What Happens During a False Alarm?
False alarms are pretty common in the United States. According to Statista, fire departments in the U.S responded to 2.8 million false alarms in 2018. Accidental false alarms contributed the biggest percentage at 1.3 million. False alarms in commercial properties or public institutions can cause commotion and possibly endanger lives. Additionally, your commercial property or institution could receive a fine for false alarms.
What Happens During a False Alarm?
During a false alarm, the alarm system produces a loud siren that requires your security code to turn off. The police and security company receive an alarm signal if no one inputs the correct passcode.
According to the Office of Justice Programs, a false alarm takes up about two minutes of police time and typically two officers. False alarms cost a whopping $1.5 billion in police time. It wastes police time which could have been used to respond to other serious security issues.
A majority of alarms that police respond to are false. In some cases, alarm agencies are fined about $300. Therefore, preventing them before they happen is essential, considering the high cost of false alarms.
Main Causes of False Alarms
The Office of Justice Programs highlights three major causes of false alarms.
Inappropriate Equipment
Some alarm systems are inappropriate for the settings. For example, a company that deals with massive heat might cause numerous false fire alarms. Fortunately, alarm manufacturing companies are constantly innovating to match the current needs in the market. For instance, Sonitrol Alarm Company prides itself on being at the forefront in designing non-intrusive alarm systems that match your company’s needs.
Poor Installation
System malfunction caused 888,000 false alarms in 2018, according to Statista. Even when the alarm system is superb, if the installation is poor, you’re likely to make false alarms. Your company or institution requires a reputable, skilled alarm systems company to prevent false alarms.
User Error
Sometimes false alarms are because of the end user’s limited knowledge. At Sonitrol Alarm Company, we make educating clients our responsibility. We provide regular and easy-to-follow instructions on how to use your alarm system. Our manuals are easy to follow, and our staff is ready to guide you.
As you have learned, many false alarms are expensive but avoidable. Sonitrol Alarm Company has vast experience spanning decades in innovating, installing, and maintaining alarm systems. Contact us to get unmatched performance and guidance in installing alarm systems.