System and method for testing networked alarm units

1. An alarm unit comprising:

an alarm controller, the alarm controller being operatively connected to a plurality of implements within the alarm unit comprising a mechanical actuator and a magnetic sensor and at least one of a visual source and an audible source,

wherein the alarm unit:

monitors for input to initiate one of a plurality of self-tests including:

a first test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator without actuation of the magnetic sensor, and

a second test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator with actuation of the magnetic sensor, and

wherein the first test differs from the second test;

wherein:

the alarm unit is a first alarm unit of a plurality of alarm units, the plurality of alarm units forming an alarm system;

the first test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as a standalone test, wherein the first test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test when the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter a first period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator; and

the second test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as part of an alarm system test, wherein the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a first instruction to perform the self-test after the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter the magnetic sensor is engaged within a second period of time.

2. The alarm unit of claim 1 , wherein

the first test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test upon the second actuation of the mechanical actuator within the first period of time.

3. The alarm unit of claim 1 , wherein

the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a second instruction to perform the self-test after a third period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

4. The alarm unit of claim 3 wherein

the second test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after the third period of time lapses without the second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

5. The alarm unit of claim 1 wherein

the plurality of self-tests includes a third test, which is a self-test as a part of a system test, initiated by the first alarm unit following receiving a first instruction from a second alarm unit of the plurality of alarm units.

6. The alarm unit of claim 5 wherein

the third test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after receiving a second instruction from the second alarm unit during a fourth period of time that runs after receiving the first instruction.

7. The alarm unit of claim 6 wherein

the third test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test after the fourth period of time has lapsed without receiving the second instruction from the second alarm unit.

8. A method of operating an alarm unit,

the alarm unit comprising an alarm controller, the alarm controller being operatively connected to a plurality of implements within the alarm unit comprising a mechanical actuator and a magnetic sensor, and one or more of a visual source and an audible source,

wherein the method includes the alarm unit:

monitoring for input to initiate one of a plurality of self-tests including:

a first test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator without actuation of the magnetic sensor, and

a second test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator with actuation of the magnetic sensor, and

wherein the first test differs from the second test;

wherein:

the alarm unit is a first alarm unit of a plurality of alarm units, the plurality of alarm units forming an alarm system;

the first test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as a standalone test, wherein the first test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test when the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter a first period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator; and

the second test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as part of an alarm system test, wherein the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a first instruction to perform the self-test after the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter the magnetic sensor is engaged within a second period of time.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test upon the second actuation of the mechanical actuator within the first period of time.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a second instruction to perform the self-test after a third period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after the third period of time lapses without the second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of self-tests includes a third test, which is a self-test as a part of a system test, initiated by the first alarm unit following receiving a first instruction from a second alarm unit of the plurality of alarm units.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the third test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after receiving a second instruction from the second alarm unit during a fourth period of time that runs after receiving the first instruction.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the third test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test after the fourth period of time has lapsed without receiving the second instruction from the second alarm unit.