Qolsys IQ Panel 2 4 and 5 - Alarm Went Off What Should I Do

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 4 and 5 - Alarm Went Off What Should I Do

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 4 and 5 - Alarm Went Off What Should I Do

If your Qolsys alarm system activates, first determine whether there may be an actual emergency.

These instructions apply generally to:

  • Qolsys IQ Panel 2
  • Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus
  • Qolsys IQ Panel 4
  • Qolsys IQ Panel 5

The correct response depends on whether the alarm involves burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, or another emergency condition.

If You Believe There Is an Actual Emergency

Do not spend time troubleshooting the alarm system if there may be an actual emergency.

If there may be:

  • A break-in
  • Fire
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Medical emergency
  • Other immediate danger

move to a safe location and contact the appropriate emergency services.

Do not enter or search a property if you believe an intruder may be present.

Determine What Caused the Alarm

If it is safe to check the panel, look at the Qolsys display.

The panel may identify the sensor or device that caused the alarm.

For example:

  • Front Door
  • Back Door
  • Living Room Motion
  • Kitchen Window
  • Smoke Detector
  • Carbon Monoxide Detector

Write down the exact sensor name and alarm type.

This information can be important for determining what happened.

Accidental Burglary Alarm

If you accidentally caused a burglary alarm and there is no emergency:

  1. Go to the Qolsys panel.
  2. Select Disarm if necessary.
  3. Enter your authorized user code.
  4. Verify that the system shows Disarmed.
  5. Check which sensor caused the alarm.

Do not provide your alarm code through the CommTech Systems chatbot.

Disarming Does Not Necessarily Cancel the Alarm Signal

If the Qolsys system is professionally monitored, an alarm signal may already have been transmitted before you disarm the panel.

Do not assume that entering your code automatically cancels monitoring-center action.

If the monitoring center contacts you, follow its verification procedure.

If you receive a call, text, or other alarm notification after an accidental activation, do not ignore it simply because the panel has been disarmed.

If the Monitoring Center Calls

Follow the monitoring center's normal verification procedure.

Be prepared to confirm whether:

  • There is an actual emergency.
  • The alarm was accidental.
  • Emergency assistance is required.

Only provide verification information through the appropriate monitoring-center process.

Do not enter private verification credentials into the website chatbot.

Find the Sensor That Caused the Alarm

After the situation is safe, check the Qolsys panel's alarm history or Message Center.

Identify the sensor associated with the alarm.

For example:

Back Door

If nobody opened the Back Door, that sensor may need to be inspected.

Door or Window Caused the Alarm

Check whether the affected door or window:

  • Was actually opened
  • Was completely closed
  • Has a loose sensor
  • Has a missing or shifted magnet
  • Is showing Open while physically closed
  • Has visible damage

If the sensor behaves incorrectly, contact CommTech Systems.

Motion Detector Caused the Alarm

If a motion detector caused an unexpected alarm, consider whether anything may have moved through the protected area.

Depending on the installation, possible causes may include:

  • Person
  • Pet
  • Moving object
  • Environmental conditions
  • Sensor positioning
  • Equipment problem

Do not move, cover, reposition, or reprogram the motion detector as a permanent solution.

Contact CommTech Systems if the motion alarm cannot be explained.

Repeated False Alarms From the Same Sensor

If the same sensor causes repeated unexplained alarms, do not ignore it.

Record:

  • Sensor name
  • Approximate time of alarm
  • Whether the system was Stay or Away
  • Whether anyone was at the property
  • Any unusual conditions

Contact CommTech Systems so the sensor can be diagnosed.

Smoke or Fire Alarm

Treat a smoke or fire alarm as a potential emergency.

If there is smoke, fire, or any reason to believe a fire may be present:

  1. Leave the building.
  2. Move to a safe location.
  3. Contact emergency services.

Do not remain inside troubleshooting the alarm panel.

If there is clearly no emergency and the smoke detector activated unexpectedly, contact CommTech Systems after the situation is safe.

Do not remove the detector or leave it without power as a workaround.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Treat a carbon monoxide alarm seriously.

Carbon monoxide cannot be reliably detected by sight or smell.

If a carbon monoxide detector goes into alarm:

  1. Follow the detector and system emergency instructions.
  2. Move occupants to fresh air or a safe location.
  3. Contact emergency services as appropriate.

Do not attempt to solve an active carbon monoxide alarm through the chatbot.

Trouble Beep Versus Alarm

A panel beeping because of a trouble condition is different from an actual alarm.

Trouble conditions may include:

  • Low battery
  • AC power failure
  • Sensor tamper
  • Communication failure
  • Sensor malfunction

If the panel is only reporting a trouble condition, read the exact message and troubleshoot that condition.

Do not assume every beep means a burglary alarm.

Alarm Occurred While You Were Away

If Alarm.com reports an alarm while you are away from the property, review the available information carefully.

Depending on your services, you may be able to review:

  • Alarm event
  • Sensor name
  • Event history
  • Camera information
  • Other associated activity

Do not enter the property if you have reason to believe an intruder or other danger may still be present.

Alarm Occurred but Nothing Is in the History

If you believe the system alarmed but cannot identify an event:

  1. Check the Qolsys Message Center.
  2. Check Alarm.com activity history.
  3. Note the approximate time the event occurred.
  4. Contact CommTech Systems if the cause cannot be determined.

Do Not Delete the Sensor

Do not delete a sensor from the Qolsys panel because it caused an unexplained alarm.

Deleting the sensor removes security programming and can leave the protected area without proper coverage.

The sensor should be diagnosed instead.

Do Not Factory Reset the Panel

A factory reset is not an appropriate response to a false or accidental alarm.

Do not factory reset an IQ Panel 2, IQ Panel 2 Plus, IQ Panel 4, or IQ Panel 5 because of an alarm event.

When to Contact CommTech Systems

Contact CommTech Systems after the situation is safe if:

  • A sensor caused an unexplained alarm.
  • The same sensor repeatedly causes false alarms.
  • A door or window sensor alarms while the opening is closed.
  • A motion detector repeatedly activates unexpectedly.
  • The panel does not identify what caused the alarm.
  • Alarm.com and the panel show conflicting information.
  • A smoke, CO, or other life-safety device reports trouble.
  • You need equipment tested, repaired, or replaced.

When requesting assistance, provide:

  • Your Qolsys panel model if known
  • Approximate date and time of the alarm
  • Exact sensor name
  • Type of alarm
  • Whether the system was armed Stay or Away
  • Whether anyone was at the property
  • Whether the monitoring center contacted you
  • Whether the same device has caused previous alarms

Do not provide your alarm code, Master Code, Installer Code, monitoring verification credentials, or Alarm.com password through the support chatbot.