Honeywell Home ADEMCO VISTA-15P User manual

ADEMCO VISTA SERIES
VISTA-15P
VISTA-15PSIA
VISTA-20P
VISTA-20PSIA
User Guide
K5309-1V7C3/15 Rev C VISTA-15P/15PSIA & VISTA-20P/20PSIA

IMPORTANT!
PROPER INTRUSION PROTECTION
For proper intrusion coverage, sensors should be located at every possible point of entry to a home
or commercial premises. This would include any skylights that may be present, and the upper
windows in a multi-level building.
In addition, we recommend that radio backup be used in a security system so that alarm signals can
still be sent to the Central Monitoring Station in the event that the telephone lines are out of order
(alarm signals are normally sent over the phone lines).
EARLY WARNING FIRE DETECTION
Early warning fire detection is important in a home. Smoke and heat detectors have played a key role
in reducing fire deaths in the United States. With regard to the number and placement of smoke/heat
detectors, we subscribe to the recommendations contained in the National Fire Protection
Association's National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72). These recommendations can be found on page
47 of this manual.
SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY NOTICE
This security system is designed for use with devices manufactured or approved by Resideo Technologies,
Inc., through its subsidiary Ademco Inc. (“Resideo”), for use with your security system. Your security system is
not designed for use with any device that may be attached to your security system's keypad or other
communicating bus if Resideo has not approved such device for use with your security system. Use of any
such unauthorized device may cause damage or compromise the performance of your security system and
affect the validity of your Resideo limited warranty. When you purchase devices that have been manufactured
or approved by Resideo you acquire the assurance that these devices have been thoroughly tested to ensure
optimum performance when used with your security system.
About This Manual
This manual is a step-by-step guide that will acquaint you with the system's features and benefits. It
defines the components and their functions, describes their operation, and provides clear step-by-
step instructions for normal and emergency procedures. Keep this manual in a convenient place so
that you can refer to it as necessary.
NOTE: Copies of the Programming, User, and Installation Guides must be left with the end user.

i
Table of Contents
System Overview ...................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1
System Basics ...................................................................................................................... 1
Using the Voice Message Center (if Voice Keypad is installed) .......................................... 3
About the Keypads ................................................................................................................... 4
General Information.............................................................................................................. 4
FIXED-WORD DISPLAY KEYPAD....................................................................................... 6
Functions of the Keypads ........................................................................................................ 7
Entry/Exit Delays ..................................................................................................................... 10
Entry Delay ......................................................................................................................... 10
Exit Delay............................................................................................................................ 10
Exit Alarms.......................................................................................................................... 11
Checking for Open Zones ...................................................................................................... 12
Using the [∗] Key to Display and Announce System Status ............................................... 12
Arming the System ................................................................................................................. 13
STAY Mode: Arms Perimeter Only, Entry Delay On .......................................................... 13
NIGHT-STAY Mode: Arms Perimeter Only, Plus Selected Zones ..................................... 13
INSTANT Mode: Arms Perimeter Only, Entry Delay Off .................................................... 13
AWAY Mode: Arms Entire System, Entry Delay On........................................................... 13
MAXIMUM Mode: Arms Entire System, Entry Delay Off.................................................... 13
Arming Commands ............................................................................................................. 14
Single Button Arming .......................................................................................................... 15
Single Button “Step” Arming ............................................................................................... 15
Keyswitch................................................................................................................................. 16
Using the Keyswitch ........................................................................................................... 16
Disarming and Silencing Alarms........................................................................................... 17
Using the [OFF] key............................................................................................................ 17
Bypassing Protections Zones ............................................................................................... 18
Using the BYPASS Key...................................................................................................... 18
Quick Bypass...................................................................................................................... 19
Chime Mode............................................................................................................................. 20
Using the Chime Mode ....................................................................................................... 20
Using the Voice Chime ....................................................................................................... 20
Date and Time.......................................................................................................................... 21
Viewing the Current Date and Time ................................................................................... 21
Setting the Date and Time.................................................................................................. 21
Panic Keys ............................................................................................................................... 22
Using Panic Keys................................................................................................................ 22
Macro Key Programming & Usage ........................................................................................ 23
About Macro Keys .............................................................................................................. 23
Example of Macro Programming ........................................................................................ 24
Using a Programmed Macro Key ....................................................................................... 24
Using Device Commands ....................................................................................................... 25
About Device Commands ................................................................................................... 25

ii
Table of Contents (Continued)
Paging Feature ........................................................................................................................ 26
About Automatic Paging ..................................................................................................... 26
About Manual Paging ......................................................................................................... 27
Latch Key Paging................................................................................................................ 27
Security Codes & Authority Levels ....................................................................................... 28
About Security Codes ......................................................................................................... 28
Authority Level Definitions .................................................................................................. 28
How to Assign Security Codes and User Attributes ........................................................... 29
Accessing Other Partitions (Vista-20P) ................................................................................ 30
About Accessing Partitions (VISTA-20P) ........................................................................... 30
Using the GoTo Command (VISTA-20P) ........................................................................... 31
Multi-Partition Arming (VISTA-20P).................................................................................... 31
Common Zone Operation (VISTA-20P).............................................................................. 32
Scheduling ............................................................................................................................... 33
About Scheduling................................................................................................................ 33
Creating Schedules ............................................................................................................ 33
Event Logging Procedures .................................................................................................... 35
About Event Logging .......................................................................................................... 35
Viewing the Event Log ........................................................................................................ 35
Understanding the Type of Event Displayed ...................................................................... 35
Testing the System ................................................................................................................. 37
About Testing the System .................................................................................................. 37
Trouble Conditions ................................................................................................................. 38
Maintaining Your System ....................................................................................................... 41
Fire Alarm System................................................................................................................... 42
Quick Guide to Basic System Functions.............................................................................. 46
Summary of Audible/Visual Notifications............................................................................. 47
Summary of Audible/Visual Notifications (Continued) ....................................................... 48
Regulatory Statements and Warnings .................................................................................. 49
System Features Log.............................................................................................................. 51
Limitations of this System ..................................................................................................... 59

VISTA-15P/20P/SIA User Guide
1
System Overview
Introduction
Congratulations on your ownership of a Honeywell Home Security System. You've made a wise decision
in choosing it, for it represents the latest in security protection technology today. This system provides:
•Three forms of protection: burglary, fire* and emergency
•At least one keypad which provides control of system and displays system status
•Various sensors for perimeter and interior burglary protection
•Smoke or combustion detectors* designed to provide early warning in case of fire.
Your system may also have been programmed to automatically send alarm or status messages to a
Central Monitoring Station.
* Commercial installations and some residential systems may not include fire protection – check with your
installer.
NOTE: Features and procedures described in this manual apply to the VISTA-20P/VISTA-20PSIA
(VISTA-20P series) and VISTA-15P/VISTA-15PSIA (VISTA-15P series) security systems. Differences are
noted where applicable.
System Basics
Burglary Protection
•Several modes of burglary protection: Stay, Night-Stay, Away, Instant, Maximum.
STAY: arms perimeter zones only and entry delay is on
INSTANT: same as STAY, except entry delay is off
NIGHT-STAY: arms perimeter zones and selected interior zones; entry delay on
AWAY: arms perimeter and all interior zones, entry delay is on
MAXIMUM: same as AWAY, except entry delay is off
•You can BYPASS selected zones while leaving the rest of the system armed.
•CHIME mode alerts you to the opening of protected doors and windows while the system is disarmed.
Fire Protection and Carbon Monoxide Protection
•Fire and carbon monoxide protection are always active (if installed) and an alarm sounds if a fire or
carbon monoxide condition is detected.
•If necessary, you can manually initiate a fire alarm using the keypad (if programmed).
•Refer to the Fire Alarm System section for information regarding fire protection, carbon monoxide
protection, smoke detectors and planning emergency exit routes.
Security Codes
•You were assigned a 4-digit security code (master code) during installation.
•Use your security code when arming and disarming the system, and when performing other system
functions.
•Other users can be assigned different security codes, each with different authority levels, which
define the system functions a particular user can perform.

2
System Overview (Continued)
Zones and Partitions
•The system sensing devices have been assigned to various “zones,” which are specific areas of
protection (e.g., front door, kitchen window, etc.).
•Zone numbers are displayed at the keypad when an alarm or trouble condition occurs on a sensor.
•Partitions (VISTA-20P Series) provide two independent areas of protection, with each partition
containing a group of zones that can be armed and disarmed without affecting other zones or users.
•Partitioned systems (VISTA-20P Series) can include a common zone area, which is an area shared
by users of both partitions (such as a lobby in a building).
•Cross Zoning: Your installer may have set the cross-zoning feature for some of the zones. Cross
Zoning is designed so that a combination of two zones must be faulted within a defined time period of
one another before an alarm occurs, and can help reduce false alarms. Once the first zone opens,
the cross zoning time window begins, and when the second zone opens within that window an alarm
for both zones occurs. If one zone opens and the other zone does not open within the time window,
an error message is sent to the central station (code 380).
NOTE: Both zones in a cross zoning pair must protect the same area and be in the same partition.
Arming, Step-Arming and Disarming Burglary Protection
•The system must be armed before the burglary protection can sense intrusions.
•To arm your system, enter your security code followed by the desired arming key.
•If programmed, you can press the [#] key in place of your security code when arming the system
(e.g., instead of entering your 4-digit security code + [3-STAY] to arm the system in STAY mode, you
can press [#] + [3-STAY]).
•You can also use the step-arming feature if programmed, to arm the system. This is a function key
that allows you to arm the system in one of three modes by simply pressing the key repeatedly.
•To disarm the system, enter your security code then press the [OFF] key.
Alarms
•When an alarm occurs, the keypad sounds and displays the zone(s) causing the alarm. For most
alarms, the external sounder also sounds.
•If your system is connected to a Central Monitoring Station, an alarm message is also sent. (Delayed
Reporting Note: Message reporting is delayed 30 seconds by default to reduce false alarms. If
desired, this delay can be removed or can be increased to 45 seconds. See your installer if you want
the delay time changed.)
•To stop the alarm sounding, simply disarm the system.
Memory of Alarm
•When an alarm condition occurs, the keypad displays the number(s) of the zone(s) that caused the
problem, and displays the type of alarm.
•The message remains displayed even after disarming the system, but can be cleared with another
“off” sequence.

3
System Overview (Continued)
Function Keys
•The “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” keys can be programmed to perform various functions.
•Functions include: activate a panic alarm, arm the system, provide step arming, switch lights on/off,
send a message to a pager, display Time/Date, and start a programmed Macro sequence.
Paging Feature
•If programmed, the system can automatically send certain system condition messages to up to four
(VISTA-20P Series) or two (VISTA-15P Series) pagers.
•The pager displays code numbers identifying the type of condition that has occurred.
Scheduling
•Your system can be programmed to automatically perform certain functions (e.g., arm the system) at
a predetermined time each day.
Using the Voice Message Center (if Voice Keypad is installed)
Voice keypads feature a voice message
center that lets you record and playback
one message.
•The message can be up to 2.5-
minutes
long
•
The message remains in memory until a
new message is recorded.
•The volume control is adjustable.
•
Refer to the procedures below when
using the Message Center functions.
Message Center Functions
To…
Press these keys…
Notes…
record a
message #
FUNCTION
+ 0
VOICE
+ 1 OFF
RECORD
The red MESSAGE LED lights.
Message remains in memory until a
new message is recorded.
end
recording 1 OFF
RECORD
The red MESSAGE LED flashes,
indicating message waiting.
play a
message #
FUNCTION
+ 0
VOICE
+ 3 STAY
PLAY
The recorded message plays and the
red MESSAGE LED turns off.
adjust the
volume #
FUNCTION
+ 0
VOICE
+ 2 AWAY
VOLUME
, then press
volume key [3]
↑
(up) or [6]
↓
(down)
Adjusting message volume also
adjusts status volume. Volume cannot
be adjusted while playing.

4
About the Keypads
General Information
Your keypads allow you to control all system functions and feature the following:
•A telephone style (digital) keypad
•Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) that show the nature and location of all occurrences
•Built-in sounder that sounds during alarms and troubles. The sounder also "beeps" during certain
system functions and also when depressing any of the keys (to acknowledge the key press).
•Backlighting of the LCD display windows. Backlighting turns on when any key is pressed or when
entering the premises through any assigned entry/exit door. This feature is helpful when a keypad is
located in a dimly lit area.
•Some keypads have a voice feature that announces the nature and location of all system occurrences.
Voice keypads also announce any faulted entry/exit or perimeter zone when Chime mode is on. Ask
your installer if this option has been programmed for your system.
IMPORTANT: If the keypad beeps rapidly upon entering the premises, it indicates that an alarm has occurred
during your absence and an intruder may still be on the premises. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and CONTACT THE
POLICE from a nearby safe location.
Your keypads are functionally the same, but may have different types of displays, depending on the type
installed with your system.
Alpha Display 2-line alpha display keypads feature a 2-line, 32-character alphanumeric LCD
that displays system messages in friendly English. These keypads can also be
programmed with custom zone descriptors.
Fixed-Word Display Fixed-Word display keypads are functionally identical to Alpha display keypads,
but the LCD display uses pre-designated words to identify the nature and location
of occurrences.
Voice Keypads Voice Keypads (if installed), are functionally the same as other keypads, except
that these keypads can provide the following:
•Voice announcements of system status (see Checking for Open Zones section)
•Voice chime, which can alert you to the opening of doors and windows while
the system is disarmed (see Voice Chime in Chime mode section)
•Message center, which lets you record and playback messages (see Using the
Voice Message Center in the System Overview section).

5
About the Keypads (Continued)
Standard Fixed-Word Display Keypad
Standard Alpha Display Keypad
Voice-Capable Alpha Display Keypad
Wireless Key Fobs
Your system may also include one or more wireless key fobs, which can perform various functions
programmed by your installer.
IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTICE
Your key fob is similar to your keys or access card. If lost or stolen, another person can compromise
your security system. Immediately notify your Dealer/Installer of a lost or stolen key fob. The
Dealer/Installer will then remove the key fob programming from the security system.

6
About the Keypads (Continued)
FIXED-WORD DISPLAY KEYPAD
AWAY: All burglary zones, interior and
perimeter, are armed.
STAY: Perimeter burglary zones, such as
protected windows and doors, are
armed.
NIGHT-STAY: NIGHT and STAY indicators both
light when perimeter burglary zones
plus pre-selected interior zones (set
by the installer) are armed.
INSTANT: Entry delay is turned off:
Lit with STAY = Instant mode
Lit with AWAY = Maximum mode
FIXED-WORD DISPLAY
BYPASS: This appears when one or more burglary protection zones have been bypassed.
NOT READY: Appears when burglary portion of the system is not ready for arming (due to open protection
zones). The system is ready to arm when this message disappears and the READY indicator
light comes on.
NO AC: Appears when AC power has been cut off. System is operating on backup battery power.
AC: Appears when AC power is present.
CHIME: Appears when the chime feature is activated.
BAT: Low battery condition in a wireless sensor (if zone number displayed) or low system battery
(if no zone number displayed).
ALARM: Appears when an intrusion has been detected and the system is armed (also appears during
a fire alarm or audible emergency alarm). Accompanied by the protection zone in alarm.
CHECK: Appears when a malfunction is discovered in the system at any time, or if an open is detected
in a fire zone at any time, or a fault in a DAY/NIGHT burglary zone during a disarmed period.
Accompanied by a display of zone number in trouble.
FIRE: Appears when a fire alarm is generated. Accompanied by a display of the zone in alarm.
A FIRE display also appears when a fire alarm is manually activated, accompanied by a
display of the fire emergency key zone number.
CANCELED: Appears when an alarm has been silenced by the Code + OFF sequence and will remain on
until another Code + OFF sequence is keyed.