CAT Alarm Technician Security Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a technician arrives at a customer site and the alarm is active, what is the FIRST step before entering?
- Begin disarming the panel immediately
- Contact the central station to confirm the alarm status and obtain authorization (Correct answer)
- Call the police directly
- Reset the system from outside using a portable programmer
Correct answer: Contact the central station to confirm the alarm status and obtain authorization
Contacting the central station first ensures the technician is authorized and aware of the current alarm situation before entering.
Question 2: Which practice best protects customer access codes during a service call?
- Write codes on the work order for easy reference
- Memorize the code and never document it
- Use the default installer code whenever possible
- Ask the customer to enter their own code and avoid handling it yourself (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ask the customer to enter their own code and avoid handling it yourself
Allowing the customer to enter their own code prevents the technician from having unnecessary access to sensitive credentials.
Question 3: A homeowner asks a technician to add a secondary keypad that bypasses the master code. The technician should:
- Install it if the customer signs a waiver
- Refuse, as bypassing the master code violates security protocol
- Install it only if the central station approves
- Add a secondary keypad with a unique user code instead (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Add a secondary keypad with a unique user code instead
Adding a secondary keypad with its own unique user code fulfills the customer's need without bypassing the master code.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a tamper switch on an alarm control panel enclosure?
- To trigger a supervisory signal if the enclosure is opened without authorization (Correct answer)
- To prevent the panel from sounding the siren locally
- To reset the panel after a power failure
- To disconnect AC power in an emergency
Correct answer: To trigger a supervisory signal if the enclosure is opened without authorization
Tamper switches detect unauthorized access to the control panel enclosure and generate a supervisory or alarm signal.
Question 5: During installation, a technician discovers the customer wants the panic button disabled to avoid accidental activation. The proper response is to:
- Disable the zone as requested
- Explain that panic zones are often required by code and must remain active (Correct answer)
- Replace the panic button with a standard door contact
- Move the panic button to an inside closet
Correct answer: Explain that panic zones are often required by code and must remain active
Panic buttons may be required by local codes or UL standards and generally must remain functional for life-safety compliance.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered a best practice when leaving a job site after an alarm system installation?
- Leave the installer code at the factory default for future service visits
- Change the installer code to a unique value and document it securely (Correct answer)
- Give the customer the installer code for their records
- Remove the installer code from the panel entirely
Correct answer: Change the installer code to a unique value and document it securely
Changing the installer code to a unique, non-default value and storing it securely prevents unauthorized access to programming.
Question 7: A technician is asked to test a commercial fire alarm system during business hours. What is the required first step?
- Begin the test and notify occupants afterward
- Notify building management and the central station, and place the system on test mode (Correct answer)
- Activate the system and time the response without prior notice
- Test only the panel diagnostics, not field devices
Correct answer: Notify building management and the central station, and place the system on test mode
Pre-notification and placing the system on test mode prevents unnecessary emergency dispatches and ensures all parties are aware.
CAT Alarm Technician Security Protocols 2
When a technician arrives at a customer site and the alarm is active, what is the FIRST step before entering?