Closure of Redcare alarm monitoring service: simple steps to avoid loss of emergency signalling
British Telecom’s Redcare fire and security emergency alarm monitoring service is one of the most extensive monitoring services deployed across the UK. It been operational for over thirty years, with an estimated 100,000 organisations using its service for monitoring fire and/or security alarm signals.
Across the UK’s social housing sector, the Redcare service supports many fire and intruder alarm systems, as well as warden and nurse call services in assisted living and adult residential care settings. But by August 1st, 2025, British Telecom will cease Redcare operations.
What does Redcare’s closure mean for your organisation?
Any system at your site which uses Redcare to signal the triggering of an emergency alarm will no longer send an alert to Redcare’s alarm receiving centre. This means that your organisation will not be protected, should there be an intruder on site, or a fire. And, depending on the type of system connected to Redcare, your alarm or fire panel may not work at all.
What should your organisation do now?
Given that the majority of Redcare systems are tied to the UK’s analogue telephone system – the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN - your organisation may want to consider alternative options.
Your organisation could contact your telecoms provider and ask them to replace your Redcare connection. BT have partnered with AddSecure who will take over the management of alarm receiving centres. There may be an option for your organisation to continue using Redcare using AddSecure’s next-generation products.
Your organisation can also turn to competent suppliers appointed to your property maintenance and compliance contracts. Approved installers should hold BAFE, SSAIB, or NSI accreditations to complete this type of work. Your maintenance provider can recommend like-for-like digital solutions ranging from SP2 to DP4, which operate the same class or level of protection.
At McIntyre Compliance Services, we are advising a number of our social housing provider clients to consider wireless radio/radio or radio/LAN solutions. These digital systems provide a like-for-like performance and reliability threshold - critical considerations for maintaining life safety and insurance cover across social housing sites and properties.
Such a move also helps to future-proof the broader compliant operation of emergency alarm systems within the social housing sector - prior to the UK’s move from analogue to digital telecommunications. Read our previous blog about the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off here
Why it’s worth investing in digital alarm monitoring
As we move closer to the August 2025 closure date for Redcare, many qualified installers will be busy upgrading systems. Ensure that your organisation remains operationally safe, and compliant, by acting sooner rather than later.
Bear in mind, too, that the process of upgrading alarm monitoring is a necessity. Non-compliant emergency alarm systems don’t just put life safety at risk. Non-compliant emergency alarm systems also jeopardise compliance with business insurance requirements, as well as service agreements.
Thanks for reading. We welcome comments, feedback and suggestions for future safety compliance topics.