Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres (for consistency, abbreviated as ‘ARCs’) are facilities staffed 24/7 to receive and process alarms and initiate response actions. Alarms are typically triggered by systems that detect intruders, fires, injuries, or some other risk to health or property. BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 aims to ensure that ARCs are robust and resilient, so they always initiate timely and appropriate response actions.

Who is BS EN 50518: Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres for? ARC operators, security system specifiers and installers, certification bodies, insurers, and police

NOTE: BS 5979 Remote centres receiving signals from fire and security systems. Code of practice and BS 9518: Processing of Alarm Signals by an alarm receiving centre. A code of practice also provides guidance. Why should you use BS EN 50518: Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres?

• Certified eligibility for a police response: There’s no such thing as an alarm system with a direct connection to the police. It is expected that the police will cite this standard as mandatory, meaning compliance with BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 will be necessary for an ARC to be certified as eligible to receive an immediate police response.
• Enhanced performance: From general procedures and message handling to alarm verification and security screening and vetting, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 promotes efficiency and consistency, resulting in improved incident handling, reduced response times, and a reduced number of false calls being passed to the police.
• Higher security: By promoting the use of advanced technologies, such as video surveillance, intrusion and hold-up alarm systems, and access controls, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 supports comprehensive protection against potential threats.
• Continuity of service: By including measures that safeguard against power and communication failures, natural disasters, and physical attacks and intrusions, the standard prevents disruptions to ARC's services.
• Customer trust and confidence: Implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest levels of security and professionalism. This can boost customer trust and confidence, making your ARCs a more attractive choice for clients seeking reliable and secure services.
• Strengthened risk management: implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 mitigates potential liabilities and provides personnel and operators with greater peace of mind.

What’s new about BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023?

This is an amendment to BS EN 50518:2019. The major changes in BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 are to clarify what qualifies as an acceptable secure location, as follows:

1. change to definition of ‘secure location’
2. modification in text of Clause 5 regarding secure locations
3. change to Clause 6 regarding safety monitoring intervals.

In addition, the UK has created National Annexes NA and NB to provide UK-specific guidance.

Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres (for consistency, abbreviated as ‘ARCs’) are facilities staffed 24/7 to receive and process alarms and initiate response actions. Alarms are typically triggered by systems that detect intruders, fires, injuries, or some other risk to health or property. BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 aims to ensure that ARCs are robust and resilient, so they always initiate timely and appropriate response actions.

Who is BS EN 50518: Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres for? ARC operators, security system specifiers and installers, certification bodies, insurers, and police

NOTE: BS 5979 Remote centres receiving signals from fire and security systems. Code of practice and BS 9518: Processing of Alarm Signals by an alarm receiving centre. A code of practice also provides guidance. Why should you use BS EN 50518: Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres?

• Certified eligibility for a police response: There’s no such thing as an alarm system with a direct connection to the police. It is expected that the police will cite this standard as mandatory, meaning compliance with BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 will be necessary for an ARC to be certified as eligible to receive an immediate police response.
• Enhanced performance: From general procedures and message handling to alarm verification and security screening and vetting, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 promotes efficiency and consistency, resulting in improved incident handling, reduced response times, and a reduced number of false calls being passed to the police.
• Higher security: By promoting the use of advanced technologies, such as video surveillance, intrusion and hold-up alarm systems, and access controls, BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 supports comprehensive protection against potential threats.
• Continuity of service: By including measures that safeguard against power and communication failures, natural disasters, and physical attacks and intrusions, the standard prevents disruptions to ARC's services.
• Customer trust and confidence: Implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest levels of security and professionalism. This can boost customer trust and confidence, making your ARCs a more attractive choice for clients seeking reliable and secure services.
• Strengthened risk management: implementing BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 mitigates potential liabilities and provides personnel and operators with greater peace of mind.

What’s new about BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023?

This is an amendment to BS EN 50518:2019. The major changes in BS EN 50518:2019+A1:2023 are to clarify what qualifies as an acceptable secure location, as follows:

1. change to definition of ‘secure location’
2. modification in text of Clause 5 regarding secure locations
3. change to Clause 6 regarding safety monitoring intervals.

In addition, the UK has created National Annexes NA and NB to provide UK-specific guidance.

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