Burglar Alarm Servicing: When to Arrange a System Check

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An alarm needs to remain useful after installation. If you have stopped setting it because of a fault, are unsure when it was last checked or have changed the way you use your property, it is worth discussing the system with an alarm specialist.

Servicing also gives you an opportunity to check that you understand the controls, alerts and support arrangements. This guide explains when to ask for help and what to prepare before an engineer visits.

Follow the plan for your installed system

Check the service information provided with your alarm and any maintenance agreement you have in place. The appropriate arrangements depend on the equipment, the installation and the services connected to it.

If you cannot find the paperwork, ask your installer to explain what applies. Where your insurer has given you specific alarm conditions, keep those requirements with the system information and raise them before changing equipment or support arrangements.

Signs that your alarm needs attention

Contact your alarm company if a fault message persists, a battery warning appears or the system behaves differently from normal. Make a note of what is displayed and when the issue happens, rather than repeatedly clearing a warning without understanding it.

• You no longer feel confident setting or unsetting the alarm.
• The system is reporting a fault or repeated unwanted activations.
• Phone alerts or remote access are no longer behaving as expected.
• Parts of the property have changed since the alarm was installed.
• You have moved into a property with an unfamiliar alarm.

These are reasons to arrange an assessment, rather than a diagnosis of a particular fault. Do not open panels or disconnect devices to investigate. Use the instructions provided for your system and ask for professional support if you are unsure.

What to prepare before a service visit

Have the make and model available if you can identify them from the user instructions. Keep a brief record of any messages, when they occur and whether anything changed beforehand, such as building work or a change to the internet connection.

Tell the engineer about extensions, new doors, changed room layouts or areas you no longer use in the same way. If you have monitoring, explain the arrangement before any testing so the appropriate coordination can be discussed.

You should not need to send alarm codes, account passwords or sensitive security information through a general website enquiry form. Ask the alarm company how any necessary access information should be handled.

Clarify what the service includes

Ask for the scope before the appointment. Depending on the system and agreement, there may be different arrangements for a routine service, a fault investigation and chargeable repairs.

• What equipment and functions will be checked?
• Are batteries, replacement parts or repairs included?
• Will connected alerts or monitoring arrangements be considered?
• How will any findings and recommended work be recorded?
• What support applies after the visit?

Repair, upgrade or replace?

A fault does not automatically mean the whole alarm needs replacing. A specialist can assess the condition of the system and explain whether servicing, repair, an upgrade or replacement is appropriate.

If you are considering new features, explain the problem you want to solve. For example, you may want simpler controls, suitable phone access or coverage for an extension. Ask which existing components can be retained and how the proposed work meets that need.

Speak to Trisec about an existing alarm

Trisec provides intruder alarm servicing, maintenance, repairs and upgrades alongside new installations. See our local information for intruder alarms in Nottingham, intruder alarms in Lincoln and intruder alarms in Grantham.

Contact Trisec about your alarm and describe the issue and the support you need. If you are considering a new system, our guide to choosing an intruder alarm explains the main decisions.