Alarm Monitoring

We use the term 'Monitored' when an alarm is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Then, if an activation occurs the alarm system sends information to the ARC who in turn contact the keyholders and, where appropriate, the Police.

There are only a few methods of alarm monitoring available. The simplest is a 'Digital Communicator', also known as a 'DigiCom', which is a dialler communicator that dials up each time the alarm is set and unset to send relevant information to the ARC. It works well and has served the alarm industry for many years. However it has some drawbacks that the customer should be aware of.

• Each time the alarm is set or unset it costs the customer a local telephone call which over a year could amount to about £73.00.
• If the telephone line is cut the device cannot communicate with the ARC.
• If the telephone line is busy it cannot communicate.

To overcome these limitations BT produced 'Redcare'

Redcare Monitoring

RedCare offers the most secure form of alarm monitoring available. The service provides continuous monitoring of a BT telephone line that links a professionally installed alarm system on a customer's premises to an Alarm Receiving Centre (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 EN50131.
• 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.
• 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

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.

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