House Alarm

[Sammy Snake]

Yesterday I caught someone trying to break into my house (I was in at the time!).

I do have a house alarm, however, I don't use it as I have a cat and he sets it off. Obviously on this occasion it wouldn't have been on anyway, I was in!

Without having to get a new alarm system, is there anyway to 'raise' the sensors or something so that they are looking higher than the cat is tall?

By the way, it is one of those alarms with infra red sensors in each room.

Also, would it invalidate my insurance if I said I have an alarm and they found it wasn't set?

[BillyNoMates]

It sounds like the IR sensors may be set too sensitvely. They are normally adjustable. Do you have a manual as details should be in there ?

If you have told your insurance company that you have an alarm installed then they would expect you to use it. If you suffered a break-in and it was proved or you admitted that it had not been set, it could well invalidate any claim. Should all be in the policy documentation. 

[corganiser]

Most systems allow you to isolate one of the sensors, effectively if you can keep the cat in one room (kitchen?) then he/she wouldn't set the sensor off.

You'd need to do a walk test to determine which sensor number is in which room.

[MORELLO]

Ditch the cat. I did.

[Sammy Snake]

Thanks everyone.

Ditching the cat is not  an option!

There is no manual with the alarm as far as I know as it was already installed when I moved in.  I will have a look at the sensors and see what I can do, it also might be worth me phoning the insurance co and telling them i don;t have an alarm anymore, just in case!

[BillyNoMates]

Most IR sensors are similar. The front of mine come off and there are two adjustments - 1 for a time delay (no. of triggers before alarm is raised) and 1 for the range and spread (both vertical & horizontal) of the detection beam.

However, I do have a manual for the sensors which mentions the possibility of false triggers by pets - no solution described. Might be worth a closer look and doing a search online by sensor model type. Alternatively, I am sure there are 'pet' friendly sensors available - these days there must be sensors that can distinguish between a human body and a cat.

[Corkyb]

Another thing to consider is the fact that most alarm systems today can only be adjusted by an alarm engineer, as they have to deactivate the 'tamper' controls. (prevents cables being cut and sensors ripped off the walls by intruders).

Without the deactivation, the alarm could be triggered and should you not know the code for setting/ turning off the alarm it will ring for ages!

Believe me that's exactly what happened at my house!!

[Eeeek]

Most modern alarms make allowances for a pet. My mum just had an alarm fitted and she has a cat who is quite heavy but the alarm recognises that she is a cat and not a person (if that makes sense) and therefore it doesnt go off.

[Sammy Snake]

Mine definately doesn't recognise the cat, I tested it just after having him as a kitten and it went off as soon as he jumped off the settee.  One year later and he's a big cat so will definately set it off!

I do know the code to set it, just don't use it because of the cat.  I think I will see if there is a phone number or name or something on either the box outside or one upstairs where all the wiring seems to be.

Thanks everyone!

[Sammy Snake]

Sorry, just thought of something else.

Does anyone know if it is possible to replace the sensors to 'pet friendly' ones without getting a whole new alarm system?

I live in a small terrace with a through lounge/dining room so I only have 3 sensors (kitchen/living room/top of stairs) so this probably would not be too expensive?

[Blues Dad]

You don't need to replace the whole system, you can replace your existing PIR sensors for ones that are 'pet immune' and that'll solve the problem.

[Martypants]

Have a look here this may be of some use to you. >

http://www.quicksafe.co.uk/pet-friendly-alarm.htm .