{"id":710,"date":"2021-10-20T13:40:02","date_gmt":"2021-10-20T12:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farsight.co.uk\/2021\/10\/20\/6-factors-every-remote-video-receiving-centre-should-have\/"},"modified":"2024-03-25T11:09:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T11:09:16","slug":"6-factors-every-remote-video-receiving-centre-should-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farsight.co.uk\/blog\/6-factors-every-remote-video-receiving-centre-should-have\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Factors to consider when choosing a Remote Video Receiving Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Firstly, let’s answer a common question that we are asked: “What is a Remote Video Receiving Centre or RVRC?”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The term Remote Video Receiving Centre (RVRC) is often confused with an Alarm Receiving Centre. Although these often work in unison at remote monitoring central stations, they are different and require different standards, codes of practice and industry recognised accreditations.<\/p>\n

A Remote Video Receiving Centre (RVRC)<\/span> <\/strong>is essentially a physical remote monitoring centre that can securely receive and process live video streams and data from detector activated CCTV camera systems.<\/p>\n

Security operators at the RVRC can view CCTV footage, issue audio warnings to sites and remotely manage building facilities (for example, opening gates to verified visitors via access control).<\/p>\n

An\u00a0Alarm Receiving Centre or ARC<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is a remote monitoring facility where security operators receive data, signals and alarms from security systems. An ARC typically performs a central and critical role in the fire, intruder and social alarm sectors. Activations from monitored systems must be routed through an ARC for verification prior to being passed to the relevant authority for a response.<\/p>\n

Accreditation standards are crucial to effective CCTV monitoring<\/h2>\n

Modern RVRCs reflect the convergence of the latest technologies used within the security industry.<\/p>\n

However, the effective of CCTV monitoring is made up of three constituent parts:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The equipment installed at the monitored site<\/li>\n
  2. The physical remote monitoring station facility<\/li>\n
  3. The equipment and technology that enables the two way transmission of video, audio and data signals between the two.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The quality of each of these is crucial to the effectiveness of a Monitored CCTV system. That is why the industry benchmark accreditation to look out for is BS 8418:2015+A1:2017 \u2013 Installation and remote monitoring of detector-activated CCTV systems (Code of Practice). This is designed to ensure minimum standards are met and provides essential design, installation, commissioning and operational guidelines.<\/p>\n

    Accreditation is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a Remote Video Receiving Centre partner as BS 8418 accredited monitoring stations, like Farsight<\/a> boast specifically-trained, Security Industry Authority (SIA)-licensed operators, 24\/7 monitoring 365 days a year and a comprehensive back-up system in case of network or power failure.<\/p>\n

    BS 8418 standards are also endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in recognition of the fact that it will help to drastically reduce false alarms and prevent unnecessary police call-outs. As such, ACPO has extended the issuance of Unique Reference Numbers (URNs) , previously only issued to intruder alarm system installations, to include detector-activated CCTV systems that are BS 8418-compliant.<\/p>\n

    Insurers generally insist on using CCTV security providers who are accredited by leading industry bodies such as the SSAIB<\/a> or NSI for example.<\/p>\n

    What makes a Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC) stand out from its competitors?<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s a combination of factors, which are equally important in ensuring site security is maintained.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    In order to provide excellent security services to customers and technical support to installers, a remote video response centre must go beyond minimum requirements and industry averages. We\u2019ve put together six key ‘must have’ factors to help you choose the right Remote Video Response Centre partner – below:<\/p>\n

    1. A fast alarm response rate<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A monitoring station should always respond to alarms quickly. To be compliant with the British Security Industry Association, specifically the British Standard BS8418, an alarm-receiving centre must respond to alarms in under 90 seconds, at least 80% of the time. Responding to an alarm quickly means that the cause can be identified and a remedy put into action as soon as possible. This will reduce the impact of damage caused, and if necessary the police can be contacted.<\/p>\n

    2. Site security experience<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A remote video response centre should have experience in providing the type of services you\u2019re looking for \u2013 and in setting up an installation for similar sites. Responding effectively to alarms relies upon the skills and trained judgment of the people behind the cameras. This often depends upon their experience, confidence and knowledge of the type of site they are monitoring. Ask your chosen remote video response centre for the number of sites they monitor, which are similar to yours.<\/p>\n

    3. Transparency and trustworthiness<\/span><\/h3>\n

    It\u2019s essential that you trust the quality of service you\u2019re receiving from a monitoring station. For that trust to happen, you\u2019ll need to understand how the remote video response centre works. They should happily supply you with the following information:<\/p>\n