System Inspections & Modifications

Alarm System Inspection & Modification Requirements

In order to be kept in prime working condition, alarm systems should be inspected by a qualified, licensed alarm technician once each year.

Inspection

The Loudoun County Alarm Ordinance, Chapter 655 requires an alarm system inspection upon the third false alarm in a calendar year. The alarm user and alarm business must submit a completed Inspection Certificate to the False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU), which certifies that the alarm system has been inspected, is in proper working condition and that appropriate persons have been re-educated in the proper operation of the alarm system.

The inspection requirement may be waived by the FARU if it determines that a sufficient number of false alarms in a calendar year could not have been related to a defect or malfunction in the alarm system.

Failure to inspect the alarm system, when notified by the FARU to do so, will result in the alarm user being placed on a "non-response" status. This means that deputies will no longer respond to requests for dispatch from the monitoring center for alarm activations at the alarm user's location until such time as the required inspection is performed.

Modification

The Loudoun County Ordinance Chapter 655 requires and mandates an alarm system upgrade upon the sixth false alarm in a calendar year. Within 30 days of notification to the alarm user from the False Alarm Reduction Unit, the alarm user and alarm business must submit documentation to the FARU which certifies that the alarm system has been modified to be more false alarm resistant or provide additional training as appropriate.

The modification requirement may be waived by the FARU if it determines that a sufficient number of false alarms in a calendar year could not have been related to a defect or malfunction in the alarm system.

Failure to modify the alarm system, when notified by the FARU to do so, will result in the alarm user being placed on a "non-response" status. This means that deputies will no longer respond to requests for dispatch from the monitoring center for alarm activations at the alarm user's location until such time as the required modification is performed.

Contact

For more information, contact the False Alarm Reduction Unit.