How do I test my glass break detector?

There are two types of glass break detectors and each has a different method of testing.

Glass break detectors are a great way to add security for any area where an intruder could smash a window to gain entry. Glass break detectors are useful in that they are able to be armed in “Stay” mode. This allows a user to install glass breaks in areas that they will want to be alarmed while they are in the location. Motion detectors typically are bypassed when the system is set to “Stay” mode. If a motion detector was set to be armed in “Stay” mode, a user runs the risk of setting off the alarm if they were to walk in the motion detection area. This isn’t a problem with glass break detectors.

There are two types of glass break sensors that can be used - sound activated and shock activated. Sound activated glass break sensors listen for the tonal frequency that is created when glass is broken. Honeywell’s 5800 series and Six series glass break detectors check for the high and low tone of broken glass before triggering an alarm. This helps reduce false alarms resulting from loud noises occurring near the detector. Shock detectors are devices that mount directly onto the glass that they’re providing security to. These sensors trigger from the resulting movement of the glass they’re mounted on if the pane of glass were to be smashed. Shock sensors are best to be installed in rooms where poor sound acoustics or poor mounting locations would prevent a glass break detector from operating correctly. Areas like kitchens, living rooms with heavy drapes and lots of furniture or large rooms where the windows would be too far from the glassbreak are good candidates for shock sensors.

To test a glass break detector, Honeywell recommends using the FG701. This is a glass break testing device that simulates the high and low sound of glass breaking. Using this device allows a user to confirm that their device is operating correctly from its installed location and lets a user test their glass breaks as time goes on. To test a shock sensor a user simply need to tap the glass it’s affixed to. Shock sensors sensitivity can be increased or decreased allowing them to be installed from a delicate ornate window to plate glass. A full list of instructions on how to use the FG701 to test glass break devices can be found here.