Alarm Monitoring Overview

Alarms Monitored by Southern Monitoring Services

With so many security options on the market these days it's not easy to decide what's best for your property. The following few pages introduce alarm monitoring, overview the different types of alarm monitoring (active, passive and dual-path), the different levels Police response systems receive and alarm confirmation.

'Bells Only' - No Alarm Monitoring

If an burglar alarm is triggered, an external bell or sounder on your premises rings for up to 20 minutes; however, these are often ignored as nothing more than a nuisance. So if your premises is away from passing traffic or it's the middle of the night, there's unlikely to be any reaction.

NB: No Police Response
In line with the latest Police Policy (the ACPO Policy on Police Response to Security Systems (April 2006)), sounders do NOT get an automatic Police response. A third party (i.e. a neighbour) would need to confirm that the premises were in the process of being burgled before the Police would attend.

Monitored Security Alarms

For increased security you may wish to have your burglar alarm system monitored. A monitored alarm is one that is linked via the telephone line or cellular network or both to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).

An ARC is a permanently manned call centre whose staff are dedicated to monitoring security alarms and contacting the right Authority - i.e. the Police usually, or the Fire Brigade in the case of a fire - if there is an activation. An ARC is bound by strict legislation which ensures the highest standards of operation.

There are several different ways a system can be linked to an ARC and our 'alarm monitoring types' page is a brief summary of the types of alarm systems used by most businesses and homes.

Our 'police response' page highlights how, due to Police guidelines, all new remotely monitored systems must be capable of sending 2 alarm signals to the monitoring centre. This gives added 'confirmation' that an intruder is on the premises and that the alarm is not false.

Our 'alarm confirmation' page explains how the alarm 'confirms' an activation and the 3 types of confirmation available.

Read more about the various alarm monitoring types

Read about police response

Read about alarm confirmation