Verify the monitoring chain, not just the salesperson
A monitored alarm involves the installed system, communication path, signal-receiving centre, operator procedure and responder. Accreditation can support trust, but only when its scope matches every link you are relying on.
Evidence to request
| Claim | Verification |
|---|---|
| “Certified installer” | Scheme owner, certificate number, service scope, branch or legal entity, expiry and public-register result |
| “Approved monitoring centre” | Centre name and location, applicable listing or grade, redundancy, operator training and current certificate |
| “Police response” | Exact verification conditions, registration or reference requirements, false-alarm policy and circumstances that suspend response |
| “Dual path” | Independent routes, supervision interval, outage reporting and whether both paths share power or network infrastructure |
| “24/7 response” | What is staffed continuously, who calls whom, whether attendance is included and any geographic limits |
Monitoring-centre resilience
- Backup power and tested business-continuity arrangements.
- Redundant communications and, where claimed, a secondary centre.
- Controlled operator access, screening, training and audit trails.
- Clear handling of panic, fire, medical, intrusion, fault and tamper signals.
- Documented escalation when keyholders do not answer.
- Cybersecurity, account authentication and protection of video verification.
- Incident and complaint records available to the customer where appropriate.
Country-specific evidence starting points
United Kingdom
Check NSI or SSAIB scope and current police-response policy.
United States
Check applicable state/local licensing, UL listings and monitoring-centre designations such as TMA Five Diamond.
Canada
Check provincial requirements and applicable ULC listings or certificates.
Australia
Check state or territory licensing plus ASIAL grading and the relevant police-response guidance.
Ireland
Check the Private Security Authority licence and certification scope.
These are evidence categories, not a declaration that every residential installation requires every listed scheme.
Use the evidence in the decision
Smart-alarm standards · Build the response chain · Record competing proposals · Open the company directory
Official scheme sources: SSAIB monitoring schemes, TMA Five Diamond, UL Canada, ASIAL and Ireland PSA.
Last checked: 1 September 2026. Confirm current registers and rules with the relevant country authority.