Insurance Approved Alarm Systems
SSAIB Certificated
We are certificated by the SSAIB for both the Installation and Maintenance of Intruder Alarm Systems with or without Police response.
Domestic
Most home insurance policies require that your alarm is maintained under a service agreement by an approved company. Some insurers may even offer a discount. Besides providing a written contract we can also supply, free on request, a letter of confirmation for your insurers certifying that the system meets the standards required and that it is under a valid agreement.
They know that if your alarm system is under a maintenance agreement you are much more likely to ring your alarm company straight away if something doesn't seem quite right rather than think "Oh, it might be a big bill - I'll wait a few days to see if it rights itself" ! It rarely does and it could be a case of the old proverb "a stitch in time saves nine" because some problems can actually get more expensive if left or worse still your alarm system may not activate correctly when you need it most!
Commercial
If you have been instructed by your Insurance Company (please refer to the important note # below) to install an alarm system, usually as a condition of cover, they will specify either a Grade 2 or Grade 3 system under the EN50131 standards and say whether it has to be monitored with Police response. Most insurers are likely to insist on a dual path signalling system such as RedCare GSM or DualCom GPRS. This means that if the telephone line develops a fault or if it is deliberately cut - the alarm signal will still get through to the Alarm Receiving Centre as it is sent over the GPRS and or GSM mobile network.
Please be aware that only systems that have been installed to the EN50131, PD6662, DD243, and ACPO standards by a company registered both with the Local Police Force and also with one of the two UKAS approved Inspectorates such as the NSI. who operate the NACOSS scheme. or the SSAIB (with whom we are registered) qualify for such Police response.
Norwich Union Risk Services - 8 June, 2007
According to Norwich Union Risk Services (NURS), 25% of businesses may have inappropriate alarm systems*.
Richard Underwood, property security specialist for Norwich Union Risk Services, says: "Opting for an alarm system from a supplier who is registered with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI - NACOSS) or the Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) will help ensure businesses receive a thorough assessment of their needs, providing significant benefits to the business.
"These accredited suppliers are the sole providers of ‘Type A' alarms, as defined by strict criteria set by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Such alarms are the only ones eligible for a unique reference number (URN), which in turn qualifies them for a police response via an alarm signal handled by a recognised alarm receiving centre (ARC).
"'Type B' systems, most typically known as a 'bells only' alarm, are not however issued with a URN and police will not respond unless there is some kind of on site verification from the public, which in reality might be too late - rendering them as less effective.
"In addition to meeting police requirements for alarms that provide confirmed activations, newer systems also have to be designed to meet an appropriate grade of alarm, as defined in European standards (EN 50131). The grade is dependant on the level of the risk, which is based upon the type of intruder likely to target the premises. Risk is measured on a four-point scale from grade one, a low risk, to grade four, a high risk. "Intruder alarms are an essential part of a business continuity plan and businesses must ensure that a security alarm is fit for purpose.
# "The level of security undertaken to protect a premises will also affect an insurance policy and failure to check with an insurer that the appropriate grade of alarm is being installed or that suitable alarm signalling and response measures are in place may lead to insurance cover being refused or made conditional upon expensive additional work being undertaken."
*Data extracted from NURS risk assessments 2005/06 (over a two year period). Of 1500 businesses surveyed, 75% of businesses had some form of alarm signalling or other, whereas 25% of businesses had a "bells only" alarm.
Reduce Insurance Premiums
Beefing up your security is probably the easiest and most effective method of reducing your insurance premium. Firstly, you need to look after the physical security of your business assets, whether that’s your premises, your stock, your machinery or computer systems or your vehicles. Strong locks, security shutters and alarm systems can all help you lower your risk profile. Secondly, you need to protect your company data like your customers’ details, your invoicing and payroll systems and your order book. There are a number of companies who specialise in protecting your IT systems from outside attack if you don’t want to do it in-house.