Flashing Lights and Confusing Buttons – Understanding Your Alarm System

Alarm systems can get quite complicated when you start to get into the complex features that they have available and let’s face it, sometimes even the simpler functions seem like French to your average Joe. That is why we want to help you understand a few things about alarm systems that you may not already know.

Testing 1, 2, 3

There are a few steps you can take to make sure that you are well-protected while at home. One of the simplest, but most overlooked steps is to test your alarm system. For an armed response officer to respond to your emergency, a signal actually needs to be received by Blue’s control centre. So, we have outlined the two types of DIY tests for you to ensure that your system is in good working order.
Testing the operation of the alarm system and various detectors

1. Verify that the system is in READY mode. Do not arm it.
2. Open each protected door or window, one at a time.
3. Check that the keypad displays a red light on the relevant zone, indicating that the door or window that you are testing is open.
4. Close the respective door or window.
5. The keypad should display READY mode.
6. Repeat the process for each sensor connected to your alarm system.

Testing the signal transmission to the control centre

1. Phone through to our control centre and ask the controller to place your alarm system on test.
2. Be ready to give your customer code, which you will find on your mobile app or monthly invoice, and challenge code to the operator.
3. Arm your system as usual and activate it by opening a door or window, or tripping a PIR detector.
4. Allow the alarm to sound for at least 15 seconds.
5. Deactivate the alarm and return it to READY mode.
6. Verify that the signal was received by the control centre and ask that the system be taken off TEST.

Recharge Your Batteries

When load shedding was implemented by Eskom, many clients had concerns about the batteries that were powering their alarm systems and other security measures such as beams, CCTV cameras, and electric fencing. The biggest concern was that they were left vulnerable during load shedding if the system’s battery was low or even dead.

However, to give our clients peace of mind, should their system transmit a low battery signal, an SMS is sent to the listed keyholder to alert them of the status of their battery. We then urge our clients to get in contact with us to get the matter resolved as soon as possible.

We’ll Take Care of You

Have you ever looked at your alarm system and had any of the below questions?
1. How do I arm or disarm my alarm system?
2. How do I bypass a zone?
3. What does this flashing light mean?
4. What do these words on my keypad display mean?
Our Customer Care agents are trained and available to help. Just keep in mind, with the emergence of new technologies, alarm systems have evolved into many different models that serve specific sets of needs. This is why, when calling our Customer Care centre with a request on how to do any of these actions and more, please have your brand and model number available for them to assist you with relevant information, for your specific system.
Call us on 031 717 5000 if you have any questions or queries about how to use your alarm system correctly. Alternatively, email us on CustomerCare@bluesecurity.co.za and we’ll get back to you with all the answers!