Monitored Alarm Systems to watch over your property 24 hours a day

Qualified experts are at hand to respond when alerted to intruders/burglars or fire systems... so the emergency services can be alerted.

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Monitored Alarm Systems

As many as 75% of homeowners say they'd do no more than twitch the curtains when hearing a burglar alarm going off. While out of hours, commercial properties are often completely isolated. So where are the cavalry coming from when your bells-only alarm is triggered?

ARC monitoring means your home or commercial property is watched over 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Even if your property is empty, you're protected

Blake Fire & Security Systems offers a high-quality alarm monitoring service through our partner Southern Monitoring, which is entirely compliant with Police requirements for immediate response. Specifically, that means Southern are a NSI Gold Approved CCTV Monitoring Station and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).

"Blakes have worked with Castle Point for a number of years installing and servicing our CCTV and alarm systems. They have always gone above and beyond to help look for solutions to problems. Recently Blakes helped to install a CCTV to monitor a watercourse during flooding events, the site had no internet access and limited electrical supply. Through testing many systems we now have a bespoke system that prevents the need for the watercourse to be checked in person, it can instead be checked via desktop computers and smartphones saving the council both time and money".

Tim Read, Operational Services Team Leader

Castle Point Borough Council

Audited & Approved

...you're in safe hands with Blake's

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What happens when my Intruder Alarm is triggered?

Our graphic explains the process...

Before an alarm is triggered, the visible presence of the bell box is enough to deter many burglars. But, if the worst happens, an alarm is activated.

Sadly, the majority of burglar alarm activations are ignored. That's why commercial alarms from Blake Fire & Security Systems are fitted with signalling from CSL Dualcom. If your alarm is activated, a signal is sent from your premises to our NSI Gold Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), Southern Monitoring. This means your property is monitored 24/7 and 365 days per year. Your keyholders and the Police or Fire Brigade can be notified to respond in case of an emergency. Read more here

Once the emergency is resolved we’ll reset the intruder or fire alarm so your property is fully protected again. This isn’t always the case with some alarm systems. Read more about the response to triggered alarms here.

Ready to get your alarm system monitored? Click one of the red buttons below to book a free site survey and we will be in touch.

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Your Home Security Survey is your first step to ensuring your home is secure. Makes sure you get the best system for your home.

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What about false alarms?

ARC Monitoring reduces the possibility of a false alarm activation to a minimum, hence Police insistence for automatic response. Because human error can trigger a false activation, our monitoring staff will always double check before informing the Police.

Too many false alarms and the Police will stop responding!

What if it's my fault the alarm goes off?

Sadly, no matter how brilliant our monitoring experts are, human error cannot be completely ruled out. A visitor or new member of staff may not be au fait with setting the alarm and a false activation may occur. In this case, the ARC staff are trained to use the information at hand to decide on the appropriate course of action and whether or not to call emergency services.

What about carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) cannot be detected by humans because it is colourless, odourless and tasteless. With a detector included in your home system, alerting you when dangerous levels are present. CO can also be monitored remotely.

Mobile monitoring app to protect lone workers

Mobile tracking applications offer employers and their lone worker staff peace of mind.

Download from the Android or Apple store to mobile, tablet and PC
Track the location of lone workers in real time or play-back mode
Employees can alert you to risks
24hr monitoring station who can contact Police in an emergency
Allows staff to call for immediate help

Learn more about tracking apps and how they work in real-life situations here.

What happens when my Fire Alarm is triggered?

When your Fire Alarm activates, your system follows a proven process designed to filter false alarms while ensuring real fires get rapid response.

Blake's NSI Gold-approved Fire Alarm systems connect directly to Southern Monitoring's ARC - 24/7 professional monitoring with CSL DualCom signalling for fast, secure alerts

Fire Alarm Monitoring During Working Hours

Here's exactly what happens, step by step.

During Working Hours (When Your Building is Occupied)

1. Alarm activation
A staff member presses a call point or a detector activates automatically.

2. Your team responds
Staff follow your Fire Evacuation procedure if the building is occupied.

3. Instant ARC alert
The alarm signal transmits to the ARC within seconds and appears on an operator's screen.

4. Confirmation check
The ARC may seek confirmation of a real fire – for example, a second alarm signal, multiple devices operating, information from site staff or visual verification via CCTV if your cameras are also ARC-monitored – to filter out false alarms in line with your local Fire Brigade's policy.

5. Fire Brigade contact
If there are signs of a genuine fire, the ARC will either:

Call the Fire Brigade directly for higher-risk premises (such as buildings with sleeping accommodation or vulnerable occupants) OR
Contact your team to investigate and call 999 with details if they can confirm smoke or flames

6. Keyholder notification
Your nominated keyholders are contacted to attend and support the response.

Out of Hours (When your Building is Empty)

1. Automatic detection
The system detects a fire condition and activates automatically.

2. Direct ARC transmission
A signal is sent immediately to the ARC.

3. Confirmation attempts
The ARC may seek confirmation – for example, via additional alarm signals, by contacting a keyholder or through CCTV verification if your cameras are monitored by the ARC – to reduce unwanted fire signals (i.e. false alarms).

4. Response decision
If there is credible evidence of a real fire, the ARC follows your local Fire Brigade's automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) policy:

For higher-risk or exempt premises, they call the Fire Brigade immediately
For other buildings, they instruct keyholders to attend and call 999 once they verify the situation

5. Keyholder attendance
Your keyholders attend site, assist the Fire Brigade if mobilised and secure the building afterwards.

Will the Fire Brigade Always Be Called?

Fire & Rescue Services only give automatic response to ARC alarm signals for certain higher-risk premises, typically:

Buildings with sleeping accommodation (hotels, student halls, care homes)
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Premises with vulnerable residents
Other specific categories listed as exemptions by your local Fire Authority

For most commercial buildings and workplaces, the Brigade expects the alarm to be checked first – either by staff during working hours or by keyholders out of hours.

However, if anyone confirms a real fire by seeing flames or smoke and calls 999, the Fire Brigade will respond to ANY building, regardless of its type.

The ARC's role is to support this process, filter false alarms and ensure genuine fires still get rapid Fire Brigade attendance. When both Fire Alarms and CCTV are monitored by the ARC, operators can visually verify alarm signals before escalating to emergency services

Blake's Ensures You Stay Compliant and Protected

We make sure your Fire Alarm system:

Meets British Standards (BS 5839) and local Fire Authority protocols
Is configured correctly for your building type and insurance requirements
Connects to our NSI Gold ARC with 24/7 monitoring
Has clear escalation procedures tailored to your premises
Can integrate with CCTV monitoring for enhanced verification if required

Not sure how your building is classified or what response you'll get?

Blake's has been protecting Essex businesses and schools for 40+ years. We'll explain exactly what's required for your premises and ensure your system is set up properly from day one – no confusion, no second-guessing.

Contact Blake’s on: 01702 447800

I want to discuss Fire Alarm Monitoring

Blake Fire & Security Systems - Dedication to Accreditation

Business Alarm monitoring from professionals

We only offer monitoring from our NSI Gold approved partner, Southern Monitoring. This means your system will comply with Police requirements and so qualify for Police response. That's great but there's more - many insurance companies insist on NSI or SSAIB approved companies.

This means a safe home for your family or a secure environment for your employees because we provide:

Highest quality systems and monitoring
Experienced, qualified staff
Bespoke system designed to perfectly fit your needs
Regular and reliable maintenance
Monitoring compliant with police requirements

Dedication to Accreditation

Why you should choose Blake Fire & Security to design, install and maintain your Fire and/or Security system, including Fire Doors.

Long track record - our family-run firm has been installing fire and security protection across four decades. We're not going anywhere. Your guarantee will be honoured!

Dedication to Accreditation - if we're not qualified to provide a service we won't offer it to you! Simple.

Experience & Expertise - we're professional and fully qualified so you get the Fire and/or Security system that is perfect for your specific circumstances.

Who is in your home or premises? - your engineer is always trustworthy, polite and fully qualified,. We have regular checks to ensure this.

Quality workmanship and service - we're passionate about your Fire and/or Security system, our standard of work and the way we deliver it to you.

Blake Fire & Security Systems have BAFE, NSI Gold, SSAIB and BM Trada approval! This means you get:

Bespoke systems - designed to perfectly fit your family's requirements or the needs of your business.

Highest quality systems and equipment - we only use the best quality, industry-approved equipment to provide Fire and/or Security protection that lasts and looks good.

Police and Insurance recognition - our work is guaranteed to be of the highest standard and both Police and Insurance companies acknowledge this.

Regular and reliable monitoring and maintenance - ensure your Fire and/or Security protection is working in your time of need AND someone is always watching over your home or business!

Contact Us

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Why NSI?

Do you really know if the person installing your Security System is competent?

Shouldn’t you choose a Professional who is qualified to install your security system? To protect your family?

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Accreditations and Memberships

Domestic and commercial clients trust Blake's dedication to accreditation. We always meet or exceed the latest quality standards.

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