Office and Home Security Devices

Need help? Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about business or home security systems, security monitoring, and security alarms.

For more information about Sentry Installation’s business or home security
systems, feel free to contact us or call 1-800-670-1008.

Question: How do I test my security systems?

Answer: Make sure you have your account number and password. Call your home or business monitoring station and tell the operator you would like to put your security system on TEST for 1 hour (or however long you would like to keep your alarm system on test). During this testing time, no action will be taken by the central monitoring station. Next, arm your commercial or residential system in the MAXIMUM or AWAY mode. Open a protected door, window or activate the security device.  The burglar alarm should sound.  Disarm the security system after 15 seconds by entering your disarm code. (Some systems require your disarm code to be entered two times). Again, call the central station and give the operator your account number and pass code.  Ask the operator what signals have been received.  If the operator advises that no signals have been received, you may need to call Sentry Installation, Inc. for a service call.

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Question: My security alarm went off and I never received a telephone call; however, the police were dispatched. Why didn’t I receive a phone call prior to the dispatch?

Answer: If you have call waiting and/or voice mail service through your telephone company the following problem occurs during an alarm. The signals from your security alarm travels through your telephone line, when you trip your alarm accidentally the signal travels out your phone line, the monitoring operator receives the signals and tries to notify you on your phone line, however, if you have call waiting unless your handset is in your ear, you will never know that the operator is calling you to check on your status – the line either rings on his/her end due to the call waiting feature or goes immediately to your voice mail message.

If you set off your security alarm system accidentally, we suggest you immediately contact the monitoring station and let them know you are calling in a false alarm; otherwise, chances are they will receive your voice mail or ringing on your end when they call your home or office to check your status.

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Question: When I came home this afternoon, my keypad was beeping, what does that mean?

Answer: All security systems are different; however, if your keypad is beeping it is trying to notify you of an alarm event or the supervisory status of your alarm system.

When your security system’s keypad is beeping, it could be a signal that you incurred a loss of power, an alarm, loss of a device or a transmitter or panel low battery.

Most problems are addressed in your user’s manual and can be corrected by the user. If you cannot find your user’s manual, a majority of user’s manuals can be downloaded from our Resources page. Please refer to your user’s manual when your security system is displaying a problem on your keypad. If you cannot resolve the problem a service appointment may be needed.

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Question: My keypad is indicating “Batt” or “low battery,” what should I do?

Answer: Most rechargeable back-up batteries have a life of approximately 3-5 years, however, depending on the amount of times you lose power in your area, the life can extend past 5 years or you may have a shorter battery life.

If your commercial or residential alarm system is indicating that you have a low system back-up battery and you have recently lost power to your control panel, this is normal. It normally takes up to 48 hours for a back-up battery to recover from a power loss. It begins recharging only after the power comes back on. Your system keypad may beep as a reminder, intermittently, until your battery reaches the appropriate voltage. This usually takes up to 48 hours. You may have to silence your keypad during this recharging time several times. To do this, follow the instructions in your users manual or arm and quickly disarm your system or for some security alarm systems you may have to input your code and press the off key. Every security alarm system differs as do the steps to silence a low battery indicator. If you cannot locate your user’s manual, most manuals can be downloaded from one of the links on the left.

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Question: My alarm system’s keypad is indicating one of my wireless transmitters is in need of a battery. I replaced the battery, however, my keypad is still indicating a low battery.

Answer: Although your battery has been replaced, it may not be recognized until the next check in time or if that particular security device has been activated.

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Question: My smoke detector went off and I cannot clear my keypad.

Answer: Most security systems must be reset after a smoke detector goes off. Please refer to your users manual to find out how to reset your smoke detector by using the keypad.

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For more information about Sentry Installation’s home security system services and residential security monitoring services, feel free to call us at 1-800-670-1008 or email us.

Sentry Installation, Inc. provides office security systems and
Home Security systems to customers in:

Montgomery County including Ashton, Aspen Hill, Barnesville, Brookeville, Brookmont, Burtonsville, Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase Village, Clarksburg, Colesville, Fairland, Friendship Heights, Gaithersburg, Garrett Park, Germantown, Glenmont, Hillandale, Kensington, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, North Bethesda, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Rollins Park, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Somerset, Takoma Park, Wheaton, White Oak and all surrounding areas.

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