What is the maximum entry/exit delay time recommended to be used for an alarm?

• A. 240 seconds or 4 minutes
• B. 120 seconds
• C. 60 seconds
• D. 300 seconds

Answer: (A)

Entry and exit delays are the amount of time allowed after someone enters or attempts to arm/disarm before the alarm actually triggers. The idea is to give a legitimate user time to react—exit the building or enter a disarm code—without delaying the alarm too long, which would create a bigger security risk.

The maximum recommended delay to use is four minutes (240 seconds). This length is considered enough time for a typical user to exit the premises and then for legitimate arming/disarming to occur, while still limiting the window of opportunity for someone to tamper with the system or stay unseen. Longer delays would unnecessarily increase security risk, while shorter, common defaults (like 60 or 120 seconds) are not the maximum allowed. A delay of 300 seconds (five minutes) would be beyond what’s recommended for most systems.