Providing Peace of Mind
Remote intruder alarm monitoring gives you added peace of mind that your home or business is protected. It means you will be notified if the alarm is triggered and you can have a police response if needed. The monitoring solution you choose will be based on your risk levels and wider security system infrastructure.
Monitoring via an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)
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.
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. You can have a Single Path (SP) transmission system which relies on a single communication method which could be a broadband, or a mobile network or you could have two lines of transmission (Dual Path), which means if one line fails you have a back-up. However, Single Path transmission does not have a back-up transmission path if there is a fault.
Transmission via a telephone line has 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 but is still available via digital connection methods. Dual Path transmission, which uses two independent communication paths, can be more reliable because if one of the connection methods fails the other will automatically take over. Therefore, although it is more expensive, insurers will sometimes require Dual Path transmission to ensure commercial and other higher risk properties are properly protected and fully covered by the insurance policy.
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.
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.
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 communication module combined with CSL’s Critical Connectivity platform which will provide full ARC communications and access to Orisec’s Control Plus app.
Self Monitoring: the power of cloud technology
Modern cloud technology means you can connect your intruder alarm system to an app using a mobile device like your smartphone. Having an app means you can have alerts going to your mobile device at any time of day if the alarm is triggered. The main features of the apps from Oriec and HKC Security are below:
- Setting and unsetting your alarm system, which includes full setting or just part-setting the alarm, wherever you are
- Site settings which controls when you get notifications, such as for alarm activation or if there is a technical fault with the system
- If your alarm system has been integrated with other systems or devices around your home such as heating, lighting or an electric gate you can also turn them on or off or set a time for this
Being able to self-monitor allows users to decide what action to take when they receive a notification and quickly take action if an alarm is triggered.
Monitoring software
We have cloud-based monitoring software because we believe in making managing security and monitoring systems simpler to use and as integrated as possible and we are always looking at ways to do this better. Our software solution seamlessly integrates on-site technology and offers a user-friendly interface both on-site and in the cloud, enabling control and insight for users.
The platform simplifies the integration process, allowing users the chance to benefit from the impressive array of smart security products available. From a single site, to multi-site, or even an extensive international portfolio, the cloud-based system provides flexibility and enables a tailored fit for every need, whether upgrading a legacy system or installing a new one.
The system provides a user-friendly and accessible platform that blends seamless control with cloud-based convenience, resulting in total peace of mind. Being able to integrate the security and monitoring systems we supply and offer a bespoke solution to suit the different needs of our clients is a gamechanger for Ecl-ips. The platform is vendor neutral and we are able to retrofit it so that existing systems can be better managed.
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+A4:2026 | BS 7671, or the IET Wiring Regulations, is the UK’s national standard for the design, erection and verification of all electrical installations, which includes intruder alarm systems. There was a major update in 2026 which included a new section on Power over Ethernet (PoE) as this is being increasingly used to power devices via data cables. |
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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.
Is the alarm signalling provider BT Redcare closing down?
Yes, telecommunications company, took the decision to close down its subsidiary, BT Redcare, last in February 2024. BT Redcare had grown to become the largest alarm signalling provider but BT decided it was no longer a core part of its business model It was due to close on 1st August 2025 but this has now been pushed back to 15th December 2025.
Why has BT delayed the closure of BT Redcare?
BT said it has delayed the closure of BT Redcare “to allow more time for Redcare’s customers to upgrade or cease critical alarm systems.” Its staff levels will be reducing as it winds down in the period up to 15th December 2025 but a technical help desk and reduced support team will be available to help answer customer questions.
What are BT Redcare's legacy systems?
The legacy systems are Redcare Classic, GSM, or Secure. These continue to use the analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a traditional phone line to connect to alarm receiving centres. The aging PSTN is due to be completely switched off by BT on 31st January 2027 and it has urged businesses to migrate to digital IP connections by the end of December 2025 to safeguard services: https://business.bt.com/insights/uk-pstn-switch-off/
What are the implications for customers still using BT Redcare's legacy systems?
Customers still using BT Redcare’s legacy systems—such as Redcare Classic, GSM, or Secure—face several key implications:
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Price Increase:
Starting 1st September 2025, prices for legacy connections will increase by 50%. -
Service Disruption Risk:
BT Redcare will close on 15th December 2025. -
Urgency to Act:
Users of legacy systems are encouraged to take immediate action to:-
Avoid higher costs
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Maintain proper alarm system functionality
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Ensure continued connection with Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs)
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Insurance Compliance:
Legacy systems may no longer meet insurance requirements, and users will need to upgrade to dual path digital devices (e.g., CSL Dualcom Gradeshift Pro DP3) installed by NSI or SSAIB accredited companies to remain properly insured.
What alternatives are available for customers needing to upgrade from BT Redcare systems?
BT Redcare launched a collaboration last year with the Swedish company, AddSecure. This means when Redcare’s operations cease, the IoT technology supplier will step in as a partner to take on the responsibility of managing customer relationships with alarm receiving centres (ARCs) using BT Redcare’s newer digital alarm signalling devices.
Both of the main intruder alarm partners of Ecl-ips, Orisec and HKC Security, manufacture control panels that offer single and dual path CSL signalling solutions so that the alarm systems have ARC monitoring. Orisec is a CSL Connected partner, which allows us to offer full communication with the ARC and access to Orisec’s Control Plus app.
What are the insurance requirements for replacing legacy alarm systems like Redcare Classic or GSM?
Advice from insurer Aviva last year stated that a product comparable to Redcare Classic or GSM would be a dual path Alarm Transmissions device meeting signalling category DP3.
The insurer said that any dual path ATS certified as meeting the latest adopted version of alarm standard, BS EN 50136, and performing at DP3, would be accepted by Aviva as a like-for-like replacement. This would include a product such as CSL Dualcom Gradeshift Pro DP3.
To be properly insured it is advisable that any replacement intruder alarm system should be installed by a company accredited by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB).