Emergency dispatches due to False Alarms can result in significant fines by emergency responders and contracted mobile patrol companies. Therefore, whether you have a monitored intrusion or fire monitoring system, reducing false alarms in controlled Alarm devices should be a top priority for you and your company.

Below are six steps to help you reduce false alarms from your monitored intrusion or fire monitoring system.

1. Regular maintenance
To avoid false alarms, it is essential to develop a solid maintenance security regime to keep your system in check. Inspections for monitoring panels and fire alarm systems are required on an annual basis to ensure optimal function. Properly maintained monitoring systems have fewer false alarms, so keeping up-to-date with regular inspections ensures that emergency services aren’t showing up at your doorstep on a regular basis.

At Fire Monitoring of Canada Inc. (FMC), our technicians are Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) certified to perform installation, servicing, and maintenance of all monitoring equipment provided by our company. If you don’t know where to begin when planning your regular maintenance plan, don’t hesitate to contact us.

2. Choose a professional installation company
Although it may seem like a more cost-effective option, conducting maintenance or installing your monitored alarm system should never be a DIY project. Taking this route runs the risk of the device being damaged or installed incorrectly. By cutting corners, you could be putting your entire system at risk of false alarms.

The connection between the fire alarm panel (FAP) and the fire alarm monitoring panel (FAMP) must be done by a certified technician. Find a certified technician committed to a network of individuals and services that is familiar with your system to avoid unwanted action. Some insurance providers will recognize the benefit of monitored systems, and will provide a reduction in your premiums.

Sit back and relax because at FMC, we have established ourselves as a leader in the monitored alarm industry – when we come to your door, we bring the best-of-the-best with us.

3. Become familiar with your system
According to the Canadian Security Association, the #1 cause of false alarms in Canada is user error, as over 80% of incidents are due to misuse of equipment.

Luckily, when your new fire or intrusion alarm system is installed, our technicians will take the time to teach you how your system works; plus, our helpful Tech Tips series provides further walkthroughs on how the many devices we offer operate. We understand how important it is for you to be familiar with your system and to have all the answers to possible questions and concerns before they happen.

If you want to reduce the possibility of a false alarm even more, it is a good idea to train all potential users adequately to operate all related devices and technology correctly. To further decrease system misuse, consider posting step-by-step reference sheets and contact information near all equipment controls.

4. Have your system regularly inspected
If you are wondering if having your system regularly inspected is a requirement, then the answer is “yes.” CAN/ULC-S561, the general operations standard recognized in the Building and Fire Code, requires your system to undergo regular inspections.

Having your system meet the minimum for annual or bi-annual inspections and tests is a vital component of an effective false alarm avoidance strategy. Regular visits from a certified technician will also provide the opportunity for systems updates and user operation refreshers.

5. Keep an updated list
If any emergency or false alarms do occur, a maintained and regularly updated list of facility managers, first-responders, and system dispatcher information should be available. For instance, if there are any changes in staff or general safety procedure, it should be reflected in your emergency procedure guide immediately. You never want to get caught in an emergency or a false alarm without a clear guideline on how it is to be handled and by whom.

6. Keep up with system reviews and updates
To guarantee safety and eliminate the potential for false alarms, FMC conducts frequent product assessments to ensure that all devices are fully functioning and free of malfunctioning equipment. This is done by keeping a close eye on all developments in fire and security technology outputs by significant technology developers and producers, with whom we have strong connections.

By following these six easy steps, we can work together to reduce false alarms from occurring on your Monitored Intrusion or Fire Monitoring System.

For more information on monitored intrusion or fire monitoring systems, contact Fire Monitoring of Canada Inc. today at 1-888-711-3202 or click here.