Re: Problem With ADT System - Need Advice

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

aworkinprogress2112@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I'm looking for some guidance on a problem I am having with my alarm
> system.  Back in July ADT installed a Safewatch PRO 3000 in my home and
> I've been having false alarms ever since.  The home is a three
> bedroom cape with PIRs and door contacts only; three door contacts on
> the three first floor doors, two PIRs on the first floor which cover
> two rooms each, and one PIR in the basement.  The way the system was
> installed/intended to be used is since there is protection on the
> basement level and the first floor and I arm the system "Away" when
> out during the day and at night because we sleep on the second floor.
> Since this system was installed I have had false alarms just about once
> a month, but ALWAYS when we are away and ALWAYS from one of the first
> floor motion detectors.  I am sure the false alarms are being caused by
> our two cats because we never have a false alarm at night which is when
> the friskier of the two cats is ALWAYS locked in a bathroom or else he
> wakes us up.  In addition, none of the door contacts have ever alarmed
> and the one PIR they do not have access to in the basement has never
> falsed.  ADT came out once and changed the two motions but the problem
> continued.  They came out a second time and agreed the false alarms are
> being caused by the cats but can't seem to prevent these without
> changing the system around.  My argument though is that I paid for pet
> immune PIRs and was told they would not false alarm because of where
> they were being installed; far enough away from furniture where the
> cats could not climb.  One time when they came out they tried
> "masking" the PIRs but said "an elephant could walk by them and
> not set them off" so they didn't do so.  The only option they've
> provided me with now is to change the PIRs to glassbreaks and to put
> contacts on the windows which would cost an additional amount above
> what I wanted to spend in the first place.  I am going to use that as a
> last resort but I really want the system to work as installed so I am
> avoiding that route until I've exhausted all other possibilities.
> Any ideas?  Can I simply replace the PIRs with a less sensitive/more
> adjustable device?  Are other PIRs even compatible with this system?
> Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
>


Chances are your system is "wireless", which means you'll have to rely
on ADT to provide you a solution (not every PIR will be compatible).
There are "alternative solutions", but as you mentioned, ADT is probably
unwilling to spend the time/effort in implementing them.  Perhaps you
can post the model numbers of the PIRs and we can check with the
manufacturer for you (about finding an alternative compatible detector
for your system).  Paradox makes the best pet immune PIR's I've ever
used.  (http://www.paradox.ca).  We have several installed in our house
and one happens to be looking right at the stairs from the main floor to
the second.  The only false alarm we ever got was when she decided to
climb the Christmas tree.  Tree fell over.  We were in Victoria at the
time, and I had our guard service do a thorough perimeter check.  I
figured it was the "stupid cat", what with only one zone in alarm (and
all the glass protected).  The cops arrived fifteen minutes *after* the
guard service (and they were there in about ten minutes of getting the
call).