Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about safety

Is your question not listed?
Please do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk. They can be reached on Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on telephone number +31 174 794024 or by Email at helpdesk@adesys.nl.

How often should I test if everything still works?

The only way to check whether the entire alarm chain is working properly is to test it regularly. We recommend doing this once a month. You can do this simply by unplugging the device from the mains. This will test both the emergency power supply and the alarm process.

Please refer to the manual for the relevant alarm device for an explanation of the test procedure for each product.

Do I use SMS or voice for alarms?

SMS has the advantage that you receive a clear and concise message with information about the alarm. A disadvantage is that SMS is not always reliable: messages are sometimes delivered late. This does not only happen around New Year's Eve. For critical alarms, we therefore always recommend a voice call. The recipient confirms the call with a (personal) code, so you can be sure that the message has been received.

For Octalarm alarm diallers, we also recommend installing the free Adésys Alarm App on your smartphone. This allows you to easily accept an alarm, for example with your fingerprint, iris scan or unlock code (depending on your smartphone). You also have immediate insight into the status of your (linked) detectors anytime, anywhere, and you can set and manage them remotely.

What if I cannot be reached by phone?

The more people who can receive a call, the greater the chance that the alarm will actually be passed on. Our experience shows that a call list with at least four recipients usually provides sufficient security. Therefore, make sure you add enough people to your call list.

We advise you not to activate voicemail on telephone numbers that are on the call list.

For Octalarm alarm diallers, we also recommend installing the free Adésys Alarm App on your smartphone. With the app:

  • the device sends a push notification in the event of a critical alarm, even when your phone is in silent mode. This ensures that critical alarms are not deleted.
  • you can easily confirm an alarm (e.g. with your fingerprint, iris scan or unlock code, depending on your smartphone).
  • you always have immediate insight into the status of your (linked) diallers, wherever you are, and you can set and manage them remotely.
How can I be sure that an alarm will go off?

By making your dialler redundant, you increase the chance that alarm notifications will actually come through.

A dialler is redundant when it can send alerts via multiple, independent connections, for example via GSM and PSTN (simulated analogue line). The way in which systems are made redundant varies per solution and has a major impact on the ultimate reliability.

Read more about redundancy in alarms.

For Octalarm alarm diallers, we also recommend installing the free Adésys Alarm App on your smartphone. You can mark an alarm as “critical” in the dialler. In the event of a critical alarm, the dialler sends a push notification via the app, even when your phone is in silent mode. This ensures that critical alarms are not missed.

What conditions does an insurer impose on my alarm?

There are several insurers in the Netherlands that focus on preventing and insuring risks in the agricultural sector. Insurers impose important requirements on their policyholders in this regard. To avoid misunderstandings about coverage, it is essential that you know which conditions apply to your insurance. These can be found on your policy schedule. The obligations surrounding the chosen alarm system and how you deal with it usually vary only slightly from one insurer to another.

Important points to note from insurers at a glance

  1. The alarm system must not be dependent on mains power, but must be able to continue to function independently. The system must therefore have its own battery with sufficient capacity.
  2. Due to wear and tear, batteries are replaced every 3 years.
  3. Alarm equipment must be tested weekly.
  4. Protect the alarm equipment against overvoltage on both the power supply and signal sides.
  5. An alarm notification is always forwarded to at least two telephone numbers (of one or more persons).
  6. These persons act quickly, effectively and appropriately in an alarm situation. Response time requirements may vary depending on the insurer.
  7. The alarm device is connected to the telephone network first, so that an alarm notification always takes precedence over other connected devices.
  8. The networks through which the alarm device can send alerts are redundant (e.g. landline and mobile phone combined in a single alarm device).
  9. The device is equipped with automatic number redial with an acceptance procedure.

Read the complete knowledge article about Risks in the agricultural sector.

When is a dialler redundant?

A dialler is redundant when it can send alerts via multiple, independent connections, for example via GSM and PSTN (simulated analogue line). The way in which systems are made redundant varies per solution and has a major impact on the ultimate reliability.

Read more about redundancy in alarms.

When does a dialler need to be replaced?

As a guideline, you can assume that the reliability of alarm diallers can decrease significantly once they are more than 10 years old. Depending on the conditions of use and developments in telecom networks (such as the phasing out of 2G and 3G networks), this may also be the case sooner.

Additional information

  1. Read our knowledge articles on this subject:
    1. Can you still rely on your current alarm dialler?
    2. Disabling 2G and 3G network, what does this mean for my alerts?
  2. Check whether your alarm dialler still qualifies for repair and service.