Lesson 1: Types of alarms
Security guards respond to many kinds of alarms, on their own post or as a mobile patrol. Each kind needs a different response.
| Alarm | What it means | Main response |
|---|---|---|
| Fire alarm | A detector, pull station or sprinkler flow switch has activated | Follow the fire safety plan; treat it as real |
| Intrusion (burglar) alarm | A door, window or motion sensor has detected possible entry | Check from the outside, look for signs of entry, report |
| Panic, hold-up or duress alarm | A person is asking for help or is under threat | Treat as a threat to people; police respond right away |
| Trouble signal | A fault in the system, such as wiring or power | Report so it is repaired; may need a fire watch |
Your post orders should tell you which alarms you respond to, who to call, and in what order.
Lesson 2: How fire alarm systems work
A single-stage system sounds all the alarm bells as soon as any device is activated.
A two-stage system has two steps:
- Alert signal (first stage): tells supervisory staff that a fire may be happening.
- Alarm signal (second stage): tells everyone to evacuate. If staff do not confirm the situation in time, the system goes to this stage automatically.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services explains that staff have 5 minutes to investigate and verify whether the event is real. The 5 minutes is not for silencing the bells or acknowledging the panel. The fire department must be notified at the first stage.
The annunciator panel
The annunciator shows which zone or device is in alarm. Go there first. Note the zone, the time and any other signals before you do anything else.
Lesson 3: Responding to a fire alarm
Treat every alarm as an emergency. Even when you think it is false, it must be answered and the absence of fire confirmed.
- Read the annunciator and note the zone and time.
- Make sure the fire department and monitoring company know, as your plan requires.
- Go to the zone safely, with a radio, and check from a safe distance.
- If there is fire or smoke: make sure the alarm is sounding, help evacuate and call 911.
- If you find no fire, keep following the plan. Do not reset or silence on your own.
- Meet the fire department and tell them the zone and what you found.
Lesson 4: Silencing and resetting
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services gives clear advice on silencing and resetting:
- Silence only after the fire department has arrived and evaluated the situation. In most newer systems, silenced bells will not restart on their own if the fire grows. Premature silencing has caused fire deaths.
- Do not reset before fire personnel arrive. Resetting can erase which zone went into alarm, so firefighters may have to search the whole building.
- Record the panel information before any reset.
- A faulty system that keeps causing false alarms may lead to false alarm fees for the owner.
Your site may have its own rules about who is allowed to silence or reset. Follow them, and never let occupant complaints about noise rush you.
Lesson 5: Intrusion and panic alarms
Many police services, including Hamilton and London in Ontario, use verified response for property alarms. Police are sent only after the alarm is verified as likely criminal activity or a threat to safety. Ways to verify include:
- Audio from inside the building
- Video showing criminal activity
- An on-scene witness, such as the owner, a keyholder or a security guard
- Multiple sensors activating in a sequence that suggests someone is inside
Panic, hold-up and duress alarms do not need verification. Police are sent right away because people may be in danger.
Responding safely as a guard
- Approach carefully and park where you can see but are not in the way.
- Check the outside from a safe distance: doors, windows, roof hatches, fences.
- If you see signs of entry, such as broken glass or someone inside, do not go in. Call police, give a clear description, and keep watching.
- Do not touch a forced door or window. Note its exact location and condition.
- If everything is secure, follow your post orders for an inside check, usually with the keyholder or after the alarm company confirms.
A guard's role at an alarm: observe, deter and report.
- Observe what is happening from a safe place.
- Deter by being visible.
- Report clearly to police and your supervisor.
Lesson 6: Trouble signals and reporting
A trouble signal means part of the fire alarm system may not work, for example because of a wiring fault or power problem. Report it right away so a qualified service company can repair it. If the trouble lasts, your site may need a fire watch. For example, Queen's University requires a modified fire watch when a trouble condition lasts more than one hour.
What to write after any alarm
- Date and times: alarm received, arrival, all clear
- Type of alarm and the zone or device
- What you found and what you did
- Who you notified: fire department, police, monitoring company, keyholder, supervisor
- Names of responders, and incident or file numbers if given
- Any damage, faults or repeated false alarms
Good reports help the owner find and fix the cause of false alarms, and they show that you followed the procedure.