Intruder Detection Systems
Security systems are vastly different but can generally be categorised into two types:
Bells only: This type of system when set off activates an audible exterior sounder. The hope is that a passer by or neighbour will hear the alarm and do something - thus deterring a thief.
Monitored system: When activated these systems communicate to our Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). The ARC will determine the type of signals received and action these appropriately passing intruder signals to your local Police, to your keyholders, relatives, staff, or your mobile.
Design Criteria
Intruder systems should not be restricting yet allow a high degree of protection. We make a survey of your premises (including a risk analysis of your property) to determine a suitable level of protection.
Why have a monitored system?
Monitored Intruder Alarms are not just for the rich or high value properties but for all premises, both residential and commercial, regardless of size, use or location. A monitored alarm is less expensive today than ten years ago. Whilst most customers acknowledge that a cheap system is false economy - they do want value for money.
The risk of loss through burglary or criminal damage has steadily increased over the years to an extent where today intruder detection systems are a necessary part of life; they protect property, possessions and the people in them.
Commercial systems
Blanchard Fire and Security offers a complete package. We install and certificate everything. We are accredited and certified NSI-(NACOSS) GOLD and Quality Assured to BS ISO2000. A large part of our work involves us in upgrading systems installed by other alarm companies. 80 per cent of our installations are installed within seven days of receiving your order.
Residential Intruder Alarm Systems
We are a quality assured home security specialist who have been in business for over 20 year and are NACOSS - The National Approval Council for Security Systems approved for security alarm installations, NICEIC approved electrical contractors and our quality security systems are registered by the prestigious ISO 9002 quality standard.
These approvals combined with over 20 years experience are your assurance that you will receive:
- A professional, NACOSS approved, security installation which will reduce your domestic insurance through 24 hour a day protection against intruders AND fire
- Professional, neat and prompt installation with 365 days per year total maintenance
- Monitoring through your existing telephone connection to our alarm receiving centre who will filter all calls to either the police, fire brigade or key holders.
Lines of Defence
First line of defence is a good quality highly visible external sounder. Unbranded external sounders give a clear message "DIY or No Alarm System".
Second line is perimeter protection and would typically include contacts or sensors fitted to external windows, glass or doors.
Third line is achieved indoors sometimes by contacts fitted to doors but more often by space movement detectors. This type of device is the most common detection method employed, as they are practically impossible for an intruder to bypass.
Fourth line protection is that of personnel protection. This is achieved by the deliberate actuation of a ?hold-up device? by a threatened person so as to draw attention to a raid or a burglary. This type of device will work irrelevant of the arm/disarm state of the security system.
New European Alarm Standards
What has Changed?
British Standards (BS4737, BS7042 and BS6799) which governed the specification, installation and maintenance of Intruder and Hold-up Alarm systems have been phased out in favour of European Norms, known as EN50131.
EN50131 differs from current British Standards, in that:
- It determines not only system, but also component design requirements for Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems
- It requires a comprehensive risk assessment to determine system design criteria
- It applies to both hard-wired and wire-free systems
- Systems are required to be graded to reflect the risk - Grade 1 Low, to Grade 4 High Risk
- Where a system was defined simply as a ‘BS4737 Intruder Alarm System’ it will now have to be defined as an EN50131 System Grade 1, 2, 3 or 4, installed to conform with PD6662:2004, with notification options (Sounders and Alarm signalling devices)
- System Components are graded individually and are also given an environmental classification stating where the component can be sited: indoors, outdoors, sheltered, exposed
- Police response to new or extensively modified security systems will soon only be possible if the system complies with EN50131 and PD6662, supplemented by DD243
- Your insurer may penalise you if your security system fails to comply with EN50131
Why has this happened?
- To harmonise standards across the EU to remove barriers to free trade
- To improve quality, system integrity and professionalism within the security industry
- To ensure that system performance meets the inherent risk of the premises
- To update British Standards which have not changed for 20 years
When did it change?
The new standards came into force in October 2005.
Will this affect my existing alarm system?
Not if your existing alarm is functioning correctly, with no false alarms. Only if your insurance company demands a specific grade of system because of the value of contents insured, will you need to upgrade.
If your alarm is monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre (and police calling) and you have false alarms which waste police time on more than one occasion, they may withdraw police response unless you agree to upgrade your system. Having upgraded we then send the police a certificate confirming the type of system you now have, requesting response be re-instated.
Gobbledy-Gook?
If some or all of this makes no sense to you, then contact us at Blanchard Fire and Security and we will - with no obligation - be happy to clarify anything for you.
