Intruder & Fire Alarm Monitoring
24/7 intruder alarm monitoring and fire alarm monitoring with agreed response handling, keyholder notification, escalation procedures and support for monitored sites.
Learn more →Support
Support, services and monitoring from an independent UK ARC.
Access EMCS support information, useful links and monitoring services in one place. EMCS supports intruder alarm monitoring, fire alarm monitoring, VSS (CCTV monitoring), lone worker monitoring, access control, message handling and customer support across the UK.
Support and services from EMCS
EMCS is an independent UK Alarm Receiving Centre providing monitoring and support services for installers, businesses and homeowners. This page brings together support information, service guidance, partner support contacts and core monitoring services including intruder alarm monitoring, fire alarm monitoring, VSS (CCTV monitoring), remote video response, lone worker monitoring, access control monitoring, message handling, false alarm support and connectivity support.
Independent UK ARCSupport information and monitoring services in one place.
VSS (CCTV monitoring)Monitoring for CCTV and video surveillance systems.
EN 50518 & ISO 27001Accredited monitoring and information security standards.
Quick access
Find the right support quickly
Useful routes for customers, installers and partners who need service information, account access, support numbers or help from the EMCS team.
Services Offered
Monitoring services built around protection, response and reliability
EMCS supports a wide range of monitored services for customers, installers and partners.
VSS (CCTV Monitoring)
VSS (CCTV monitoring) for remote video response, detector-activated systems, alarm verification, audio challenge and monitored visual protection.
Learn more →Lone Worker Monitoring
Monitoring support for people working alone, remotely or in higher-risk environments, including red alert handling, welfare escalation and agreed response instructions.
Learn more →Access Control Monitoring
Monitoring and escalation support for access-related events such as door forced alarms, door held open events, restricted area alerts and out-of-hours access.
Learn more →Message Handling
Professional message handling, out-of-hours call support, structured message capture and escalation services for businesses that need dependable communication support.
Learn more →False Alarm & Connectivity Support
Support services that help improve monitoring performance, reduce avoidable alarm traffic and maintain reliable communication paths between sites and the ARC.
Learn more →Customer and installer support
Online access for customers, engineers and monitored sites
EMCS provides online alarm management tools including NetPort, Engineer SmarTest and Customer SmarTest. These tools help customers and engineers access site information, view alarm history, manage test activity and support false alarm management.
NetPort access
Engineer SmarTest
Customer SmarTest
Alarm history and reporting
VSS and CCTV monitoring
VSS (CCTV monitoring)
VSS stands for Video Surveillance Systems and is the industry term increasingly used for CCTV monitoring. EMCS supports monitored video systems, remote video response and detector-activated CCTV where configured.
Depending on the system and setup, this may include remote video response, detector-activated CCTV, audio challenge, alarm verification and escalation to keyholders or nominated contacts where required.
CCTV monitoring
VSS monitoring
Remote video response
BS8418 CCTV monitoring
Why choose EMCS?
Independent monitoring with clear support for installers and customers
EMCS is completely independent and does not have an installation arm. This supports installers by giving them a monitoring partner that is not competing with them, while giving customers confidence in a dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre service.
This independence allows EMCS to work openly with a wide range of professional installers, security providers and technology partners. Customers benefit from a dedicated monitoring provider focused on alarm handling, response management and support, while installers retain ownership of their customer relationships and can rely on EMCS as a trusted ARC partner.
Accredited monitoring support
EMCS is accredited to EN 50518 for Alarm Receiving Centre operations and ISO 27001 for information security management. EMCS is also fully accredited with NSI Gold for Intruder and Fire monitoring, supports CCTV monitoring to BS8418, is registered with the Loss Prevention Certification Board, is an active member of the British Security Industry Association and is PSA accredited for Ireland.
EN 50518 Alarm Receiving Centre
ISO 27001 information security
NSI Gold Intruder monitoring
NSI Gold Fire monitoring
BS8418 CCTV monitoring
LPCB registered
BSIA active member
PSA accredited for Ireland
Frequently Asked Questions
Support answers for customers, installers and partners
Answers to common questions about EMCS monitoring, accreditations, customer access, ARC visits and alarm handling.
As an end-user can I order monitoring direct from EMCS?
EMCS is an independent Alarm Receiving Centre and does not have an installation arm. EMCS does not usually sell monitoring directly to end-users, but the sales team can help provide details of installation companies operating in your area.
Can I have online access to my sites?
Yes. EMCS provides NetPort, an alarm management tool available to customers through a secure internet link. Depending on access levels, it can allow users to place systems on and off test, view alarm history and use reporting facilities that support false alarm management.
What are Engineer SmarTest and Customer SmarTest?
Engineer SmarTest allows engineers to place systems on and off test, view logs and check the current status of a system. Customer SmarTest provides similar functionality for end-users, including the ability to place a site on and off test and view test history.
Can I visit the Alarm Receiving Centre?
EMCS actively encourages customers to visit the ARC. This gives customers, installers and potential clients the opportunity to see how EMCS operates, meet the team and strengthen working relationships.
Do I need to be approved to use EMCS?
EMCS works with companies of different sizes and requirements. However, companies should be aware that police will not issue a Unique Reference Number, often known as a URN, to non-accredited companies.
Does EMCS have an associated alarm installation company?
No. EMCS is completely independent and is not affiliated with an alarm installation company. This means EMCS is not competing with installers and can focus on supporting customers, installers and partners as a dedicated monitoring provider.
What accreditations does EMCS hold?
EMCS is accredited to EN 50518 for Alarm Receiving Centre operations and ISO 27001 for information security management. EMCS is also fully accredited with NSI Gold for Intruder and Fire monitoring, supports CCTV monitoring to BS8418, is registered with the Loss Prevention Certification Board and is an active member of the British Security Industry Association.
Is EMCS an approved Alarm Receiving Centre?
Yes. EMCS is an approved Alarm Receiving Centre accredited to EN 50518 and ISO 27001. EMCS is also fully accredited with NSI Gold for Intruder and Fire monitoring and supports CCTV monitoring to BS8418.
What costs do you charge for monitoring services?
Monitoring costs can vary depending on the product, signalling type, package and contract term. The best route is to speak with the EMCS sales team, who can discuss the requirement and provide relevant costs.
What happens when EMCS receives an alarm from my system?
The response depends on the type of system installed, the alarm received and the agreed site instructions. EMCS handles alarm events in line with the response plan supplied for the site, which may include contacting keyholders, nominated contacts or other response routes.
What makes EMCS different from other ARCs?
EMCS was established in 1987 and remains an independent, family-run Alarm Receiving Centre. EMCS has no installation arm and supports customers with account management, online tools, site access options and a service model designed to support installers rather than compete with them.
What type of alarm monitoring services does EMCS offer?
EMCS offers monitoring services covering Intruder, Personal Attack, Fire, Environmental, Medical alerts, mechanical and electrical malfunctions, lift alarm monitoring, CCTV monitoring and Lone Worker monitoring. EMCS also supports a range of signalling and security technologies.
Does EMCS provide VSS (CCTV monitoring)?
Yes. EMCS provides VSS (CCTV monitoring). VSS means Video Surveillance Systems, which is the industry term increasingly used for CCTV monitoring. EMCS supports monitored video systems, remote video response and detector-activated CCTV where configured.
Support directory
Partner support numbers and useful links
Commonly requested technical support contacts and useful industry resources.
Partner Support Numbers
Useful Links
Need support or a monitoring partner?
Speak to EMCS about support, intruder alarm monitoring, fire alarm monitoring, VSS (CCTV monitoring), lone worker monitoring, access control, message handling or wider ARC services.