WE ALSO REPAIR, MAINTAIN AND UPDATE SYSTEMS INSTALLED BY OTHERS
A Guide to Insurance Requirements for Intruder Alarm Systems
An insurance policy may contain a condition that requires:
A particular type of alarm installer, system, signalling and respone
An emergency/routine maintenance contract being kept in force
Provision to the installer and other of keyholder's details
The insurers prior approval of any changes to the system
Full setting of the alarm system whenever the premises are left unattended (and posssibly partial setting at other times)
Keeping the alarm operating codes secret and not leaving alarm operating devices at the premises when they are unattended
Prompt keyholder attendance after any reported alarm activation or fault
Policy conditions vary between insurers so you should check your own policy details of any such condition, and whether failure to comply woud jeopardise insurance cover.
This is a summary of information published by the Risc Authority
For more information go to
Summary of Insurer's Typical Requirements for an 'Audibles Only' Alarm System
Installation/maintenance to be by:
An NSI or SSAIB regulated installer with a contract for emergency and routine maintenance in force
Security grading of system to be:
Grade 2X
System to be designed with:
Control and signalling equipment installed out of site, and ideally not located in an area used as an alarm entry-exit route
An appropriate form of detection in each 'risk area'
Signalling to comprise:
One external, self-powered, audible warning device (sounder), located at least 4m above ground level (or any roof or balcony etc., that is readily accessible from the ground
Response to be by:
Persons living/working in or near to the premises who, when the alarm is usually set, are likely to hear the alarm and be willing to either respond as, or telephone a key holder
This is a summary of information published by the Risc Authority
For more information go to
SUMMARY OF INSURERS' TYPICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A POLICE RESPONSE ALARM SYSTEM
Installation/Maintenance to be by:
A NSI or SSAIB listed installer, eligible to apply for a police URN with the force in whose area the alarmed premises are located with a contract for emergency and routine maintenance in force.
Security grading of system (detection and control equipment) to be:
Grade 3 for most commercial risks, Grade 2 for most domestic risks.
Sequential confirmation system to be designed with:
Control and signalling equipment installed out of sight, and not located in an area used as an alarm entry-exit route. Two appropriate forms of detection in each at risk area and means of unsetting to be via an entry door lock linked to the alarm unless the entry route or premises are considered low risk, in which case, use of a remote control device (transmitter or fob) upon entry is acceptable.
Hold-up alarm facilities (where required):
Dual action attack devices sited adjacent to expected attack area.
Signalling to comprise:
A Grade 4, dual path, remote signalling product (ideally one independently certified as meeting Grade 4 but in any case as agreed by the insurer with a supplementary external self powered audible warning device (sounder)
Monitoring to be by an alarm receiving centre (ARC) with:
NSI/SSAIB approval, and the ARC notifying the police (where eligible) and keyholders of all alarm events/faults, including signalling path faulures, immediately upon receipt.
Response to be by:
The police, at the highest response level provided for by the resonding force's Security System Policy and keyholders (owners/staff/friends,etc or a response company.
This is a summary of information published by the Risc Authority
For more information go to
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Owl Alarms - SSAIB Approved Installer - Intruder Alarms
Commercial & Domestic Intruder Alarm Systems
The need for an Intuder Alarm System to be installed and maintained by a registered installer is led by insurance companies who increasingly specify this a condition of insurance. Until quite recently, this requirement tended to be for higher risk commercial premises with a large potential loss and private residences with a high contents value only. It also a requirement for systems with police response. However, there is an ever increasing trend towards specifying approved systems in virtually any situation. Even if there is no current requirement from your insurers, there might well be at a later date.
Insurers specify such systems in order to minimise their losses. Registered installers are regularly inspected and must show that they are installing and maintaining systems to the required standards. A system must be capable of showing a log of the recent history to prove its status at the time of any incident. The installation company must also carry hefty specialist insurance cover for liability and failure to perform. Before specifying the design of a system they must first carry out a risk assesment to ensure that any proposed system is fit for purpose.
Pofessional Grade wireless systems which meet the relevant grading are now a realistic option. The latest wireless technology and battery technology brings reliability without the need for wiring. Hybrid systems are available which can match wireless and conventional devices to the same system. Totally wireless systems can include wireless keypads and wireless sounders as well as wireless detection devices. The advantages and disadvantages between wired and wireless should be considered carefully before any descision is made.
If you are having an alarm system installed it is in all probability to give you peace of mind, reduce the chance of theft and minimise your loss. The last thing you want is a troublesome system that does not meet your expectations. Even if your insurers are not specifying the need for a system they might well do so in the future. Choosing a non-approved company to install an un-graded system might well mean that you will need a complete new system at a later date.
For an Intruder Alarm System to achieve and retain its SSAIB (or NSI) status it must be subject to a maintenance contract. This is a requirement for systems with police response.
A system installed to achieve such status (as often required by insurers) loses its status if it is not maintained in acccordance with standards. A good excuse not to pay out in the event of a claim!
The problem is that some security companies use the need for maintenance to give themselves an unfair advantage with their charging and call-out structure. It is imperative that you are free to switch companies if you so desire. To combat this, some companies 'lock' the engineer code. This prevents the codes from being defaulted to factory settings to deny legitimate access to the system by others.
If a system which has been installed is not to the required standards for compliance, subsequent insistance on an alarm for insurance purposes could mean a new installation.
We offer a free survey and quotation without any obligation for commercial and domestic premises. Fully comprehensive maintenance is available for systems we install. Full terms and conditions and cost are provided with each quotation.
When comparing quotations it is wise to consider that a system that is thrown in using cheap equipment will initially cost less but has the potential to prove very costly over a period of time.
We take the time to properly install high quality reliable equipment so any on-going costs can be kept to a minimum while at the same time, allowing us to offer low cost fully comprehensive maintenance.
We don't tie our customers up with a long term contract in order to keep them, we simply rely on meeting our customers needs. They are free to judge us and go elsewhere if they are not satisfied.
We can provide:
Hardwired Commercial & Domestic Systems (Grades 2, 2X & 3)
- Wireless Commercial & Domestic Systems (Grades 2 & 2X)
- Audibles Only Systems
- Voice Communication Option
- Central Station Monitoring Option
- Redcare Monitoring Option
- Redcare GSM Monitoring Option
- Dualcom Monitoring Option
- Freecom Dual Path Monitoring option (Grade 2)
- Systems to DD423 for Police Response
- Remote Re-set Facilities
- Remote Access (Up load and down load for Data Retrieval, Diagnostics and Programming) Option
- SSAIB Approval
- Security Fog Machines
Fully Comprehensive Maintenance (for systems we install)
NO CALL-OUT CHARGES (in normal working hours)
NO LABOUR CHARGES
NO CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS
NO CHARGE FOR REPLACING BATTERIES
NO CHARGE FOR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONNote: Wilful damage, other damage or damage caused by flooding etc. is not covered.
Every new system includes maintenance cover for the first year and the cost of renewal is given with the quotation for the installation of the system. When that cover is due to expire, customers are given the opportunity to renew their cover on an annual basis. The operation of such a scheme means that we can only use top quality reliable equipment, calls cost us money so we can't afford not to.
MAJOR CHANGES FOR INTRUDER ALARM STANDARDS - PD6662
October 2005 saw the introduction of PD6662 which is the intermediate UK version of European Standards for Intruder Alarms.
A registered alarm installer is now required to carry out a 'risk assessment' and decide on the appropriate grade of system.
Under PD6662, systems are 'graded'.
Grade 1
Non-professional or even DIY and would not normally meet the requirements of an insurance company.
Grade 2
Most domestic and lower risk commercial premises.
Grade 2 X is a variation of Grade 2 for systems that are not monitored or the monitoring does not comply with the requirements of Grade 2.
Grade 3
Higher risk commercial and high risk domestic.
Grade 4
Specialist risk such as banks etc.Quite clearly, in many cases opinions to which grade of system is appropriate will differ. Grade 3 systems will cost substantially more than Grade 2. It is the insurer who carries the risk. Where an alarm is a requirement for insurance, the safest option is to ask your insurers for written confirmation that the grade specified is acceptable to avoid problems in the event of a claim. The requirement from insurers might vary so shop around.
The grading is based on the overall risk which includes the possible cost of a claim following a burglary and the likely ability of the type of intruder attracted to defeat the alarm system.
A non-graded or Grade 1 System carries a greater risk of defeat by an intruder and accordingly, the risk of probable higher insurance premiums in the event of a claim. Updating a system to a higher grade could involve the virtual replacement of system including possible rewiring.
BS 4737 is no longer acceptable for new installations but earlier systems should still be maintained to that standard.
WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS
Until quite recently, wireless alarm systems were considered by many to be unreliable. To be fair, professional systems appeared worse than they were in reality fueled by the fact that most of the DIY systems available did 'little to inspire confidence' and tarnished the reputation of wireless systems as a whole.
The new generation of wireless systems use the latest wireless and battery technologies to provide reliable systems that can meet the standards required for insurance purposes. As you might expect, some ar much better than others.
Fully wireless systems mean no wiring to the detection devices, keypad, and bell box. The main control panel does however require a connection to the mains supply and a telephone line where it is required for remote communication purposes.
Installation is simplified with no disruption to decor and if you move, you could take the system with you.
The AGILITY fully Wireless Intruder Alarm System
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The Agilty system can be remotely monitored using a voice communicator, a digital communicator via a monitoring station using a telephone line or can include a GSM module with text messaging.
The modern stylish appearance enhances looks of the system and its ease of use allows setting and unsetting using codes or proximity fobs at the keypad with a voice staus promt for added reassurance.
The range of compatable wireless devices includes:
PIR Detectors
- Pet PIR Detectors
- Magnetic Contacts
- Shock Detectors
- Panic Button Fobs
- 6 Button Remote Setting Fob
- Smoke Detectors
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Gas Detectors
- External Detectors
- External bell boxes
- Internal Bell Boxes
- Output modules to control other equipment remotely
CONTACT US NOW FOR A FREE SURVEY & QUOTATION
Q. How is an alarm system set and unset?
A. An alarm system is normally set and unset using a code or a proximity fob. Different systems operate in a different way. For example, on leaving you might enter the code or present the proximity fob and the display will show ‘DO YOU WANT TO SET THE SYSTEM?’ Push YES and exit or at night time push 1 and go upstairs. On re-entry a warning tone will remind you to switch off by entering the code or presenting the fob.
Q. Can I use an Intruder Alarm at night while I am sleeping?
A. Most systems have the facility to ‘part set’ the system. For an example of setting see above.
Q. If the alarm activates, how can I stop it?
A. Simply enter the code or present the fob.
Q. What is meant by a ‘Monitored Alarm System’ ?
A. A Monitored system is a system which is connected to an approved Alarm Receiving Centre. A system which dials you directly is NOT classed as a Monitored System.
Q. Can I have an Intruder Alarm with Police Response?
A. A Monitored system which is connected to an approved Alarm Receiving Centre can be set up to provide Police Response provided it is subject to a maintenance agreement with an SSAIB or NSI registered installer and meets with other police requirements. These include key holder attendance within 20 minutes, system can only be re-set by the alarm company following an activation etc. In order to achieve police response a Unique Reference Number (URN) has to be applied for and the appropriate fee paid. Systems can be removed from police response and the URN revoked following false alarms or for any breach of the rules.
Q. How much of an issue are false alarms?
A. The majority of false alarms are down to user error. However, a poor quality system and a poorly conceived installation is far more likely to generate false alarms than a good quality well conceived system.
Q. Do pets present a problem?
A. Pet detectors can be used but care must be taken as to how they are sited.
Q. How long can an Intruder Alarm legally sound?
A. A newly installed system should not sound for more than 15 minutes.
Q. How easily can an Intruder Alarm be defeated?
A. Alarm systems which comply with PD662 are graded in their ability to withstand attempts to defeat them. Ungraded systems can be fairly easily defeated. Grade 1 Systems provide minimal protection. Grade 2 Systems (or above) are generally required by insurance companies.
Q. Which Standards apply to Intruder Alarms?
A. See above.
Q. Does compliance with Standards guarantee a reliable Alarm System?
A. The standards relate to how a system functions, not to the quality.
Q. Is there any control on who can install Intruder Alarms?
A. No, anyone can legally install alarm systems. SSAIB accredited companies are security vetted as are their employees. They also have to carry specific insurance which covers ‘failure to perform’.
Q. Can I have a panic alarm?
A. Panic alarms can be fitted to sound the alarm or to send a signal remotely. Panic alarms with police response must use a dual push and can only be used where there is a threat to life.
Q. Can an Intruder Alarm be used to warn of presence without activating the alarm?
A. A door or detector can be set to ‘chime’ to advise of a presence without activating the alarm.
Q. Can I check the recent alarm usage and activations?
A. System with an ‘event log’ will allow interrogation of the systems recent history with time and date.
Q. Can I change the User Codes?
A. You can change, add and delete user codes. Different user codes can be configured to allow full or limited access to the system.
Q. Is a wired system better than a wireless system?
A. A wired system offers the benefit of a central power source whereas wireless systems rely on batteries. Where cabling poses a problem a GOOD graded wireless system can offer the same level of security and reliability.
Q. Where can I find independent advice on Intruder Alarms?
A. You can go on line to www.riscauthority.co.uk. or you can see their publications at our premises.