Businesses have been warned by a security installer not to panic about forthcoming changes to the legislation covering the installation of intruder alarms systems.
Pointer says that the new standards will not affect the operation of current alarm systems, particularly those which do not require automatic police response when they are triggered.
Alan Inman, Product and Technical Manager of Pointer, said: "Currently, UK alarm installers operate to British standards, however, after 30 September 2005, the new standards will be incorporated into a pan-European standard, known as EN50131.โ
He claimed: "Pointer is leading the way towards the adoption of EN50131 and our entire staff is already trained to the highest level on the new standards. All frontline engineers will also have installed and inspected a system compliant with EN50131 by the time the new standards are launched.
"There have been a number of scare stories recently that the changes will significantly affect the operation of current alarm systems. However, we would like to emphasise that many of our customers will not be affected. These standards will not affect those who have existing alarms which are on police response, and customers who do not require police response, such as those who are self-insuring or utilising private security.
"Many procedures will remain the same, although there are some key changes and additions which businesses should be aware of. I would urge all businesses to ensure that the alarm system that they fit now is EN compliant. We have also held open days and published information on our website, which our customers can gain access to if they have any queries or concerns on the new standards being enforced."
The main changes for both the installer and the consumer are:
Premises grading
Equipment grading
Risk assessment
Environmental classes
Power supply
Maintenance
Premises will now be graded depending on the risk level involved โ for example, the type of premises, the value of the contents and the typical intruder expected.
Equipment is arranged in a system ranging from one to four โ grade one being a low risk, such as a rural village house, and grade four being a high risk, such as an inner-city jeweller.
"A surveyor must carry out a risk assessment before the alarm system can be installed. Police and insurance companies will not accept systems of a grade one standard when EN50131 is introduced," added Alan. "However, although grade four equipment is available, an entire grade four system is not yet available for use. Until a full range of EN products available from the manufacturers an interim standard PD6662 will be used this will incorporate EN graded and non-EN grade products."
Environmental classes will also be classified according to where the equipment is installed. These will be graded as:
Class 1 โ indoors controlled temperature
Class 2 โ indoors uncontrolled temperature
Class 3 โ outdoors sheltered
Class 4 โ outdoors exposed.
Currently, British Standards state that a system must have an eight hour stand-by capacity on the failure of mains supply. EN50131 states that grade one and two systems are required to have a 12 hour standby capacity, while grades three and four will have a standby 24 hours with mains failure signalled to the alarm receiving centre (ARC) or a standby of 60 hours for site only indicated mains failure.
One of the main benefits to installers will be a reduction in maintenance time, the firm adds. For grade one and two systems, only one site visit is required per year. Grade two and grade three systems require two site visits, of which one can be remote diagnostic. Grade four systems will require two site visits per year.
