sparrow Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 until tonight at 3 am but glad you got it sorted and hope it stays fault free for another few years bellman I'm hoping so too - I am curious though to know what servicing an alarm system consists of. As far as I see it, other than the sensors and the backup battery, there isn't really much that can be serviced, other than perhaps checking that the wiring hasn't been damaged. When sorting out contents insurance a few years ago I remember the insurance company saying that they would give a discount off the premium if the alarm system was serviced by an approved firm. I was amused to find out that the reduction in premium was a fraction of what it would cost to have the system serviced. Could someone perhaps just let me know what a service entails and how often it is worth having it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave the alarm man Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 When sorting out contents insurance a few years ago I remember the insurance company saying that they would give a discount off the premium if the alarm system was serviced by an approved firm. I was amused to find out that the reduction in premium was a fraction of what it would cost to have the system serviced.Could someone perhaps just let me know what a service entails and how often it is worth having it done. Thats the catch 22, unless it been done by an approved firm chances are it will not be of the standard required. Normally firms are fussy about of type of controls they work with using what they train their staff to work with. pmv once a year for electrical & functional test of the install write a jobsheet out + most importantly access to service on demand 24/7 365 days of the year, my cleints want to have duck fit if they wait for more than an hour for an engineer however the content I see on here the DIY'ers take days, weeks or even months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alterEGO Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I'm hoping so too - I am curious though to know what servicing an alarm system consists of. As far as I see it, other than the sensors and the backup battery, there isn't really much that can be serviced, other than perhaps checking that the wiring hasn't been damaged. When sorting out contents insurance a few years ago I remember the insurance company saying that they would give a discount off the premium if the alarm system was serviced by an approved firm. I was amused to find out that the reduction in premium was a fraction of what it would cost to have the system serviced. Could someone perhaps just let me know what a service entails and how often it is worth having it done. Check history of alarm system since last maintenance service Visual inspection of all major alarm components including cabling & connections where accessible for signs of deterioration or damage Check mains power supply including charging rates Check battery power supply including charging rates Check all wiring terminations and all reistance and power readings Check and Walk Test all detectors Check satisfactory operation of manually operated devices e.g. panic buttons Check and test all audible warning devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest anguscanplay Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Check history of alarm system since last maintenance service Visual inspection of all major alarm components including cabling & connections where accessible for signs of deterioration or damage Check mains power supply including charging rates Check battery power supply including charging rates Check all wiring terminations and all reistance and power readings Check and Walk Test all detectors Check satisfactory operation of manually operated devices e.g. panic buttons Check and test all audible warning devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alterEGO Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 good list but you forgot the most important point to using AN APPROVED installer - we take over the liability for your system performance i was just listing the physical work carried out on the visit. i just copied and pasted it from my site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest anguscanplay Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 i was just listing the physical work carried out on the visit. i just copied and pasted it from my site. sure but its the single most important thing these diy guys forget - if it fails to activate your stuffed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alterEGO Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 sure but its the single most important thing these diy guys forget - if it fails to activate your stuffed QFA, They also often forget what PMV's can actually prevent. you don't here of professionally serviced systems sounding every other week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted July 1, 2007 Author Share Posted July 1, 2007 Thanks for the replies:- I'm pleased to report that I certainly do some of the maintenance checks - visual inspection of wiring etc for damage, walk test of sensors (that's how I found that the garage sensor was no longer working), change battery every 5 years. I'm also pleased to report that in 18 years, we've only had 2 false alarms - I'm still convinced they were caused by spiders by the garage sensor - each time it happened I would find a cobweb by the sensor. I've also had one positive alarm that saved our garage - 6am the alarm went off - heard a car speed away - when I checked the garage someone had tried to lift one of the roof sheets off and in the process had knocked a pile of stuff of a shelf - police weren't interested. I would like to point out that I've not done DIY repairs on the system out of choice - I would have happily paid for it to be done if I could have found an alarm specialist I trusted but I like to choose by recommendation and no-one I know could recommend anyone - the original fitter was a sole trader with a good reputation but appears to have moved out of the area. Now that I've found this forum with a link to reputable firms I will be looking in to having a regular service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave the alarm man Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 - police weren't interested. ACPO policy states URN for police turn out would have happily paid for it to be done if I could have found an alarm specialist I trusted but I like to choose by recommendation and no-one I know could recommend anyone - the original fitter was a sole trader with a good reputation but appears to have moved out of the area. Would have recommended by your insurer + police been good enough for you? Now that I've found this forum with a link to reputable firms I will be looking in to having a regular service. But can you be certain, I've heard tales of things being nailed to tree & all sorts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest anguscanplay Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 ACPO policy states URN for police turn outWould have recommended by your insurer + police been good enough for you? But can you be certain, I've heard tales of things being nailed to tree & all sorts agreed never take as read anything on the internet - me im a 14 year old lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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