Handling Alarms once they get triggered

Handling Alarms once they get triggered

This document outlines how alarm triggers are defined, how users are notified, and the different states an alarm can go through during its lifecycle on the platform.

What is a Alarm Trigger ?

An alarm trigger is an event generated when a pre-defined condition is met for a monitored parameter (such as temperature, occupancy, power usage, etc.). 

Each time the defined condition evaluates to true, a trigger event is generated, which either creates a new alarm or adds to an existing active one.

How will a user be alerted about the trigger ?

When a trigger occurs, the following notification mechanisms may be used (based on user-defined alarm actions):

  • In App Desktop Notification (Default): Visible in the notifications panel and as a desktop notification for logged-in users.

  • Email Notification: Sent to configured recipients when an alarm enters the Triggered state.

  • SMS Notification: Sent to configured recipients when an alarm enters the Triggered state.

Alarm States:

The platform supports three core alarm states. Each state represents a different step in the user’s response and resolution process:

State

Description

Triggered

The alarm condition is met and an alarm is raised.

Acknowledged

The user is aware of the alarm and is taking steps to resolve it.

Done

The issue has been resolved, and the alarm is closed.


Triggered

  • Alarm is created when a trigger condition is met.

  • Additional triggers may be added if the condition continues to meet the criteria.

  • The latest trigger is always shown on top in the Triggered Alarms section.

  • All defined alarm actions are executed (e.g., notifications).

Acknowledged

  • Indicates that the user is aware of the alarm and is taking action.

  • Alarm remains active.

  • New triggers are still recorded in the system.

  • Notifications (emails and in-app alerts, escalations) are disabled to prevent redundancy.

  • The user may optionally create a work order for resolution.

Done

  • The issue is considered resolved either manually or through completion of a linked work order.

  • Alarm moves to a closed state and will be triggered when the condition matches next time.

  • If Alarm was linked to a work order then it gets marked as done automatically when the work order is completed


What to do once an alarm is triggered ?

Once the alarm is triggered, it will show up in the triggered alarms page. You can also find a Badge on the Alarms icon in the left panel.

Click on the alarm of interest to open the alarm details.

Alarm details header section : 

  • Gives the alarm name, alarm ID and status of the alarm. 

  • Users can choose to change the status of the alarm by clicking on the Status button on the top of the page.

  • Users can create a Work order from the alarm to get it rectified.

Commenting feature

  • The commenting feature in the Alarms module allows users to add contextual notes, updates, or troubleshooting steps directly within each alarm. 

  • This supports better collaboration and traceability during issue resolution. Comments are timestamped and visible to all users with access to the alarm.

  • You can directly tag other users in the comments, they will be notified.

There are two major sections:

  1. Alarm Details

    1. Comprises of Alarm details on the left side of the screen

    2. Triggers information on the right side of the screen

  2. Activity

    1. Has all the information, activities performed on an alarm

    2. It has been broken down into Triggered, Status, Work Order, Comments tabs for better readability.

Important Note:

Implications of not changing Alarm Status
1. If user is aware of the alarm trigger but does not mark it as acknowledged, then the alarm will keep triggering SMS and Emails. It is necessary to mark the alarm as acknowledged once you are aware of it.
Eg:
If the AC unit gives a filter issue, you are aware of it and have informed the techician team, but did not mark it as acknowledged in the IQnext platform, you will continue to receive email and SMS, additionally the issue may get escalated to senior team.

2. If the user has marked alarm as acknowledged and rectified it, but not marked it as done for long time - then in future when the condition is met a new alarm will not be notified to the users. It is necessary to mark the alarm as done once you have rectified it.
Eg:
If the AC issue was rectified and the alarm status was not changed to done, then after 5 days if the same issue happens again, then you will not be notified as the alarm is still in acknowledged state.






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