Alarm monitoring is a way of alerting the
emergency services if your alarm is activated for whatever reason.
The way the alarm is activated is also logged so that the monitoring
station can take correct actions with the data that they receive.
Basically we install a communications device
that talks to the alarm panel. If the alarm is activated either
by fire, intruder, or personal attack the device communicates
with a central station whom inform the fire brigade, police, and
in some circumstances the ambulance services.
What do I need to be monitored?
To have a monitored system you firstly need
an alarm! This must be installed by an SSAIB or NACOSS approved
company which have an active account with a monitoring station.
The alarm system must be linked to a communications device which
in turn is connected to your phone line. (Or radio transmission
basestation)
The alarm system must be maintained six monthly
to ensure as close to trouble free operation you can get.
Are there different types of monitoring?
There are several different types of monitoring
devices to choose from;
1. Standard digital communicator: This option dials out using
your existing phone line to a monitoring station who would then
contact the emergency services. Note: If
the phone line is engaged at the same time as the communicator
tries to dial out the unit would keep trying but if the phone
line remained engaged the unit would fail.
2. RedCare: This option can use your existing phone line but must
have RedCare enabled on that line. It uses chirps to communicate
therefor an engaged line does not matter, also the RedCare unit
is in constant communication with the monitoring station, so that,
if there is a problem and the alarm is unset the monitoring station
will contact site and/or one of the keyholders, and if the alarm
is set then the monitoring station would contact the police and
the keyholders.
3. RedCareGSM: This option is exactly the same as RedCare but
if the phone line goes down the unit uses radio signals (GSM)
to contact the monitoring station.
4. DualCom: This option uses a radio signal to contact the monitoring
station the same as above, but only uses a phone line connection
if there is a problem with the radio signals.
Please note: All of the above would incur
yearly fees.
Are there any other options?
There is one other option and it is called
a "Speech Dialler", this unit does NOT and CANNOT contact
the police and/or monitoring station but can contact YOU on your
work/mobile phone. It connects to your existing phone line and
if your alarm is activated it will phone you we a prerecorded
message, that you leave, to alert you that your alarm has activated.
This unit is ideal for domestic properties
that don't want yearly monitoring fees, this unit has a one off
installation cost then just the price of a phone call if your
alarm is activated.
1. Standard digital communicator: This option dials out using
your existing phone line to a monitoring station who would then
contact the emergency services. Note: If
the phone line is engaged at the same time as the communicator
tries to dial out the unit would keep trying but if the phone
line remained engaged the unit would fail.
