Understanding Your Alarm System: Roles, Responsibilities, and Maintenance

Your alarm system is a crucial part of your security, but do you fully understand its role and your responsibilities as a system owner? At Atlas Security, we want to provide insight on how an alarm system functions and why maintenance is essential to ensuring optimal system performance which will provide optimal protection.

Who is Responsible for Your Alarm System?

The responsibility of ensuring the alarm system remains in a working condition lies entirely with the owner. While Atlas Security is responsible for the communication of signals between the alarm system and its Control Centre, the overall functionality and day to day upkeep of the alarm system rest with you. A properly maintained alarm system ensures that, intrusion detection can occur effectively and that signals are transmitted and received as expected so that help can be dispatched promptly.

The Impact of Coastal Living on Alarm Systems

Living along the coast brings unique challenges, particularly corrosion. Coastal conditions can cause certain components of your alarm system to deteriorate over time, potentially leading to malfunctions. Regular system inspections are vital to prevent failures that could leave your home or business vulnerable.

Regular Testing for Optimal Performance

Continuously measure the integrity of your security system. We strongly recommend regular comprehensive testing of your alarm system. To conduct this comprehensive test we recommend that you:

1. Call into our control centre on 0861 585 585 and inform the operator that you would like to be "put on test". We will activate the relevant site profile on “test mode” and confirm this with you.
2. Arm your alarm in "full arm", as if you're going to leave the premises empty. Whilst remaining inside your building, open and close your main entry door to allow the alarm to confirm your "exit". Wait for your exit countdown timer to run out and the alarm to fully arm.
3. Once your alarm has been set in the "full arm state" and without disarming it again, walk through each area where a "motion detector", otherwise known as a PIR, is located. The first detection of motion will setoff the alarm as well as the siren (if one is connected), it is imperative that you do not disarm your alarm during this time, at least not until you have triggered every zone. Continue throughout the building moving past every "motion detector". Be sure to open any and all doors / windows which may have magnetic contacts installed on them. Once you have "triggered" each zone, including any panic buttons, disarm your alarm system.
4. During your conducted test, you should have received SMSes for each signal received by our control centre validating that the signal was received by us. Review these SMSes and ensure that each of your zones reported correctly. If it's easier for you, you can call our control centre and ask the operator to verify that a signal was received for all zones during your test.
5. Should a signal not have been received for any particular zone, this will highlight to you a possible issue with that zone. We recommend that you then arrange an appointment with one of our technicians to investigate this and resolve the cause for you soonest.

Upgrading to a Reliable, Modern Alarm System

It is important to note that an alarm system, like any other electronic device, does not have an infinite lifespan and like everything that ages, it deteriorates as it gets older. A "motion detector", for example, when newly installed may provide coverage of 10 meters, at that time, however, as the device ages, so too does the detection range deteriorate. This means that this same "motion detector" may now only be providing you with a detection range of less than 3 meters due to the many years of aging. In essence, this means that the coverage you truly have is not the coverage you may think you have. An outdated and unreliable alarm system carries risks, while a modern, technologically advanced system enhances your security and peace of mind. At Atlas Security, our specialists are available to help you select the best protection solutions tailored to your needs.

If you require advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Ensuring that your alarm system is in peak condition is key to safeguarding what matters most.