Remote Alarm Monitoring Remote Signalling is the term used to describe a method of automatically letting a keyholder know the system has gone into alarm. This is normally via a ARC (alarm receiving centre) who Monitors your system and if they get the alarm signal they will act upon instructions as to what action to take and who to call, eg: Keyholder, Police, Medical. Fire. Are most common.
Having an alarm will scare off an intruder. It will proverbially deter him just you having it but even if he does enter he will not stay long.
You are however faced with a forced entry and can you really rely on your neighbours dealing with this by calling the Police or checking your premises. By having remote signalling you at least know someone has been told and is taking care of the situation in your absence and that's peace of mind.
The Police will only accept confirmed alarms subject to their policy. A confirmed alarm is when more than just one signal is sent as would happen if someone was moving around the property. See the section on Police Policy and always check to see what your insurance requirements may be. An Unconfirmed Alarm we will only call a keyholder out.
The Police insist you have at least 2 key holders for your system who can attend within 20 minutes and have their own transport. This can be friends and neighbours or our key holding service. There are a number of ways of remotely signalling your system has gone into alarm.
Method:
Here we list the various types of Remote Signalling lsted by cost as it normally dependent on that. You are as always advised to check with your insurers the cover they require and we can often help with this if needed.
Speech Dialler :
A stand alone device that calls up preset numbers and plays a pre-recorded message informing the recipients of the activation. A cheap and cheerful solution that works. Numbers and messages can be set and changed at will by the customer. Ideal for low risk and has no running costs except cost of calls. If no one answers the phone it just closes down. Recipients can find this daunting to accept and the procedure for cancelling it down if difficult. It normally ends in all the keyholders attending. The unit has No line monitoring Nor can it be used to call any emergency services. Note: can be supplied on mobile network but cost and charges seem to be high at present.
Digital Communicator :
It has been described as a bit like a fax machine. Normally it has inputs for at least 4 signal types, typically fire, panic, intruder alarm etc. On an alarm activation It dials out via an ordinary line calling our Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) and sends them a digital message. The entire sequence takes only about 10 seconds. This is acted upon by the operator who after verifying the signal carries out the requested actions Eg Calls the Police and Key holders.
This is the most popular option especially in the domestic market as the ARC will attempt to confirm that the signal is genuine by checking with the premises and / or the log. Can be aborted by entering your code or with a password.
Dual Comm GSM:
This is our most popular method as it uses the Mobile GSM Network as primary signalling to our ARC and can use the standard telephone landline as a backup giving dual path signalling. The system is monitored and therefore fully complies to insurance requirements. Half the cost than Redcare GSM that it is replacing and still better value than standard Redcare. We expect to replace all our existing Redcare connections with a Dualcomm GSM
Redcare:
This uses a normal telephone line to send its signals but has the advantage of being always connected and monitored. The equipment in the exchange is constantly asking the modem in the alarm if it is ok. If it gets no answer because the telephone line has been cut, it goes into signalling our Alarm Receiving Centre as line fault. If in the event of an alarm it signals with the channel as normal. This is a very secure method of signalling and apart from the normal hassle you have with BT setting it up it does work the best for most situations.
Redcare GSM:
As above but backed up with dual signalling path of the Mobile phone network. This Dual Signalling is required by most high security risks.
More details on BT Redcare can be found on www.redcare.com /prodserv.htm
Police Policy:
To have the Police respond to an Automatic Alarm you need to have a URN from them. This does not guarantee they will turn up and costs you a fee of £45.00. inc vat see also EN 5013 (cost correct at Jan08) The Police Policy document may be viewed at the following link: http://www.acpo.police.uk/asp/policies/Data/police_response_to_security_systems_policy_april05.doc