Fire Alarm Monitoring · London
Fire alarm monitoring for London buildings
SES connects fire alarm systems to an alarm receiving centre for round-the-clock monitoring. We assess the building, existing equipment and signalling requirements before recommending a solution. For existing monitored systems, we review the communicator, communication paths and service arrangements to identify whether an upgrade is needed.
Prefer to call? 0207 523 5373
What the service provides
Round-the-clock monitoring, set up for your building
Fire alarm monitoring through EMCS usingCSL signalling, with equipment and configuration selected to suit the building, system category and applicable requirements. When a configured fire, fault or communication event occurs, the alarm receiving centre (ARC) acts on the response plan agreed for your premises.
Our fire alarm monitoring service can include:
- A survey of the building, the fire alarm control panel and the existing signalling arrangements
- A recommendation for signalling equipment and configuration that suits the building, system category and applicable requirements
- Installation and connection of CSL signalling equipment to the fire alarm control panel
- Connection to the EMCS Alarm Receiving Centre
- Configuration of alarm events, keyholders and response instructions
- End-to-end signal testing and commissioning
- Guidance on placing the system on test before weekly tests and servicing
- Checks of the signals sent to the ARC as part of routine servicing
- Digital fire-alarm logbooks with cloud access, where included in the maintenance plan
- An ongoing monthly monitoring subscription
Who it suits
Buildings where an alarm might go unnoticed
- Offices, shops, schools, churches and community buildings that are empty out of hours or at weekends.
- Premises where the fire risk assessment, insurer or system design calls for alarm signals to be sent to an ARC.
- Buildings with an existing monitored system that needs reviewing — including equipment that relies on older telephone lines.
- New fire alarm installations where monitoring is being planned in from the start.
How to enquire
Three simple steps
- Send us an enquiry — the type of building, the make and model of the fire alarm panel if you know it, and any current monitoring arrangements.
- We assess the system — the building, the existing equipment and the signalling requirements, with a site visit where needed.
- We recommend and quote — the signalling solution, the installation cost and the monthly monitoring charge, before any work begins.
How it works
An extra layer of protection when no one is there
A signalling device is connected to the fire alarm control panel. When a configured fire, fault or communication event occurs, the signal is transmitted to the EMCS ARC, which then follows the response plan agreed for the premises — for example contacting nominated keyholders, responsible persons or other specified response services.
Fire brigade attendance is not guaranteed. The response depends on the agreed monitoring instructions, alarm-verification arrangements and the policy of the relevant fire and rescue service — which is exactly why the response plan is agreed for each building. Monitoring complements the wider fire alarm system and its servicingrather than replacing them.
Monitoring is not an engineer call-out service
The ARC receives signals around the clock. That is separate from engineer attendance: the ARC acts on the agreed response plan, and any visit to investigate a fault or alarm is arranged separately with SES.
Existing systems
Adding monitoring to an existing fire alarm
In many cases, monitoring can be added to an existing conventional, addressable or wireless fire alarm system without replacing the complete installation. We check the control panel, available outputs, communication coverage, power arrangements and the condition of the existing system before confirming what is suitable.
Already monitored? We review the communicator, its communication paths and the service arrangements, and explain whether an upgrade is needed and why.
SES works with systems from manufacturers including Kentec, Apollo, C-TEC, Zeta, Hochiki, Advanced, Haes, EMS, EDA and Fike Twinflex. Already have a fault or an unfamiliar panel? See our page on fault-finding, repairs and takeovers.
The Alarm Receiving Centre
Independent monitoring through EMCS
Monitoring is provided through EMCS, an independent Alarm Receiving Centre. Alarm events are handled in accordance with the response plan recorded for the premises.
Before weekly tests or servicing, the system should be placed on test with the ARC so that test signals are not treated as real alarms. We explain how this works for your site when monitoring is set up.
Ongoing monitoring subscription
Fire alarm monitoring is supplied through an ongoing monthly subscription. The price depends on the signalling equipment, communication paths and monitoring requirements. We explain the installation cost and recurring monitoring charge before any work begins.
Technical detail: choosing the right signalling
Assessed against current recommendations — not a one-size answer
New or replacement signalling equipment must be assessed against the applicable current recommendations for the building and the fire alarm system. For systems designed to BS 5839-1, the 2025 edition sets out recommended maximum times for alarm signals to reach the ARC, and for a complete failure of the transmission system to be indicated both at the ARC and at the fire alarm control equipment:
| System category | Fire alarm signal received at the ARC | Total transmission failure indicated |
|---|---|---|
| Category L (life protection) | Within 90 seconds | Within 3 minutes, at the ARC and the control equipment |
| Category P (property protection) | Within 120 seconds | Within 31 minutes, at the ARC and the control equipment |
These are recommendations of the British Standard code of practice (BS 5839-1:2025, clauses 14.17 and 14.18, as summarised in the Fire Industry Association's guide to the changes), not a standalone legal mandate. Whether and how they apply to a particular building depends on its fire risk assessment, system design and any agreed variations.
“Dual-path” is not the whole answer
Dual-path signalling uses two communication routes, so a second route is available if one fails. But the term “dual-path” on its own does not establish that a complete installation meets all relevant recommendations — signal timings, failure reporting, power supplies, installation and configuration all matter too. We look at the whole arrangement, not just the number of paths.
Existing monitored systems
Existing monitoring needs assessing on its merits. Not every existing single-path unit has to be replaced straight away, and not every one can remain indefinitely. We review the communicator, its communication paths and the service arrangements, then explain whether an upgrade is needed and why.
The telephone network switch-off
Separately, the UK's older telephone network (PSTN) is being switched off as services move to digital. That is a different reason to review any signalling equipment that depends on older telephone services, whether or not anything else about the system has changed.
Frequently asked questions
Fire alarm monitoring, answered
Can you monitor my existing fire alarm?
Often, yes. Many fire alarm panels have suitable alarm and fault outputs, but we need to inspect the system, the available outputs and the communication options before confirming what is suitable.
Does my existing monitored system need upgrading?
Not necessarily — it needs assessing. We review the communicator, its communication paths and the service arrangements. Some existing equipment may continue to be suitable; some may need upgrading, for example where it depends on older telephone services or no longer suits the building. We will explain what we find rather than assume either way.
Is dual-path signalling enough to meet the recommendations?
Not on its own. “Dual-path” describes the number of communication routes, but it does not by itself establish that a complete installation meets all relevant recommendations. Signal timings, failure reporting, power arrangements and how the equipment is installed and configured all matter.
Does a monitored alarm automatically call the fire brigade?
No — attendance is not guaranteed. The alarm receiving centre follows the response instructions agreed for the site. Fire and rescue service attendance depends on local policies, call challenging, alarm verification and the arrangements established for the premises.
Is SES available 24/7 as part of monitoring?
Monitoring is continuous: the alarm receiving centre receives signals round the clock. That is not the same as an engineer call-out service. The ARC follows the agreed response plan, and any engineer visit to investigate a fault or alarm is arranged separately with SES.
Can fire alarm faults also be monitored?
Selected fire, fault and communication events can be transmitted where the fire panel and signalling configuration support them. We agree exactly which events are monitored during commissioning.
Ask about fire alarm monitoring
Whether you need monitoring added to an existing fire alarm, an existing monitored system reviewed, or monitoring included in a new installation, send us the details and we'll come back to you to discuss the next step.
Prefer to call? 0207 523 5373