Alarm - Full MOT - Asking for help.

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SirLancelot

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Location
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Hi all,

15 year old Premia 9 alarm.

I want to get a full intensive service done to it - and any fixes / improvements done.

I obtained a copy of the original service manual - which is blank.

What is the right language to be using when putting together an advert for this job.
Am I asking for a re-accreditation a recommission or a Full Mot or Audit? Whats the right language?

I would like the panel wiring fully inspected and thoroughly checked.
I would like all the measurements (that are put into the service manual) rechecked.
I would like each and every sensor - checked and tested and replaced as necessary.
I would like a full diagnostic to be done.

All in all - I want the alarm competently and professionally checked at every level - so it could last another 10 years.

Bear in mind - there will be no wring or installation work necessary, as the alarm is already installed and there is no specific problem to report other than the battery needs replacing - which is simple enough - as I have a replacement ready.

I am asking for your help - in correctly composing the advert for this job - so that I am covering all the aspects you would cover - if you wanted this done at one of your close relatives homes.

Usually - it's only through the forums - that nothing gets left, forgotten. I am hoping this is done once and done right.

Me and my family are extremely grateful to anyone willing to contribute here,

Sincere thanks,

SirLancelot
 
Check local registered alarm companies NSI or SSAIB.
Phone and ask how much for a full alarm service and quote control panel to ensure they can service that make before they arrive and say never worked on that before.
 
I'm grateful for your replies,

I've paid to have my valliant boiler serviced every year - by finding engineers through an engineers forum.

Turned out most had the generic skills needed for boiler servicing - but most did not know the graphite filters in my *particular model* needed vacuuming out at each service.

So whilst I have used a trusted index to find these engineers - and done things the right way (regs) - my boiler has failed due to their incompetence (confirmed by manufacturer) - and now the expense of sorting it is astronomical.

Simply - I've been made a fool of.

I think at some point in life - all of us have had this done to them. But once done - we don't want to experience it again.

This is the reason I am reaching out for expert guidance on this particular model - the Premia 9. Are there any quirks / model peculiarities that I should know about - before I seek an engineer - specifically up to the task - on this particular model.

The alarm is old - but works fine - I just want to have a comprehensive MOT done - and done Right - first time.

I would appreciate member comments and inputs on my thinking and approach - also guidance on how to achieve this goal.

Second question: Can an auto dialler be added to this alarm?

My Sincere thanks to any willing to contribute,
 
Last edited:
As Sparky says
When was it last serviced ?
Faulty battery can cause battery charging issues
Your control panel is obsolete, so if parts required (keypad issues)you may require to replace panel?
Yes you can connect an auto dialler to your existing system or other remote devices to inform you of an alarm condition
 
Like most things many engineers know generic skills (some don’t, even those with specific qualifications).

so today I go out to a new customer to do a service.

1. no door contact and never has been, by the looks.
2. Bell box strobe worked but siren didn’t, along with the tamper
3. Pirs all working and correctly programmed.
4. Back up battery very hot.

the list goes on, but customers concerned because alarm wasn’t behaving as it should, if it had been serviced regular the bell and back up battery failure could have been picked up earlier.

So ended up being a little more than a service, to get the system back to something like it should be.

I have lost count of the number of times alarm systems I have been to that the customer thinks is okay and certain parts have not been working and required repairing or replacing.

Upside down sensors, incorrectly wired, programmed and faulty parts to name a few.

I would suspect, that many engineers will tell you to replace it for something more modern if they aren’t familiar with it.

Back up batteries are the most common problem, At a service the battery should be tested and replaced if necessary to ensure a smooth 12 months. 5 years old and battery is probably going to need replacing, but it’s not as simple as that to be honest.

I am not overally familiar with this system, can you not do your own walk and bell tests from the master/ manager user code.

It sounds like to me you don’t trust engineers because they haven’t in the past done the minimum for that system that’s required.

So you want someone to list you exactly what you should have checked, and some idea of what should be recorded if adequate, poor and how to tell if the engineer isn’t being straight with you.

Sparky area is very familiar and has a few of these still running he maybe able to list some common issues/. Failures, but as it’s obsolete failure if some parts will mean the system needing replacement
 
Last serviced five years ago.

5 PIR's
2 Shock Sensors
2 Panic Buttons
One door contact
Bell & Strobe.

What would be a reasonable price for the service/recommission?
 
Should be serviced ever year.

as for reasonable, a new battery depends on which battery size and manufacturer supplied and at 5 years old you probably need one, should be tested to confirm how much life is left in it.

Most companies will tell you there service charge if asked, large national companies may charge more than an independent and an SSAIB/ NSI may charge more also but that's not always the case.

ADT were in the news recently for charging £500 or something like that for a battery change, which I would consider unreasonable, the owner would have excepted a bill of £250 apparently as reasonable. I still think £250 for a battery change is expensive and the engineer should have checked that the system is properly working before leaving.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/mar/24/adt-security-alarm-repair-cost-engineer

However if you consider hourly rates travelling times. The job should take no longer than an hour if everything is in order and checked out and discussed and operation gone over with you. However travelling time may end up being an hour, so a 1 hour job is two hours out of the working day. I would be surprised any engineer is on minimum wage, and employers have other overheads to consider too.

So I would expect a price somewhere between £100 - £250 with your battery included and simple fixes implemented, but not necessarily include replacement parts.

If any faults are found during the service additional cost may apply, I have been out to do services and found some systems to be absolutely perfect and others with faults as long as arm and fixable yes, economical sound not always especially on an ageing system, so replacement can be a more viable option.
 
Appreciate the responses.

Take a look:
IMG_2170.JPG
IMG_2172.JPG
IMG_2175.JPG


Pad shows St - basic clean and reset needed. I wonder if there are fuses in it that should be replaced as a matter of course?

Could anybody tell em if the fuses should be replaced as a matter of course - since even if they are 'working' - they have been there a while.

And then service - to the point that all the measurements be retaken and a full walk through test be done.

I'll be straight forward - battery is new.

Won't be installing anything - just doing a full MOT.

Opinions and contributions as to a fair price is would help me greatly.
 
It's not just the panel ...what detectors do you have / condition ? On your initial service we would normally check out the detectors e.g. Any insects inside / are they sealed ? Do the tampers work ? NOW the only problem with this is that plastics go brittle , some detectors you have to prise open the case and they break ! Some services you have to speak to the customer that I can check this BUT it may end up with a new pir.
 
Okay I don't cover the West Midlands so I have no idea what the rates are like in that neck of the woods, given you some sort of a guide.

I would imagine it be like most places with a range of prices and services offered.

You need to see what local installers are offering you and come back with a price versus what they are including in that price, you have to remember as sparkymarka points out, old equipment comes with its own risks when doing a service and the installer should make you aware of it.


I had a quick look via google and I see only a handful with online prices stated, not sure any I looked at would want to take it on mind, and some are offering service plans over 12 months, they often in include at least one call out and service within the price, some may offer parts or labour etc etc, some may also charge more initially as there is no history and some wont offer parts and labour without it being close to the price of a new system, particularly because of its age.

Please stop asking what is reasonable and start asking local installers/ Companies what they will offer you for what you have, and if your in any doubt you can post the price and what is included for that price, don't need to name the company, but you should research the company online if possible.

Given the quick look I have had I would expect if they are prepared to take it on, it will be over £100, but I cant be certain and it will depend on whats been offered.
 
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