British and European Intruder Alarm Standards

British and European Intruder Alarm Standards

DD243
Code of Practice for installation and configuration of intruder alarm systems designed to generate confirmed alarm conditions.

BS 8473:2006
Code of Practice for Intruder and hold-up alarm systems - Management of false alarms

BS EN 50131 Series
European Standards on Intruder Alarms
(Originally due to commence October 2005)

PD6662:2004
Guideline for the implementation of BS EN 50131-1:2004

Introduction

To help ensure that alarms are designed, installed and maintained reliably, suppliers and installers make reference to a series of British Standards and Codes of Practice. Some of these have been withdrawn and replaced by the ‘European Standards for Intruder and Hold Up Alarm Systems' - usually referred to as the Euro Standards.
The Euro Standards only apply to new systems.  Existing systems remain subject to the British Standards and Codes of Practice applying at the time of their installation; but exceptionally may need to comply with the new Euro Standards if they require such extensive re-design/equipment replacement that they effectively become a ‘new system'.

Means of Introduction

Because some of the Euro Standards relating to components are not yet published, and the Euro Standards do not cover some issues that alarms may be required to meet in the UK to satisfy the police or insurers, an enabling ‘standard' has been prepared.  This outlines retained/additional UK requirements that apply alongside the Euro Standards and was published in August 2004 titled ‘PD6662:2004 - Scheme for the application of European Standards for Intruder and Hold up Alarm Systems'.

Timescale for Introduction of PD6662

A transition period operated until 1^st December 2005, during which new alarms could be installed to previous British Standards or the PD6662 scheme.  Now PD6662 must be used.

Overview of EN 50131

The major differences between EN 50131 and the old BS 4737 are:

· Structured standards

· Grading of systems

· Classification of equipment

· Risk based

This provides a structured approach to:

· Assessment of risk

· Technical survey

· System design

· Installation of the system in accordance with agreed specification

· Installation of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.

A significant advantage for insurers and surveyors applying European Standards to systems is the specification of grades appropriate to the associated Risk. One of the major differences in the European Standards is the grading of systems, which is not a feature of BS 4737.   

Security Grading

Under BS EN 50131-1:2004, intruder alarm systems will need to be Security Graded according to the kind of intruder considered likely to try to defeat the system.

Insurers are understood to support the Grading approach and it is expected that they will, in due course, recommend particular Grades of system in relation to particular premises risks.  Where this turns out to be the case, installers and customers may take the lead given by insurers, as regards the minimum Grade of system they require, and discuss whether to go for a higher Grade of system.

The grading of a system based on a structured risk analysis will determine the:

· Extent of the system

· Signaling

· Tamper security

Within the new European Standards there are four security grades:

· Grade 1 - low risk

· Grade 2 - low to medium risk

· Grade 3 - medium to high risk

· Grade 4 - high risk

Who Decides the Grade of Alarm? 

Installers

Installers are required to carry out a formal assessment of the theft risk to determine a suitable Grade of alarm.
To do so they will consider the items at risk, existing security arrangements and any previous thefts, etc.  Before they proceed they will seek the customer's formal approval, and may also suggest that any interested insurer be consulted. 

Insurers

Depending on the risk exposure, insurers may require an intruder alarm before providing certain insurance covers, eg theft.  As the Grade of an alarm cannot be readily changed after installation, it makes sense to check a proposed alarm with any interested insurer before proceeding.
Insurers may respond to a request to approve an alarm by visiting the premises, making a decision based on information already held by them, or by agreeing the outcome of the installer's risk assessment.
Insurers will make their own decisions, but as a general guide the following is likely: 

Detection and Control System

Grade 2 - Lower risk premises.
Grade 3 - Normal risk premises, ie all except those suitable for Grade 2 or 4
Grade 4 - Very high risk premises, eg cash handling centres, banks, museums.
A further inclusion in the European Standards is the classification of components that are used for the intruder alarm system installations. These will be classified, which in turn will determine where they are installed.
Detection and Control System - Grading
Apart from increasing control panel event memories and levels of recommended detection; the key difference between Grades 2, 3 and 4 is that movement sensors at Grade 3 must be able to detect ‘masking', ie something has been placed over the sensor lens and at Grade 4 ‘range reduction', ie something has blocked part of the detectors' field of view.

Key Action Steps 

When having a new alarm installed:

·        Use a reputable installer, eg one inspected by the NSI (NACOSS) or SSAIB.

·        Co-operate with the installer's risk assessment procedures.

·        Check any interested insurer agrees with the proposed alarm Grade, Detection, Signaling and Response.

·        Where police response necessitates a ‘Confirmation System' check that the installer designs a system that has:

·        Dual Path Signaling

·        Confirmation from each ‘at risk' area

·        A ‘Means of Unsetting' that does not prevent the police being called should an intruder force open the designated alarm entry/exit door.

 BS 8473:2006 European Standards for Intruder Alarm Systems

Code of Practice for intruder and hold-up alarms – Management of false alarms.

BS 8473 has been drawn up to assist all parties in the management of false alarms, to reduce the disproportionate level of resources being absorbed by the police, the alarm industry, customers and operators as a direct result of false activations.

Preventing false alarms: points to remember;

The intruder alarm system (IAS) is to be operated only by persons who have been correctly trained. If there is uncertainty about the correct operational procedures the alarm company should be contacted.

Before leaving the premises check that all doors and windows are physically secured. A walk around the supervised area is the only effective way of doing this properly.

Ensure that detection devices are not obstructed. In particular be careful that infra red beams and movement detectors are not obstructed by stock or other items.

If movement detectors are used do not introduce sources of heat, movement or sound into the area supervised by these detectors without informing the alarm company.

Always follow the entry/exit procedure agreed with the alarm company. Entry through any door other than the one designated should be physically prevented. Switching off the IAS is always the first task on entry.

Before entry, ensure that the means necessary to enter the premises and unset the IAS are known and available in a secure manner to the operator.

Inform the alarm company of any alterations to the premises which could affect the IAS. Do not permit people other than employees of the alarm company to make changes to the IAS. Place system on test when building immediately.

Treat the IAS with care. Wiring and detection devices can be accidentally damaged or moved. If this occurs inform the alarm company immediately.

After a false alarm, check the system carefully, and if possible, note the cause of activation. Inform the alarm company of the believed cause of the activation immediately.

Make sure regular maintenance checks are carried out by the alarm company and that you have the correct contact details for the alarm company and ARC. Remember that excessive false alarms can result in police response being withdrawn.

Most IAS require a mains electricity supply. If the electricity supply to your system is disconnected for more than 4 h contact the alarm company.

EN 50131 European Standards for Intruder Alarm Systems

EN 50131 was phased in to replace British Standards BS4737, BS7042 and BS 6799 and was adopted in October 2005 utilizing PD 6662:2004, an enabling document which facilitated the introduction of EN 50131 into the UK.

The difference between PD6662 / EN 50131and the old British Standards

PD6662 differs from former British Standards in the following ways:

It determines not only the system but also the component design requirements for Intruder and Hold-up Alarm systems.

A comprehensive Risk Assessment is required to determine the design criteria of the system.

Applicable to both hard-wired and wire-less installations.

Grading of systems is required to reflect "the risk". I.E. Grade 1 - Low Risk, Grade 4 - High Risk.

Does my existing system need to be upgraded to comply with PD6662

If your current system complies with the old British Standards and is working effectively changes are not required.

If any upgrade to your system is undertaken your insurance company will require the system to comply with PD6662.

If  you lose Police Response and the URN is withdrawn it can only be reinstated if the system is upgraded to comply with PD6662.

RISK ASSESSMENT

One of the most significant issues within the new EN standards will be evaluating the risk associated with the premises and determining a grade of system. This is because once the grade of a system is determined it will define the extent of the system, its signalling and tamper security requirements.

SECURITY GRADES

One of the most important aspects of the EN 50131 requirements is the concept of a security grade. For each installation the grade of system has to be chosen according to various factors. In the EN the grade is described in terms of the type of intruder and how much effort they would put into a burglary.

What are the Grades?

Grade 1 is for an installation with a low risk of theft. The property is not likely to attract intruders. It is assumed that a thief is likely to be opportunistic rather than bothering to plan things in advance. In the application guide (DD CLC/TS 50131-7) it assumes that an intruder is simply going to break open a door.

Grade 2 is for a slightly higher risk of theft. The property is likely to have something of interest to an experienced thief. In this case the intruder is expected to have some knowledge of how alarm systems work and possibly carry some tools to allow him to overcome a simple alarm system. The thief is likely to check the building for ease of access through doors, windows and other openings.

Grade 3 is for a reasonably substantial risk property. There is good reason to assume it may be broken into and might well contain objects of high value. An intruder is likely to gain access by penetrating doors, windows or other openings. The thief could be very experienced with intruder alarm systems and possess a number of tools and equipment to overcome the system

Grade 4 is for very high-risk properties. Intruders could be expected to plan a burglary in advance and have the knowledge and equipment to alter parts of the intruder alarm system to prevent detection. It is assumed that the intruder could gain access by penetration of floors, walls and ceilings. The intruder is unlikely to be working alone.

What Grade of System does my installation need?

This is difficult to say at the moment and opinion on this matter varies from country to country. The view in the UK tends to require grades that are higher than other countries (e.g. a shop in Belgium at grade 2 could be grade 3 in the UK). To a large degree the choice of grade would be guided by insurance companies. A typical view though could be:

· Grade 1 would only be of interest in domestic properties (without an insurance requirement for an alarm system).

· Grade 2 would be most domestic properties and low risk commercial (e.g. florists)

· Grade 3 would be for high-risk domestics and most commercial properties (e.g. Newsagent with cigarette sales)

· Grade 4 would be for extremely high-risk domestic and higher risk commercial properties (e.g. bullion stores).

Mixing Components of Different Grade

The EN standard says that it is not necessary to use the same grade of component throughout an intruder system.

If the installation is a grade 2 then there is no problem using, for example, a grade 3 power supply.

If however an installer fits a grade 2 component (such as a detector) in a system then that system is limited to grade 2 at best.

It is possible to have a defined part of a system at a higher grade so long as all associated parts are at the same (or higher) grade. For example a system combining intruder and hold-up (PA) functionality could have a grade 4 hold-up system whilst the intruder parts were limited to grade 3. But this example is only valid if the power supply, alarm transmission system and warning devices used by the hold-up (PA) parts are all grade 4. This would still allow intruder parts such as PIR's to be grade 3. The system as a whole is, of course, only grade 3.