Installing a dual path system will provide seven major benefits
- A dual path system will continue to signal alarms even when one of the paths has been attacked or has a fault.
- If a single path signaling system fails, or is compromised, the key holder will be required to attend the premises.
- If one path of a dual path signaling system fails, or is compromised, the key holder will not be requested to attend the premises and will be notified if the fault persists during the following working day – see Note 1
- An attack on both paths of a dual path system will provide Police response – see Note 2
- Faults on one path can be diagnosed and resolved using the remaining good path often removing the need for a costly site visit.
- Insurers insist on dual path solutions for most medium to high risk applications
- The recurring costs of signaling are now minimal for shared Broadband and GPRS data.
Note 1 For dual path systems, a single path failure can be notified during the next working day subject to a written agreement between the ARC and the Key Holder. Dual path failures will always be notified according to the defined Grade.
Note 2 A URN (Unique reference number) will be required for Police response. A URN can only be supplied for systems that meet the required standards and are installed and maintained by NSI or SSAIB installers.
Signaling is at least as important as your alarm system
An alarm system will detect an intruder but it is the Signaling System that delivers the alarm to the Alarm Receiving Centre who in turn inform the key holder and in some cases, the Police.
Signaling is only as effective as the networks over which the alarms travel. If the line is faulty or has been attacked by an intruder your alarm will not be delivered.
With a single path solution you will be informed by the ARC of a signaling failure but there can be no indication whether it is a fault or an attack. Without this vital link between your premises and the ARC your assets may be at risk. While a single path system failure persists alarms cannot be signalled to the ARC
Single path line failures can only be reported to a key holder who will need to investigate if there is an intrusion. Failure or compromise of single path line failure cannot be passed to the police.
Unless you can identify the reason for the failure you will need to involve the installation engineer who will charge for line fault investigations. What at first appeared to be a cost effective solution might now be very expensive.
I have a low risk premises
Users often think that low value assets warrant a low cost signaling solution. All premises are at risk, even those that do not contain valuable computers or cash. The Intruder that finds nothing of value will often vandalise the property in frustration. Although this might be recovered through Insurance the inconvenience can often be as costly.
Items that did not appear to be valuable when choosing the system are often viewed differently after an intrusion. Everyday paperwork that is lost or stolen can disrupt the business for months.
What is the requirement of an Insurer?
Insurers want more than the basic standards outlined in the European standards and do not like the association of the current signaling requirements for each Grade of Alarm System. You will almost certainly have a Grade 2 or Grade 3 alarm system dependant on the access levels to your building, the location, and the asset risk.
Insurance statement
The recommended Alarm System grading falls woefully short when defining the needs for signaling systems. Almost all Alarm Systems fall into the Grade 2 and 3 risk requirements, where the reporting times for signaling failures are in excess of five hours. Adding a Grade 4 dual path signaling will provide a confirmed alarm status if both paths are attacked within a few minutes.
The clear message is: Choose Grade 4 dual path signaling with line attack protection of the primary path within 3 minutes and an attack on both paths within 3 to 6 minutes.
What is the requirement for the Police?
The Police have a very simple view on life – they need a confirmed alarm before they will attend site and if you generate three false alarms in a year Police response is withdrawn. (some forces two)
A confirmed alarm can be generated by the activation of two independent movement detectors when a single path solution is operational; however a confirmed alarm can never be generated after a single path line attack or failure.
All Policed systems required a Unique Reference Number (URN) that will only be provided for systems installed by a qualified alarm engineer to the required standards.
The benefits of dual path
You can choose how you are notified about transmission faults and the action to be taken when a fault occurs. A company or an individual should have an agreement in writing of actions to be taken by the ARC upon receipt of transmission faults (Standard – DD243).
With a single path system there is little alternative but to attend site. With dual path signaling you can choose to delay notification of a single path fault of a dual path system until the following day.
The Installer, in conjunction with Shepherd Fire and Security can use the remaining good path for fault resolution:
The following faults can be detected and resolved without the need for a site visit
IP signaling path
- Power fail
- Ethernet cable/network fault
- Firewall changes
- Cable or line sabotage
- Network outages
- ARC delivery path failure
GSM signaling single path
- GSM registration loss
- GPRS registration loss
- Network outages
- ARC delivery path outages
- Signal strength changes
- Jam detection
All these parameters are used by Shepherd Fire and Security for the operational analysis of each transmission path. Using a combination of path polling and interface diagnosis provides a clear picture of actions required to continuously improve the performance of clients signaling system.