Monitored Systems

A connection to our 24 hour Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) means that in the event of a confirmed alarm, police and keyholders will be summoned. A range of alarm signalling methods are available, from the single path digital communicator to BT redcare which provides continual monitoring to identify interference such as line cutting, and DualCom or BT redcare GSM high security signalling utilising two diverse signalling paths.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) requires new Intruder Alarms to be confirmed. Intruder alarms can incorporate visual, audio or sequential confirmation that allows the ARC to confirm the presence of intruders by monitoring the sequence in which alarm devices operate.

SIGNALLING TYPES EXPLAINED

British Telecom Classic redcare BT redcare is an alarm monitoring system that will signal upon activation or when the telephone line has been cut. An additional benefit of BT redcare is that it can be connected to an existing speech telephone line, thus reducing the cost of monitoring. A low frequency signal is transmitted by the BT redcare equipment within the alarm control panel down a conventional telephone line to the local BT exchange. If the line is cut the low frequency signal will not be received at the exchange. Line cuts can thus be detected and the ARC alerted. A second high frequency polling signal is sent from the exchange to the BT redcare equipment. On receipt of this message the BT redcare equipment will transmit back a response. This two way messaging ensures that the equipment cannot be substituted. The messages are encrypted and authenticated to ensure that they can not be simulated by external computer equipment. Whilst BT redcare will work with a normal telephone line, faxes and modems interfere with BT redcare signals and therefore should not be used on a BT redcare line, unless a 'modem compatibility device' is fitted.

British Telecom redcare GSM redcare GSM is the most secure alarm signalling service available on the market today. It is the only dual-signalling system that automatically provides a confirmed activation if both the landline and radio paths are attacked, regardless of which one is attacked first. redcare GSM offers you double protection by combining redcare's fail-safe alarm signalling technology with BT O2's radio network. It is the only dual signalling system that continuously monitors both the primary and secondary paths, making it one of only a few systems that conform to the highest level - Grade 4 - of European Standard 50131/1. If you want the best form of dual-signalling, then redcare GSM is for you. BT redcare's contingency signalling is also ideal if your insurance company requires your alarm system to transmit 'confirmation' signals after a line cut.

DualCOM

DualCOM combines both radio and telephone technologies that continually monitor each other - providing double protection against intruders. Any loss of service, through telephone line faults or cuts for example, is rapidly reported to the ARC using Radio Access. Unlike other signalling devices DualCOM continues to protect the premises while the fault is resolved. However, if a subsequent detector is triggered immediately after the line fault, it is likely that an intruder has entered the premises so the police can be notified immediately.

DualCOM not only provides protection from intruders, it also helps to ensure the safety of your staff. A single monitored line could leave employees vulnerable to personal attack should the telephone line be deliberately or accidentally cut. But with DualCOM a personal attack is confirmed to the ARC using the Radio Access, even if the telephone line is down.