Understanding the Causes of An Alarm System Beeping Every Few Minutes

Have you ever heard the telltale sound of an alarm system beeping? While many people are somewhat accustomed to home security alarms sounding reliably, a false alarm that goes off about every five minutes is bound to get on your nerves. After all, who has time to be awoken every five minutes with a blaring alarm?

Often when we hear a sound that we recognize, we try to associate the sound with a source or location. Fasten your seatbelt, the engine is turning over. The horn is honking in the car ahead of you. Someone is knocking on your back door. But we quickly recognize that these sounds—while familiar—are not likely coming from your home, and your brain quickly moves on to the next event.

The same thing happens with our alarms. They’re designed to simulate the same sound that someone might use to enter your house. Rather than clicking on a door unlocker, it immediately starts blaring. Rather than the arrow on a keychain activating a garage door opener, it signals tripped sensors or a blaring siren.

But your alarm system can’t always distinguish between these typically harmless environmental sounds and the sounds that mean someone is actually breaking in. That’s why it might sound off regularly. Here are a few reasons your alarm system beeping every few minutes, and what you can do about it.

What is the Beeping Noise from an Alarm System?

Upon receiving an alert from your home security system, an alert is sent to the Central Monitoring Station (CMS), alerting the monitoring professionals of the situation. As provided by law, there must be no delay in determining the nature of an emergency.

The CMS staff must be notified immediately when an alarm has been triggered, so if there is a delay, the 999 emergency response team might be delayed as well.

When an alarm is triggered, it is first analyzed at the alarm panel. Alarm panels can be calibrated to reduce nuisance alarms (such as alarms from environmental factors like hail). If there’s a false alarm, the delay is minimized so that you are not inconvenienced unnecessarily.

If, after analyzing the alarm, the panel has determined that there really is an emergency, it will alert the CMS automatically. Either the communications company’s technician or the home security system installer activates the two-way communications with the Central Monitoring Station. The communication is through the signalling device, which can be a phone line, or if the installer has a phone line outbuilding installed, it can be through a private line, a data cable, or a wireless connection. The technician will be able to talk directly to the CMS sales representative, who will notify the police, fire department, or medical authorities, all together. 

Once contacted, the police, fire department, or medical authorities will dispatch the necessary personnel to the residence or business, depending on the emergency.  At this point, the home security system not only has alerted the CMS of an emergency, it can also provide them with vital information about the location, type of emergency, and the presence or absence of any persons in the area. This information can help the authorities respond quickly and effectively to the alarm, such as the type of alarm, the location, and any other pertinent information. This information can help the authorities to respond quickly and efficiently.

How to Distinguish Between a Beeping Noise from an AC Power Source and a Beeping Noise from an Alarm System

See if there is enough power at the sensor or at a connector.

If the AC power is working (you always use 110 and 12 VDC or 110 and 24 VDC), inspect the wires and connections at the sensor or connector. If there is an error at the sensor or the fire alarm panel, it may be beeping.

An alarm panel that beeps is most likely in test mode, meaning it doesn’t need to communicate with a Central Station. Make sure there is no sensor out of the communication range, and then restart the panel.

If the panel is in test mode, the 24 VDC power LED should have some diode lights blinking. (There should be one diode or neon for each alarm zone.)

When there is no power, make sure there is power at the sensor and the fire alarm panel.

If the AC power supply is disconnected, the security system should be offline. 

Understanding the Reasons Behind an Alarm System Beeping Every Few Minutes

Most of us are used to security systems beeping to indicate that there’s activity happening at home. But when that beeping becomes more frequent and doesn’t seem to stop, it can be tough to decipher what’s up.

Here are some of the most common reasons why an alarm system might be beeping more frequently than usual.

Water Leak: Rooftop security breaches are quite common, and for the most part, they’re preventable. Since someone will have to climb onto your roof to access it, there’re plenty of opportunities for leaks. During winter months, many rooftop residents also install heating systems, which can be incredibly dangerous. The heating system might cause snow to build up on the roof, which could become a slipping hazard. A water sensor either inside or outside of your home will emit a loud beeping sound whenever there’s water detected.

Broken Alarm: Unfortunately, it’s quite possible for false alarms or malfunction to implicate an argument, so that you feel that you need to be on guard at all times. A broken alarm might sound off more often than it should, if you think you’ve got an intruder inside your home, and it leads to you being needlessly stressed out.

False Alarm: A fire alarm or a carbon monoxide alarm could go off when you’d expect them not to, usually due to circumstances outside of the alarm itself being triggered. For example, another alarm might go off while you’re cooking in the kitchen, setting off a sprinkler head buried in the grass. An escaping smoke or gas could set off a smoke alarm, so that it does what it’s meant to. Eventually, the alarm will recognize that its going off unnecessarily, but in the interim, false alarms can be incredibly irritating. If you’ve already got a system in place, then there’s certainly no harm in adding another alarm for extra protection.  

Malfunction: It’s also possible for the alarm itself to malfunction, leading to false alarms. This could be due to poor maintenance, a faulty connection, age, or even a design flaw. In any case, it’s important to make sure that your alarm is regularly checked and tested to ensure it is working properly. If you do encounter a malfunction, it’s important to contact a qualified professional to fix the issue.

How to Reset Your Security Panel After a Power Outage

No matter what kind of home security system you have, all electrical devices are susceptible to power issues. Something as simple as power outage can knock your security systems offline, preventing you from being aware of what is happening in your absence. In order to protect your property, you need to know how to reset your security panel after a power loss.
Some security systems feature a backup battery that will keep the system up and running for hours. If the battery is dead, however, your security system will remain offline, and you might need the assistance of a professional electrician.

Check your user manual to learn how to reset your security system. In most cases, you will be provided with detailed instructions on how to do it. Follow the instructions carefully and you should be able to restore power to your security system in no time.

When in doubt, reach out to your security provider. Regardless of the type of system you have, it might be a good idea to verify the way your system operates, how it handles power outages, and what to do if things go wrong after the power outage. Your provider should be able to provide you with all the necessary information.

Finally, consider investing in a backup power system. Backup power systems ensure that your security system remains online and fully functional even if the main power source fails. It’s a great way to keep your home safe and secure during a power outage.

What to Do When Your Smoke Detectors Are Chirping

When you hear a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm chirp, it’s important to react and find out whether it went off because of a fire or for another reason.

Especially if you’re home alone with your kids, dangerous situations can happen quickly. There could be someone in the house, there might be a fire, or there could be a hissing noise coming from your heater. It’s important to investigate any noise and take appropriate action as quickly as possible.

Here are some things to try in the event of an alarm chirp:

1. Dial 911: While they may chirp, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are serious business and should always be treated as an emergency. Call 911 to dispatch the proper emergency services to your home.

2. Shut off smoke detectors: Although fire and smoke alarms are great to have, they could also cause false alarms. Shutting off smoke detectors can alleviate the false alarm and help you be certain what’s going on. If there’s a situation that requires the fire department to get to your home, either by changing the batteries or shutting off the alarms, you can contact emergency services again to let them know that nobody is home.

3. Use your mobile phone: In lieu of calling out to 911, it might help to use your mobile phone and stay there so you can monitor the situation and respond similarly to the process above. For example, you can shut off the smoke detectors, close all doors, or even call the neighbor or family members staying down the road to see if they can report your situation to the authorities. Many mobile applications (like Protect America) will encourage users to dial 911 if the smoke detectors were responding to a situation in the home, so you have an option to either stay on the phone until authorities arrive or simply to stay on the phone until you and those around you are safe. 

What to Look for When Choosing an Alarm Company

As with many purchases, there are a lot of factors to consider when you decide to wire your home for security. We strongly recommend you take your time and make your decision when you’re not in a rush.

 1. Look for a home security company that has experience in the industry: When it comes to security and fire alarm systems, it is important to choose a company with a good reputation and plenty of experience. Research the company, read customer reviews and ask around to get a feel for the quality of their work.

 2. Check the system features: Make sure the features of the system match your needs. Do you need motion detectors, cameras, and smoke detectors? Do you need a system that’s compatible with your smartphone?

 3.  Consider the cost: Make sure the cost of the system fits your budget and that there are no hidden fees.

 4.  Ask questions: Ask questions about the installation process, the length of the warranty, and the customer service policies. You want to make sure you are getting the best service possible.

 5.  Find an experienced installer: Find an experienced installer who can help you properly install the system and can answer any questions you may have. 

Here is the list of companies  in your area that provide home security systems:

Go Safer Security:  A fire alarm life safety and home automation company in Maryland with over 13 years of experience is a great option. They provide professional installation,  24/7 monitoring, and flexible plans. Go Safer Security is a great company and worth considering.

Alarm.com: This is really more for home automation than security, but we want a good combination of smart lighting, locks, and smart thermostats that aren’t expensive. 

Honeywell Commercial Security:   Honeywell provides top-notch home security systems, along with installation and monitoring services. They also offer warranties and customer service support.

How to Maintain Your Home Security System and Avoid False Alarms

Having benefits like self-monitoring, 24/7 security monitoring, and home automation, security systems tend to cost a pretty penny. To make sure that you’re getting all of the ways you can out of a system, it’s important to keep up with its maintenance, and put in a little of your own money to care for its upkeep. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay extra to have your system maintained; after all, it’s covered under your monitoring contract! However, if you don’t think you’re getting the most out of your services, consider contacting your security provider to ask about routine maintenance.

Good maintenance habits include cleaning out the AC filter once a month, changing the battery in your window (or door) sensors, and making sure that your outdoor cameras are free of dust buildup. This might seem obvious, but it’s an important first step in keeping your home protected.

It’s also important not to place all of your trust in a home security system and neglect the process of burglar-proof. If anything, often our bad habits can warn off would-be burglars, and distract them long enough for the police to get to them. And the last thing you want to do is leave your doors and windows open – be sure to keep those locked!

If you want to take it one step further, consider investing in a  home security camera system. This will give you an extra layer of protection, as well as peace of mind knowing that you can always check in on what is happening inside and outside your home.

If you have questions about which systems are the best home security systems and how to maintain them, contact us! 

Tips for Troubleshooting a Smoke Alarm When It Is Beeping Every Few Minutes

If you’re dealing with a beeping smoke alarm, here’s some information to help you avoid calling your alarm company-especially if it’s not the typical beeping beep that you would expect from a burglar alarm.

Since the smoke alarm is alerting you to something, it’s important to investigate.

Here are two scenarios that commonly trigger an alarm:

Short circuit: A short circuit on a smoke alarm means that the smoke alarm is catching on fire! The smoke alarm needs to be replaced and you need to call your alarm security company.

False alarm: A false alarm occurs when the alarm triggers but doesn’t detect smoke. Common causes for false alarms include:

Dust that has accumulated around the smoke detector

Expired batteries

A malfunction in the alarm itself

Fortunately, you can test out the home alarm yourself to see what’s going on. First, you don’t want to attempt to disable your smoke alarm – the local fire department will be much more equipped to deal with the situation. _The alarm system should always be fully-functional.

In order to test the alarm for a short circuit, check the smoke alarm for signs of damage. You can do this by gently probing around, but don’t touch the alarm unless you absolutely know what you’re doing and can handle it. If the alarm has a battery compartment, make sure the battery hasn’t expired.

If the alarm doesn’t beep but is on, try changing the low battery. If the alarm still doesn’t respond, it may be malfunctioning.

To validate or disprove a false alarm, you can follow the simple steps below:

Check the sensor – Most smoke detectors have three types of sensors: ionization, photoelectric, and combination. Each type has its own way of detecting smoke and may require different actions depending on how far the detectors are located from each other.

Fire detector calibration – If the detector registers a false alarm, you can reset it by following these steps:

Unplug the smoke alarm from the power source and unplug it from the wall outlet.

Remove the coverplate.
Disconnect the sensor connection wire from the smoke detector.

Re-attach the connection wire.

Replace the cover plate and plug the detector back into the wall.

Test the alarm by activating the test button  If the alarm does not sound, the detector may need to be replaced. 

Check the environment – If the detector is located in a dusty or humid environment, it may be picking up particles that trigger the alarm. Try cleaning the smoke detector with a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris. If the detector is near a kitchen, bathroom, or other areas with high humidity try increasing ventilation or using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the area.

Check the batteries – If the detector is not hardwired, check the batteries and replace them if needed.

Perform a quick test – once you have completed all of the above steps, press the “Test” button on the smoke detector to make sure it is working properly. 

How to Prevent an Alarm System Beeping Every Few Minutes

Alarm systems have sensors that are designed to go off when particular events are triggered, such as extreme temperatures or if the glass break sensor is triggered. However, after numerous activations, the alarm can easily become a nuisance. Consequently, here are some steps to prevent these events from triggering the alarm:

If the sensor is triggered by a lightbulb [1], make sure to replace the bulb with a less sensitive one, such as LED or CFL.

Check to make sure that a sensor is not triggered when no one’s home.

If the glass break sensor is triggered, replace the glass with one that is thicker, stronger, and/or shatterproof.

If moisture is found to be the problem, dry the sensor or replace the sensor entirely.  If the alarm is triggered by an extreme temperature, adjust the temperature settings of the alarm system.

Make sure the alarm system is up-to-date and that all the sensors are working correctly.

Finally, if all else fails, contact a local technician to be inspected and serviced regularly to prevent issues from occurring.

If the alarm is still beeping after following these steps, it is important to contact an alarm company to repair or replace the system. 

Conclusion

It is important to understand why a residential or commercial alarm system may be beeping every few minutes. This can be due to a variety of causes, from low smoke alarm batteries to a full system malfunction. If a problem is not identified and addressed, it can lead to serious safety and security risks. If you live in Maryland and need help with your alarm system, Go Safer Security can provide you with reliable residential & commercial fire alarm safety systems. With their experienced and knowledgeable team, you can rest assured that your home and business are secure.