MOST COMMON CAUSES OF FALSE ALARMS

by Richard Morgan February 24, 2023 2 min read

 

  • The system has not had regular routine maintenance carried out.
  • A door or window was left open or unlocked and a person or animal entered.
  • An insect or spider crawling across the lens of a detector. Ensure your detectors are free of insects on or around the detector. Also ensure you remove any moths, bees, flys or other flying insects from the property before you set the system. This is often worse in the summer months when doors/windows are left open allowing spiders and insects to enter.
  • Cobwebs hanging in front of or below the detector. They can often be difficult to spot but ensure they are removed. This is also often worst in the summer months.
  • Pets roaming around the property. You will need to ensure that pets are confined to either areas without detection or areas with ‘pet sensitive’ detection when the system is set or part set. Sometimes false alarms can still occur if pets jump on furniture or worktops.
  • Dust on the lens of the detector. Give the lens of the detector a delicate clean with a dry cloth or duster, especially after having any refurbishment or decorating works carried out where excessive dust is created.
  • A storm or heavy rain/wind could have caused a door to move (triggering the door contact) or caused something inside to move which in turn triggers a movement detector.
  • Christmas decorations or any decoration hanging in front of or near a detector that may move or flutter if there is a draft of air through the building.
  • Paper or decorations hanging above a heater or radiator may flutter when the warm air rises.
  • Ensure that detectors are not obstructed by stock or boxes that may be piled up in a room.
  • A new heat source such as a fireplace or radiator has been installed below or near the detector.
  • A window cleaner triggers a shock detector when cleaning a window.
  • A new operator (colleague, friend or neighbour) may not be aware of the correct operational procedure for your system (i.e., ensuring you leave or enter the building via the correct entry/exit route). Ask a regular user of the system to give them some basic training plus give them a copy of the systems user manual or quick user guide to read plus a copy of this list

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