Control panel managed testing of alarm initiating devices

A non-transitory computer-readable device storing instructions thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:

• receiving, at a control panel, a first signal indicating that an alarm initiating device has entered a test mode in response to activation of a test switch of the alarm initiating device;
• updating, at the control panel, device information to indicate that the alarm initiating device has entered a test mode;
• receiving, at the control panel, a second signal indicating detection of a hazard indication at the alarm initiating device;
• updating, at the control panel, the device information to indicate that the alarm initiating device has exited the test mode in response to information in the second signal indicating the alarm initiating device has exited the test mode;
• and
• preventing an alarm alert process of the control panel associated with the hazard indication based upon on the device information indicating that the alarm initiating device has entered the test mode.

An alarm system, comprising:

• an alarm initiating device that detects a hazard indication and includes a test switch is a magnetic reed switch that is activated when a hood of a test tool is placed over the alarm initiating device, the hood including a magnet that comes within proximity of the magnetic reed switch to activate the magnetic reed switch;
• and
• a control panel that includes:
• one or more memories storing instructions;
• and
• one or more processors communicatively coupled with the one or more memories and configured to execute the instructions to:
• receive, at a control panel, a first signal indicating that an alarm initiating device has entered a test mode in response to activation of a test switch of the alarm initiating device;
• update, at the control panel, device information to indicate that the alarm initiating device has entered a test mode;
• receive, at the control panel, a second signal indicating detection of a hazard indication at the alarm initiating device;
• and
• update, at the control panel, the device information to indicate that the alarm initiating device has exited the test mode in response to information in the second signal indicating the alarm initiating device has exited the test mode;
• and
• prevent an alarm alert process of the control panel associated with the hazard indication based upon on the device information indicating that the alarm initiating device has entered the test mode.