Help Centre / Alarm Help
How Often Should a Burglar Alarm Be Serviced?
Most burglar alarms should be checked at least once a year. A routine service helps confirm the system is working properly, batteries are healthy, detectors respond correctly and faults are picked up before they become a problem.
Short answer
For most homes and small businesses, a burglar alarm service once every 12 months is a sensible starting point. This gives the system a regular check, helps identify weak batteries or faulty devices, and keeps the alarm in a more reliable condition.
Some systems may need more frequent checks, especially if they are monitored, used in a commercial environment, linked to insurance requirements, or protecting a higher-risk site. If your insurer, landlord, managing agent or monitoring provider has specified a service interval, that requirement should be followed.
Sanders Secure provides alarm servicing, maintenance and takeovers across Plymouth, South Devon and Cornwall.
Why burglar alarm servicing matters
A burglar alarm can appear to be working because the keypad lights up and the siren sounds, but that does not mean every part of the system is healthy. Detectors can fail, door contacts can go out of alignment, batteries can weaken, sirens can develop faults and users may not realise zones have been bypassed.
A routine service gives the alarm a proper check. It is not just about ticking a box. It is about confirming that the system still protects the property as intended.
Servicing is especially useful on older alarm systems, systems installed by another company, alarms that have not been used regularly, or systems that have started showing warnings, beeping, tamper faults or battery messages.
How often should different alarm systems be serviced?
Every site is different, but these are sensible general guidelines.
Domestic burglar alarms
For most domestic alarm systems, an annual service is normally a sensible approach. It helps check the backup battery, detectors, sounders, user operation and any warning messages.
Commercial alarms
Commercial systems may need annual or more frequent servicing depending on use, risk, monitoring, site requirements or insurance conditions. Always check any written requirement you have been given.
Monitored alarms
Monitored systems may have specific maintenance expectations from the monitoring provider, insurer or system design. The service interval should match those requirements.
Important: This is general advice. If your insurer, landlord, monitoring provider or contract specifies a service interval, follow that requirement rather than relying on a general rule.
What is checked during a burglar alarm service?
The exact checks depend on the system type, age, installation and any faults present. A proper service should look at the condition and operation of the system, not just silence warnings.
- Checking the control panel and keypad operation.
- Checking the backup battery and charging where appropriate.
- Testing detectors and door contacts.
- Carrying out a walk test across the protected areas.
- Checking for tamper, battery, mains or communication warnings.
- Checking user operation where appropriate.
- Testing setting and unsetting operation.
- Checking sounder operation where appropriate.
- Reviewing recent faults or event history where available.
- Checking wireless device batteries where applicable.
- Advising on repairs, replacement parts or upgrades.
- Explaining anything the customer needs to be aware of.
If the system is older or has not been serviced for some time, the first visit may also act as a takeover assessment to understand what is installed and whether it can be sensibly supported.
Signs your alarm may need a service
Even if the annual service is not due yet, these signs suggest the system should be checked.
The alarm keeps beeping
Beeping is usually the system trying to alert you to a fault, battery issue, mains issue or other warning that needs checking.
Battery warnings are showing
A battery fault can leave the system unreliable during a power cut and should be checked rather than ignored.
The alarm will not set
If the system refuses to set, there may be an open zone, tamper, battery fault, detector issue or reset requirement.
Tamper warnings appear
Tamper faults can be caused by loose covers, damaged devices, external sounder issues or cable problems.
False alarms keep happening
Repeated false alarms should be investigated. The cause could be environmental, device-related, user-related or due to an underlying fault.
The system has not been checked for years
If the alarm has not had a service for a long time, a check can identify weak batteries, non-working devices and reliability issues.
What happens if an alarm is not serviced?
An alarm may continue working for a long time without obvious issues, but that does not mean it is in good condition. Faults often build up quietly until the system refuses to set, starts beeping, loses battery backup, or fails to detect properly.
Common issues on poorly maintained systems include weak backup batteries, non-working sensors, out-of-alignment contacts, tamper faults, damaged external sounders, communication issues and zones that have been bypassed and forgotten about.
Servicing helps reduce the chance of these problems being missed.
What you can safely check between services
There are a few simple checks you can do between service visits, without opening the alarm panel or devices.
- Make sure the keypad is not showing warning messages.
- Check that the system sets and unsets normally.
- Report any beeping, tamper or battery messages.
- Tell your alarm company if doors, windows or layouts have changed.
- Keep user codes secure and remove old users where appropriate.
- Do not ignore repeated false alarms.
- Do not permanently bypass zones without understanding the risk.
- Keep sensors clear from obstruction.
- Check app notifications if your system uses an app.
- Book a service if the system has not been checked recently.
Tip: If something changes in the property, such as a new door, building work, pets, new users, or a change in how the property is used, it may be worth checking whether the alarm setup is still suitable.
How Sanders Secure can help
Sanders Secure services and maintains burglar alarms across Plymouth, South Devon and Cornwall. We can help with routine servicing, takeover checks, fault finding, battery replacements and advice on older systems.
Routine servicing
A regular service helps keep the system checked, tested and maintained.
Takeover visits
We can inspect many alarm systems installed by other companies and advise whether they can be maintained.
Fault support
If the system is showing warnings, beeping or refusing to set, we can investigate the cause.
If a system is obsolete or becoming unreliable, we will explain whether repair, continued maintenance or replacement is the most sensible option.
Related help and services
If you are looking at burglar alarm servicing, these pages may also be useful.
Alarm servicing and maintenance
For routine servicing, maintenance, takeovers and battery checks.
Can you service an alarm you did not install?
Useful if you have inherited a system or want to change alarm maintenance company.
What does an alarm battery fault mean?
Useful if your alarm is showing battery warnings or keeps beeping.
Alarm repairs and callouts
For alarms showing faults, tamper warnings, beeping or refusing to set.
Frequently asked questions
These are some of the common questions we are asked about burglar alarm servicing.
Need your burglar alarm serviced?
If your alarm is due a service, showing a warning, has not been checked for a while, or was installed by another company, contact Sanders Secure for practical alarm support.
