CURRENT RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

If your fire alarm activates while you are home, IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the premises and wait for the fire department. If the activation was a known false alarm, you first MUST CLEAR the smoke and/or other activating agents, such as dust, before resetting your system. If you do not clear the smoke or dust, the system will reactivate once it detects the presence of the smoke or dust again. Consult your user manual or quick guide on silencing and resetting instructions.

There are many devices in your home that can cause an audible beep or chirp, which may not necessarily be your alarm system. An alarm system beep/sound will occur when trouble or error is indicated on your system’s keypad. This is the first place you should look. If your alarm system keypad reads “System Normal – Ready to Arm” or displays a green “Ready” light, your system is operating normally and is probably not causing the beep. If your alarm keypad has an error code, trouble code, or LED light lit up under the trouble/error indicator, your system is not working properly, and you should contact Independent Alarm at 800-322-4231. Be sure not to confuse an error/trouble on the keypad with a faulted zone. A faulted zone is when a zone on your system (front door, back door, window, motion detector, etc.) is open or activated. If your front door is open, the keypad will display “zone xx, front door faulted,” the keypad will indicate it is “Not Ready” to arm. Correct the faulted zone (close the door/window or stop moving in front of the motion detector), and the system will display “Ready to Arm” or green indicator light.

Yes, for most alarm systems, you can change the main backup battery yourself. If you have a system with a main control panel (metal box in the utility area, closet, etc.) with a large 4 or 8 AH (amp hour) rated battery, it is rather simple (see the panel and battery pictures below). If you have an all-in-one system, (all-in-one wireless system with no separate metal box), you should contact Independent Alarm to change the main battery. If you are unsure, call 800-322-4231 to ask about your specific system.

Once you have acquired the correct replacement battery (4 or 8 AH (amp hour) lead acid battery), from Independent Alarm, locate the main control panel or “brains” of the system in your utility area, closet, etc. Open the metal door and locate the old battery. Remove the red wire (positive terminal) and the black wire (negative terminal). Remove the old battery. Place the new battery in the box and connect the red wire to the red terminal of the battery. Connect the black wire to black terminal of the battery. DO NOT CONNECT THE WIRES TO THE OPPOSITE COLOR TERMINAL. Incorrectly connecting the battery may do irreparable damage to the panel. If you do not feel comfortable with this process, please contact Independent Alarm at 800-322-4231 to schedule a service call.

No, you do not need to purchase your battery from us. However, the batteries we sell are commercial grade and intended to ensure the proper operation of your alarm panel. Batteries from hardware stores or from online sources are not necessarily specific to the alarm industry. To ensure maximizing the system you use to protect your home and family, we recommend purchasing your battery from us. We know what size battery you need and will help with replacement instructions.

Yes, bring your old battery in when picking up your new battery. We will recycle it at no extra cost.

In general, the “stay” arming mode enables all of the perimeter devices in your home/business. This includes doors and windows most commonly. The “away” arming mode enables all perimeter AND interior devices such as motion detectors. Every system can be set up differently so your specific situation should be verified if you are unsure if a certain device is programmed as a perimeter or interior device.

First you need to confirm that your keypad is the device making noise in your home. There are many devices in your home that can cause an audible beep or chirp, which may not necessarily be your alarm system. An alarm system beep / sound will occur when a trouble or error is indicated on your system’s keypad. This is the first place you should look. If your alarm system keypad reads “System Normal – Ready to Arm” or displays a green “Ready” light, your system is operating normally and should not be beeping. If your alarm keypad has an error code, trouble code or LED light lit up under the trouble / error indicator, your system is not working properly and you should contact Independent Alarm at 800-322-4231.

Anytime you are thinking of adding, changing, or removing phone service at your home or business you should contact our office at 800-322-4231 to see how this will affect your security and / or fire systems. Contacting us ahead of time may not only save you the added expense of a service call but it could also help avoid any lapse of protection.

While we never wish to lose a monitored customer, we understand that your life changes and you will be moving from time to time. The first step to disconnect your account is to pull out your original agreement (paperwork signed when you came on board with Independent Alarm) and review your agreement. Next, you must notify us in writing via email (monitoring@ialarmnj.com), fax (856-854-7171), or mail that you wish to disconnect. At that time we will begin the process and follow up with you in order to make arrangements.

Most recently installed alarm and camera systems have the ability to be controlled and / or viewed from a smartphone. Each system is different and additions / upgrades to a system may be needed to ensure proper operation. An additional monthly fee may apply. Contact Independent Alarm at 800-322-4231 to discuss your system’s capabilities.

After you install a NEW main alarm panel battery in the gray/tan/white/black metal box in your utility/closet area, the system may take up to 4 hours to sense its presence. If your panel still indicates a low battery signal after 24 hours or so, contact us at 800-322-4231.

To put your system on test you have two options: 1) Call Independent Alarm during regular business hours and request that your account be tested. We can do this online and watch as your test codes come in. 2) Call the central monitoring station (C.O.P.S.) and request to have your account put on test with your receiver and account number (C.O.P.S. phone number and your receiver/account number can be found on the data card you were given after installation). You will be asked for your name and password (also on your data card). When testing is complete, call C.O.P.S. and request to take your system off of the test. You can ask for a test time to ensure your alarm system sends signals.

If you are a monitored customer, we can make code changes remotely for most systems. We use the software at the office to contact your alarm panel and make the changes you request. For your protection, any account change requests must be submitted in writing. Your code change request can be emailed to codechange@iAlarmNJ.com, faxed to 856-854-7171, or mailed. This is available to monitored customers only. If you want to handle this manually, we have outlined instructions for adding, changing, and deleting codes on our most commonly used panels/keypads in our panel quick guides. You can download your panel’s quick guide (if available) or user manual on our HERE. If your keypad/system is not listed, please contact us at 800-322-4231.

Despite the many different types of alarm systems installed, changing batteries in alarm system sensors is relatively straightforward. The following steps should be taken: - Identify and confirm the device with a low battery. - Confirm and purchase the correct replacement battery from Independent Alarm (or your local pharmacy). - Carefully remove the cover on the device with a low battery. (This step may require a small flathead screwdriver to remove the cover and a ladder to reach smoke detectors.) Wireless window and door contacts typically have a slot on the side where a small flathead screwdriver can be used to GENTLY pry open a case. Smoke detectors typically swivel off a mounting base and can be lowered for battery replacement. - Once opened, remove the dead battery and replace a new battery. Be sure to install the new battery in the same configuration as the previous one. - Reinstall the device’s cover onto the main base plate. - Confirm the low battery signal is gone from the alarm system keypad. If you do not feel comfortable with this procedure, please contact Independent Alarm at 800-322-4231. Independent Alarm can not be held responsible for damaged or broken sensors that were serviced by the owner.

Yes, we do have a referral program. The details are as follows: When a current monitored customer refers someone who elects to be monitored, the referrer receives a $100 shopping gift certificate to a national retailer AFTER the new system has been installed. The person being referred must be a new Independent Alarm customer. There is no limit to the number of people you can refer.