How Do I Add a Duress Code Using the Alarm.com Customer Website?

To program a Duress Code remotely, start with a compatible panel. Log in to the Alarm.com customer site, then click Users, then More. Click Add Duress User. Enter a name and click Create. In Access Code, enter the desired user code. You can also let the server generate a code, then Save.

Panels that support remote Duress Code programming:

In order for a user to see this programming option, their dealer must have made the feature available to them through Alarm.com. If you attempt to follow these instructions, but you don't see the option to Add Duress Code, then advise your alarm dealer. They will need to request access to this feature through their Alarm.com Sales Representative. Once the alarm dealer has been granted access, then all compatible accounts should see this option when following these steps.

For anyone who isn't familiar, a Duress Code is a special code that can be configured in the alarm panel. This code is only meant to be used in an emergency situation. For example, an intruder may approach the alarm user as they are entering or leaving the building, and force their way inside the building with the user. If the system was armed prior to this, then as they enter, either the Entry Delay, or if they were caught on the way out the door, the Exit Delay period should be active. The intruder will likely tell the user to disarm the system so that an alarm does not sound.

A user in this situation should disarm using the Duress Code rather than their normal code. The system will disarm as usual, but in addition a signal will be sent to the monitoring station letting them know that the user disarmed while under duress, hence the name. The way a Duress Code is treated by the central station may vary from one station to another, but in most cases, an immediate police dispatch will be requested. Now, all of the preceding information assumes that the system in question is monitored. If your system isn't monitored, then the Duress Code is of no use because there is no one to receive the Duress signal. The ability to signal duress is one of the many reasons central station monitoring is an excellent idea!

To add a Duress Code to a compatible system remotely using the Alarm.com Customer Website, follow these steps:

1. Access the website. Go to www.alarm.com on a compatible browser and login with your Alarm.com credentials. If you have 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled, proceed through authentication. Once you're completely logged in, proceed to the next step. Note: only the Admin User for the Alarm.com account can perform these steps.

2. Click Users. In the bar on the left, click Users. You will be taken to the Users screen.

3. Add the Duress code. In the upper right, click the More drop-down, then click on Add Duress User. Enter a name for the Duress Code. Then Click Create. On panels that support multiple Duress Codes, each user may choose to have their own unique Duress Code. This may make it easier for each user to remember what their own individual Duress Code is. For panels that support only a single Duress Code, all users will use the same 4-digit code. In either case, each user should be taught what the Duress Code is, how it works, and under what circumstances it should be used.

After entering a name and then pressing Create, you'll be taken to the screen that allows you to enter the 4-digit code, and give the code access to the alarm panel. If you have a 4-digit code in mind, enter the code in the section titled Access Code. You can also choose "Generate Code" to have the Alarm.com server generate a randomly selected 4-digit code. Finally, make sure the Security Panel option is toggled ON, then click SAVE. Note that if the Admin User has access to multiple systems, it can give this new Duress Code access to those systems all at one time.

The code should sync to the alarm panel within a few minutes. You can speed up the process by going back to users on the left side menu, and clicking the Synchronize icon to the right of the User Name.

4. Test the code. Make sure the system is on test with the monitoring station. Alarm.com users may be able to put their system on test using the Mobile App. Once that's done, test the Duress Code to be sure that it sends a signal to the monitoring station as it should. Do this by calling the monitoring station, verifying your identity to the operator, and asking them what signals have been received for your account location.