Battery replacement intervals will vary. The individual system manufacturer will normally advise your installer on the replacement interval. Typically, the intervals will vary from one to five years. Generally it is more cost effective to replace a battery sooner at a scheduled maintenance, rather than having to call out an engineer to make a special visit due to a problem with your alarm system.
On many systems signal strength can be checked. We always advise that this check is carried out as part of a maintenance. If a Class 6 system is installed, the signal strength measurements should be taken from each device back to the control panel, recorded and checked to ensure that they meet the individual manufacturer's minimum signal strength requirements. This measurement can then be used as a reference during a maintenance visit. Many 'wirefree systems' also have some wiring (for bells, keypads, detection devices, mains supply etc). This will need to have end of line resistance and/or voltage checks performed to ensure reliable operation. This is just a general guide as some individual systems may require additional checks to be made.
Usually your installer will make a note of checks performed as part of your system records. If your alarm is a Class 6 wirefree system connected for police response via an Alarm Receiving Centre, in most instances your alarm installation company will need to have both a monitoring and maintenance agreement with you to ensure both reliable operation of your system and the minimum number of false alarm calls from your system. Most police forces will now downgrade their response to you if you have more than two false calls in any rolling 12-month period. (If police response is downgraded or withdrawn your insurance cover may be affected.) I trust this will assist you.
Ashley Thomas of FM Electronics
Source
Security Installer