The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched a guide to procuring security alarm services.
Aimed at end users, the guide offers a checklist of the key criteria that a security company should be able to show when tendering for an intruder and hold-up alarm.
Outlining the importance of a good quality, well designed and installed security system, the guide helps end-users to quickly identify the quality of the service being offered and how this can help to secure their premises and staff against the assessed risk, thereby promoting a safe working environment and protecting premises when empty.
The guide presents what a buyer should ask in nine steps, considering police response, compliance with technical standards, approval by an inspectorate’s personnel vetting and quality management systems. The guide also suggests some oher questions for buyers: is the supplier a member of an industry trade association? Does the supplier have full public and employer’s liability insurance cover? Can they provide references? And do they have qualified installation and service engineers?
David Wilkinson, Director of Technical Services at the Worcester-based (pictured) BSIA, says: “The security of the premises and staff is ultimately the customer’s responsibility. This is why it is vitally important that you only source a security system from a quality, professional security systems company. For systems that require a police response, you also need to ensure that the system and service provided meets with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s security systems policy.
“Educating end-users on recent security developments and the value of choosing a reputable supplier is a key role of the Association. This procurement guide will prove an extremely useful tool in helping end-users to choose the right security alarm system and in helping them to avoid procurement pitfalls.”
The guide will join other end-user guidance, free to download from the BSIA’s website: www.bsia.co.uk. And for BSIA security systems companies visit: www.bsia.co.uk/company-finder.aspx.
