Verification Systems

With the introduction of the new ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) code of practice relating to intruder alarms in 1995, we saw the imposition of tougher regulations regarding false alarms and the prevention of the same.

Heavy penalties will now be levied on systems that persistently generate false alarms.

The policy promotes the use of confirmation to act as a tool in filtering out false alarms. Confirmation falls into three basic categories:-

Audio Verification:  
Used on systems connected to an Alarms Receiving Centre and allow the controller to listen in on the premises following an alarm activation, and make an educated decision as to the exact course of action required.
       
Video Verification: 
Works in a similar way as the audio verification, except that the controller can see what is happening from cameras located around the premises.
    
Sequential Verification:  
Following the receipt of an alarm signal, the ARC controller waits for a second signal from a different detector. This must be received within a specified time limit, (typically 2-3 minutes).