Check the extent of protection

Any reassignment of local premises or minor structural changes can trigger false alarms and call for the extent of the protection provided by the system to be adapted. This aspect is often not recognised by the operator or client, although the service technician carrying out the maintenance is fully aware of it. Examples:

• Fire detection: A room previously used as an archive is now to be used as a room for tea & coffee breaks. A kettle is placed directly under a smoke detector. The steam from the kettle is detected as «fire smoke» and triggers a false alarm.
• Fire detection: The system is frequently disconnected or bypassed during conversion or renovation work. Decorators use masking tape to protect the smoke detectors and then forget to remove the tape afterwards. While technically the detector is still operational, it is unable to detect a fire.
• Burglary alarm: Checking the security concept ensures that monitoring is optimised. For instance the service technician may notice new emergency exits, obstructions to motion detectors or hold-up alarm buttons due to changes in the room furniture or new partitions, etc.