Noise from House/Intruder Alarms

Household alarms can cause distress to neighbouring residents if they continue to be activated unnecessarily and this can result in frequent complaints both to the police and local authorities. These complaints can relate to both the level of noise being produced by the alarm and also the duration.

What can I do?

• Property owners who seek to protect their home by installing an audible intruder alarm should also take responsibility to ensure that the system is maintained in proper working order and enter into a maintenance agreement with the alarm company or its representative at intervals not exceeding 12 months
• Australian Standards 2201.1 to 2201.5 set out the minimum performance requirements, reliability, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of intruder alarm systems. They apply to intruder alarm systems suitable for private and commercial premises and include specialist installations
• Clear and precise operating instructions should be maintained near the control panel to avoid errors in arming or de-activation of the alarm
• To avoid unnecessary disturbance to nearby residents one or more detections on a single zone should not cause the audible alarm to sound for longer than five minutes.  It is important that the owner and/or occupier notify their insurer to ensure this does not result in a potential claim being refused
• Many systems claim sound levels of 105 dB(A) and when fitted to the external facade of the building the potential for disturbance to many residents is greatly increased. In many circumstances the system can be equally effective if the alarm is installed within the main structure of the premises and volume reduced so as to produce a maximum noise level of 90 dB(A).
• Consider arranging for a friend, preferably someone that lives close by, who can arrange for the alarm to be disarmed and serviced should a fault occur whilst you are away on holiday

What can I do if I am unduly disturbed by an intruder alarm?

• Under Section 99 Environmental Protection Act 1986 the Police have powers to enter any premises where an alarm has been sounding for 30 minutes.  They can enter the premises and arrange for the alarm to be deactivated and the cost can be recovered from the owner of the house or business
• If the alarm is only operating intermittently then you can contact either the Police or the City on 9400 4933 who can assist but will not be able to enter the premises to disarm the unit

For further information please contact the City on 9400 4933.