Alarm Keyholder Management Guide¶

Guide to alarm keyholder management for UK security systems covering keyholder registration with ARCs, keyholder response procedures, key safe regulations, and legal responsibilities.

Keyholder Registration and Responsibilities¶

Alarm keyholders are the people contacted when your alarm activates and you are unavailable. UK law requires all monitored alarm systems to have a minimum of two keyholders registered with the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Keyholder responsibilities: attend the property within 20-30 minutes of an alarm activation, investigate the cause, reset the alarm system when safe, and report findings to the ARC. The control of keyholding is regulated under BS 7984 (Code of Practice for Keyholding and Response Services) and NSI KBR (Keyholder Best Practice). Keyholder training: registered keyholders must know the alarm user code, how to enter and move through the building safely, how to reset the alarm, and how to contact the ARC. The ARC maintains a keyholder contact list with at least two contacts. Contact priority: Keyholder 1 is called first on alarm. If unreachable within 5 minutes, Keyholder 2 is called. If both unreachable, the registered alarm company is contacted. Keyholder contact details must be kept current - out-of-date keyholder information is the most common cause of failed alarm responses. ARC fees for keyholder management: £15-£25/month including two keyholder contacts. Additional keyholders: £2-£5/month each. Commercial premises often require 3-4 keyholders.

Key Safe Regulations and Best Practices¶

Key safes allow attenders to access the property without holding the physical key. UK regulations under the Secure By Design standards require key safes to meet TS 009 (or the newer EN 16825:2019 standard) for insurance compliance. Approved key safes: Supra C500 (TS 009, Police-approved, £45-£60 from B&Q and Screwfix), Yale Key Safe (TS 009, £30-£50), and Burton key safes (commercial grade, £80-£150). Key safe installation: mount at the front of the property at 1.4-1.5 metres height, visible but not obvious from the street. Fix with 4 x M6 stainless steel screws into brickwork. Avoid mounting at the side or rear (gives intruders cover from view). Do not mount on uPVC door frames or plastic surfaces - intruders can pry the safe off. Key safe code management: change the key safe code every 6 months and whenever a keyholder leaves the role. Never use the alarm user code as the key safe code. Use a code that is memorable but not obvious (not your house number or postcode). Insurance requirements: many UK insurers require TS 009 approved key safes only. Check with your insurer before purchasing. Key safe maintenance: lubricate the mechanism annually with PTFE spray. Replace every 5 years or if the mechanism feels stiff. For commercial premises, use a Supra TS 009 electronic key safe with audit trail (£200-£400) that logs every access with date, time, and user ID.

Specifications and Comparison¶

Key Safe Type	Standard	Price	Best For
Supra C500 TS 009 Mechanical	TS 009, Police-approved	£45-£60	Residential homes
Yale Key Safe TS 009	TS 009, 4-digit code	£30-£50	Budget residential
Burton Commercial Mechanical	TS 009, weatherproof	£80-£150	Commercial premises
Supra M500 Electronic	TS 009, audit trail	£200-£400	High-security commercial
Supra Track-R Electronic	TS 009, remote code update	£250-£500	Managed properties

FAQ¶

How many keyholders do I need for my alarm?: A minimum of two keyholders is required for UK monitored alarm systems. At least one should live or work within 20 minutes of the property. Register both with your ARC and keep contact details current.
What is the keyholder response time?: The expected response time is 20-30 minutes from the ARC phone call. If the keyholder cannot attend within this time, the police may not respond (NPCC policy) for unconfirmed alarm activations. Consider a professional keyholding service if you are far away.
Are key safes approved by UK police?: Yes - TS 009 approved key safes (like the Supra C500) are Police-approved and accepted by UK ARCs and insurance companies. Only TS 009 or EN 16825:2019 rated key safes comply with insurance requirements. Check with your insurer before purchasing. For more information see our Commercial Alarm System Guide UK.

Last updated: 2026-05-31.

External Resources¶

For further information consult authority guidelines at the National Security Inspectorate.