What is remote monitoring?
Remote monitoring is where the fire alarm system is linked to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). This enables the system to automatically alert the Fire and Rescue Service in the event of a fire being detected by the fire alarm system. Remote signalling can serve as a backup to an alarm being raised manually by someone on site, but is also frequently mandated as a requirement by insurance providers, particularly for high-value premises, commercial properties, or buildings with significant fire risks.
Remote monitoring is essential when a building is not occupied all the time and the Fire and Rescue Service would need to be contacted at the earliest stage of any fire incident. This gives the best possible chance of the fire being dealt with before it has the chance to develop and cause significant damage or loss of life. Many insurance policies now stipulate that remote monitoring must be in place and operational to maintain coverage, making it not just a safety consideration but a contractual obligation.
An ARC acts as a compliant call centre that securely connects fire and security systems directly to the emergency services. When a fire incident occurs, your system sends a signal to the ARC, which then notifies the emergency services and key holders of the alarm condition. This ensures that even if the building is unoccupied or if occupants are unable to raise the alarm themselves, the appropriate response is initiated immediately.
What types of fire alarm systems and which applications would typically use this?
Remote monitoring can be utilised with virtually any type of fire alarm system (including conventional, addressable or wireless) and remote monitoring is particularly beneficial in the following scenarios:
- Unoccupied or partially occupied buildings – Warehouses, storage facilities, office buildings outside working hours, or holiday properties where there may be no one present to raise the alarm manually.
- High-risk premises – Buildings with significant fire loads, valuable assets, or where rapid fire spread is a concern, such as manufacturing facilities, data centres, or heritage buildings.
- Regulatory requirements – Premises where BS 5839-1 recommendations or insurance requirements mandate automatic transmission of fire signals to ensure occupant safety.
- Multiple or remote sites – Organisations with several locations can benefit from centralised monitoring, ensuring consistent fire safety management across all properties.
- 24/7 operations – Facilities that operate continuously, such as hospitals, care homes, or hotels, where immediate response is critical but staff may be occupied with other duties.
- Unmanned facilities – Plant rooms, telecommunications installations, or utility buildings where human presence is minimal but protection of critical infrastructure is essential.
Types of Communicator
The PSTN Switchover – What You Need to Know
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Traditional copper-wire telephone lines (PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network) are being phased out across the UK. BT has officially announced the withdrawal of its Redcare fire alarm signalling service, with the switch-off date set for 15th December 2025. This has major implications for any fire alarm systems currently relying on PSTN or BT Redcare for remote monitoring.
If your premises use a fire alarm system that connects to an ARC via PSTN or Redcare, urgent action is required. After 15th December 2025, your fire alarm system could:
- Fail to alert monitoring centres in case of a fire
- Void your business insurance due to lack of monitoring
- Put your organisation in breach of fire safety compliance laws (BS 5839-1)
- Expose occupants to increased risk
The PSTN infrastructure has been in use for over 140 years but no longer has the capacity to deliver modern digital services. As technology advances, the industry is moving to faster and more efficient technologies such as 4G/LTE mobile networks and fibre optics.
BS 5839-1:2025 Alarm Transmission Requirements
With the PSTN being switched off in 2027 and the UK moving to an all-IP network, BS 5839-1:2025 now provides specific details of the alarm transmission timings that alarm transmission equipment should meet to ensure reliable and timely summoning of the Fire and Rescue Service.
The standard now specifies maximum timings for transmission of alarm signals and timings for catastrophic failure of the transmission system:
For Category L systems:
- Fire alarm signal indication should be received at the ARC within a maximum of 90 seconds
- Catastrophic failure of the transmission system (whereby no alarm signals can be transmitted) should be indicated at the ARC and the CIE within 3 minutes
For Category P systems:
- Fire alarm signal indication should be received at the ARC within a maximum of 120 seconds
- Catastrophic failure of the transmission system should be indicated at the ARC and the CIE within 31 minutes
BS 5839-1:2025 also recommends that if a separate power supply unit is used to power the alarm transmission equipment, it should conform to BS EN 54-4 or BS EN 50131-6 Grade 4 to ensure reliability.
Modern Communicator Solutions
With PSTN becoming obsolete, modern fire alarm communicators now utilise cellular and IP-based technologies to provide reliable, fast, and secure connections to ARCs. These solutions not only future-proof your fire safety systems but also offer enhanced features and reliability.
SD-LTE Communicators (Recommended Solution)
The SD-LTE is our recommended solution for fire alarm remote monitoring following the PSTN switchover. This represents the latest technology in alarm communication and offers significant advantages over older systems.
The SD-LTE universal speech dialler utilises next-generation 4G (VoLTE) technology, with fallback to 3G or 2G networks, ensuring robust and reliable communication without the need for a traditional phone line. This makes it an ideal standalone solution for fire alarm systems, particularly in buildings that are in remote locations or where installing fixed-line infrastructure would be impractical or costly.
Key benefits of SD-LTE communicators include:
- 4G/LTE connectivity – Utilises the latest mobile network technology for fast and reliable transmission
- No phone line required – Completely independent of PSTN or fixed-line infrastructure
- Speech and text messaging – Can transmit personalised voice messages and SMS to up to 8 recipients
- Future-proof – 4G/LTE networks will remain operational for many years, unlike PSTN
- Universal compatibility – Works with conventional, addressable, and wireless fire alarm systems
- BS 5839-1:2025 compliant – Meets the latest alarm transmission timing requirements
- Remote capabilities – Built-in programmable outputs that can be operated remotely, plus integrated microphone and speaker for two-way communication
- Faster transmission – Delivers signals significantly quicker than traditional PSTN, ensuring rapid response
- Enhanced reliability – Dual-path communication options ensure redundancy
The SD-LTE is particularly well-suited for:
- Replacing existing PSTN or BT Redcare communicators
- New installations where future-proof technology is required
- Sites in remote or rural locations
- Applications requiring speech notification to key holders in addition to ARC monitoring
- Premises where rapid alarm transmission is critical
GSM Communicators (Alternative Solution)
For sites where a simple, cost-effective cellular solution is required, GSM communicators such as the Zeta GSM Fire Alarm Communicator provide an alternative cellular-based solution.
The Zeta GSM communicator is an interface that allows a fire alarm panel or other system to send SMS text messages or make voice calls in the event of an alarm or fault. These communicators offer:
- SMS text messaging – Send instant text notifications to key personnel
- Voice call capability – Make automated voice calls to up to 4 user phone numbers on input activation
- Dual inputs – Typically configured for fire and fault monitoring
- Flexible power supply – Can run on any power supply between 9-30V DC
- Remote operation – Outputs can be manually operated by dialling the GSM communicator and entering a password
- Universal compatibility – Accepts a standard mobile phone SIM card and works with various fire alarm panels
- Recordable messages – Option for customised voice messages or siren tones
Whilst GSM technology (2G/3G networks) remains operational, it’s important to note that 4G/LTE technology offers greater longevity and enhanced capabilities, which is why we recommend the SD-LTE solution for most applications.
