Established in Hull in 1992 — Fire & Security Systems Across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & the Humber

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24/7 alarm monitoring and response
Monitoring and police response

Commercial Intruder Alarm Monitoring: 24/7 Monitoring, Keyholding and Response

SSAIB certified alarm monitoring with keyholder escalation, dual-path signalling and police URN support where eligible.

SPS Technical connects commercial intruder alarm systems to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) for monitored response across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Humber. As an SSAIB certified installer, systems we install to the required standard can qualify for a police Unique Reference Number (URN), which is needed for police response. Alarm signals are transmitted via dual-path IP and 4G signalling to EN50136, ensuring control room connection even if one path is disrupted.

Why SSAIB Certification Matters for Monitoring

Why certification matters

Only intruder alarm systems installed and maintained by SSAIB or NSI-certified companies are eligible for a police Unique Reference Number. Without a URN, your monitoring centre cannot request police attendance to a confirmed alarm. SPS Technical's SSAIB certification covers the installation and maintenance of your alarm, and we apply for and manage the URN for you.

How it works

How Monitored Alarm Response Works

When a monitored intruder alarm activates, the sequence from detection to police response is well-defined — but it only works if every element in the chain is correctly in place. SSAIB-certified installation, current maintenance certification, dual-path signalling and a valid police URN are all required to qualify for police response.

1

Detection

Detector activates, alarm panel triggers

2

Confirmation

Second confirmation source verified (dual-zone, CCTV or audio)

3

ARC notification

Signal transmitted via dual-path IP/4G to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)

4

Response

Keyholder contacted and/or police dispatched depending on confirmation type and URN status

5

Resolution

Engineer dispatched for fault or reset as required

Monitoring options

Monitoring Options

SPS Technical offers three levels of monitoring — from full police URN with confirmed police response, through to keyholder notification and bells-only with remote alert for lower-risk premises. The right option depends on your alarm grade, insurance requirements and the nature of your business.

Monitored with police response (Type A)

Grade 3 standard

Dual-path IP/4G signalling to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Confirmed alarm triggers police URN response. Requires SSAIB-certified installation and current maintenance certificate. The standard for Grade 3 commercial systems.

Monitored with keyholder response

Grade 2 & above

The ARC contacts nominated keyholders on alarm activation. No police URN required. Suitable for Grade 2 premises or sites where keyholder response is preferred.

Bells-only with remote notification

Low-risk premises

Local sounder activation with app or SMS notification to nominated contacts. No ARC monitoring. Suitable for very low-risk premises or as a supplementary alert layer.

Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) Monitoring

ARC monitoring connection

Alarm signals from SPS Technical-maintained systems are routed through an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). The ARC holds your system records, keyholder details and response protocols. When an alarm activates, operators have full context — not just a signal from an unknown system. Where SPS Security keyholding or mobile response is contracted, the ARC coordinates directly with SPS Security's response officers.

24/7 ARC monitoring
Full system records on file
Keyholder escalation protocols
Police URN management
Free Tool

PSTN Switch-Off Risk Checker

If your alarm is monitored, check whether your signalling path may be affected by the PSTN switch-off based on your postcode area and current signalling type.

Takes 2 minutes — no account needed. Results are indicative only.

Standards that apply

The standards behind intruder alarm monitoring

The British Standards and laws we work to, in plain English. Each one links to a summary page with the current edition and the official source.

Got a question about intruder alarm monitoring?

Ask the Standards Library. Answers come only from our library and quote their sources.

Full resource library →

Try one of these:

Answers come only from our standards library and quote their sources. They are general guidance, not advice for a specific building, and are produced automatically, so check the source before relying on them. Please don't include names or personal details in your question.

Editions checked 12 October 2026 by the SPS Technical team.

FAQs

Monitoring and police response questions

A Unique Reference Number issued by the police to an alarm that meets their requirements. It lets the monitoring centre request police attendance when the alarm is confirmed. We apply for and manage URNs for our customers.

No. Police response is never guaranteed. It depends on demand at the time, and it can be withdrawn after repeated false alarms. Confirmed alarms are given priority.

For intruder alarms, police write to warn you after two false calls in 12 months and withdraw response after three. For hold-up alarms, response is withdrawn after two. Getting it back needs the cause fixed and 90 days without false calls.

Yes, for police response. You need at least two keyholders who are trained to use the alarm and can attend within 20 minutes. Our group's keyholding service can do this for you.

Request an alarm monitoring quote

24/7 alarm monitoring with police URN, keyholding and response, from your local alarm company.

Accreditations

Why trust SPS Technical

Independently certified, working to British Standards. Check every accreditation on the official register.

SSAIB

Registration HUMB018

Intruder alarms to PD 6662, CCTV to SSAIB Code of Practice SS2003, access control to SS2002, and fire alarm systems

Verify at ssaib.org

BAFE SP203-1

Certificate 104302 · Organisation ID 303286

Fire alarm design, installation, commissioning and maintenance to BS 5839-1

Verify at bafe.org.uk

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

1208-QMS-001 · 1208-EMS-001

Quality and environmental management, certified by Alcumus ISOQAR. ISO 9001 held since 1997

Safety and procurement

CHAS-0004703 · Constructionline 92018 · SafeContractor PE5040

SSIP health and safety approval, procurement registration and Paxton Gold Installer status

Police-response intruder alarms

For intruder alarms, SPS Technical is an approved installer of police-response systems with the following forces, so your intruder alarm can be issued a police Unique Reference Number (URN) under the NPCC Police Requirements for Security Systems.

  • Humberside Police
  • Lincolnshire Police
  • North Yorkshire Police
  • South Yorkshire Police
  • West Yorkshire Police
  • Nottinghamshire Police
  • Derbyshire Constabulary
  • Greater Manchester Police

Police approval applies to intruder alarms only.

Since 1992

Established in Hull

1,750+

Systems maintained

2,850+

Scheduled service visits a year

4

Regional offices: Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln, Sheffield

Trusted across universities, NHS and healthcare, local authorities, schools and academy trusts, logistics and industrial sites, transport, and stadiums and venues.

Reviewed by the SPS Technical team · Last updated October 2026

Full accreditation details