What is the difference between Test Mode and a Test Alert?

What is the difference between Test Mode and a Test Alert?

These are two different testing tools within the Dashboard, each with different scopes.

Test Alert: Accessed from the gear icon on any individual Alert Station. Activates that device's audible alarm and strobes locally as if a real emergency were occurring, without notifying anyone externally. Use it to verify a single device is working and to test how loud your alert will sound.

Test Mode: Accessed from the Test Mode page in the sidebar. Puts the entire system (or selected devices) into a protected state for a 2-minute window. During this window, Card and Raft button presses generate a full local response — alarms activate, strobes flash — but no external notifications are sent and 911 is not called. Use Test Mode for staff drills where people actually press their devices and experience the full system response.

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