Frequently Asked Questions

At ADT, we understand that you may have questions about our products and services. To help, we've compiled a frequently asked questions and answers.

Why do I need a telephone line for monitoring of my system?

The signal between your monitored home security system and the ADT Alarm Receiving Centre is passed through a telephone line so you will need active line to enable this transaction.

Will the alarm system work on telephone lines not provided by British Telecom?

This depends on which type of monitoring you require. However our system is compatible with most current telephone suppliers.

What if there is a fault with my telephone line?

In some instances the system will emit an audible tone if the telephone line has a fault at any time other than during an alarm. For further peace of mind we can advise on how your telephone line can be made more secure, using alternative technology.

Will the equipment I currently have on my telephone line such as a fax, answering machine, or personal computer affect my security system?

Our security advisors will be happy to provide you with advice on this subject. In most instances there will be no problems; however in certain instances it is advisable to have a separate dedicated telephone line for your security system. 

Why do I need monitored home protection system to qualifying for Police Response in case of burglary or intrusion?

Following the latest guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), many police forces will not attend alarms from non-monitored systems unless there is also first hand evidence of a crime, whether from an owner or a member of the public. The police will attend to an alarm signal routed via the ADT Alarm Receiving Centre from a monitored alarm that qualifies for Police Response.

Will I be charged by the Police for any false alarms?

No, the police do not charge for attendance to an alarm. However they will downgrade and eventually withdraw their response if they are called out to excessive false alarms.  

 Most ADT security systems are fitted with a remote reset device. If you set off your alarm accidentally, it can be reset remotely from our Alarm Receiving Centre, saving you time and inconvenience. However, following a genuine alarm or activation which needs to be investigated, an ADT technician would be required to visit your home to reset your system and ensure it is fully functioning.

Once my system has been installed, if I have a question, is there someone I can speak to?

ADT Fire and Security operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you ever need to speak to someone, simply call our Service Bureau.