What happens when a monitored alarm goes off?
The receiving centre gets the signal and follows the instructions for your premises. That may mean calling your nominated keyholders. For an eligible registered system, a qualifying alarm can also be passed to the police. We'll discuss the response you need before connection, so you know what is included and who might be called out.
Is remote CCTV monitoring the same as viewing cameras on my phone?
No. Remote viewing lets you check the cameras yourself. With event-led CCTV monitoring, an alert sends images to an operator for assessment and an agreed response. It doesn't mean someone watches every camera continuously. Your service sets out the monitored areas, hours and available actions; recording footage or having an app alone doesn't provide operator monitoring.
What is an alarm receiving centre?
An alarm receiving centre, or ARC, is a staffed centre that receives signals from connected systems and acts on them. Centurion connects your equipment to a separate, 24/7 NSI-approved centre and maintains the system. The monitoring agreement should identify the centre and explain the response, contact arrangements and responsibilities.
Can you monitor a system another company installed?
We can assess it. Send us the alarm panel or recorder details, any service records and your current monitoring contract. Some equipment can be retained; compatibility or condition may mean changes are needed. We also review the existing maintenance responsibility and any police registration before agreeing a takeover. Don't cancel the current service until the changeover has been planned.
How much does alarm monitoring cost?
The quotation depends on the alarm or cameras, signalling equipment, monitoring hours and any work needed to connect them. Ask for setup or upgrade costs to be separated from recurring monitoring and maintenance charges. If police registration is included, check how its fees are shown. An assessment lets us price the service your site actually needs.
Does monitoring include a keyholder attending the site?
Not by itself. The centre can contact your nominated keyholders, but a paid keyholding or guard attendance service is a separate arrangement. Make sure the people on your list know their role, can gain access and have cover when they're unavailable. Your contract needs to say who attends; receiving an alarm and sending someone to the premises are different services.
Is police attendance guaranteed, and can false alarms affect it?
No. In England and Wales, police response needs an eligible system, an approved receiving centre and a current police Unique Reference Number (URN). The activation must meet the applicable confirmation requirements; attendance also depends on police demand and resources. Repeated false calls can lead to response being withdrawn. Report recurring activations so the cause can be investigated: changing provider alone doesn't restore police response.
Will changing our phone line affect alarm monitoring?
It can, if the alarm uses that line to signal. Tell your alarm maintainer before a phone-line or broadband change so the connection can be checked and any equipment work planned. A phone making calls on the new service doesn't prove that alarm signals reach the centre. BT's analogue PSTN network is due to close by 31 January 2027; check your own provider's migration date and test the alarm connection after changes.














