Input Types | Options 1

Alarm options

  • Generate Alarms: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type will generate alarms. Alarms are generated when an input is opened in an armed area, causing the area to go into an alarm state. The bell output may be activated and the alarm may be saved to the area memory (depending on the settings in the Options 2 tab).

    Disabling this option will prevent inputs with this input type from generating alarms. The inputs will still generate open/close events. For example, input types that are used only for automation do not need to generate alarms.

  • Generate 24HR Alarms: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type will generate 24hr (tamper) alarms. 24hr alarms (sometimes called tamper alarms) are generated when an input is tampered or shorted in an area with the 24hr portion armed. 24hr alarms do not put the area into alarm state or (normally) activate the bell output (but see the settings in Options 3).

    Trouble inputs also generate 24hr alarms when they are opened, however trouble input alarms do put the area into alarm and may activate the bell output as normal. This option should be enabled for any input type used by trouble inputs.

  • Entry Delay Input: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type will initiate the entry delay when they are opened in an armed area. Without this option enabled the area will go into alarm instantly without any entry delay.

    For example, this option could be enabled for inputs on external doors that are used to enter the building.

  • Entry Delay Follow Input: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type will not generate alarms during the entry delay period, but will generate alarms if the area is not in entry delay. Without this option enabled inputs will generate alarms even during entry delay.

    This option should be used for inputs which cover the route between the entry and the disarming point. For example, a PIR in the entryway should not generate an alarm when someone enters through the door (beginning the entry delay), but should generate an alarm if someone is detected in the room without opening the door.

  • Exit Delay Input: When this option is enabled, inputs with this input type will not generate alarms during the exit delay period. When this option is disabled the input will generate alarms even during exit delay.

    This option should be enabled for any inputs that users may trigger as they exit the building during arming. It may be disabled for other inputs to prevent people from re-entering parts of the building during the arming process.

  • Short Exit On Restore: With this option enabled, an input with this input type can be used to shorten the exit delay timer for an area. When the input is restored (closed) during exit delay the exit delay will be reduced to 5 seconds.

    For example, you might enable this option for a door contact so the area arms 5 seconds after the door is closed.

  • 24hr Panic Input: When this option is enabled, inputs with this input type will generate alarms even when the assigned area is not armed. A 'panic' action code will be included in the central station report. This allows inputs to act as 'panic buttons' and generate alarms whenever they are opened regardless of the area status.

    This feature uses 24hr tamper monitoring to generate alarms when the main area is not armed. Therefore, the following are also required:

    • The Generate 24HR Alarms option above must be enabled (however, Generate Alarms may be disabled).
    • The 24hr portion of the assigned area must be armed.

    To provide more information about the alarm you should also set the Custom reporting code in the General tab to an appropriate code.

  • Fire Input: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type will generate fire alarms when opened in an armed area. A 'fire' action code will be included in the central station report. It is recommended that you program any fire inputs in a dedicated fire area that is always armed.

    To provide more information about the alarm you should also set the Custom reporting code in the General tab to an appropriate code.

    Most smoke detectors use a normally open contact. Ensure that these inputs have the correct Contact Type and Input End of Line (EOL) settings (Programming | Inputs | Options tab).

Reporting options

  • Report alarms: With this option enabled the controller will report all alarms generated by these inputs to the central monitoring station. In addition, a reporting event will be saved to the event log.

    The Generate Alarms option must be enabled for this option to function.

  • Report Tampers: With this option enabled the controller will report all 24hr alarms (tamper alarms) generated by these inputs to the central monitoring station. This option should also be enabled to allow reporting of trouble input alarms. In addition, a reporting event will be saved to the event log.

    The Generate 24HR Alarms option must be enabled for this option to function.

  • Report Bypass: With this option enabled the controller will report to the central monitoring station all instances where these inputs are bypassed to arm an area. It will also report when the bypass is removed. Reporting events will be saved to the event log.

    The Report User Bypass option must also be enabled in Programming | Areas | Options 1.

  • Report Restores: With this option enabled the controller will report all input restore events to the central monitoring station. This occurs when an input is closed again after generating either an alarm or a 24hr alarm. Reporting events will be saved to the event log.

  • Stay Input: When this option is enabled inputs with this input type will be monitored when the assigned area is stay armed. Inputs with this option disabled will not be monitored when the area is stay armed.

    For example, you may wish to stay arm an area to supervise the perimeter while people are still inside. In this case the Stay Input option should be enabled for perimeter inputs such as door contacts, and disabled for internal PIRs and other inputs.

  • Force Input: When this option is enabled, inputs using this input type can be forced. This means that the assigned area can be force armed when these inputs are open without bypassing them. The inputs are still supervised and can still generate alarms if closed and opened again.

    If this option is disabled these inputs cannot be forced, however this can be overridden by the Use Unattended Brute Force Arming option in Programming | Areas | Options 1.

    You may need to bypass inputs when they are force armed to generate bypass reports. Enter one of the following commands in the General tab:

    • EnableForceBypass = true (bypasses the input until the area is disarmed)

    • ForceSendsBypass = true (bypasses the input until it is closed)

  • Exit Alley Input Do Not Test It: Inputs with this option enabled will not be tested when the assigned area is arming. This means that the area can be armed even if these inputs are open and not bypassed.

    This should be used for inputs such as PIRs that overlook keypads and other arming points, which would otherwise need to be bypassed every time the area is armed. It should be used alongside the Exit Delay Input option.

  • Recycle Input Alarm on Exit Delay End: By default, inputs with the Exit Delay Input feature do not generate alarms if they remain open after the exit delay ends. An alarm would only be generated if the input closes and opens again after arming. When this option is enabled any input that is still open at the end of the exit delay will be recycled (closed and opened again), generating an alarm.

    Use this feature for inputs that may be breached during exit delay, such as window or door contacts.