Understand what an approval covers
An approval should be considered alongside the work you are commissioning. Ask for the current certificate and check that the approved activities match the proposed service. A security-system approval should not be taken as evidence of approval for every other service an organisation offers.
NSI explains that its Gold schemes include quality-management certification. You can read more about certification and use its company finder on the National Security Inspectorate website. If you are obtaining an installation to meet an insurer’s requirements, provide the actual wording before the quotation is agreed.
Read our monitored intruder alarm page for planning information.
ECHO-connected monitored systems
We supply and install ECHO-connected monitored systems. This is an option to discuss as part of an intruder alarm enquiry, with the monitoring service and response arrangements identified in the proposal. It should not be assumed that every installed alarm automatically includes monitoring.
ECHO provides electronic messaging between participating Alarm Receiving Centres and emergency services. For an eligible alarm, the signal reaches the ARC through the specified signalling arrangement; the ARC then handles it under the agreed procedures. ECHO supports the onward electronic transmission to participating police systems. The official ECHO website explains the service and participating organisations.
App notifications and monitoring are different
An alert sent to your phone depends on someone seeing it and deciding what to do. An agreed monitoring service involves an Alarm Receiving Centre and defined handling arrangements. Discuss which service you need and who should be contacted, rather than relying on the word “connected” alone.
Police response is subject to eligibility and the applicable arrangements. It is not an unconditional promise that an officer will attend every activation. Ask which monitoring and response provisions are included in the quotation and which require a separate agreement.
Information to provide before we quote
Tell us whether the installation is for a home or business, whether an insurer has specified conditions and whether an existing monitored system is being replaced. If you have documents for that system, they may help establish the starting point. Avoid cancelling an existing service until you understand the transition arrangements.
We first review the enquiry and determine whether we can quote over the phone or need a free site survey. Once the requirements are established, we provide a tailored quotation. Installation is arranged after you are happy with the proposal and agree to proceed.
Discuss the right service for your premises
See our intruder alarm service for installation information, or our business security overview for a broader discussion of alarms, CCTV and access control. Homeowners can explore our home security page.
To discuss certification or monitored-system requirements, contact our team with your postcode and a description of the premises. We can clarify the proposed scope before you commit to an installation.