How long do hardwired/remote duress devices have to be depressed for?

How long do hardwired/remote duress devices have to be depressed for?

• A. 2 seconds
• B. 3 seconds
• C. 4 seconds
• D. 5 seconds

Answer: (B)

Requiring a brief, deliberate hold on a duress button makes the signal intentional rather than just a quick tap. The idea is to distinguish a real need for covert assistance from accidental presses. Holding the button for three seconds achieves a balance: it’s long enough to prevent false alarms from a momentary touch, but short enough to get help quickly when someone is under threat. If the duration were much shorter, false activations would rise; if it were much longer, help could be delayed in an urgent situation. This three-second hold is a common standard to ensure the signal is clear to the monitoring center while minimizing nuisance alarms.

Requiring a brief, deliberate hold on a duress button makes the signal intentional rather than just a quick tap. The idea is to distinguish a real need for covert assistance from accidental presses. Holding the button for three seconds achieves a balance: it’s long enough to prevent false alarms from a momentary touch, but short enough to get help quickly when someone is under threat. If the duration were much shorter, false activations would rise; if it were much longer, help could be delayed in an urgent situation. This three-second hold is a common standard to ensure the signal is clear to the monitoring center while minimizing nuisance alarms.