Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC): Providing extra protection
If your property contains high value goods, or is likely to be a target for burglars then remote monitoring by an ARC will provide an extra layer of security and added peace of mind. The ARC will ensure the intruder alarm system and, if required, your CCTV system, is being constantly monitored when the system is armed throughout the day and night.
Ensuring your security system is functioning
Your intruder alarm system will be fitted with an Alarm Transmission System (ATS) which sends signals to our Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). As required by industry standards: EN50136-1:2018/PD 6662:2017 by monitoring these notifications the ARC is ensuring your security systems are functioning properly and protecting your property. Traditionally you could have a Single Path (SP) transmission system so you had one line for the signal, or you could have two lines of transmission (Dual Path), which means if one line fails you have a back-up. However, SP transmission, which sends a coded message via a telephone line, is slow to report a fault and not favoured by insurers.
PSTN switch off
SP transmission will also become obsolete with the switch off of the analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) taking place by 31st January 2027 and the move to faster Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Dual Path transmission is therefore the standard ATS now being offered, to ensure the alarm signalling is secure, and is functioning properly. The table below shows how much time has elapsed before the system reports a catastrophic failure:
| Single Path (SP) | Dual Path (DP) | Catastrophic Failure Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| SP2 | DP1 | 25 hours |
| DP2 | 31 mins | |
| DP2+ | 11 mins | |
| DP3 | 4 mins | |
| DP4 | 3 mins |
Monitoring Intruder Alarms and CCTV to ensure appropriate action is taken
Our ARC will receive an activation signal if your intruder alarm is triggered. The monitoring team carefully filter activations to sort which alerts are false alarms and which alarms require a police response. We can also offer monitoring of your CCTV system and this works particularly well for large or exposed sites.
It can mean that after staff have left for the evening any unusual activity, such as a break-in, can be detected and if necessary someone can be contacted to take action to improve security.
The team in our remote monitoring centre will provide a response such as to:
- notify nominated keyholders
- notify a linked keyholding service and/or
- notify the Police in the event of a confirmed alarm signal (BS8243) although you may choose not to have this option.
Offering a reliable connection to the ARC
As an Orisec Partner we can offer truly reliable ARC monitoring with dual path connectivity. Orisec is a CSL Connected Partner which means critical connectivity with your chosen alarm panel and the added option of an end-user app.
There are a range of Orisec control panels we can install that are fitted with a CM2 module combined with CSL’s Critical Connectivity platform which will provide full ARC communications and access to Orisec’s Control Plus app.
Meeting high standards to ensure a Police response
We are an NSI (National Security Inspectorate) Gold-approved company which means our security systems meet the rigorous requirements of the standards and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).
This means we can be registered with the police in England and Wales and we can obtain a unique reference number (URN) from them for your premises. If you opt for a police response we will notify our ARC of your URN enabling them to identify your premises if any alarms are triggered.
In the UK, excluding Scotland, the Police commit to immediate response (subject to priorities). However;
- Immediate response will be withdrawn following three false alarm calls in a rolling twelve-month period.
- Reinstatement of response can follow the identification of the cause of false alarms and demonstrating appropriate remedial action has been taken.
To receive Police response for a remotely monitored alarm system, any systems newly installed (since June 2019) must conform to the Standards PD 6662:2017 and BS 8243.
For more information on intruder alarm monitoring contact us
Intruder Alarm and Alarm Receiving Centre Standards
| Standards | Description |
|---|---|
| PD 6662:2017 | This assures customers that all the equipment and configure alarm systems in terms of equipment and configuration will be in line with the latest European standards. This is a powerful message given the value placed on the PD 6662 scheme by the Police Services in regard to alarm response. |
| BS EN 50131 | This was phased in to replace British Standards BS4737, BS7042 and BS 6799 and was adopted in October 2005 utilising PD 6662:2004, an enabling document which facilitated the introduction of EN 50131 into the UK. |
| BS EN 50136 | Alarm systems – Alarm transmission systems and equipment – has been in force for some years. In the process of developing products to this family of standards following the introduction of European standards for the intruder alarm industry through the implementation of the PD6662:2004 scheme, it has become clear that some clarification and guidance is needed in relation to these standards. |
| BS 8243:2021 | Design, installation and configuration of Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems designed to generate confirmed alarm conditions. |
| BS 9518 | This is a British standard that gives guidance and recommendations on alarm handling procedures for alarm receiving centres (ARCs) that receive signals from a range of different alarm systems. It covers alarm systems such as, fire detection and fire alarm systems, fixed firefighting systems, intrusion and holdup alarm systems, video surveillance systems, social alarms systems, lone worker, and combinations of such systems. |
| BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 | This standard aims to ensure that ARCs are robust and resilient, so they always initiate timely and appropriate response actions. |
| BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 | This standard provides authoritative requirements to help ensure electrical installations are safe and comply with UK law. This standard introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on prosumer low voltage electrical installations. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)?
An Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) is a monitoring station, manned by people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Teams who work in ARCs monitor a range of systems, including fire and intruder alarms, systems for monitoring elderly people, and CCTV cameras.
What is remote monitoring?
Remote Monitoring means your intruder alarm system sends signals to our 24/7 monitoring centre, also known as an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). This gives you the peace of mind that if you do not have access to the internet and do not receive notifications on your mobile you will still have a response to your alarm being triggered and action will be taken to notify the police if necessary. Additionally we can provide this 24/7 remote monitoring for your CCTV system if required.
How does remote monitoring work?
If you opt for remote monitoring we will notify our standards compliant ARC of your unique reference number (URN) enabling them to identify your premises if any alarms are triggered. Once an activation signal is sent to the monitoring centre, for example, an intruder alarm being triggered, the monitoring team carefully filter activations to sort which alerts are false alarms and which alarms require a police response.
Additionally, the CCTV systems which we install can be issued with an URN. We will ensure that your system will meet the requirements needed for you to have a police response if it is needed.
How can we ensure we have reliable monitoring by your ARC?
As an Orisec Partner we can offer truly reliable ARC monitoring with dual path connectivity. Orisec is a CSL Connected Partner which means critical connectivity with your chosen alarm panel and the added option of an end-user app. There are a range of Orisec control panels we can install that are fitted with a CM2 module combined with CSL’s Critical Connectivity platform which will provide full ARC communications and access to Orisec’s Control Plus app.
What is the benefit of our NSI Gold Accreditation?
To achieve NSI Gold, we have to meet industry specific standards, which means our security systems meet the rigorous requirements of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). We are therefore able to obtain a unique reference number (URN) from the Police for your premises.
We also have to demonstrate that we operate a Quality Management System (QMS) that is compliant with the BS EN ISO 9001:2015 Standard. Our QMS is tuned to the specific needs of the security sector in which we operate and this helps us to continually monitor and manage quality across our business so we can identify areas for improvement which will benefit our customers.
Can you monitor your own burglar alarm system?
You can choose to monitor your own burglar alarm system but doing it yourself has limitations. A self-monitored system usually refers to a security system that’s set up to send notifications or a phone call via a smartphone whenever a security sensor is tripped. However, you need to remember that you will only receive these notifications when connected to the internet.
If you need a fully-monitored system then you need to opt for remote monitoring by an ARC.
What standards do intruder alarm system installers need to comply with?
We are an NSI (National Security Inspectorate) Gold-approved company which means our security systems meet the rigorous requirements of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and therefore can be registered with the police in England and Wales and we can obtain a unique reference number (URN) from them for your premises. To receive Police response for a remotely monitored alarm system, any systems newly installed (since June 2019) must conform to the Standards PD 6662:2017 and BS 8243.
There are a range of further Standards we need to meet to be able to support you. Please refer to the table above for more information.
Can you monitor your own burglar alarm system?
You can choose to monitor your own burglar alarm system but doing it yourself has limitations. A self-monitored system usually refers to a security system that’s set up to send notifications or a phone call via a smartphone whenever a security sensor is tripped. However, you need to remember that you will only receive these notifications when connected to the internet.
If you need a fully-monitored system then you need to opt for remote monitoring by an ARC.