Old, Un-monitored ADT Fire System False Alarms?

Updated on July 25, 2010
N.P. asks from Santa Rosa, CA
4 answers

We bought a house where every room upstairs and down has a fire alarm in it, which is great, and they are ALL connected apparently as we had a false alarm today that scared the bajebus out of us early in the AM. Scrambled around like idiots, snatched the baby from her bed, ran to the front door while daddy looked for the "fire". There is an ADT box in the garage with a bunch of wires connected to it and each fire detector in the ceiling upstairs has a hole cut under it so the wiring can, I assume, connect to each other and then to the non functional box in the garage. I know this because the holes were cut square and most of the fire alarms are round so I can see the corners of each hole around each alarm which is really crappy work and I'm going to try and patch the holes later.

I guess my question is this: If you have an ADT system, new or old, do they false alarm like that and how did you fix it? Calling ADT isn't really an option for me since I don't have an account with them or pay them in any way, and I don't want to. I just bought a distressed foreclosed home about a year ago with the old system already in place but un-monitored. When we bought the home we tested each fire alarm and changed out all the batteries. When testing, only one alarm went off at a time. Never heard the cacophony of noise that we experienced this morning. It was nerve rattling to say the least. Just glad it happened when the sun was up.

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So What Happened?

We've had the home for a little under a year and it was a foreclosure bought "as is". This was our first home purchase ever. It was like pulling teeth to try and negotiate anything from the bank. Our real estate agent got insulting letters back from them that were peppered with foul language and derogatory comments aimed at "the buyers". The rep was totally unprofessional and this was one of the worst experiences I've ever had in my entire life, to such a degree that I never want to sell this house and move just so I never have to go through the process ever again.

But I digress, after exploring the box that holds the "brains" of the fire alarm it turns out that the wire that leads to the power adapter that plugs into the wall was cut, probably by a disgruntled prior owner, and so the entire system has been living off the battery which, as has been surmised, is probably dying. I think I want to try and get the system fixed up because I like the idea that if there is a fire in my daughters room the alarm in my room will also go off. I just wish I understood the system better. There is no control panel to arm or disarm the system. It's just the brain box and all the connected units. It seems fairly old. Possibly installed 15 years ago when the house was first built.

Guess I'm going to have to call in a pro.

More Answers

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A.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Good morning!

We have an ADT alarm, and it does go wild sometimes. It sounds as if the battery may be going out.

Two thoughts. Radio Shack sells new batteries for $80 which would hopefully fix the problem. Or calling ADT and having them come and do a maintenance on the unit but not sign up for service; this way, you could have a "local" alarm that does emit an alarm and scare bad guys away. We did that and it cos $80 as well.

I am not sure how to disconnect the unit without all sorts of issues though.

Hope this helps and good luck.

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D.S.

answers from San Francisco on

N., what a great way to be prepared for a family emergancy! I think that you must have learned alot about where things are placed, where flashlights and clothes are for running outside and what to do for ER information.
That aside, how long have you had the house? If it is recent then you might go back to the Agent and read your contract-- if you got a "Insurance policy" with the house" not bought it as is", you may be able to get the people to cover it thru the insurance, including the shoddy job of instillation!
But better yet it was a false alarm and you leaned something important. I bet that the company has a way to help you -- they must be ready for that kind of thing.

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T.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

We had the same problem. I called ADT even though we didn't have an account with them and they walked me though how to disconnect the system. We actually had two sets of fire alarms in the rooms so I just disconnected the ADT ones. If these are your only alarms this may not work for you but I would still recommend calling ADT and asking them for some help.

T.W.

answers from Milwaukee on

Its the battery in the main unit going. At the panel you can lift it from the bottom to open it, and then remove the battery thats in it. It looks like a cordless phone battery. If you are not using the system, just remove the battery and close the panel lid. You wont have another "unexpected" wake up alarm any more after that. :)

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