Installers are now facing some of the biggest changes they have experienced since remote monitoring of alarms was introduced.
The driving force behind these changes is not only the evolving ACPO policy on confirmed alarms, but the increasing demands by customers for more integrated security services.
The principle of sending a single alarm signal is increasingly recognised as inadequate. And although it is not yet a staple of the installer’s portfolio, it seems evident that intelligent confirmed alarm signalling will become the standard.
Because of aggressive marketing by IT and telecoms companies, installers’ business customers are becoming aware of the benefits of ISDN, rapid data transmission and high-speed internet access.
There is a demand for faster, more reliable technology with greater data transmission capacity. In fact, two out of three business lines installed by BT at the current time are digital.
Speed and capacity
Being based on a high-speed digital line rather than the standard analogue telephone line, ISDN is faster and also has the capacity to carry greater amounts of information, with real-time data retrieval. It can also be integrated with other risk management solutions such as CCTV. Digital technology enables the alarm receiving centre to monitor up to 1,000 different alarm points within a site.
“The security industry as a whole needs to look to the future, and that future most certainly lies with digital technologies such as ISDN, ” says Bob Tuck, Product Manager at BT RedCARE. “Although this is not yet a staple of the installer’s security portfolio, it seems evident that intelligent confirmed alarm signalling will become the standard.”
He said there is a “thirst for knowledge” in this area, as shown by the success of the pocket-sized guide, Intelligent Alarm Signalling, which has been enthusiastically received within the industry.
Sequential alarms
With sequential alarm monitoring, the movement of an intruder or fire can also be tracked and monitored step-by-step through a building. Such precise knowledge of where a problem has arisen means that the situation can be risk-assessed and the response planned as the police or other emergency services travel to the site … Intelligent alarm signalling enables an intelligent response to be made.
BT RedCARE says these tracking capabilities make ISDN security appropriate for any business with large, complex, multi-roomed headquarter buildings or multi-location sites.
ISDN also allows a greater number of detectors to be set to indicate specific variations in environment, such as temperature changes. This is a crucial consideration in not only the food industry, where temperatures are key, but any company with computer equipment or server rooms which malfunction if they overheat.
Business benefits
ISDN lines can be used for a number of different communications functions, as they can carry both voice and data transmissions. Corporate information such as e-mails and details of customer credit card payments can be monitored alongside intruder entry or the outbreak of a fire.
Running continuous alarm monitoring over the signalling (D) channel of ISDN means that everything that is sent down the line is continually protected because the ARC is alerted to any disruption along the communication path. Every BT ISDN line has three channels: two provide high-speed digital access, the third channel is the signalling channel.
This allows smaller amounts of communication to travel continuously between two locations without incurring call charges. Problems can be resolved immediately and losses minimised. Such improved resilience is an attractive feature for companies.
The new ACPO policy
The revised ACPO policy will reduce the number of false alarms attended by the police. By October 2001, businesses will have to be able to report a confirmed activation of an alarm in order to secure a police response.
BT RedCARE’s ISDN services ensure businesses are fully compliant with the revised ACPO policy to confirm all alarms raised.
In future, with the falling cost of data communications and the migration from discrete networks to service provider networks, digital telemetry and security products will become more cost-effective and mainstream.
Bob Tuck predicts: “What we envisage, with the further development in intelligent signalling technology, is a SMART office concept. In the SMART office the security system could be responsible for monitoring not only intruder access but also air-conditioning levels, access to the stationery room and bulk printing amongst other tasks. Combining telemetry applications with continuously monitored security systems will create a comprehensive, intelligent service that can be tailored to the requirements of each customer. Intelligent, digital alarm monitoring is most certainly the future.”
He added that BT RedCARE is working hard to ensure that businesses across the country receive “top-level, appropriate security advice and equipment.”
