Remote Monitoring, Police Response

If you heard a burglar alarm sound what would you do? Regretfully 33% of people completely ignore it and turn the televison up! We are authorised to install systems which are remotely monitored 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. In the event of an alarm activation we will follow a protocol agreed beforehand with you. This can be a combination of contacting you, nominated keyholders or the directly to the emergency services for police response. If you have integrated smoke and fire detection devices to your alarm the same system will be monitored remotely with an activation protocol which will include fire brigade response. So whether you are at home or away you can be assured that your home is always protected.

Monitoring is via shared telephone line with unique mobile phone technology back up.

24 Hour Alarm Monitoring for your home

By having a monitored intruder or fire alarm system you are ensuring that your home is watched over 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Century 21 Fire & Security can provides a remote monitoring & maintenance service around the clock by linking your system to an ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) This allows the monitoring of intruder, personal attack, fire alarms and bespoke systems. When a signal is received, the ARC operators will immediately notify the appropriate person. This may be the homeowner, keyholder, guarding company, member of staff in the event of a system fault or power cut or emergency services in the event of a fire, break-in, personal attack.

Here are the most popular variants of monitoring Century 21 offer: -

Digital Communicator

A Digital communicator is an inexpensive method of monitoring any system, providing a response when required. Upon activation this type of unit transmits a signal to the ARC via a telephone call on an existing analogue telephone line. The DIGITAL COMMUNICATOR is a very popular method of transmitting intruder and fire signals due to the ease of installation and the low ongoing costs in residential applications. The major drawback of this system is that the signal is totally reliant on the integrity of the phone line. Should the telephone line be cut deliberately by an intruder, damaged by roadwork's, weather or any other technical fault, the monitoring centre will not be alerted of this situation and not receive any further signal until the fault is rectified and a series or signal are sent as a test. Each signal sent does incur a call charge (normally national rate).

The reliance upon an analogue line is why Century 21 must recommend Dual path signalling as a preferred option. In spite of this Digital Communicator remains very popular with homeowners.

The two Companies we use; BT & Dualcom are the market leaders and widely acknowledged and respected by insurance companies. There are options to choose from and these options are outlined below.

CSL DualCom GPRS/IP

DualCom GPRS utilises GPRS (Packet Radio) as its encrypted primary signalling path. Combining this with IP (Internet Protocol) technology as the alternative path gives you a truly cost effective and secure approach to dual-signalling. In the event of an alarm activation, DualCom's GPRS sends packets of data, via radio. The speed of transmission surpasses the older GSM technology, hence its suitability for sending alarm signals. Rather than having to 'dial-up' for a connection, GPRS systems are permanently switched on and transmit instantaneously. Another popular feature of GPRS is its low operating costs. A flat rate is charged per month to cover all calls made and monitoring. The IP path uses a TCP/IP connection to include compatibility with Broadband/WAN/LAN. DualCom's IP path can either replace the PSTN path or be used in addition, creating up to three diverse routes on alarm transmission. 2 high-speed signalling paths No ARC chip programming required (plug and go).

Automatically locks into ARC
Low running costs
Low installation costs
Secure, encrypted packet data
Convenient monthly billing to spread cost
EN50131 Grades 2 to 3

DualCom Plus

DualCom plus is a totally integrated dual-signalling device using both telephone and radio paths. This combination ensures an alarm signal can be transmitted despite deliberate or accidental failure of either path.

Why chose dualcom plus?

Offers advanced protection for people and property
Transmits alarm signals end-to-end thus eliminating the potential delays associated with text messaging (SMS) as used by other similar products
Uses the low-traffic, high speed and secure Vodafone Data Network (typically 3 seconds to ARC)
Five-minute polling on telephone or radio path in the event of signal-path failure
Conforms to ABI (Association of British Insurers) requirements by indicating signal-path failure locally
Conforms to Police standards (ACPO & DD243) and Inspectorate requirements
Complies to Grade 4 for maximum insurance approval
DualCom currently protects national supermarket chains, high street pharmacies, jewellery chains as well as other high-risk independent stores, offices etc.
The only signalling device that doesn't require a special version to work over ADSL (Broadband) or ISDN. *(Connection to ADSL lines requires the Network Service Provider's ADSL filter)

DualCom plus is compatible with any telephone network, ADSL and ISDN and uses the Vodafone Packet Radio Service (VPRS) to transmit signals within seconds.

DualCom is suitable for the majority of premises in the UK. A major advantage of DualCom is its ability to operate over any telephone network. This means your customers do not have to install a dedicated telephone line for alarm signalling.

redcare Classic

This service provides continuous monitoring of a BT telephone line that links a professionally installed alarm system to the ARC. The result is continuous protection of our customers' property, every second of the day, 365 days a year.

Unlike other alarm monitoring services, redcare both alerts the Alarm Receiving Centre when it detects a line cut AND provides encryption to prevent the substitution of equipment or "spoofing" (emulation) of line conditions. This is why redcare is the most secure system of its kind.

Key benefits and features

redcare is a Secured By Design product and as such has gained Police Preferred Specification status. This was achieved after testing against and meeting the highest grade (Grade 4) of European Standard 50131.
No need for an extra telephone line (a Modem Compatible Device may be required if fax and data services are to be used on same line).
Active, continuous 2-way monitoring - 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Active, continuous 2-way monitoring - 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
High-speed alarm transmission summons help within a matter of seconds.
Alarm signals can be delivered to the ARC even when the phone is in use.
Encrypted signals which cannot be replicated.
Instant detection if your phone line has been cut.
Our duplicated network ensures the highest levels of resilience.
No additional call charges.
No added reprogramming costs, which may be necessary in areas affected by code changes.
Ideal security and fire detection application for any home or business.

redcare GSM

redcare GSM combines a secure redcare landline connection with a GSM radio backup path. In the event of a line cut it enables alarm systems to be monitored by the radio path.

If the BT landline fails, the ARC will receive a communication failure message. The GSM path will continue to communicate with the alarm receiving centre, sending any subsequent alarms.

redcare GSM is capable of sending a confirmed activation if either the primary landline or secondary radio path is lost, regardless of which one is lost first.

Key benefits and features

redcare GSM enhances the secure redcare service by using O2's GSM network. This enables customer premises to be linked to the network via two completely separate landline and radio paths. If one path fails or is interrupted, the alarm receiving centre is informed, and the other continues to monitor any subsequent alarms.
redcare GSM is the only continuously monitored secure system on the market, offering more information and added reassurance to customers
Customers pay no call charges on either the radio path or the landline.
redcare GSM conforms to new police policies on confirmed alarms.
Should the primary line fail, redcare GSM protects customers' Level 1 police response by automatically delivering alarm signals over the backup path.
redcare GSM is a Secured By Design product and as such has gained Police Preferred Specification status. This was achieved after testing against and meeting the highest grade (Grade 4) of European Standard 50131.
redcare GSM is ideal for business or residential customers who require guaranteed delivery of confirmed activations, those who require the highest level of property protection, and high-risk sites. In addition, redcare GSM is ideal for customers requiring the most reliable level of fire detection and message delivery.

Royal & Sun Alliance
Section 6.2 Where the system has remote signalling, Signalling must be via an acceptable dual-signalling system such as Redcare GSM or DualCom Plus Alarms Specification RMG10-v03-1/03 © 2003 Royal & SunAlliance Insurance plc

Norwich Union
Signalling - To be to the ARC via RedCare GSM or DualCom Plus Norwich Union Alarms Specification © 2003 Norwich Union Insurance Limited

AXA Insurance
Remote signalling to be by either BT RedCare with GSM or DualCom Plus to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) AXA Intruder Alarm Protection Document (IA) © AXA Insurance

Zurich Insurance
Where dual signalling is required, it must be via an acceptable dual signalling system, such as Redcare GSM or DualCom Plus
Intruder Alarms Specification © 2004 Zurich

Allianz Cornhill
Where we require confirmed technology in respect of Intruder Alarm Protection, we would require dual path signalling either by RedCARE GSM or DualCom Plus © 2004 Allianz Cornhill