What is a False Alarm?

A false alarm, also called a nuisance alarm, is an erroneous report of an emergency, bringing emergency services to a place where they are not needed.

False alarms may occur with residential burglary alarms, smoke detectors, industrial alarms, and more. False alarms have the potential to divert emergency respondents away from legitimate emergencies.

We contact you no matter what the alarm event, real or false. We need to verify whether that event is real or not.

How do I avoid False Alarms?

Alder has intentionally designed the Alder Protect alarm system to be intuitive and easy to use. We also have informative articles that assist you the customer to get the very best from your system.

The following suggestions may be helpful:

• Make sure you know your 4 digit panel passcode as well as your verbal password
• Test your alarm system often, we recommend at least once a month
• Make sure that all trusted members using the system are properly trained on how to use the alarm
• Make sure your entry delays (customization is available) are set to the time frame you need
• Verify that Alder has current & updated emergency contacts for your system
• Make sure all door and window sensors are properly installed
• Replace batteries as indicated on the keypad when they get low

We have an entire library of tutorials videos on how to install and operate your alarm system. Feel free to review them whenever.

How to handle False Alarms?

• Stay calm
• Disarm your system
• Make sure that Alder has canceled the dispatch when you disarm the system
• If you're not certain your false alarm was canceled, please call 855-268-3669 and press 1 to connect to the monitoring station
• The monitoring center will contact the appropriate emergency dispatch to cancel the false alarm where possible
• Stay put until someone at your monitoring center clears you to leave your home
• If the police arrive, let them know you are okay

False Alarm Fees

Not all cities and counties charge for false dispatch, most that do charge for false alarms begin charging after the 3rd false dispatch within a calendar year. Please contact your local authorities for information regarding false dispatch policies and procedures.

In the event that a false dispatch charge is imposed, customers are financially responsible to cover those costs.

However, we understand that extenuating circumstances sometimes happen. Alder customers may fax or mail-in false alarm bills and we will review them to see if the false alarm was caused by faulty equipment. Under certain conditions, we will promptly resolve the issue and cover the imposed fines.

Door/Window Sensor False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Verify that the sensor and magnet are securely mounted. If either piece has fallen off, the system will not function properly.

2. Verify that the spacing between the sensor and magnet is no further than 1" when the door/window is closed.
3. Verify that the door or window does not move excessively while closed.
4. Verify that the sensor is located inside, away from the elements.
5. Replace Batteries (2x CR2032).

Motion Sensor False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity.

Motion sensors have a 90º field of view and detect motion up to 45 feet away. They detect movement across a room or hallway and should be used to secure high traffic areas. To preserve battery life, Motion sensors will become inactive for 3  being triggered and during that time will not trigger again.

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Check the sensitivity jumper on the back of the sensor, decrease sensitivity if needed
2. Verify that the sensor is installed in a climate-controlled environment, not outside or in a non-climate controlled shed or garage.
3. Verify that the sensor is not facing a window (the sun can heat up the window and can trigger PIR motion sensors)
4. Make sure that large animals are not setting off the motion sensor (we suggest using glass break detectors, preventing your pets from moving in front of the sensor, or arming your system in stay mode if you have large pets)
5. Replace the battery (CR123A)

Glass Break Detector False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Make sure the sensor is securely connected to the back mounting plate.
2. Do not locate the sensor near a kitchen or where clanging glass can cause false alarms
3. Do not locate the sensor near a speaker system or stereo
4. High pitched bark from little, yappy dogs may cause the glass break sensor to falsely trigger
5. Replace batteries (2x AA)

Smoke/Carbon False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Make sure the detector is a sensor and not a pre-existing smoke detector.
2. Make sure the sensor was not installed in any of the following places:
   • Directly above a sink
   • Directly above a stove or oven, or within 5 feet of any cooking appliance
   • Next to a door or window that would be affected by drafts, like an extractor fan or air vent
   • Where airflow would be obstructed by curtains or furniture
   • Where dirt or dust could collect and block the sensor
   • Where it could be knocked, damaged, or accidentally removed
   • Near a bathroom, sauna, or other location where steam can cause false alarms
3. Verify the sensor has not expired (a sticker on the outside of the device has an expiration date)
4. Replace batteries (2x CR123A)
5. To prevent false alarms, fire protection detectors have the option of enabling Fire Alarm Verification. This can be adjusted in the individual detector settings on the panel.

Smoke/Heat/Freeze False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Make sure the detector is a sensor and not a pre-existing smoke detector.
2. Make sure the sensor was not installed in any of the following places:
   • Directly above a sink
   • Directly above a stove or oven, or within 5 feet of any cooking appliance
   • Next to a door or window that would be affected by drafts, like an extractor fan or air vent
   • Where airflow would be obstructed by curtains or furniture
   • Where dirt or dust could collect and block the sensor
   • Where it could be knocked, damaged, or accidentally removed
   • Near a bathroom, sauna, or other location where steam can cause false alarms
3. Replace batteries (3x AAA)
4. To prevent false alarms, fire protection detectors have the option of enabling Fire Alarm Verification. This can be adjusted in the individual detector settings on the panel.

Carbon Monoxide Detector False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Make sure the detector is a sensor and not a pre-existing Carbon Monoxide detector
2. Make sure the sensor was not installed in any of the following places:
   • Directly above a sink
   • Directly above a stove or within 5 feet of any cooking appliance
   • Next to a door or window that would be affected by drafts, like an extractor fan or air vent  
   • Where airflow would be obstructed by curtains or furniture
   • Where dirt or dust could collect and block the sensor
   • Where the sensor could be knocked, damaged, or accidentally removed
3. Verify the sensor has not expired (a sticker on the outside of the device has an expiration date)
4. Replace the battery (CR123A)

Medical Pendant False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors and pendants. A low battery or abnormal damage to the pendant can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

Make sure you are NOT using the Medical Pendant in these situations:

• Do not wear the sensor to bed. We recommend setting it within arm's reach of your bed, typically on a nightstand or dresser.
• Make sure you are not carrying the pendant around in a purse along with other items that could inadvertently press the button.
• Avoid situations that could cause the button to be pushed inadvertently.

Flood + Freeze Sensor False Alarms

It is important to regularly test and maintain all system sensors. A low battery or abnormal damage to the sensor can cause irregular activity. 

Troubleshooting False Alarms

1. Make sure the sensor was not installed in any of the following places:
   • Outside in a non-controlled environment
   • Within a sink or tub 
   • Any location that regularly experiences water leakage or significant condensation
2. Replace the battery (CR2450)