A Guide to Self-Servicing your Home Alarm System:

This article is purely aimed at those individuals who have installed their own Audible only Home Alarm system. The way I see it is that if you have successfully installed your own home alarm system, then I can assume you know a bit about what your doing, and you should know what the Engineer code is and be able to adjust your programmed alarm settings if required. I will not be held liable if you damage your system while following these simple servicing procedures.

Also please note that in the eye's of your home insurance company it will not matter how competent you are, your alarm system will not be regarded as a "maintained alarm" unless serviced by an approved company.

Prepare yourself:

*Please be very careful, as there is always the potential for an Electric Shock when working with any mains powered device*

Before we start lets check you have the minimum required tools for the job:

• Digital or Analogue Voltage/Current/Resistance meter.
• Small Electrical & Insulated to 250V Flat ended & Phillip's screwdriver's.
• A Small set of Step's and possibly some long ladders.
• A small un-used paintbrush (about 1" should be fine).
• A dust cloth and some cleaning fluid (safe for use on plastic).
• A Selection of Spare's including some correctly rated fuses just in case.
• And if you have Smoke or Heat detectors then you'll require some Smoke detector spray and a hairdryer.

Right then, your now ready to begin the servicing of your Alarm System.

Steps 1 and 2 should be routine practice for all alarm owners........

Step 1: Make sure it works

Firstly lets make sure your system is fully working before you start to do anything to it, so set and unset the system in the usual way making sure that it sets ok, starts the entry timer on entry, and un-sets without showing any faults.

If all went well with that we next need to Set the system, cause an alarm condition making sure that the bellbox is sounding and if present that the strobe light is flashing, also check that any internal audible alarms and sounders are working correctly, and then silence the alarm by entering your code, and note what the cause of the alarm is displayed as, before you reset the system. Did it Reset ok..?, Lets proceed onto Step 2........

Step 2: The Walk test

Depending on what panel you have this might be easier with 2 people.....Put your control panel in Walk Test mode, and walk past or activate all detectors that are used to alarm your home, you should hear a confirmation beep or series of beeps for each detector as you are walking around triggering them, if not then this is where a 2nd person might be useful so they can see the visual indication at the control panel or keypad as you walk around triggering everything. If applicable use the smoke spray (read the instructions on the can) to test any Smoke sensors, and you'll need a Hair dryer to check any Heat Detectors, keeping the hair dryer at least 18 inches from the detector..

If that went ok, and your panel has the option you can now quickly activate any other testing features your panel may have, such as sounder tests, strobe tests, keypad tests, etc etc.

All ok..?, this is where the fun starts........

Step 3: Engineer Checks:

Lets get that control panel into Engineer mode, if your now stuck because you cant access Engineer mode then you can't go any further with this self-servicing of your alarm system and should seek a professional security company to complete the servicing for you. Sorry but Each panel is different and I cant access Engineer mode for you........

Each Detector must be cleaned, so get your Screwdrivers, the dust cloth (slightly moistened), your small stepladder, and also you'll need the paintbrush..? Replace any detector that shows signs of corrosion, Do each Detector separately, don't rush, take your time and do a good job.

• Motion Sensors/PIR's: Remove the front cover of the sensor (you might have to remove a screw), and gently with the paintbrush dust out the inside workings of the sensor, taking extreme care not knock any switch or dislodge any of the small jumpers that control the detector's settings, also if applicable be careful not to dislodge and loose the tamper spring. Check that there are no access holes in the detector where insects or spiders may be able to gain access, and if there are seal the holes with masking tape, or some form of non-conductive/corrosive sealant such as Silicone sealant. The front cover of the detector should be wiped over with your dampened cloth and dried, if especially dirty or stained you would be wise to wash, rinse and dry the cover, there's no reason why it shouldn't look as new when your finished cleaning it. Always make sure the inside lens of the cover is also cleaned and that the lid is totally dry before replacing the lid back on the sensor. Also while your up the steps replacing the lid, check around the detector for and cobwebs and remove them. If you find a Spider get rid of it.
• Heat/Smoke Sensors: Remove and visually inspect each detector, most will simply unscrew from their mounting. If it's over 10 years old I'd seriously think of replacing it. Most will have a date for replacing stamped or attached to them. With your brush, get rid of any dust that has accumulated and wipe each sensor clean with your dust cloth. If you find that dust has got inside an area you cant clean then try using your Vacuum Cleaner.
• Electronic Shock Sensors: These devices are normally fitted to window frames or door frames, so remove each lid and have a good look for any signs of dampness, what we need to look for with these sensors is any signs of corrosion at the terminals and on the circuitry, so look out for this while your gently brushing over the circuit board, give the lid a quick wipe with your dust cloth and refit.
• Glass Break Detectors: A nice easy one, just dust out the insides with your paintbrush, and give the lid a wipe with your damp cloth.
• Door Contacts: Check each contact for any signs of corrosion where the wires are joined to the reed switch terminals, if all ok then wipe over the covers and refit.
• Panic Buttons: Some panels will still go into a full alarm condition in engineers mode if these devices are messed or tampered with, so unless its really dusty just wipe them over with a damp cloth taking care not to press the button/buttons.
• Other Sensors/Devices: Some detectors such as Pressure mats will not need cleaning, so as long as they have walk tested ok, leave them alone, for any other detectors or devices just use your judgment, and clean them as required.
• Bellbox: Well its up to you with this one, I'll normally leave the bellbox alone unless its especially dirty.

When you have finished cleaning each Detector, take the control panel out of Engineer mode just to check you have replaced all the sensor lids correctly and are not causing a Tamper fault. If all seems ok, try to set the alarm in the normal way and watch for any detector saying its triggered when you know it shouldn't be. Investigate any faults you find before proceeding to the control panel checks.

Control Panel Checks:

!.Please be very careful, there is always the potential of an Electric Shock when working with any mains powered device.!

Now were going to check that the internal workings of your control panel are as they should be, so once again place your system in Engineer mode, and remove the lid from your control panel. Engineer mode should put your panel into a state which ignores any tamper faults, so if upon removing your control panel lid your system went into a tamper alarm condition then your not in Engineer mode, and you should replace the lid on the control panel and then reset the system in your normal way.