Q: If my fire alarm panel is beeping (just at the panel) what does that mean?

A: Fire alarm panels have a built-in piezo buzzer that sounds any time an input is active.  Inputs can be 3 basic types - TROUBLE, SUPERVISORY, and ALARM.  See below for further answers about each type.

Q: If my panel says it has a TROUBLE (sometimes abbreviated TRBL or TRB) what does that mean?

A: A TROUBLE signal coming to the panel from one of the inputs (pull station, detector, monitor module) is the lowest priority type of signal.  Common TROUBLE signals are caused by wiring issues, moisture, cut wires, and unintentional grounding.

Q: My monitoring operator called and said, "Zone 15 smoke detector alarm east bedroom".  What does that mean?  

A: When the central station (monitoring center) calls, they will typically report a Zone Number, Device Type, and Location Description.  The Zone Number doesn't mean much to anyone but the alarm company, but the Device Type and Location Description can help you locate which device created the signal.

Q: When my monitoring center talks about a ZONE, what are they talking about?  

A: A zone can be one device or a group of devices (inputs), depending on the system.  On newer addressable type systems, each detector or other device is a zone.  On older conventional type systems, a zone could be a group of devices, an entire floor, or the whole building.

Q: If we have a false alarm on our system, will the fire department charge us for dispatching anyway?

A: Whether you get charged for a false alarm that dispatches the fire department, depends on a few factors.  Most departments give at least one freebie before charging.  After that, it could be $100 - $500 per trip for false alarms depending on which department serves you.  These fines usually increase the more false alarms you have per year.  This is designed to encourage you to keep the system working properly with minimal false alarms.

Q: I have a trouble on my panel that says "Ground Fault".  What does that mean, and will it keep coming back if I Silence or Reset the panel?

A: A Ground Fault is usually caused by an energized conductor (wire) touching a metal box, conduit, or structural member (like all-thread or metal beam).  Until the problem is corrected, this signal will resound every 24 hours when your panel does its daily test signal to the central station.  On older unmonitored panels, this fault may allow silencing and not resound again.

Q: The fire department told me that our system must be tested/certified every year, is this true?  

A: The national code and Iowa code require at least annual testing of every commercial fire alarm system.  Some systems that protect educational, elderly housing, health care, and some other types of buildings may be required to be tested more frequently.

Q: My fire alarm testing company just pulls a pull station and turns on the horn/strobes a minute, then hangs a tag on the panel.  Is this all that's required to satisfy the code?

A: Unless your entire system is one pull station, this is not enough.  The code requires a certain percentage of all inputs on a system to be activated and tested for proper function.  In addition, any integrated/connected systems like HVAC, fire sprinkler, and access control must be tested as well.

Q: If I'm in a fire alarm monitoring contract, how easy is it to get out and change companies?

A: This is a question we hear a lot, since we only have one-year agreements.  Many alarm companies use 2, 3, 5, or even 10-year monitoring agreements with customers.  Getting out of any legal contract can be a challenge, especially if it's written in the vendor's favor by lawyers who only do this type of thing.  The best thing to do (for next time) is to seriously consider the agreement term length before signing.  Is this long-term contract a way to give sub-par service and know the customer can't leave?