Understanding Alarm Signalling Grades

In the realm of home and business security, ensuring your alarm system is effectively monitored is paramount. But what exactly does 'alarm monitoring signalling grade' mean, and why is it crucial for insurance purposes? This guide will delve into the intricacies of digital communicators, often referred to as DigiComs, and the various signalling grades that determine how reliably your alarm alerts a monitoring centre. We'll explore the difference between Single Path (SP) and Dual Path (DP) signalling, understand 'path ping frequency', and clarify what insurance companies in the UK typically require.

What is an Alarm Monitoring Signalling Grade?

An alarm monitoring signalling grade is a classification system used to define the reliability and robustness of the communication path between your alarm system and an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). For an alarm system's monitoring signal to be recognised and accepted by insurance companies, the digital communicator (Digicom) must meet specific British Standards. Primarily, this means being designed to British Standard BS EN 50136-1 or certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) as an LPS1277 version 3.0 dual path signalling product. These standards ensure that the system is designed to a high level of security and resilience.

Understanding the Two Key Factors

Alarm monitoring grades differ significantly from the grades assigned to alarm systems themselves. While alarm system grades (e.g., Grade 1, 2, 3, 4) relate to the perceived risk level of the property, alarm monitoring grades focus on two critical factors:

• Number of Paths: This refers to the number of independent communication channels that connect your alarm system to the monitoring station. Common paths include traditional telephone lines (PSTN), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and mobile networks (GPRS/LTE).
• Path Ping Frequency / Catastrophic Failure Reporting: This is a measure of how often the signalling device actively checks that the communication paths are live and successfully connecting to the monitoring station. This regular 'heartbeat' or 'ping' is vital for detecting failures promptly.

Alarm Monitoring Paths: SP vs. DP

In the context of alarm monitoring, you'll commonly encounter 'SP' and 'DP'. These abbreviations stand for:

• SP (Single Path): This indicates that the alarm system relies on only one communication channel to transmit signals to the monitoring centre. While functional, a single point of failure means that if this path is compromised (e.g., a phone line is cut or a network outage occurs), the monitoring centre will not receive any alerts.
• DP (Dual Path): This signifies that the alarm system utilises two independent communication paths. This provides a significantly higher level of security and reliability. If one path fails, the system can automatically switch to the alternative path, ensuring continuous communication with the ARC.

Path Ping Frequency and Catastrophic Failure Reporting

'Path ping frequency' dictates how often the signalling device sends a 'data ping' to confirm that the connection with the monitoring station is active and functioning correctly. This is a critical aspect of detecting 'catastrophic failures' – situations where a communication path is completely lost. The frequency of these pings directly influences the grade assigned to the signalling. A higher frequency of pings indicates a more immediate detection of failure.

Summary of Alarm Monitoring Signalling Grades

The following table summarises the different grades of alarm monitoring signalling, detailing the 'path ping frequency' or, more accurately, the maximum allowable time before a catastrophic failure is reported. This means how long the system can be down before the monitoring station is alerted to the issue.

*N.B. The 'path ping frequency' for DP3 and DP4 is as follows: DP3 typically pings every 3 minutes, and DP4 pings every 90 seconds. These are the times the system checks for a live connection.

Insurance Specifications for Alarm Monitoring Systems in the UK

Insurance companies in the UK often have stringent requirements for alarm monitoring systems to ensure that properties are adequately protected. To be considered 'insurance compliant', your alarm system typically needs to be fitted with a specific type of digital communicator and meet certain standards:

• Digital Communicator (Digicom): Must be designed to British Standard BS EN 50136-1 or be certified by the LPCB as an LPS1277 version 3.0 dual path signalling product.
• Signalling Grade: A DP3 or DP4 grade of alarm monitoring is frequently stipulated. This ensures a dual-path system with a robust and frequent checking mechanism.
• Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC): The ARC receiving the signals must operate to British Standard BS 5979. This standard relates to the quality and accreditation of the monitoring centre itself.
• Police Response: Many insurers will require a Level 1 Police Response with a URN (Unique Reference Number). This means the ARC is registered with the police, allowing for direct dispatch of law enforcement when a confirmed alarm event occurs.

DigiCom: The Oldest Form of Alarm Signalling

DigiCom (Digital Communicator) is generally considered the oldest and often the cheapest method of alarm signalling within the fire and security industry. Historically, it primarily functioned as a single path, typically utilising a standard analogue telephone line (PSTN). This vulnerability to telephone line faults, such as line cuts or service disruptions, makes traditional DigiCom the least favoured signalling method by many home and business insurers.

Modern Alternatives: BT Redcare and CSL Dualcom

In response to the limitations of basic DigiCom, more advanced and reliable signalling solutions have emerged. The two most prominent providers in the UK are BT Redcare and CSL Dualcom:

BT Redcare

BT Redcare offers dual-path alarm signalling devices. This means they ensure a continuous and polled communication link between the security alarm system and the ARC. Their portfolio includes options like Redcare Classic and Redcare GSM, providing redundancy through different communication technologies.

CSL Dualcom

CSL Dualcom provides Dualcom GPRS, an alternative to Redcare. It also operates as a dual-path signalling method and can work over any standard telephone line. Dualcom is often positioned as a more flexible and potentially more cost-effective option compared to Redcare, though both meet high security standards. It typically utilises mobile networks (like Vodafone and Orange historically) for its radio path signalling. Dualcom units can be available with different signalling grades, such as Grade 2, 3, or 4, with the polling frequency being the key differentiator.

CSL Dualcom vs. BT Redcare: Which is Best?

Both CSL Dualcom and BT Redcare are well-established 'digicom' solutions designed as high-security devices that meet rigorous British Standards and alarm signalling grades. From a user's perspective, the core functionality and many features are very similar. Both typically meet:

• British Standard BS EN 50136-1
• The requirement for DP3 or DP4 grade of alarm monitoring

The choice between them often comes down to specific installation requirements, network coverage in the area, and sometimes slight differences in pricing or service packages offered by installers. Both are considered reliable and insurance-approved solutions.

Ensuring Your Alarm is Monitored Effectively

Companies like AirTight Security Systems Ltd specialise in ensuring that intruder alarms are not ignored. By connecting your alarm system to an accredited Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) via a secure signalling method (like DP3 or DP4), you gain added security, 24 hours a day. This not only protects against burglars but can also facilitate emergency support for fire incidents or keyholder assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between an alarm system grade and an alarm monitoring grade?

Answer: An alarm system grade (e.g., Grade 1-4) assesses the risk level of the property. An alarm monitoring grade (e.g., SP1-SP6, DP1-DP4) assesses the reliability and frequency of communication between the alarm system and the monitoring centre.

Q2: Why do insurance companies prefer Dual Path (DP) signalling?

Answer: Dual Path signalling provides a backup communication channel. If one path fails (e.g., phone line cut), the system can still communicate via the second path (e.g., mobile network), ensuring continuous monitoring and reducing the risk of a break in security.

Q3: Is DigiCom still acceptable for insurance?

Answer: Traditional single-path DigiCom relying solely on a phone line is generally the least acceptable for insurance due to its vulnerability. However, modern systems that incorporate DigiCom principles but meet the required dual-path and signalling grade standards (like those offered by BT Redcare or CSL Dualcom) are widely accepted.

Q4: What does 'path ping frequency' mean for DP3 and DP4?

Answer: For DP3, the system typically checks the communication path every 3 minutes. For DP4, this check happens more frequently, every 90 seconds. This frequent 'pinging' ensures that any loss of communication is detected very quickly.

Q5: What is an ARC and why is its standard important?

Answer: An ARC is an Alarm Receiving Centre, the facility that monitors your alarm signals. The ARC must operate to standards like BS 5979 to ensure it has the necessary accreditation, security, and procedures to handle alarm events effectively and dispatch the appropriate response.

In conclusion, understanding alarm monitoring signalling grades is essential for anyone serious about security and ensuring their insurance policy remains valid. Opting for dual-path signalling with a high-grade rating, such as DP3 or DP4, provides the most robust protection and peace of mind.