A fire alarm that sounds in an empty building protects nobody. Monitoring connects the panel to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) so that a fire or fault signal at 3 a.m. becomes a phone call to the right person, or an appliance on its way.
How it works
A signalling device at the panel sends alarm and fault events over dual paths, IP and 4G, to an NSI Gold approved alarm receiving centre that operates to BS EN 50518 around the clock. The ARC tests the line automatically every day and follows the response plan you set: keyholders in order, our on-call engineer, or the Fire and Rescue Service directly. Fault signals come to our helpdesk so the fault is fixed before it becomes a problem.
Our alarm receiving centre partner
We use an NSI Gold approved ARC with its own wholly-owned, separately accredited backup centre, so a failure at one site never leaves your building unmonitored. Certificates for the ARC are available in our tender evidence library.
Redcare replacement
BT Redcare closed in 2025. Buildings still on legacy signalling need a replacement communicator. We survey, replace, re-register and test in a single visit, usually within a fortnight of instruction, and can programme the work across a whole estate.
Frequently asked
Does my building need monitoring?
If the building is unoccupied for part of the day or night and a fire would go unnoticed, or if it is a sleeping risk such as a care home or supported housing, monitoring is normally a recommendation of the fire risk assessment. BS 5839-1 clause 15 covers remote transmission. Your insurer may also require it.
Who responds when an alarm signals?
The alarm receiving centre follows the response plan agreed with you: it can call your keyholders in order, dispatch our engineer, or call the Fire and Rescue Service directly. Filtering options reduce unwanted fire calls, which many services now charge for.
What happens to the old Redcare connection?
BT Redcare closed in 2025. Sites still relying on it need a dual-path IP and 4G signalling device. We replace the communicator, re-register the site and test the new path end to end with the ARC.
Can you take over existing monitored sites during a contract transfer?
Yes. We manage the telephone number changes and ARC transfers inside your mobilisation window and confirm every site with a test signal before the old contract ends.
