Overview

A security control room is a purpose built facility to monitor security systems. These facilities can also monitor video surveillance systems due to the advancements and capability of new technologies.

All of our security systems are monitored to a Grade 1 ASIAL approved Australian Standard accredited control room. ASIAL is the national governing body that inspects and approves control rooms relevant to services and facilities and grades them accordingly.

Control rooms are graded on their services and infrastructure. Insurance companies prefer security systems be monitored to control rooms (back to base) and the preference is growing for accredited facilities for two simple reasons - their redundancy capability and the services they offer.

The issue of using an accredited control room is something that anyone who has or intends to install a security system should consider. Accreditation assures the client that the control room has enormous back-up resources and facilities to maintain monitoring of the site under services or network failure.

The cost difference to the end user of having their alarm monitored to a 1A accredited facility (highest accreditation in Australia) as opposed to a non accredited facility could be as little as $1 per week. With this in mind is it worth risking your site and assets to an unaccredited facility?

In some cases a non accredited facility is more expensive for a lesser service. When a security system is monitored to an accredited facility all alarm dialer events can be received. The control room will know:

• Which sensor activated, how many times and in what sequence (if multiple activations).
• Who switched the alarm on or off and at what time.
• Communication failure i.e. phone line fault.
• System faults including power failure, low battery or sensor troubles.

A security system control panel can control numerous areas within the site. Each area operates independently of other areas but they are all connected to the one main control panel.

Alarm dialer communication to the control room is on a 1300 number (local call rate). Client contact to the control room is on a 1800 (toll free) number.
Monthly activity print-outs are available to all clients. This will list all events that have occurred on site every day including:

• Who switched the alarm off and at what time
• The time and date of all alarm events that occurred and which sensors were activated.

This information comes direct from the control room and cannot be tampered with as opposed to non-accredited facilities which are not governed by Australian Standards guidelines.

IMPORTANT: If the monitoring on your existing security system is not carried out to an Australian Standards Approved control room (Grade 1, 2 or 3) this may compromise your insurance cover. For your own peace of mind clarify this with your insurance provider. If you require further information or assistance, please feel free to contact us.