An alarm doesn’t just “appear” on an operator’s screen.
In Stages, every alarm follows a defined lifecycle — a series of steps the system uses to interpret signals, decide what action is required, guide operators, and record what happened.
Understanding this lifecycle is one of the most important steps in learning how Stages works.
This article explains the alarm lifecycle in plain language, from the moment a signal is received to when the event becomes part of history.
Step 1: A Signal Is Received
Everything starts when a signal is sent from a monitored device in the field.
This could be:
- An intrusion alarm
- A fire alarm
- A trouble condition
- A test signal
- A restoration or closing signal
At this stage, the signal is simply data — it has not yet been classified as an alarm or assigned any meaning.
Step 2: Stages Identifies Where the Signal Came From
Once the signal arrives, Stages determines:
- Which site it belongs to
- Which device sent it
- How that device is configured
This step ensures the signal is tied to the correct account and context before any decisions are made.
Step 3: The Signal Is Interpreted
Next, Stages evaluates the signal using predefined rules.
At this point, the system determines:
- What type of event does the signal represent
- Whether the signal requires action
- How urgent the event is
Some signals may:
- Create an alarm that requires immediate response
- Be logged for history only
- Be suppressed based on device state (for example, maintenance)
This interpretation happens before an operator ever sees the event.
Step 4: Priority and Routing Are Applied
If the signal is determined to require action, Stages assigns:
- A priority level (how urgent it is)
- A dispatch path (where it should go)
The alarm is then routed into the appropriate dispatch queue, based on predefined rules.
This ensures alarms are:
- Handled in the correct order
- Directed to the right operators
- Managed consistently across shifts and workloads
Step 5: An Action Plan Is Selected
Once an alarm reaches dispatch, Stages selects the correct action plan.
An action plan is a structured set of instructions that tells operators:
- What steps to take
- What questions to ask
- What outcomes are possible
- What to do next based on each outcome
Action plans remove guesswork and ensure alarms are handled the same way every time, regardless of who is on shift.
Step 6: The Operator Responds
The operator follows the action plan presented by Stages.
During this step, the operator may:
- Contact a site or keyholder
- Verify alarm details
- Dispatch emergency services
- Log notes or outcomes
- Escalate the event if needed
Stages guides the operator through each step while recording actions in real time.
Step 7: The Alarm Is Resolved or Deferred
Once the required actions are completed, the alarm is:
- Cleared
- Escalated
- Or deferred using a follow-up, if additional action is required later
Stages ensures that deferred actions are tracked and surfaced again if they are not completed on time.
Step 8: The Alarm Becomes Part of History
After resolution, the alarm is permanently recorded in alarm history.
This history includes:
- The original signal
- How it was interpreted
- Actions taken by operators
- Timing and outcomes
Over time, this data contributes to alarm statistics, which help organizations understand performance, trends, and workload.
Why This Lifecycle Matters
The alarm lifecycle is what allows Stages to:
- Handle high alarm volumes without chaos
- Maintain consistent response quality
- Reduce operator error
- Support audits, compliance, and customer inquiries
- Scale operations confidently
Instead of relying on memory or individual judgment, Stages enforces a structured process from start to finish.
A Key Difference from Traditional Systems
In many traditional monitoring platforms, operators are responsible for deciding:
- Whether a signal is important
- What steps to take
- How to document the outcome
In Stages, those decisions are largely made before the alarm reaches the operator.
This shift:
- Reduces pressure on operators
- Improves consistency
- Protects the organization through an enforced process
What This Means for New Users
If you are new to Stages, it’s helpful to remember:
- Operators execute responses — they don’t design them
- The system’s structure is intentional
- Most alarm behavior is determined before dispatch
- Understanding the flow makes everything else easier
Once you understand the lifecycle, features like action plans, queues, follow-ups, and reporting begin to make sense as parts of a single system.
What’s Next?
To continue building your understanding of Stages, explore:
- What Is Stages and Why It’s Different from Traditional Monitoring Platforms
- A Day in the Life of a Central Station Using Stages
- How Action Plans Guide Operator Response (pending)
- Understanding Dispatch Queues in Stages (pending)
These articles build on the alarm lifecycle and explain how each component supports professional monitoring operations.