What do I need to do with my Fire Alarm Monitoring systems with the switch to a new IP/4G or 4G/4G signal?

Big changes are underway in the security alarm sector. New legislation and changes to the services offered by signal providers are set to be implemented in the very near future. This means that, to keep your site’s safety legally compliant (and to ensure that your alarm systems still actually work!) you may need to update the current system that you use. If you are a security manager, we cannot understate how important it is that you are fully aware of this transition.

So, to ensure that you are fully informed about the upcoming change, we have used this article to create a comprehensive guide to the switch to IP/4G and 4G/4G signals. Keep reading to find out what it will cover and what you need to do to maintain the safety of your premises.

What do we mean when we talk about the switchover?

Two major changes to fire alarm monitoring system standards are set to be introduced in the next few years. By 2025, BT will no longer be providing services through either the PSTN or the ISDN lines. As a result, all security alarms need to be checked (and if necessary, replaced) so that they can continue to work after the transition has been made. PSTN stands for the Public Switched Telephone Network, and it is a series of circuit- switched telephone networks that are manned by operators across the UK. ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network, and this is a line through which other forms of data (including voice, as well as images and video) are sent and received, through the same PSTN telephone network.

What do I need to do to keep alarms working?

If your alarm system uses either a digital communicator to alert your local ARC or is dependent on 2G or 3G networks, then this device will no longer work once BT’s
transition is complete. Currently, the majority of UK fire alarm monitoring services are piggybacking off an intruder alarm monitoring service.

However, this service does not comply with industry standards, because this piggybacking means that the intruder monitoring alarm will not have a 24-hour battery backup. So, if the other service were to fail, then the alarm itself would immediately cease to work, and that the alarm is highly likely to be incompatible with EN54. So, moving forward, any premises that use a monitoring service that works by piggybacking off another service will be required to upgrade their system.

They will need to either have two monitoring services, or supply a 24 hour backup to the intruder alarm panel, as well as all of the required parts to be compliant with EN54. In addition to this, you will also need to make sure that your alarm system uses IP/4G and 4G/4G signals. 2G and 3G services are being withdrawn by BT, as the company transitions from its use of the PSTN network to a more efficient and effective digitised system.

To prepare for the upcoming change, BT has launched its Redcare Next Generation range of alarms, which will be compatible with the new technology that they are due to introduce.
These new products from BT, within this range, are the Essential, Essential Extra, Advanced, Advanced Extra and Ultimate alarm systems. If you would like to find out more about the technology change that is due to shake up the security sector, or if you require our expert guidance about the new BT range of Redcare.

Next Generation products, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of alarm specialists are on hand to upgrade your premises, and ensure that your site does not get caught out by the technology change.