Universal Security Systems have been given a clean sweep of ‘A’s in a recent audit by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).
The NSI approvals and certification body assesses security installers, among others. Universal impressed in workmanship, use of new technology and design practice plus documentation quality and customer care.
James Crouch, a director and founder of Universal, said: “Ensuring that operational methods are documented scrupulously is a roots-up part of our culture and internal processes are stringent. They are matched by working practice on site and we are among a small group of installers who have NSI NACOSS Gold approval in CCTV, access control and intruder alarms.”
Universal have been an accredited member of the NSI (formerly NACOSS) for 15 years. The inspectorate insists on an open-book approach and access to documentation associated with the projects that the installer offers up for evaluation.
Mr Crouch added: “Universal offered a portfolio of for assessment which underlined the breadth of our support services. A site inspection was made of Transport for London’s major new office at Palestra House in Southwark where the NSI representative gained feedback from the client’s security staff. The project showed Universal making optimum use of advanced turnstiles, Pelco dome cameras, structured cabling and access control units from Grosvenor Technology.”
The support service side of Universal’s business was scrutinised at Palestra House and two other projects where client confidentiality issues precluded visits. It was a condition of the NSI inspection that the principal audit should be of a wide-ranging, recently completed project in which factors such as preventive maintenance could be assessed.
Palestra House is one of a range of iconic London structures on which Universal have worked recently, with other projects including the Willis Tower, the London Eye and 30 St Mary Axe (popularly known as ‘The Gherkin’.)
