Clarion has all the necessary government, industry and quality accreditations that you would expect from a leading provider of safety and security systems. The reason for all this is the desire to increase quality standards both within the company but also within the industry to provide a better service for our clients. It is also a valuable motivating force for our staff who know that the quality of their work is recognised to the highest industry standards.
All alarm systems installed must meet certain basic standards in order to be accepted by insurance companies and qualify for a police response. These standards are covered in the EN50131 series and are published in the UK as BS EN50131.
European Standards (as reflected in PD 6662)
EN 50131 – General Requirements – https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/bs-en-50131-12006a32020/
EN 50136 – Signalling Systems – https://www.kiwa.com/en/service/en-50136-alarm-transmission-systems/
PD 6662: 2010 – Scheme for UK implementation of the Euro Standards – https://www.nsi.org.uk/pd-66622017-the-latest-update-for-intruder-and-hold-up-alarms-effective-1st-june-2019/
DD 263: 2010 – UK standard for system maintenance requirements
BS 8243: 2021 – UK standard for systems designed to provide Confirmed Activations – used only if a (police response) confirmation system is required – https://www.nsi.org.uk/publication-of-british-standard-bs-82432021/
A key feature of the Euro Standards is that four ‘Grades’ of alarm are described from 1-4, together with Notification Options of varying type and performance (‘grade’).
Alarm companies are required to conduct a formal security risk assessment to determine the Grade of the alarm system, and (ideally) a separate ‘grade’ of Notification, i.e. to help design a system felt most appropriate to each customer’s risk exposure.
What Might Your Insurer Want?
Insurers’ requirements will reflect individual circumstances, but in general, they look for:
- Use of NSI (National Security Inspectorate) or SSAIB approved companies
- A Grade of a system suited to the risk; typically Grade 2X for audible only alarms, and for monitored alarms Grade 2 for domestic premises, Grade 3 for commercial ones
- Suitable detection in all ‘at risk areas’
- A reliable response – e.g. keyholders, and often the police, notified of alarms via an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)
- Signalling that is frequently checked and with faults promptly reported to the ARC
- Confirmation systems that have:
– Enough detection to provide a ‘confirmed activation’ early on during any break-in.
– A ‘means of unsetting’ that, should a break-in occur via an alarm entry/exit door, doesn’t prevent or unduly delay the ARC in calling the police.
– A ‘grade ‘2 – 4’ Dual Path (Two signalling routes to the ARC) signalling system.
Independent family business, Clarion Security Systems is dedicated to ensuring clients have their security systems needs fully met, and are compliant at all times. We offer a full design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic security solutions, including commercial intruder alarm systems, commercial access control and business CCTV systems.
Clarion Security systems is an NSI Gold Installer as well as holding the coveted ISO 27001 accreditation. To schedule a FREE site survey please contact us on 08442 084422 or email us today to discuss your needs.
