Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC Monitoring) – NSI Gold Cat II

ARC stands for Alarm Receiving Centre, a central facility managed by trained responders who detect alerts, respond to alarm signals and investigate the cause of an activation or distress signal.

Clearway’s ARC operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing always-on assurance that if an alarm detects movement, activity triggers a CCTV surveillance system, or a colleague uses a lone worker alarm device, a professional response will be deployed.

One of the key advantages, alongside a robust security response solution, is the ability to avoid false alarm callouts and identify when an alarm or alert does not require a keyholder to attend the premises. Common examples include wildlife, often setting alarms off during the early hours of the morning.

An Alarm Receiving Centre acts as the hub where all data, alarms, and signals are monitored, reviewed, and logged by handlers in accordance with the client’s protocols. For example, a high-risk site may instruct responders to liaise immediately with on-site security teams when any alarm or sensor is triggered, for any reason, to allow for a rapid response.

Alarm Receiving Centres manage all incoming alerts and can also monitor CCTV surveillance or AI-enabled security systems to alert the emergency services, communicate with personnel, or dispatch a security response team as appropriate.

Our Alarm Receiving Centre is purpose-built and equipped with advanced monitoring and communications infrastructure and equipment, managing alerts ranging from security and intruder systems and alarms to business fire alarms and other elements of a risk management solution.

When a security system, alarm, camera, or device is first installed, whether temporary or long-term, the signal is tested and verified, with secure transmission to ensure that communications or alarm signals cannot be intercepted or interrupted.

This testing requirement ensures that when any piece of equipment transmits an alert, it is directed to the appropriate response team within the Alarm Receiving Centre, who will:

• Log the alert or alarm signal.
• Evaluate the cause.
• Filter out false alarms.
• Liaise with security teams, emergency services or other personnel.

Monitored alarms help prevent a common scenario in which an alarm is activated, but no one is aware of it or responds to the alert until a break-in, security breach, or intrusion has already occurred. In contrast, an Alarm Receiving Centre is actively poised to react to any alarm signal.

Responders can also evaluate the reason for an alarm by reviewing CCTV footage, body-worn safety cameras or alarm-activated cameras, which capture a snippet of live footage for assessment.

BS is the abbreviation for British Standards, and BS5979 is the UK standard for remote centres that receive signals from security or fire safety systems.

Holding the BS5979 quality mark demonstrates adherence to the highest standards related to alarm monitoring, including:

• Alarm Receiving Centre management.
• Facilities, planning and construction.
• Centre operational standards.
• Signal security and response protocols.

To apply for BS5979, an Alarm Receiving Centre must be continually staffed, assuring clients of an around-the-clock monitoring service, with evidence of robust risk assessment processes. Other requirements include high-security locking systems and data protection.

Clearway’s Alarm Receiving Centre is equipped with extensive infrastructure to ensure a flawless, reliable and professional response service, including military-grade security assets, emergency power generators, data back-up and replication facilities and an uninterruptible power supply.

We are proud to uphold the highest quality standards in alarm monitoring, ensuring that our Alarm Receiving Centre is accessible only to accredited, trained personnel and that all data captured, stored, or transmitted is secure.

Note that BS5979 remains applicable to established monitoring centres that already meet the required certification standards. However, BS8591 is also used to set codes of practice for remote centres managing alarm system signals.

Clearways’ accredited Alarm Receiving Centre can monitor a wide variety of alarms, security, surveillance, safety and detection devices, including but not limited to:

• Fire safety systems
• CCTV monitoring
• Security alarms
• Vacant property alarms
• Panic alarms
• Emergency SOS calls
• Keyholding signals
• Personal attack alarms
• Environmental alarms

Each alarm signal is screened according to the policies and protocols in place, logging the alarm and actions taken, retaining comprehensive records of the response, and ensuring that relevant footage, infrared captures, and photos are safely stored for reference, investigation, and to assist in intruder apprehension.

Businesses, landowners and public sector bodies can combine alarm and systems monitoring throughout their safety and risk prevention solutions, with coverage of all security assets or equipment provided by a highly qualified team of experienced alarm responders.