mjc Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Hi -sorry I'm not an installer just a confused user hoping you could hlp. We've just moved into a house with no instructions for the alarm. The card in the control box says Gardtec 360 - but the little sticker on the card says G/Tec 370 11/2001. I tried the gardtec website and was redirected to www.riscogroup.co.uk - but the lowest number range is the Gardtec 480 series Do you have user manual you could forward to me please Ideally we wanted our alarm system to be 24 hr monitored - but //.Large National Installer.// have said to do that they would have to fit one of there own systems and have quoted us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morph Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 when you say you want 24 hour monitoring, do you mean as in the Police attend if your alarm is activated? If this is what you mean then you will need to have your alarm system upgraded to the latest spec to comply with both the Euopean Regulations and current ACPO policy. Even if your 24 hour monitoring is in the form of the alarm going off and the Alarm Recieving centre simply calls the appropriate keyholder, you will need to interface a device to the system to do this, your system is very basic and as such the best way of doing this would be to upgrade the control panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magpye Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Hi -sorry I'm not an installer just a confused user hoping you could hlp. We've just moved into a house with no instructions for the alarm.The card in the control box says Gardtec 360 - but the little sticker on the card says G/Tec 370 11/2001. I tried the gardtec website and was redirected to www.riscogroup.co.uk - but the lowest number range is the Gardtec 480 series Do you have user manual you could forward to me please Ideally we wanted our alarm system to be 24 hr monitored - but //.Large National Installer.// have said to do that they would have to fit one of there own systems and have quoted us Gardtec_370_580_581_582_User_Guide_.pdf Someone told me I was ignorant and apathetic, I don't know what that means, nor do I care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjc Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 wow that was quick - thanks magpye Alarmguard - thanks fo explaning about the monitoring - can I just pester you for some more advice... Can the work to get the control panel changed so it can be monitored by alarm centre who call keyholders be done by a local install alarm specialists- would they upgrade the control panel with another Gardtec and organise a call centre? ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfur mo Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 wow that was quick - thanks magpyeAlarmguard - thanks fo explaning about the monitoring - can I just pester you for some more advice... Can the work to get the control panel changed so it can be monitored by alarm centre who call keyholders be done by a local install alarm specialists- would they upgrade the control panel with another Gardtec and organise a call centre? ta thats not a problem as long as they are NSI or SSAIB registered. given the basic panel installed by others previously i'd assum your in a smallish property, so i have to ask you but not in order to discourage you in any way, why you feel you need monitoring to give Police response. have your insurance company insisted on this? or was it your broker's suggestion (a usual culprit looking for his commission ) if the insurance company have not done so then it would be a matter for you to gauge you risk as only you can. what i would point out to you for concideration, is you may (or may not) get say a 10% - 15% premium discount which on the face of it seems attractive, but put that against the annual cost of monitoring and the enforced maintenance contract that go's with it will often swallows up or exceed any such savings. optionally you could stay with your fairly robust (albeit basic and assumed serviceable) panel, have any local reputable firm/engineer service it and fit a voice dialer. these add-on units can call upto 5 pre-programmed numbers depending on model, and can be connected to your panel, if you accept that any tie the external siren activates the dialler will also call the key-holders. this option will never be able to be used for Police response, but will call you or your key-holders even a guarding service in a set order at much lower annual cost. Police response is obviously higher security, but a proper risk assessment carried out by a competent alarm company aware of the location 'attributes' is your best source of information to base your decision on. regs alan If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morph Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 If you want the system to only call a keyholder then yes you can simply change the panel and an alarm company will be able to do that for you, some alarm panels have a built in communications device that will call you and play a recorded message that is known as a voice dialer and doesn't need any involvement from an alarm recieving centre. This will only cost for the initial installation cost. Other panels have a built in communications device that will send a coded message to an alarm recieveing centre who will call you and tell you that your alarm has gone off. This will entail a contract and an anuual maintenance fee, over and above the initial installation cost. The majority of alarm companies will want to check out your existing system and may insist on other components or works being done before they will provide a service. The bellbox and betteries would almost certainly be replaced by any new intsaller. You could fit an new Gardtec panel that will do what you want. Some panels do not have a built in means of communications and as such you would need to purchase an additional device. I my opinion the best option is to have is a fully monitored alarm, as if and when it does go off you have a profesional response to the system, as you would not be putting a member of your familly or friend in the dangerous position of having to investigate an alarm activation. What would you or a friend do if you found a burglar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjc Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Thanks for all the advice - theres some good few things we'll have to consider - I've emailed Gardtec asking if they can recommend a local company to 'service/review' the alarm system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alterEGO Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 thats not a problem as long as they are NSI or SSAIB registered.given the basic panel installed by others previously i'd assum your in a smallish property, so i have to ask you but not in order to discourage you in any way, why you feel you need monitoring to give Police response. have your insurance company insisted on this? or was it your broker's suggestion (a usual culprit looking for his commission ) if the insurance company have not done so then it would be a matter for you to gauge you risk as only you can. what i would point out to you for concideration, is you may (or may not) get say a 10% - 15% premium discount which on the face of it seems attractive, but put that against the annual cost of monitoring and the enforced maintenance contract that go's with it will often swallows up or exceed any such savings. optionally you could stay with your fairly robust (albeit basic and assumed serviceable) panel, have any local reputable firm/engineer service it and fit a voice dialer. these add-on units can call upto 5 pre-programmed numbers depending on model, and can be connected to your panel, if you accept that any tie the external siren activates the dialler will also call the key-holders. this option will never be able to be used for Police response, but will call you or your key-holders even a guarding service in a set order at much lower annual cost. Police response is obviously higher security, but a proper risk assessment carried out by a competent alarm company aware of the location 'attributes' is your best source of information to base your decision on. regs alan dosn't have to be approved for key holding only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfur mo Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 dosn't have to be approved for key holding only. which is very true, i did not go into that as again there is an ongoing monitoring cost and would need a company to set it up and be responsible for the signaling. as i don't think any ARC's will accept signals from non-trade source's so this would be through a installing company again along with it's annual cost's and so very little saving's given less restrictions for the O/P against full response. what i should have poited out being on Police Response you have to be very careful in operating your system and making sure other who operate it are well trained and disciplined. you can lose Police cover (i.e. being black listed) in a very short time after a few accidental false alarms, negating the Police Response and adding to the cost of it. there is then further cost in engineers visits and time to get the system reinstated, if you do go for monitoring please ask for full details of service call costs and whats covered in your agreement before you sign any contracts. often customers are mislead by assumption due to not asking the rep, thinking all calls are covered like a washing machine extended warranty) as your paying a subscription. so many get a very nasty a shock when receiving a bill for an alarm reset or other remedial works out of hours all some contracts entitle you to is the monitoring and two maintenance visit's per year (one if not monitored) and the availability of a 24 hour call out service. tbh you could ring many alarms companies (such as mine) who will respond quickly and out of hours, without you paying for the privilege upfront for them being there, yes those calls would likely be expensive but so are many calls to systems with contracts in place, so if you don't go monitored then it's your call to have a contract or not (if everyone will excuse the pun) as with servicing and maintaining your car or Tv set. regs alan If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfur mo Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 ....... as you would be putting a member of your familly or friend in the dangerous position of having to investigate an alarm activation. What would you or a friend do if you found a burglar? you did have me worried Colin, even with all our technology and high standards, still most alarm activations are false alarms, it is why we spend time to always advise clients not to be caught off guard and to approach slowly with the greatest of caution and never ever alone after an activation, also to impress this on all key holders especially children and elderly. if any doubt call the Police, don't enter and don't try to bar the intruders exit, you life an limbs are far more important than any possessions. regs alan If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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