Remote monitoring - additional eyes on your premises
In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring the safety of your property and assets is more important than ever. Remote monitoring services from Secure Systems (UK) Ltd in Newbury provide a reliable way to keep an eye on your premises, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go. With our SSAIB-certified solutions, you can trust that your security is in expert hands. Our 24-hour call-out service means we’re always here when you need us most, offering peace of mind around the clock.
With so many signalling options on the market these days, it’s not always easy to decide what’s best for your property. Our experts will work to understand your needs and make a knowledge-led recommendation.
Audible only - no alarm monitoring
If an audible only intruder alarm is triggered, an external sounder on your premises activates for up to 20 minutes. If you're away from passing traffic, these are often ignored as nothing more than a nuisance. That's where remote monitoring comes into play. Audible only alarms do not trigger an automatic police response. Audible only systems will require evidence from a person at the scene that a criminal offence is in progress. This will require the presence of a person(s) such as a member of public, owner or agent at, or in close proximity to, the location of the incident.
Monitored security systems
For increased security you may wish to have your security system monitored. A monitored alarm is one that is linked via the telephone line, a cellular network or both to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
An ARC is a permanently manned monitoring centre whose staff are dedicated to monitoring security systems and contacting the right team if there is an activation. An ARC is bound by strict legislation which ensures the highest standards of operation.
Passive alarm monitoring
Relic digital communicators send alarm signals but do not send polling signals to check whether the phone line is present. If the phone line is damaged, or indeed intentionally cut, the alarm signal cannot reach the ARC and the ARC is unaware if there is a problem with the line.
Passive monitoring is phone-line dependent; if the phone line is cut the alarm will not reach the monitoring centre and they will be unable to call the police.
Active alarm monitoring
What do they do?
These days, alarm communicators actively poll the ARC to verify the phone line is present, and this is known as ‘active’ monitoring. The polling frequency differs between communication products and this can determine their signalling grade suitability (insurers are usually responsible for grading systems – grade 1 being the most secure).
The past
One of the earliest types of active monitoring was BT Redcare Classic, and many grade 4 systems still rely on it today. With Classic, if the telephone line is cut the polling signal is missed at the ARC; however, these days this will only prompt keyholder notification and is not passed to the police.
The future
Redcare Classic provides a more secure method of monitoring than passive monitoring and is still used in thousands of properties. However, for new systems requiring a bona fide police response, conforming with the NPCC 2020 (National Police Chiefs’ Council), it is necessary for two signalling paths to be used to ensure the security of your property.
Active alarm monitoring using two signalling paths
The past
In 1996, CSL DualCom invented integrated dual signalling and pioneered the move from wired to wireless technology in the electronic security industry. DualCom is now trusted to protect over 350,000 premises throughout Europe including many major retail brands.
Dual path signalling means a telephone line (PSTN) and a radio path (using a GPRS or GSM cellular communications network) are both used. If either of the paths is attacked the other continues to communicate any further alarms and – unless the missing path is restored – the next alarm will transmit as a ‘confirmed’ activation.
If the line fails
CSL DualCom GradeShift® and BT Redcare GSM are both capable of sending confirmed activations even if the radio path or telephone line fails, and if they both fail, this represents two alarms and a confirmed alarm is passed to the police. This makes them the most secure methods of monitoring an intruder alarm.
The DualCom GradeShift® range is the UK’s fastest selling and most used dual signalling system. It’s an extremely reliable product that can be installed on a single hardware platform for any grade of risk.
Key communication
Every DualCom is powered by the DualCom Gemini Platform, a Critical Connectivity® platform which facilitates the reliable delivery of alarms and data from the premises to the ARC. Gemini checks the entire signalling route every minute providing the highest levels of resilience and reliability required by professional signalling systems.
Both carriers use intelligent network selection technology, meaning the system can use any of the major cellular networks to communicate. When an alarm occurs, the strongest signal is used to communicate to the ARC.
Alarm signalling over IP
This system takes advantage of broadband IP networks to save on call charges, along with a radio path as a back-up. It delivers secure, fully managed, dual-path alarm monitoring for intruder and fire system signalling, CCTV monitoring and convergent communication solutions for commercial and domestic premises. The same device or TCD (Telemetry Communications Device) can be fitted in any alarm system and is capable of supporting complete dual path solutions; IP and GPRS/GPRS and PSTN/IP and PSTN. This TCD device is fully future-proofed for all your signalling needs.
Our surveyor will design a confirmed activation system for your property in line with the NPCC 2020 (National Police Chiefs’ Council), ensuring that the police response is Level 1 – immediate.
Accreditations you can trust
“Secure Systems always bring to a project a high level of professionalism, a sensible approach and a positive attitude. I look forward to working with them on future projects.”
- Wenlsey Consulting Limited, Frank Dixon
Call Secure Systems (UK) Ltd on 01635 261654 to understand the features of remote monitoring
