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Key points for business buyers to consider before purchasing an intruder detection and alarm system or additional equipment

By a SupplierStorm writer

If you are considering installing a new intruder detection and intruder alarm system or upgrading existing intruder detection and intruder alarm system to help your business secure its buildings, sites and offices then you need to bear in mind the following key points.

Make sure your physical security is adequate.

Intruder detectors and intruder alarms are a last line of defence. Remember that if an intruder is on your site or in one of your offices or buildings or warehouses then your security has already been breached even if the intruder detector has worked and the intruder alarm has been triggered. So take all the usual security precautions, ensure all gates and fences are fit for purpose, ensure doors have effective and appropriate locking mechanisms and window locks are in place and that deterrence signs and other visible manifestations of security are prominent. And check that all these precautions comply with all relevant standards and regulations including health and safety regulations and local authority regulations and also with the requirements of your insurers.

Choose the right type of intruder detector and alarm system

There are two main types of system.

Many businesses choose a “Police Call System” or remote signaling alarms (known by the police as a Type ‘A’ Alarm System). When activated they send a digitally coded signal to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) owned by a security company. The ARC will follow a procedure to determine whether or not the alarm signal is false and will then, if necessary, inform the police. The vast majority of Type ‘A’ automatic police calling alarm activations are false. Confirmation that an alarm signal is genuine can involve using microphones or miniature CCTV cameras or using detectors set up so that the activation of a second detector is required to confirm the activation of the first detector. Such alarms will be registered with the police and identified by a unique reference number (URN). The police response to their activation will be based on the assumption that an offence is taking place.

Some smaller businesses opt for a “Bells Only System” (known by the police as a Type ‘B’ Alarm System) where there is little of intrinsic value kept on the premises. This type of system is not designed to call the police automatically – it sounds a bell or siren to attract attention and deter the potential burglar. It should always be installed to British Standards specifications. Businesses need to be aware that while the police seek to respond to every incident they prioritise calls in the light of the fact that the vast majority of alarms are falsely triggered. This means that they are unlikely to attend unless the call they receive suggests that criminal activity is in progress or has actually taken place and that the fact of an alarm triggering in and of itself will not necessarily result in police attendance.

Be aware of all relevant regulations and manufacturer instructions

This will include Health & Safety regulations.

Businesses should be aware of the risk of repeated false alarms and issues concerning local authority regulation of noise. Any nominated keyholder should normally respond within 20 minutes of notification, and always within 45 minutes. Failure to comply with this could result in Local Authority action against the alarm owner in any case where noise nuisance is caused.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has an Intruder Alarms Policy and the British Standards Institute has several relevant standards.
Alarm systems should comply with the relevant British Standard: the BS 4737 specification for intruder alarm systems in buildings, the BS 7042 specification for high security systems or the BS 6799 Class 6 specification (as amended by BS DD 244) for wireless alarms. Note that BS 4737 applies only to hard-wired systems rather than wireless systems. And be aware that the only wireless system which conforms both to British Standards and the <acronym>ACPO</acronym> Intruder Alarm Policy is a BS 6799 Class 6 alarm. Also, note that some systems that claim to meet with British Standards may actually be referring to the relevant electrical wiring standards and not to the alarm system standards BS 4737 or BS 6799.
Remember all alarms should be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Think about all the alarm and security issues facing your business

It is important to think about all the other issues that may impact on the choice of system you decide to implement in your business. For example, will you require a smoke detection and fire alarm system and should this be fitted at the same time? If you also have or will be installing a CCTV system then thought should be given to how the alarm system can best integrate with the CCTV system.
How many sites do you have, how large is the site, what kind of buildings or premises are being protected? Bigger premises or multi-building sites will probably need to operate a zoned alarm system where the area is divided into zones which will each have their own alarm control unit.
Also think about the level of the risk you are facing, take into account the level of crime in your local area and the history of your business - has your business been burgled in the recent past, has it been burgled regularly, have nearby businesses or properties been burgled? Thinking about the issue of intruder detection and intruder alarms in the widest possible context of the business and your other fire and security considerations will enable you to implement the most appropriate solution.

Check out your preferred contractor

In identifying a compliant company for installing a Type A remote signaling or police call alarm system you should run through the following check list:

Check the address and credentials of the company and get proof of identity from any representatives who call.
Make sure the company subject of an independent inspection process.
Security consultants and installers should be professionally accredited with a recognized industry body.
If the installation of an alarm is an insurance requirement ensure that the chosen installation contractor acceptable to the insurer.
Get written confirmation from the contractor that both the proposed alarm system and the contractor are currently acceptable to the local police for the transmission of alarm messages from new installations.
Ensure the quotation specifies that the installation will be to British Standard 4737 or BS 7042 (high security systems), or, if it is a wire free alarm, BS 6799 Class 6, as amended by BS DD 244?
Make sure the quotation includes the terms of maintenance and monitoring contracts.
Ensure the company operates a 24 hour call-out service with a specified emergency response time.

Maintenance. operational management and people issues

Ensure an adequate maintenance contract is included within the specification.
Appoint a single individual to manage the process of selecting a contractor and to work with the contractor to install the system.
Appoint a single individual to be responsible for managing and operating the system.
Ensure that “key-holders” are appointed for each site. Most systems are PIN-code operated rather than key-operated but the design of the system includes making decisions about who can activate and de-activate the intruder detection and intruder alarm system. It may be appropriate for this to be the business owners or senior managers but sometimes such people are not always on site or near the site and you will need to ensure that responsible individuals are selected and trained to manage and operate the intruder detection and intruder alarm system.
Make sure that all staff are aware of the existence of the intruder alarm system and that those staff charged with managing and operating components of the intruder detection and intruder system are fully trained.

Glossary of key terms in intruder detection and intruder alarms

Alarm receiving centre (ARC)

The alarm monitoring centre. Usually located in a secure building off-site. ARC staff will respond to alarm signals, they may take steps to determine whether or not they are genuine or false alarms, they may uinform security staff on the site or inform the local police.

BS4737

Relevant British standard for the design, installation and maintenance of an intruder alarm system.

BS6799

Relevant British standard for wireless intruder alarm systems.

Control panel

The control unit that enables alarms and detectors to be activated and that receives signals from detectors and sends messages to the alarm receiving centre (ARC).

Decoy alarm or decoy sounder

A device that loooks like an alarm or sounder but does not make any noise.

Detector

A device for sensing and registering the presence or potential presence of an intruder that can be electrically or wirelessly linked to an alarm control panel or linked directly to an alarm.

Digital communicator

Device connected to the control panel which sends a digital signbal to the alarm reciving centre (ARC)

Door contact

A switch that registers if a door has been opened. Usually maganetic.

Double knock

A strategy for reducing false alarm signals. It relies on programming the alarm system to signal an alarm only if two or more detectors are triggered within a certain time.

Dual technology detector

An intruder detector that combines two different technologies for detecting intruders.

Dummy alarm or dummy sounder

A device that loooks like an alarm or sounder but does not make any noise. Used as part of a visual deterrence strategy.

Duress code

A mechanism for alerting the alarm receiving centre (ARC) that someone has been placed under duress to de-activate the system. It iinvolves using a specific code which deactivates the alarm but sends a specific personal alarm signal to the ARC.

Exit terminator

The switch or button that activates or resets an alarm system - usually located outside of the alarmed area.

Fibre optic intruder detection

Devices which rely on changes in the pattern of light travelling through a fibre optic cable when it is moved or bent or vibrated. Highly sensitive and covert.

Full set

The term used for programming the alarm control panel so that all the alarms are active. As opposed to part set which sets alarms in only some of the alarmed zones.

Intelligent devices

Devices that can communicate over the same cable rather than requiring individual cables. They reduce the amount of cabling needed and so cut the cost and time required to install a system.

Inertia detector

A vibration or shock detector usually triggered by forced entry through doors and windows

Ingress Protection (IP)

An IP number indicates how resilient a device enclosure is to physical objects or liquids.

Internet Protocol (IP)

IP devices can communicate over the internet or over an intranet.

Keyholder

The person or people nominated to operate the alarm system.

Magnetic detector

Usually fitted to doors or windows. A magnet is fitted to the opening element while a sensor is fitted to the door or window frame.

Motion detectors/sensors

Devices that trigger an alarm signal when a motion is detected. Usually work using optical or infra red technology.

Panic alarm

A switch or button or device that immediately activates the alarm system.

Passive infra red (PIR) detectors

A motion detector that uses infra red sensors.

Part set

The term used to describe the programming of an alarm control panel so that only some of the alarmed zones are set to active and others are omitted. As opposed to full set where all zones are active.

Pet immune detector

A detector usually based on PIR technology that has reduced sensitivity so that it will not be triggered by pets or animals.

Photoelectric beams/detectors

A motion detector which is triggered when a visible or invisible infra red beam is broken as an object moves through it.

Preset detectors

Detectors alarm trigger level can be preset - pet immune detectors are variants on this.

Pulse count

A term used in connection with reducing false alarm signals. It refers to the number of detector signals required within a certain time to trigger an alarm signal.

Push-to-set (PTS)

The switch or button that activates an alarm system.

Quad PIR

Two PIR movement detectors located in the same shell or housing.

Security grades

A rating system for alarms that gives a guide to the levl of protection provided.

Self activating bell (SAB)

Sounders (that are usually external) that can operate independently of the control panel. They are fitted with batteries so that they can trigger independently even if the cable from the control pabnel is cut.

Self-contained bell (SCB)

A sounder that can be set to operate independently using its own battery irrespective of whther or not the vcable has been cut.

Shock detector

A vibration or inertia detector usually triggered by forced opening of a door or window.

Vibration detector

A shock or inertia detector usually triggered by forced opeing of a door or window.

Zone

A designated part of the alarnmed area. Most control panels provide for up to eight zones that can each be independently programmed.

Trade Associations

The British Security Industry Association

The BSIA is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards.
Website: http://www.bsia.co.uk/

The Association of Security Consultants (ASC)

The ASC says its full members are independent security consultants, having no allegiance to specific suppliers of goods or services. They either head their own companies, or else are senior partners in other consultancy practices. It claims that they are all leading experts in their fields, whether skilled in a detailed specialisation or able to handle a broad range of strategic issues. Collectively their expertise and experience covers every facet of corporate security and all sectors of commerce and industry, says the ASC.
Website: http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/

The Fire and Security Association (FSA)

The FSA has more than 250 members across the United Kingdom. It claims to be the fastest growing representative body for companies that design, install, commission, maintain and monitor electronic fire and security systems.
Website: http://www.fireandsecurityassociation.co.uk/

Fire Industry Association (FIA)

FIA is a new trade association formed by the merger of two leading associations within the fire protection industry - FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association established in 1916), the trade association of companies responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of portable fire-fighting equipment and BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association established in 1966), the coordinating body for the UK fire systems industry.
Website: http://www.fia.uk.com/

Fire Protection Association (FPA)

Established in 1946 the FPA is the UK’s national fire safety organization.
Website: http://wwwthefpa.co.uk/

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