THE ALARM WILL NOT TURN OFF

Are you putting in the correct code? - double check. If the keypad has a “Clear” button press this and try your code again. Try to enter a zero, then the code. Zero is used as a Clear button on some control units.

Check that the mains supply indicator light is on, if not check the fuse and mains wiring to the control panel.

If the control unit is quite old, enter the factory default set / unset code. Some old control units revert to basic factory codes and settings if the power is removed and the standby battery fails.

This may also happen on modern alarm control panels if the reset link has been left out by the alarm commissioning engineer

Do not turn off the mains supply-this will usually ensure that the outside sounder will not stop!

I HAVE JUST TURNED OFF THE ALARM SYSTEM-AND IT HAS STARTED TO SOUND!!

You have probably turned the system on!

This happens quite often—just in case, put your code in again.

THE ALARM SYSTEM OR A COMPONENT OF IT IS BLEEPING PERIODIICALLY

Check the battery operated smoke alarm nearby – this signal is to indicate that it needs a new battery.---THE SOUND BOUNCES AROUND AND IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO LOCATE ITS SOURCE ---99% OF THE TIME IT is THE SMOKE ALARM!

I HAVE TURNED ON (SET) THE ALARM USING MY NIGHT TIME (PART SET) CODE, AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AS I WALKED PAST THE LANDING PIR.

The control unit has had this facility removed-have you been touching it? Has the alarm engineer been today?

If you don’t know how to re programme part set, just OMIT the zone containing the Landing PIR etc. and then set the system.

I HAVE A POLICE CALLING ALARM, AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT (TURNED ON)SET THE POLICE HAVE ARRIVED----I HAVE AN AUDIBLE ONLY ALARM AND THOUGH IT IS NOT SET, IT HAS STARTED RINGING!

First check the alarm control unit display. On a remote signalling or police calling system which is fitted with a bell delay, the sounders will start to sound after a delay of up to 20 minutes. If you have not turned it off, you may not realise it until the police arrive, or the sounders start.

If you have recently turned the alarm off, did you enter the DURESS CODE in error?

Did anyone follow you in when you entered the premises? They may have entered a non- ENTRY / EXIT / ACCESS zone, and triggered an alarm condition, before you turned the alarm system off IS THE ALARM ACTUALLY TURNED OFF!!

If the alarm system has been off for hours, do you have any children or workmen on the premises?

They have probably pressed a PA button (PERSONAL ATTACK/ BANDIT BUTTON.) The workmen will always deny all knowledge of this! But check the buttons are not locked down, with the key. Some buttons have a coloured indicator flag. If the flag is red, the button is in an operated condition. Kkeep the PA reset key in a safe place.

On an audible only system the sounders will start as soon as the PA is pressed. Reset the button by inserting and gently turning the key till it springs back up, and then enter the alarm set / unset code on the key pad. The alarm should then stop sounding.

On both audible and police calling systems, if the internal sounder starts up with the system turned off, first check the alarm control unit display. If it indicates a tamper condition and you are having any work done in the premises, go to the point where the work is progressing. A cable may have just been cut, or a PIR or similar unit has been disturbed. The cover may have been taken off etc. Entering your entry / exit code will silence the sounders. Is the power turned on to the alarm control box. If a REDCARE system of signalling is used, you may have a telephone line fault.

THERE HAS BEEN A POWER CUT, AND EVEN THOUGH MY ALARM IS NOT SET, THE OUTSIDE SOUNDER HAS STARTED AND WILL NOT STOP.

The sounder, if it is a CC (closed circuit) SOUNDER / BELL may start immediately, or after some time. The problem is that the standby battery in the alarm control unit is flat. This means that there is no voltage supply to the CC SOUNDER/BELL to "hold" the sounder off, and it is sounding from its own internal battery. A good rechargeable battery should power the alarm for over 8 -24 hours. Your battery needs replacing! There is little you can do to stop the sounder unless you have tools and a ladder, or a new charged battery handy!

It is at this point that you realise that a maintenance contract is a very good idea!

Wait until the mains power is restored and all should be OK again. Replace the battery as soon as possible. See POWER CUTS and STANDBY BATTERY TESTS