Without a centre, users receive alerts and decide what to do. With an authorised centre, operators follow agreed instructions even when the owner is unavailable. Risk, closing hours, available people, verification and recurring cost determine the choice.
Key points
- Define who receives, verifies and decides.
- Plan nights and absences.
- Compare the actual procedure.
- Check authorisation and contract terms.
Regulatory content reviewed on 8 September 2026. Check official sources for your specific situation.
Two responsibility models
Self-monitoring sends alerts to users or contacts who decide what to do.
A centre processes signals under agreed procedures.
- Receipt
- Verification
- Contacts
- Decision
- Log
Self-monitoring
This works with available, informed contacts and secured accounts.
Plan for meetings, holidays, empty batteries and backup phones.
- Availability
- Backup contact
- Account security
- Written process
Monitoring centre
An authorised centre handles signals according to contract and instructions.
Ask which verification and response services are truly included.
| Criterion | Self | Centre | Clarify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receipt | Contacts | Operator | Channels |
| Availability | People | Contract | Coverage |
| Verification | User | Procedure | Sources |
| Cost | App/SIM | Subscription | Indexation |
| Contacts | User | Portal/support | Review |
Safe verification
Multiple detectors, a relevant image or safe site contact may qualify the event.
Never instruct a neighbour to enter a potentially dangerous building.
- Multiple signals
- Relevant image
- Site contact
- Safe instruction
Communication resilience
Consider cellular communication in addition to internet and align backup power.
Test connection loss and technical notifications.
- Internet
- Cellular
- Battery
- Path supervision
- Recovery
Belgian framework and contract
Check official authorisation lists and contract scope.
Users not connected to a centre may have their own registration duties.
- Authorisation
- Scope
- Recurring cost
- Termination
- User duties
Choose by scenario
Available residents may self-monitor; closed or remote sites often benefit from central procedures.
Plan future connection without replacing the system.
- People
- Hours
- Location
- Value
- Evolution
FAQ
Does a centre always call the police?
No. It follows defined verification and transmission rules.
Is self-monitoring free?
Not always; app, cloud or SIM services may cost.
Can monitoring be added later?
Often yes when system and communication are compatible.
Who maintains contacts?
The customer must keep contact details accurate.
