If you’re looking for a new Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), then it’s important to know what an NSI Gold accreditation is and understand its importance when it comes to choosing an ARC to work with.
Keep reading as we take you through the reasons why an NSI Gold accreditation is so important for ARCs.
What is the NSI Gold Accreditation?
The NSI stands for the National Security Inspectorate. Approval from the NSI is the hallmark of excellence for providers of security and fire safety services. It is the most widely recognised mark of approval within the industry and indicates that a company is technically competent, professional and has trusted employees.
When a company is NSI Gold accredited, it means that they have undergone the necessary audits and checks to receive the recognition and are therefore operating to the highest and most stringent standards within the fire safety and security industries. This is a crucial benchmark for businesses who want to ensure their security and compliance are upheld to the best practice standards.
What Does the NSI Gold Accreditation Mean for ARCs?
In relation to ARCs, an NSI Gold Accreditation means that the ARC is meeting the industry’s highest technical standard and has made a commitment to continually improve with an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, the most widely adopted and recognised management system across the world.
In addition to the above, NSI Gold approved ARCs must also comply with:
- NSI Quality Schedule SSQS 102
- Detector Activated CCTV Systems – BS 8418
- Lone Worker Device Monitoring – BS 8484
- Remote Centres Receiving Signals from Fire & Security Systems – BS 5979, which has been superseded by the updated BS EN 50518 for ARCs.
To keep the accreditation, the ARCs will have to undergo annual audits carried out by the NSI certification body. The audits are rigorous and they may be required to make improvements to their service to continue to be an NSI Gold approved ARC.
Furthermore, NSI Gold ARCs are increasingly integrating cutting-edge technology to maintain their high standards. This includes the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) within CCTV monitoring systems. AI, for example, is critical for reducing false alarms and operator fatigue, allowing human operators to focus on genuine threats and deliver faster, more effective responses, as discussed in emerging trends in remote monitoring. NSI’s commitment to technical standards ensures that these advanced technologies are deployed responsibly and effectively.
Another key standard for modern ARCs involves the dedicated processing of alarm signals, which is now governed by the updated BS 9518. RMS is proud to confirm that our accreditation has been expanded to include compliance with this critical standard. This demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest level of technical excellence in alarm handling for our partners. This level of compliance is increasingly important as security and fire systems become more interconnected, moving towards a unified smart building approach, which demands a more sophisticated and reliable monitoring response.
Why is it Important to Work with Accredited ARCs?
It is important to work with an accredited ARC because it guarantees that you will be receiving a service that is upheld to the highest and most stringent standards and therefore you can be sure your sites are being protected to the highest level.
You will be able to have the confidence that the ARC:
- Has a good repute, both in their management and the overall business.
- That they open their business to independent and regular auditing and have also undergone a rigorous application process in order to get their NSI Gold accreditation.
- Have suitable insurance and business premises.
- Have robust financial stability.
- & much more.
You can find out more about the criteria for NSI Gold accreditations here.
Choosing an NSI Gold approved partner has significant financial and operational benefits. Firstly, many UK insurance providers require NSI approval for businesses to secure a favourable policy, particularly for comprehensive theft and fire risk cover. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a 55% increase in the robbery of business property compared to the previous year, underscoring the critical need for robust, accredited intruder monitoring. Having an NSI Gold ARC is a clear indicator to your insurer that you have taken every possible step to mitigate risk, which can directly impact your insurance premiums and coverage terms.
Secondly, the NSI Gold standard is applied across various specialised monitoring services. For businesses operating with lone workers, compliance with BS 8484 for lone worker monitoring is essential, offering the highest level of police response. Similarly, for businesses in the manufacturing and waste recycling sectors, high standards in perimeter security are vital. Beyond security, NSI Gold compliance also provides assurance for non-security critical systems, such as air conditioning monitoring and fridge and freezer monitoring, where continuous surveillance protects valuable assets and business operations. This comprehensive approach to monitoring is what truly sets NSI Gold ARCs apart, moving beyond basic alarm response to holistic site management. With fire and rescue services in England reporting nearly 180,000 fires in the year, choosing an accredited ARC for fire alarm monitoring is not just about compliance—it’s about life safety and business continuity.
By choosing an NSI Gold ARC, you are not just purchasing a service; you are investing in a verified, reliable, and continuously audited security partner dedicated to best practice in everything from who we are to every operation we perform.
At RMS, we are proud to be an NSI Gold approved ARC, which we have held for over 10 years. Find out more about our security monitoring services and our full range of non-security monitoring solutions, or get in touch for a free quotation on 0330 002 1149.
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