Is Your Alarm System Working Properly? A guide to alarm servicing

You probably don't think much about your alarm system when everything is working as it should.

You enter your code, the system arms, the alarm stays quiet and life carries on.

But an alarm is made up of several components, and they all need to work together: A problem with one part of the system may not always be obvious during everyday use.

So how do you know when your alarm system needs to be checked? And what exactly is the point of alarm servicing?

What Happens During Alarm Servicing?

Depending on the system you have, there can be quite a few components involved, and each one needs to be working properly for the system to do its job. 

Servicing gives a technician the chance to properly check those components, rather than simply assuming everything is working as it should. 

This can involve testing the sensors, keypad and control panel, checking the siren and backup battery, and making sure the system is communicating properly with the monitoring service.

A backup battery, for example, might still work, but not have enough power left to keep the system running if the electricity goes out. 

Signs Your Alarm System May Need Attention

Your alarm system can sometimes give you a warning when something isn't quite right. 

Our technicians regularly come across a variety of similar issues, such as: 

• Repeated false alarms

• Warning beeps or messages from the keypad

• A sensor that isn't responding as expected

• A siren that sounds or behaves differently

• A low backup battery warning

• Damage to sensors, keypads, sirens or other components

• Changes to the property that may affect the existing alarm setup

What If Your Property Has Changed?

Maybe you've added a room, changed the layout, replaced doors or windows, created a new entrance or made other alterations, such as converting a garage into a room. 

Even if the alarm itself hasn't developed a fault, those changes can affect how your existing system works and the areas it needs to cover. 

Why Regular Testing Matters

Why does regular testing matter? Because the best time to find a problem with an alarm system is before you need it.

You don't have to wait for a technician to tell you something is wrong, either. Testing your alarm from time to time can help you spot obvious problems, such as a sensor that isn't responding or a panic device that isn't working as expected. 

Keeping Your Alarm Connected to the Control Room

If your alarm is connected to a monitoring service, there's someone on the other end of that connection. When the alarm is activated, a signal is sent through to the control room so the appropriate response can be initiated.

It's worth testing that connection from time to time. Contact your monitoring service first so they can advise before the test, then you can check things like your sensors and panic devices without accidentally triggering a response.

These are useful checks you can do yourself… but they don't replace having the system properly serviced. 

If it's been a couple of years since you've had your system checked, a quick test won't tell you whether the backup battery is still in good condition or whether components are starting to fail. It also won't tell you if everything is communicating as it should. 

When Was Your Alarm System Last Checked?

If you can't remember the last time your alarm system was properly serviced, or you've noticed something unusual, it's worth having it checked. 

At ET Rapid Response, our alarm services include installation, servicing and repairs to help keep your system functioning as it should. We can also help when changes to your property mean your existing alarm setup needs attention. 

For more information about our alarm services, get in touch with ET Rapid Response:

📞 0861 031 111📧 info@etsouth.co.za