Don't be alarmed …

Yvonne Butterworth, Intruder Product Manager,Gardiner Security

”In all my ”In all my experience of the industry, working for the largest independent supplier of intruder alarms, I cannot think of any other occasion whereby installers and manufacturers alike have been faced with the task of reassessing product suitability in terms of regulatory compliance and grading.

”EN50131-1 2005 requires installers to fully document each system that they fit for insurance company purposes and this documentation must carry ACPO authority. Clearly, installers really need to understand what is now expected of them. Looking after the interests of our installers for the long term is our main priority, and for this reason we have joined forces with Tavcom Training, the leading independent security systems training company, to devise a series of one day courses on EN 50131 (PD6662:2004) Alarm Systems - Intrusion and hold-up systems.

”The courses are highly recommended for those involved with intruder alarms – from installers to specifiers as well as security consultants. As of 1st October 2005, all such personnel are now required to observe European Standards (EN) when risk assessing, specifying, installing or maintaining a new intruder alarm system. All existing British Standards which conflict with EN standards have been withdrawn since that date.

”After speaking to several customers at the beginning of October, it is clear that Gardiner Security is seen to be at the forefront in assimilating accurate information. We are able to inform installers as to whether or not a product is suitable for a Grade 2 or Grade 3 installation.”

Paul Tennent, Director of Customer Services,Tavcom Training

”EN 50131/1 2005 places serious new responsibilities on security personnel, as they need to understand and implement the significant differences between British Standards 4737 and the new European standards which take the form of structured standards, grading of systems, classification of equipment, risk based system design proposals and risk assessment. There is also a stipulation that personnel should receive formal training in their area of operation.

”The good news is that personnel of all disciplines who remain confused and uncertain of their practical and legal obligations under the new regulations need not despair. Gardiner Security and Tavcom Training's one-day training programmes will provide clarification of all the relevant issues. Delegates will receive practical help, assistance and all the guidance necessary to satisfy the directives of European Standard EN 50131 (PD 6662:2004). Formal certification and accreditation will be available to those who successfully complete the assessment process, which will include a written knowledge check.

”The courses, which will be presented at a variety of locations across the UK throughout 2006, are BTEC accredited and are suitable for those with previous experience in system design, specification preparation (System Design Proposals), risk assessment and installation and maintenance practices.“

Course content will cover:

1) Risk assessment - assessing risk, evaluating risk, gathering the correct information and grading intruder alarm systems.

2) System Design Proposal – details of information that must be included in a system design proposal and general guidance on the preparation of written specifications. The revised DD243:2004 specifies additional information that must be included in the System Design Proposal.

3) System Design (Installation and Maintenance) – System planning, component grading, siting/locating system components, signalling requirements, tamper security requirements, interconnections, PD6662:2004, maintenance schedules (remote system checks/site visits), DD243:2004, setting and unsetting, confirmation and dual path signalling.