Reducing False Alarms in Your Fire Monitoring System

Emergency dispatches due to false alarms can result in significant fines by emergency responders and contracted mobile patrol companies. Therefore, reducing false alarms in your fire monitoring system should be a top priority for you and your company.

6 Tips for Reducing False Alarms in Your 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.

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. In addition, over 80% of incidents are due to misuse of equipment.

When your new fire or intrusion alarm system is installed, our technicians will take the time to teach you how your system works.In addition, our 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, it is a good idea to train potential users adequately to operate all 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

The general operations standard, CAN/ULC-S561, 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 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 false alarms do occur, a maintained and regularly updated list of facility managers, first-responders, and system dispatcher information should be available. In addition, any changes in staff or general safety procedure should be reflected in your emergency procedure guide. Avoid being caught in an emergency or a false alarm without a clear guideline on how it is to be handled/by whom.

6. Keep up with system reviews and updates

To eliminate the potential for false alarms, FMC conducts frequent product assessments to ensure that all devices are fully functioning. This also means keeping a close eye on all developments in fire and security technology outputs.

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

Contact Us

For over 30 years, Fire Monitoring of Canada Inc. (FMC) has been a leader in the monitoring of fire alarm and intrusion alarm systems.  If you would like to learn more about alarm monitoring, call 1 800 263 2534 or email fminfo@fire-monitoring.com!