Spring clean your home security system

YOU WOULDN’T DRIVE YOUR CAR FOR FIVE YEARS WITHOUT TAKING IT FOR A SERVICE…
…neither should you expect your home alarm system to function optimally without regular checks and tests for potential signs of wear and tear.
So, while you are spring cleaning the rest of the house it makes sense not to neglect this important aspect of one of your biggest investments and even more importantly so secure the safety of your family.
Clive Samuels, Blue Security’s technical expert and a director of the Durban based company, offers home-owners the following seven simple steps to ensure your security system is always in top shape.

1. Perform a detection test.

Walk around your property and trigger every detection device such as passives and beams and open all the doors and windows. Confirm that the device reflects on the respective zone number on your keypad. (You may need two people to conduct this test, one to trigger each device and the second to watch the keypad to ensure that as each zone is triggered it displays on the keypad).
Pay careful attention to old devices with poor detection or devices that are blocked, limiting their area of detection. Replace, old damaged devices. Also, consider the need for additional detectors if you have recently bought any high value items that are now kept in a previously low risk area of the property.

2. Perform a signal test.

Contact your security company’s control centre and ask the controller to place your account on test for about 30 minutes.
Arm the alarm system in the away mode. Wait for the exit delay to expire. Then walk through the property and trigger each zone by walking past every detection device and opening all doors and windows. Don’t forget to test the fixed panic buttons and remember that these should be held down for at least 2 seconds.
Disarm the system and contact the control centre to confirm whether signals from all zones have been received.
Dual monitoring is recommended (monitoring by radio and telephone) so check with the control centre whether signals where received via telephone, radio, GSM or any combination.

3. Test remote panic buttons and check the batteries.

A strong battery allows optimal range around the property. Remember to notify the control centre once testing has been completed.

4. Backup power test.

It is recommended that an alarm system should have eight to 12 hours’ standby power in case of a blackout.
To perform a test, switch off the transformer and verify how long the system stays alive. Additional backup power supplies are also available for longer standby time.
Before replacing the battery contact a technician to ensure the charger on the control panel is working optimally.

5. Update your codes and information.

It’s advisable to update the alarm’s user codes at least every 6 months and to update your challenge codes with the control centre from time to time. Update all key-holder details and contact numbers.

6. Check your lighting.

Apart from checking your existing alarm system it’s important to also maintain good lighting around the outside of your property. Replace any bulbs that are not working and fix any light fittings that may be faulty. Trim any bushes around the house that could be used as hiding places.

7. How many layers of security do you have?

Create layers of security around your home by setting up a neighbourhood watch, installing street cameras, a gate detection device to warm of gate-crashing, an electric fence and additional external beams.
The SA Intruder Detection Services Association recommends alarm systems be replaced every five to seven years. How old is your alarm system and how did it fare on all these important spring-cleaning tests?