How To Test Intruder Alarm

[matthew.brough]

I disagree. EOL readings may show a dodgy tamper connection if the reading is not stable.

 

The majority of engineers take their cable readings from spare cores which is a complete waste of time imo. Even if using the voltage or input pairs to take a reading has anyone actually ever discovered a short? It can take an age on a big install to take the resistance readings and to gain nothing.

Not a raving fan of taking tons of readings that no one uses myself.

[james.wilson]

You could have a 400 ohm fault if metering with the eol in place. Imo and Imo the regs state the reading should be of the cable only

[Amps]

You could have a 400 ohm fault if metering with the eol in place. Imo and Imo the regs state the reading should be of the cable only

 

If you had a 400 ohm fault you would have a fault showing on the system with BS8243 panels and the circuit would not work. Also a 400 ohm fault would show with EOL readings.

 

Regs are regs and the readings must be done but they are a bit outdated imo.

Not a raving fan of taking tons of readings that no one uses myself.

 

You leave the readings onsite or left back in the office?

[james.wilson]

Depends on the eol value, 1k is more sensitive than say 4k7

[matthew.brough]

If you had a 400 ohm fault you would have a fault showing on the system with BS8243 panels and the circuit would not work. Also a 400 ohm fault would show with EOL readings.

Regs are regs and the readings must be done but they are a bit outdated imo.

You leave the readings onsite or left back in the office?

Cloud so eng on site could see them as well as the office.

[datadiffusion]

You could have a 400 ohm fault if metering with the eol in place. Imo and Imo the regs state the reading should be of the cable only

 

But if a 6 monthly remote visit is acceptable, how does that work?

[james.wilson]

Do you have to meter all cables on a visit service?

[datadiffusion]

I usually do, and always have, but my biggest system is 32 zones atm...

 

Remembering that I'm not currently approved, and have never worked for an approved co,

my interpretation currently is that on installation, every resistance would be logged...

 

(Table  A1 "Log resistance of detection interconnections or check

continuity of bus wired interconnections")

 

and subsequently....

 

Annex B (normative) Preventative maintenance checks

B.1 General

As a minimum, preventative maintenance should be in accordance

with B.2 (Site visit) or B.3 (Remote system checks).

B.2 Site visit

On-site preventative maintenance checks (inspection and test) should

include the following:

a) that the installed system meets the as-fitted document;

b) tamper detection;

c) setting and unsetting;

d) entry and exit procedures;

e) power supplies, including any APS;

f) functioning of detectors and HDs;

g) environmental conditions for adverse effects;

h) operation of WDs;

i) operation of ATS (all paths);

j) visual inspection for potential problems (electrical and physical).

Care should be taken to ensure the equipment is properly reinstated

after testing.

B.3 Remote system checks

Remote system checks should include the following:

a) interrogate event record and take appropriate corrective action

(this might require a site visit);

b) where applicable, check the system has been set and unset (may

be taken from event record);

c) check no adverse tamper or fault conditions exist on the system;

d) check any alarm circuits that are on soak test;

e) check any alarm circuits that are inhibited/isolated;

f) ensure time and date of clock are correct, update if required;

g) check PPS is available;

h) check health of any APS;

i) check that “frequently used” detectors are operating;

j) check correct operation of ATS (all paths). 

 

At the risk of ridicule, I'd happily attach one of my anonymised service sheets from a customer, if I could.

 

This is TBH exactly why I wanted to shadow someone for a few days. I am more than capable of doing the

job and reading all the documents under the sun, but in the real world....

[james.wilson]

My point was its not checked on a real service so 'trouble' event monitoring is an enhancement

[datadiffusion]

So my point, which I never intended to make, is that perhaps I am doing too much at every service...!