Storms & Loss of Power
Storms & Loss of Power
Embedded Files
During major storms, our Monitoring Station sees a higher than average signal volume. The unnecessary time spent handling phone calls for trouble signals, power failures and low batteries from an area that has experienced a power outage can take a toll on the efficiency of our staff and customers. Operator time is precious when dealing with these events - every moment saved can help save lives and property in the event of a real emergency.
During major storms, our Monitoring Station sees a higher than average signal volume. The unnecessary time spent handling phone calls for trouble signals, power failures and low batteries from an area that has experienced a power outage can take a toll on the efficiency of our staff and customers. Operator time is precious when dealing with these events - every moment saved can help save lives and property in the event of a real emergency.
Below are steps for you consider before the storm, during a power outage and after power has been restored.
Following the steps outlined below will greatly increase our productivity in handling real emergencies as well as prevent unnecessary calls to you in the middle of the night.
BEFORE the Storm
BEFORE the Storm
Unless you are already set up to receive emails for Trouble Conditions, customers will very likely receive calls for Trouble conditions during Tropical Storms and Hurricanes - possibly multiple times in the middle of the night as we report conditions as they come in.
Unless you have NOT already instructed us to permanently change your Trouble notifications to email (see Form A-1 or Form A-5), upon the approach of each major storm, consider having us NOT call you about specific Trouble Conditions by calling our operators ahead of a major storm at 1-800-554-1104 (valid verbal password will be required, and possibly other information depending on your account).
If you have multiple addresses/locations that we monitor such as main home, vacation home, multiple business locations, etc., you will need to provide ALL addresses/locations to be included for no calls about Trouble Conditions.
You will need to instruct the operator as to the time frame (from what date & time until what date & time) you wish no calls about Trouble Conditions as outlined below - take into consideration rotating outer bands that may precede -and- follow the storm.
You may wish to ask for the following four conditions be placed "On Test" (failure to specify the specific conditions will result with operators placing the whole system on test, resulting on no action being taken on any incoming signals, including alarms and panic buttons - something you probably would not desire):
Trouble Conditions
Low Battery Conditions
Power Failure Conditions
Late to Test Conditions
Even with the above conditions "on test", our operators will receive Alarm Condition signals and act on them as long as the alarm system communications path is available to transmit - depending on your Alarm System this could be landline telephone, Internet (sometimes WiFi) and/or Cellular.
Please note that we can provide email notifications as a permanent solution instead of phone calls - utilize Form A-5 for this, found here.
Helpful Links:
Select HERE for Information on becoming "Hurricane Ready".
Select HERE for information on building a Basic Disaster Supply Kit.
Select HERE for Food & Water information.
Select HERE for Flood Safety information.
Select HERE for Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from a Portable Generator.
Select HERE if you have pets.
Select HERE for lots of information from Consumer Reports.
DURING Storm & Power Outage
DURING Storm & Power Outage
Your Alarm System Keypad may start beeping because of Trouble Conditions. Simply acknowledge the Trouble Condition at the Keypad (see Instructions page HERE).
When you lose Power, any UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Device - sometimes referred to as Battery Backup, may start beeping to alert you that it has lost power (it does't know if your breaker tripped or that the building has lost power... it is simply letting you know). You may want to find the power button and turn off the UPS (it may be a toggle switch or a push button which must be held down a few seconds). UPS Devices are related to:
Video Camera Systems
Access Control Systems
Telephone Systems
Network Modem/Router/Switch
Backup Batteries in Alarm Panels and UPS Devices offer a limited amount of backup power. Unless you have a generator, your systems will go dead when backup battery power is diminished.
AFTER Power is Restored
AFTER Power is Restored
Reset the Alarm System's Date & Time (see Instructions page HERE):
necessary if you have scheduled events programmed into the Alarm System (Auto Arm/Disarm, etc.)
necessary if your Keypad displays Date/Time
Keypads in some Alarm Systems may lose memory (with no display) and will need to be "readdressed" - you will need to contact us for this issue since the Control Panel is still functioning (even though there is no keypad access) we will not know anything is wrong for monitored systems unless you call us to report this issue. We can usually step you through a process to get your keypad readdressed.
Keypads in older Alarm Systems may need their Chime Mode toggled back to the state you desire, on or off (see Instructions page HERE).
Reset any UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Device - sometimes referred to as Battery Backup, as it may not have not automatically turned back on due to long term power loss (toggle switch style may need to be turned off then back on, a push button style must be held down a few seconds)... related to:
Video Surveillance Systems
Access Control Systems
Telephone Systems
Network Modem/Router/Switch
Example UPS devices
Example UPS devices
Google Sites
Report abuse