{"id":3039,"date":"2025-09-26T07:40:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T07:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/why-false-alarms-are-a-problem-in-stores-open-all-day-long\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T07:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T07:41:13","slug":"why-false-alarms-are-a-problem-in-stores-open-all-day-long","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/why-false-alarms-are-a-problem-in-stores-open-all-day-long\/","title":{"rendered":"Why false alarms are a problem in stores open all day long"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">False alarms are not just a nuisance. <a href=\"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/business-alarms\/\">In a business<\/a>, especially one with extended hours, they <strong>can become a constant source of disruption, lost productivity and even legal penalties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Alarmas Catalunya we have seen how many stores located in shopping malls or tourist areas have <strong>recurring problems with unintentional activation of security systems<\/strong>, especially when operating on Sundays, holidays or night shifts.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that avoiding these false alarms is possible. It requires <strong>proper planning, smart technology and an approach tailored to the actual flow of activity at the site<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is focused precisely on that: <strong>how to prevent errors in system activation without sacrificing security<\/strong>, especially in businesses open all year round or with high staff turnover.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Most common causes of false alarms in stores with extended hours<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before looking for solutions, it is essential to understand why false alarms occur. In <a href=\"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/business-alarms\/alarm-for-stores\/\">stores with high activity<\/a>, the most common causes are: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Human error:<\/strong> incorrect opening or closing of the system, forgetfulness, incorrectly entered codes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After-hours activation:<\/strong> workers entering earlier or leaving later without deactivating the system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poorly calibrated or positioned sensors:<\/strong> detect normal movements as threats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changes in the environment:<\/strong> furniture, automatic lights or signs that interfere with detection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inadequate zoning:<\/strong> the entire room triggers the alarm equally, without distinguishing areas of frequent use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In businesses with a constant flow of people, such as shopping mall stores, it is very easy for these situations to occur if the system is not properly designed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, repeated false alarms can lead to:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Desensitization of personnel<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unnecessary police warnings<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fines for unwarranted intervention<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deterioration of confidence in the system<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, intelligent system design is the first line of defense.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Human error, when personnel unknowingly set off the alarm<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most common and avoidable causes of false alarms is <strong>the human factor<\/strong>. In stores with several employees, rotating shifts or special openings, <strong>it is common that someone forgets to deactivate the alarm or does not know how to operate the system<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most frequent scenarios:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New employees without safety training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shift changes with little communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poorly managed or shared personal codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cleaning or maintenance personnel accessing after hours without coordination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In these cases, it is most effective to <strong>automate processes<\/strong> and have systems that <strong>identify who activates or deactivates<\/strong> the alarm, and when. This not only helps to avoid errors, but also helps to detect habits that can be optimized. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Alarmas Catalunya we recommend:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Assign individual codes to each<\/strong> worker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activate the <strong>per-user registration<\/strong> function in the <a href=\"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/alarm-services\/alarm-receiving-center-arc\/\">ARC<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up <strong>notifications to the cell phone or by mail<\/strong> each time the alarm is activated or deactivated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Basic training<\/strong> in the use of the system for all employees, especially in stores open on Sundays or holidays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these simple steps, most human errors are eliminated.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intelligent zoning, adapting the alarm to the actual use of the premises<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most powerful (and often underutilized) tools in security systems is <strong>zoning<\/strong>. This consists of dividing the space into <strong>independent areas<\/strong>, each with its own configuration. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why is it so useful?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because in stores with extended hours, it is common for some areas to be operational and others not. For example: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A back room that is not used throughout the day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An office area that only works during working hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aisles or warehouses where access is timely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the entire alarm is activated or deactivated at the same time, errors are more likely to occur. By setting up zones, on the other hand, <strong>you can keep parts of the premises protected without interrupting normal activity<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Alarmas Catalunya we work with systems that allow:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Activate zones automatically according to schedule<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Include specific delays<\/strong> for each area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quickly and remotely <strong>deactivate zones from your cell phone<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Allowing temporary access to certain areas<\/strong> without compromising overall security<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In large stores or those with unconventional opening hours, this zoning is key to avoid false alarms without leaving the premises unprotected.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Video analytics and AI-enabled sensors: accuracy without false alerts<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The great revolution in commercial security has been the advent of video analytics with artificial intelligence. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/alarm-services\/video-analytics\/\">video analytics with artificial intelligence<\/a><\/strong>. This type of system makes it possible to <strong>detect real threats and automatically discard harmless movements<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How does it work?<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cameras analyze movement patterns in real time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Differentiate people from objects, animals or shadows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Behavior is evaluated before an alarm is triggered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data from various sources (audio, image, temperature&#8230;) are combined.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce by more than 90% the false alarms caused by elements such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Natural light changes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pets or small animals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poorly closed doors that move with the air<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Alarmas Catalunya we use videoanalytics especially in:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stores with large storefronts or glassed-in entrances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stores with automatic or decorative lighting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locations that are open late and have a lot of outside traffic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, these systems make it possible to <strong>see what is happening in real time from the cell phone<\/strong>, which is key to verify whether an alert is real or not.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our experience in shopping malls and 24\/7 stores<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years we have been installing alarms in businesses located in some of the most important shopping centers in Catalonia: <strong>Maremagnum, Diagonal Mar, Las Arenas, Gl\u00f2ries, La Maquinista<\/strong>&#8230;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These environments have common characteristics:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Extended hours<\/strong>, including Sundays and holidays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High personnel turnover<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Areas with constant traffic even during closing hours<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our experience has shown us that the secret to avoid false alarms is in:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Perform off-peak testing<\/strong> to identify system behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust detection thresholds<\/strong> according to actual room activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Designing customized video analytics scenarios<\/strong> for each store<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Train personnel in the efficient use of the system<\/strong>, without the need for technical knowledge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to these practices, <strong>many customers have gone from having several false alarms per month to having none for more than a year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical recommendations to avoid false alarms without losing security<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a summary of best practices that we apply and recommend to our customers:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Zones the room<\/strong> and adapts the programming to the actual schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Install sensors with AI or video analytics<\/strong> in critical areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set up unique codes per employee<\/strong> and activate access logging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check the sensor environment regularly<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Perform quarterly tests<\/strong> to validate performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Automate mobile alerts<\/strong> for instant intervention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrates the system with an ARC<\/strong> for professional response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is to make technology <strong>work for you, not against you<\/strong>. An alarm that generates unnecessary alerts is an alarm that ends up being ignored. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoiding false alarms in stores with extended hours <strong>is not a matter of luck<\/strong>, but of design, technology and experience.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Alarmas Catalunya we know because we live it every day. We protect businesses in environments with high security requirements and we know what works. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your store, restaurant or commercial premises suffers false alarms, contact us. We will design a system that will <strong>protect you without interrupting your business<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>False alarms are not just a nuisance. In a business, especially one with extended hours, they can become a constant source of disruption, lost productivity and even legal penalties. At Alarmas Catalunya we have seen how many stores located in shopping malls or tourist areas have recurring problems with unintentional activation of security systems, especially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3039"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3040,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3039\/revisions\/3040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alarmascatalunya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}