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Mechanical tampering, masking, painting or spraying of any material on the mirrors,
windows or any part of the optical system can reduce their detection ability. Passive
Infrared Detectors sense changes in temperature; however, as the ambient temperature of
protected area approaches the temperature range of 32° to 40°C, the detection performance
can decrease.
• Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells or horns may not alert people or wake up
sleepers if they are located on the other side of closed or partly open doors. If warning
devices sound on a different level of the residence from the bedrooms, then they are less
likely to waken or alert people inside the bedrooms. Even persons who are awake may not
hear the warning if the alarm is muffled from a stereo, radio, air conditioner or other
appliance, or by passing traffic. Finally, alarm warning devices, however loud, may not
warn hearing-impaired people or waken deep sleepers.
• Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premises to a central monitoring
station may be out of service or temporarily out of service. Telephone lines are also subject
to compromise by sophisticated intruders.
• Even if the system responds to the emergency as intended, however, occupants may have
insufficient time to protect themselves from the emergency situation. In the case of a
monitored alarm system, authorities may not respond appropriately.
• This equipment, like other electrical devices, is subject to component failure. Even though
this equipment is designed to last as long as 10 years, the electronic components could fail
at any time.
The most common cause of an alarm system not functioning when an intrusion or fire occurs is
inadequate maintenance. This alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure all sensors
and transmitters are working properly.
Installing an alarm system may make one eligible for lower insurance rates, but an alarm
system is not a substitute for insurance. Homeowners, property owners and renters should
continue to act prudently in protecting themselves and continue to insure their lives and
property.
We continue to develop new and improved protection devices. Users of alarm systems owe it to
themselves and their loved ones to learn about these developments.
