In our last newsletter we promoted that we can install sump pump alarm monitors to alert a customer when their sump pump fails. It is most likely to fail when the power goes out – most likely caused by a storm, which is when you really need it. We can’t keep the water out, but early detection and cleanup is critical to preventing major damage and MOLD.
So how do we program them? How does this work for clients? What Zone Type? What do we want to happen when they activate?
In general, we want to alert the keypad, and generate a call to the call list, but not dispatch the police or fire department.
It is important to understand that when you select a Zone Type, it creates a response of how a zone will act, but also defines what Contact-ID code is sent to the monitoring station when it is tripped. For example, A smoke alarm sends in a code 110 for Fire Alarm. A Door sensor sends an E131. This allows the monitoring stations automation system to perform the correct response without possible operator error.
An easy answer might be Zone Type 08. It sounds the keypad, without the siren. The drawback is that with most monitoring stations, the E150 code that it sends in is automatically interpreted as a medical alarm like in Zone 95.
The correct answer a customized zone type. We use this customized zone type that gives the response we want, and sends a contact ID code for “water leakage”.
These tech tips are intended to provide insights to small nuances to help with many different products we offer. It is the small attention to detail that separates an outstanding job from an OK one. Although these apply primarily to technicians, they will help others gain insight to what the technicians do – in small doses.
