Alarm Reliabilty

Alan i dont disagree, but windows get left open,

use d-tecs, train clients to shut non contacted internal doors/windows (on pain of death), tell them correctly it reduces the spread of fires if the wost happens.

xthings fall of walls, and environments change - again use d-tecs, inform what causes false alarms as prevention better than cure - or an invoice from me as i don't suffer fools easily.

Granted on your systems a customer may need your permission to (even think of ) alter their room but most i come accross do as they please (POD see above). If your systems ignore windows left open, insecure doors etc, you must love double knock like your son.

my systems don't need to ignore anything and if double knock had worked properly 35 years ago - perhaps i would not have had him

i tend to avoid contacts on internal doors, imo biggest source of false alarms far and way above any movement detector can cause, this is due to the user getting lax and not checking them properly, relying on the alarm setting to 'mean' the doors are secure.

having started in the heyday of door contacts (and pressure pads omg) i habitually reinforce my training at every chance i.e. service/pm/choccy biscuit & tea call. easily best to 1st get them to demo how they set their system, ask about any difficulties and straighten out any 'bad behavior'.

while it's grindingly boring and yes old school, it's extremely effective. fault finding is 85% accurate pedantic interogation/observation and comparing what could against what can't happen, long before you blow the dust of your neon screwdriveras.

this gives hte best insight as to what really is the problem, or if there actually is not one - like your falling pictures or insecure doors, if they simply they can't be tamed sub con me in, or alter the system design to accommodate but obviously remain effective.

one day i might put my 'door checking instruction demo' on youtube (or perhaps on this site) - the tong in cheek patter used to plant it firmly in the students memory, will be a total gas for you younger turks to watch, as it has been for all my trainee's in the past.

regs

alan