These are some simple homeowner tips and suggestions for alarm system users who need a little advice on how to use their system.

Remember, if you ever have a concern or issue, please contact our Central Station for help: 

1 (800) 639-2521

To view or download a user card for Vista Turbo Fire Series, click here.

Disarming Your System

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press 1 after code to disarm
  4. Make sure your keypad display reads “SYSTEM DISARMED”

Arming Your System

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Make sure your keypad display reads “READY TO ARM
  3. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  4. Press 2 after code to arm
  5. Make sure your keypad display reads “SYSTEM ARMED”

Putting Your System on Stay Mode

Putting your alarm system in the Stay Mode allows you to arm the perimeter security devices, doors and glass, while leaving the interior motion devices in a bypassed state allowing you to walk freely throughout the premise. To do this:

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Enter your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press the number 3 immediately after
  4. Your keypad should now say “Stay Mode”

Remember: You will need to disarm the system before opening up the doors or the system will go into alarm.

Putting Your System on Chime Mode

When Chime Mode is activated your system will chime to let you know when your main entry door has been opened even with the system disarmed.

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Enter your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press the number 9 immediately after
  4. Your keypad should now say “Chime On”
  5. To turn off Chime Mode repeat steps 2 & 3

 Bypassing a Zone

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Enter your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press the number 6 immediately after
  4. Press the zone number that needs to be bypassed
  5. Your keypad should now say “Zone # Bypassed: Ready to Arm”

 What to do if your system goes into alarm?

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press 1 after code. This will Silence the Horns
  4. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  5. Press 1 after code, again. This will clear the alarms from the keypad.

 What to do if your keypad display reads NOT READY TO ARM?

  1. Read on the keypad display what zone is in fault
  2. Make sure that zone/area is secured (doors are shut, motions are free)
  3. If that does not work, try disarming your system twice:
    1. Press your 4-digit code in the keypad
    2. Press 1 after your code
    3. Repeat steps a & b again

 What to do if your keypad display reads COMM FAIL?

A Comm Fail or Communication Failure appears on the keypad when the system has trouble communicating a signal with our central station. To clear this:

  1. Go to the keypad
  2. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  3. Press 5 after code. This will start a system Burglary Walk Test
  4. Open up a secure perimeter door. This will put the system into alarm.
  5. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  6. Press 1 after code. This will Silence the Horns
  7. Put your 4-digit user code into the system
  8. Press 1 after code, again. This will clear the alarms from the keypad.
  9. Your keypad display should be clear from saying Comm Fail.

*Please Note: If the “Comm Fail” does not clear from your keypad display, a phone issue may still be present.

Testing Your Alarm System with Your Central Station

  1. First and most important, call the alarm monitoring station and put your system on test.
  2. For fire alarm and CO testing, press the test button on the device. This will cause the device to sound as well as the alarm sirens.
  3. After the alarm sirens sound, go ahead and disarm the system by pressing your 4-digit code and 1, which will silence the alarms.
  4. Then disarm again by pressing your 4-digit code and 1, which will clear the alarms from the system.
  5. Next you would arm your security system by pressing your 4-digit code and 2.
  6. Wait at least 2 minutes for the system to fully arm.
  7. Now walk in front of all your motions, then open all doors and windows that have security contacts; this should sound the alarm sirens.
  8. After the alarm sirens sound, go ahead and disarm the system by pressing your 4-digit code and 1, which will silence the alarms.
  9. Then disarm again by pressing your 4-digit code and 1, which will clear the alarms from the system.
  10. Next you would call the Central Monitoring Station and let us know that you want to check your signals.  Our personnel should be able to tell you exactly which zones were breached, which will let you know that your alarm system is working properly.

Reducing your chance of being a victim:

Arming your alarm system will greatly reduce the chance of their being someone in your home waiting for you when you return and deter those who try to break in even when you are.  If you have the alarm monitoring service with your security system, not only will the alarms siren help scare off intruders but your system will also alert our monitoring station to dispatch the proper authorities to assist in your safety.