Monitoring

A professionally monitored alarm system offers much greater peace of mind, in the event of an alarm, as well as the alarm sounding at your premises, a coded signal would be sent to a Alarm Receiving Centre (A.R.C.)  When an alarm is received at the A.R.C. the false alarm filtering process is used, then according to the type of alarm condition the relevant action is taken. This can include contacting your premises or the key holders. In the event of receiving a confirmed signal (an activation of two or more detectors at the premises)  the emergency services could be contacted - subject to having a compliant system with a current U.R.N. (Unique Reference Number) that allows the alarm to be passed to the police.  There are lots of monitoring options available, self monitored systems which have no ongoing annual monitoring charges, or professionally monitored systems, below we have included our most popular options split into the two category's :-

Self Monitored Options

These  systems are classed as none secure, because they rely on the phoneline / internet connection. For instance should the phoneline be compromised (i.e cut, engaged etc) the system may not be able to send the alarm information.

Auto-Dialler

The most basic method of alarm system monitoring is an Auto Dialler unit, these can be in the form of a add on unit to your existing system, however more modern systems have this feature built in as standard.  In the event of an alarm, the system will dial the pre-programmed telephone numbers in order until an acknowledgement is received, usually up to four times each.  The benefit of the more modern integrated system over the add on unit is that it would be able to report the type and area of the alarm condition.

E-Mail & Smartphone Notifications

The most up to date alarm systems can connect to "the Cloud" using an IP module, this would allow for instant notifications to a smartphone with the free app. (I-phone or Android)  E-mail's could also be sent to multiple recipient's reporting various alarm, set & unset or fault conditions. This would also allow control your alarm system using either the web interface which can be accessed from any computer with a web browser and internet connection or from a smartphone app. This facility also gives the ability to view the system history and the state of all of the detectors on the system.

Profesionally Monitored Options

Single-Path

Standard Digi-Com

Many control panels now have a Digi-Com fitted as standard, allowing for a basic monitoring solution. This type of monitoring relies on the phoneline, in the event of an alarm condition a coded signal would be sent digitally to the Alarm Receiving Centre.  

BT Redcare Classic

BT Redcare offers several options, the classic being the entry level, secure, signal path monitoring. This system also relies on the phoneline, however this system monitors the phoneline, the A.R.C. would inform the keyholder if the line should fail. However the alarm system would not be able send any further signals until the phoneline is restored. (See below for dual-path monitoring systems that are able to send signals even after a phoneline failure.)

Dual-Path

BT Redcare GSM & Dual-Com GPRS  

These systems both use either the phone line or the GSM/GPRS radio paths to send there signals to the A.R.C. giving the benefit that both of the communication paths are monitored and should one fail or be compromised the alarm signal information can still be passed to the A.R.C. using the other path.

Alarm Receiving Centre

Alarm signals from any of the above professionally monitored systems would be processed by the A.R.C. using industry standard false alarm filtering procedure, and be directed to the relevant key holder, security guard or the police (subject to your system's U.R.N. status and your systems compliance with the local Police Force alarm policy)