The problem

What happens when nobody is there?

Most alarms go off when the building is empty. Without monitoring, these are the risks:

1

A break-in at night that nobody finds until the morning.

2

A fire alarm sounding in an empty building, with no call to the fire service.

3

Staff in danger with no quick way to raise help.

4

An insurer that expects a monitored system, and a policy that may not pay out without one.

Monitoring closes that gap. When your alarm triggers, trained operators deal with it straight away.

Book your free site survey
SAFE in-house training and development suite
Your guide

Designed and fitted by our own experienced engineers

We're SAFE Fire & Security Systems, a BAFE registered and NSI approved fire and security company based on Shelah Road in Halesowen, installing, maintaining and monitoring fire and security systems across the West Midlands. NSI audits us against British Standards, and our engineers and staff are security screened to BS 7858, as NSI requires.

SAFE was set up by best mates Martin and Adam, engineers who learned the trade at large national companies and wanted to give local businesses a more personal service. The work is led by our own experienced engineers, alongside two apprentices we're training up.

You're welcome to visit our in-house training suite and demo room to see the kit working before you decide anything. Why choose SAFE.

What we monitor

One monitoring service for all your systems

Intruder alarms

A monitored burglar alarm sends activations to the ARC, which passes confirmed alarms to your key holders and, with a police URN, to the police. Intruder alarms.

Fire alarms

The ARC is told the moment your fire alarm activates, so the right people can be called even when the building is empty. Fire alarm installation.

Panic and personal attack alarms

Buttons for staff to raise help quietly, in places like schools, shops, cash areas and reception desks.

Vacant property alarms

Alarms for empty or void buildings that signal to the ARC, including battery-powered systems where there is no mains power.

CCTV remote monitoring

Your cameras are linked to a remote video response centre (RVRC), so operators can view your site when something is detected and act on what they see, alongside the ARC handling your alarms. CCTV systems.

Access control monitoring

Door and entry events can be monitored remotely, so problems such as a door forced or held open are picked up even when nobody is on site. Access control.

Our monitoring partner

Monitored by EMCS

We connect your alarm to EMCS, our NSI Gold alarm receiving centre (ARC) and alarm monitoring centre. When it triggers, trained operators act on it straight away.

  • Independent. An independent Alarm Receiving Centre, established in 1987 and based in Nottingham.
  • NSI Gold approved for intruder and fire monitoring.
  • Accredited to EN 50518 for alarm receiving centres, and to ISO 27001.
  • Backed up. Staffed around the clock, with its own NSI Gold backup site.
EMCS alarm receiving centre operators monitoring alarm signals
Intruder alarm keypad showing an intruder alert on its display
Response

Key holder and police response

When an alarm comes in, EMCS checks it and follows the plan we agree with you.

  • Keyholder response. Your named key holders are contacted in the order you choose, so the right person knows straight away.
  • Police response. We install a confirmed alarm system designed to BS 8243 and apply for your police URN (Unique Reference Number), so you have a police response alarm and confirmed alarms get a police response.
  • Fire alarms. Activations are passed on so the fire service and your key holders can be called.

Repeated false alarms can lead to the police withdrawing a URN, which is why good design and regular maintenance matter.

Fire alarm monitoring

Fire alarm monitoring

A fire alarm sounding in an empty building warns nobody. With fire alarm monitoring, EMCS receives the signal as soon as your system activates and starts the plan we agree with you.

  • The right people are called. Your key holders are contacted and, where agreed, the fire service is called.
  • Empty out of hours. Useful for offices, shops, schools and units that are closed overnight or at weekends.
  • Sleeping-risk buildings. For care homes, HMOs and other buildings where people sleep, monitoring can help the Responsible Person meet their duties and the fire risk assessment.
  • Care homes and BS 5839-1:2025. The 2025 edition of BS 5839-1, the code of practice for fire alarms in non-domestic buildings, treats a missing remote monitoring connection to an ARC in residential care premises and supported housing as an unacceptable variation. In other words, to meet the standard, a care home fire alarm should be monitored.
  • Insurance. Insurers often specify monitoring in the small print of the policy. It's easy to overlook until it's too late, when you come to make a claim. Check your policy, and we'll set the monitoring up to suit.
  • One team for the whole system. We design and fit the system, maintain it with breakdown cover on maintenance contracts, and connect it to EMCS. See fire alarm installation and fire alarm servicing.
Book your free site survey
Addressable fire alarm panel with a SAFE fire alarm zone plan above it
Signalling

Dual-path signalling

Your alarm needs a reliable way to reach the ARC. Dual-path signalling sends alarms to the monitoring station over two separate routes, such as your broadband and a mobile network.

You may know alarm signalling by older names such as BT Redcare. Today we fit modern dual-path signalling, which does the same job of getting your alarm signals to the ARC.

  • If one path fails, alarms still get through on the other.
  • Path faults are reported, so a cut line or lost signal is flagged rather than missed.
  • Works over digital lines and mobile networks.

Empty buildings too. For void properties, we fit vacant property alarms that signal to the ARC and your key holders, including battery-powered systems where the power is off.

Book your free site survey
SAFE intruder alarm bell box fitted to the wall of an empty commercial building
The plan

Sorted in three simple steps

SAFE team on a site survey
1

Book your free site survey

Call 0333 224 0247 or fill in the form. An engineer visits your premises, sees what you need or looks through your service records, and talks you through it.

SAFE engineer testing a fire alarm panel
2

Get a clear, written plan

What will be monitored, who your key holders are and what happens when an alarm comes in. You'll know exactly what's involved before any work starts.

SAFE customer portal compliance dashboard
3

Relax, it's looked after

We connect your system, test the signalling with EMCS and keep it maintained, with records in your customer portal.

Book your free site survey
Why monitor

What monitoring gives you

  • A response, not just a noise. With a monitored alarm system, every activation is acted on, even when nobody is on site.
  • Fewer wasted call-outs. Faults and activations are reported, so problems are spotted and dealt with sooner.
  • Insurer confidence. Many insurers ask for monitored alarms, especially for higher-risk premises and empty buildings.
  • Peace of mind for owners, managers and staff, with remote alarm monitoring looking after the building when you can't.
  • Looked after by us. Our own experienced engineers install and maintain the system, with breakdown cover on maintenance contracts. See intruder alarms and fire alarm servicing.
Book your free site survey
SAFE-branded intruder alarm bell box
Who we help

Buildings we monitor

Commercial buildings

Offices and mixed-use buildings that are empty overnight and at weekends.

Retail and jewellers

Shops and workshops with valuable stock, plus panic buttons for staff.

Schools

Intruder, fire and panic alarms, with enhanced DBS-checked engineers and work done in the school holidays where possible.

Industrial units

Factories, workshops and warehouses with large spaces and yards.

Landlords and councils

Vacant and void properties between tenants or awaiting redevelopment.

Something else?

Tell us about your building and we'll tell you what it needs.

Areas covered

Alarm monitoring across the West Midlands

From our base in Halesowen we look after businesses across the West Midlands, including:

  • Birmingham
  • Dudley
  • Halesowen
  • Stourbridge
  • Wolverhampton
  • Walsall
  • West Bromwich
  • Solihull
  • Coventry
  • Sutton Coldfield
  • Bromsgrove
  • Kidderminster

Not sure if you're in our area? Call 0333 224 0247 and ask.

Accredited & trusted

Checked, approved and trusted

NICEIC Approved ContractorBAFE Fire Safety RegisterNSI approvedSafeContractor approvedConstructionline Gold memberBlack Country Chamber of Commerce member

NSI approval means independent inspectors check our work, which is exactly the proof insurers want to see. Read why BAFE and NSI accreditation matters.

★★★★★ 5.0 from 45 Google reviews

What our customers say

See all our reviews on Google
★★★★★Posted on Google
Former bank, Halesowen
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and highly recommend the team at Safe Fire and Security Systems. I am a property manager for commercial and residential spaces in Halesowen, West Midlands and recently entrusted Safe with the fire and security systems in a property that was previously a commercial bank. As my main point of contact Martin was outstanding from day one. Everything regarding the project was explained to me clearly and the work was undertaken promptly and professionally at all times - nothing appeared to be too much trouble. The various engineers that worked on the project were also friendly and professional - a credit to the company. I can not recommend Safe Fire and Security Systems enough and I will not hesitate to use them on the next project that requires any of the services that they offer.”
Read more on Google
DANIEL BAKER
★★★★★Posted on Google
Four-building site
“Highly recommend SAFE Fire & Security Systems. We brought them in to manage a complex, four-building site, and the transition has been flawless. The management and office team (Adam, Martin, Donna) are responsive and great to deal with, while the engineers on the ground deliver top-level craftsmanship. What really stands out is their rock-solid knowledge of the newer BS 5839-1:2025 regulations—they don't cut corners and they know exactly what they are doing. A thoroughly professional outfit that is a pleasure to work with”
Read more on Google
Mike “Fozzy” Foster
FAQs

Alarm monitoring: your questions answered

What is an alarm receiving centre (ARC)?
An ARC is a secure, staffed centre that receives signals from monitored alarms. Trained operators check each alarm and follow your agreed plan, contacting key holders or the emergency services. EMCS is our NSI Gold ARC, accredited to EN 50518, the standard for alarm receiving centres.
Do you provide fire alarm monitoring?
Yes. Your fire alarm can be connected to EMCS, which receives the signal when it activates and contacts your key holders and, where agreed, the fire service. It is useful for buildings that are empty out of hours and for sleeping-risk buildings such as care homes and HMOs.
Does BS 5839-1:2025 say care homes need fire alarm monitoring?
Yes, in effect. The 2025 edition of BS 5839-1 treats the absence of remote monitoring to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) in residential care premises and supported housing as an unacceptable variation, so to meet the standard a care home fire alarm should be monitored. BS 5839-1 is a code of practice, and your fire risk assessment should confirm what your building needs.
What is alarm monitoring?
Your alarm is connected to an alarm receiving centre (ARC). When it activates, trained operators check it and contact your key holders or the emergency services, following the plan agreed with you.
Who monitors my alarm?
EMCS, our monitoring partner. It is an independent alarm receiving centre, established in 1987 and based in Nottingham, NSI Gold approved for intruder and fire monitoring.
Can you take over monitoring of an alarm another company fitted?
Yes. We check the system first at your free site survey, then tell you what is needed to connect it to EMCS.
How do I get police response?
We install a confirmed alarm system designed to BS 8243, it is monitored by EMCS, and we apply for a police URN. Confirmed alarms then get a police response.
What is dual-path signalling?
It sends alarm signals over two separate routes, such as broadband and a mobile network, so if one fails the alarm still gets through, and the fault is reported.
Can you monitor an empty building?
Yes. Our vacant property alarms can signal to the ARC and to your key holders, including battery-powered systems for buildings with no mains power.
What is the free site survey?
A short visit where an engineer looks at your building and any existing alarm, then gives you a clear written proposal. There's no charge and no obligation.
Do you monitor CCTV and access control?
Yes. As well as intruder, fire, panic and vacant property alarms, we can set up remote monitoring for CCTV and access control systems, so events on site are seen and acted on when nobody is there.
Do you monitor panic and personal attack alarms?
Yes. Panic and personal attack alarms can be monitored by EMCS, so staff can raise help quickly and quietly.
Is this the same as BT Redcare?
BT Redcare is a well-known name for alarm signalling, the link that carries your alarm signals to an ARC. We fit modern dual-path signalling, which does the same job over two separate routes.

Get your alarms monitored

Book your free site survey. We'll look at your building and your alarms, and give you a clear written proposal for monitoring. No obligation and no hard sell.

Book your free site survey
Call 0333 224 0247enquiries@safefireandsecurity.co.ukCustomer portal

SAFE Fire & Security Systems Ltd, La Husbands, Shelah Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3PP · Office open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Breakdown cover on maintenance contracts.

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