Police statistics predict a 20% rise in criminal activity, a problem compounded by a sharp increase in false alarms, over long weekends and school holidays. The first long weekend of the year is just under three weeks away.
User error is the single biggest contributor to false alarms.
Chubb Security can confirm that false alarms comprise over 95% of signals received by their Monitoring Centres. Although most false alarms are blamed on faulty equipment, the most likely cause of a false alarm will be one or more of the following:
1. Environmental factors
All detection devices are designed to operate within certain environmental parameters. Factors to look for in trying to determine the cause of a false alarm are:
- Birds or small animals and rodents.
- Cockroaches and spiders, especially in food preparation areas.
- Unlatched or loose doors or windows.
- Loose fitting or broken windows and doors or frames which allow excessive air movement.
- Air conditioners, ventilators, fans etc. which allow rapid and unacceptable air temperature changes or air movement.
- Glazed areas or mirrors that allow strong direct or reflected light to shine onto detectors.
- Condensation or dripping water on or near detectors or wiring.
- Hanging signs, etc.
- Boilers, furnaces, steam pipes, etc.
- New electrical wiring or metal piping in your premises, which can have an effect on your system, especially where a radio communicator is installed.
2. Corrosion and damage to wiring
Certain areas are especially prone to corrosion. These will generally be in coastal areas, but may also include certain industrial areas.
- Look for damp patches on walls, doors, windows and their frames, near showers, kitchens and sculleries.
- Corrosion causes increased resistance on circuit wires and will be most obvious on circuits with perimeter detection devices (vibration detectors, magnetic contacts, foil, tension switches, etc.), but will also have a substantial affect on electronic devices.
- Damage to wiring may be caused by virtually anything. Visually check wires or detectors near doors and windows, in passageways and high traffic areas or where boxes and goods are stacked against walls, etc. Rats love the PVC covering on wires and will generally attack cables in ceiling spaces, cupboards and other out-of-the-way places.
3. Power problems
A poor supply of power is guaranteed to give problems. Irregular mains power and old or damaged batteries will give false alarms and may cause further damage to your system.
- Mains plugs should not be shared with other devices.
- If you experience frequent or protracted power failures, expect problems with your system. Battery replacement will become expensive so consider buying a larger charger and battery to cope with the problem; it may very well be cheaper in the long run.
4. Lack of training
User error is the single biggest contributor to false alarms. Failure of owners/operators to understand the system can be a real problem. Make sure all those with access to your property know how to arm and disarm the alarm.
To avoid false alarms and accidental activations, remember the following:
- Always close your windows
- Never leave pets in the house unless you have "pet friendly" detectors installed
- Spray insect repellent around your detection devices once a month
- Enter/exit through the designated door
- Reflected light from swimming pools, glass tabletops, tile floors and mirrors into the infrared detectors can cause false alarms. Keep curtains closed in these areas before arming the alarm effects of false alarms Besides the noise, there are some serious consequences to false alarms some of which include:
- Monitoring Centre call-back times are slower.
- Response times will be longer.
- Security companies and vehicles may be TOO LATE in the event of a real emergency.
Advise the Monitoring Centre immediately should you accidentally activate your alarm and if you suspect your alarm system may be faulty, book the services of a technician. - Sapa
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