Instalments

(Standards continue to keep abreast of changes in intruder alarm components...)

“A new section of BS 4737 has been published which will facilitate third party certification for intruder alarm components.

“Section 3.0 of BS 4737:Part 3 specifies general requirements for evaluating the satisfatory performance and compatibility of intruder alarm system components. This has been done in a suitable form to allow the third party certification of such components to be undertaken. Section 3.0 reflects technical advances that have taken place since the publication of the previous edition of Part 3 and has to be read in conjunction with the appropriate section of BS 4737: Part 3 for a particular component.”

Moving on up

(The industry shows signs of growth with two companies moving to bigger premises following an upturn in business…)

“After 21 years in business, Frowds has now settled in to their new purpose-built premises in Denmead, just north of Portsmouth.

“The new two-storey building is situated in Parklands, a new development set in landscaped woodland and visitors will be surprised to see sheep grazing around the new business park development. The new building houses laboratory standard assembly areas, a massively increased research and development area, a clean room for the assembly of lenses, a dark room for camera testing, new offices for sales and marketing personnel, demonstration facilities and, at the centre of the building, an atrium that provides for meetings and training.

“With an upturn in business and a need for larger warehousing facilities, bpt Security Systems (UK) Ltd have also moved to new larger premises in Hemel Hempstead. The purpose-built unit also contains enlarged office space and better training facilities for the company’s weekly training programmes, held on site, which are becoming increasingly popular with installers and surveyors alike.”

NSCIA under the microscope

(As part of an in-depth assessment of organisations monitoring installing companies, installers give their view of the only independent inspectorate of the day…)

“The NSCIA Approved Installers expressed complete satisfaction with the new constitution, and future plans, although there was some criticism of past activities.

“Opinions freely given during contacts made over the last year or so overwhelmingly indicate that newly approved installers take a tremendous pride in their approval and are more motivated than ever to go on improving their standard of performance. After a year or two, some accuse NSCIA of lowering standards for current applicants, claiming to know a recently approved company who produces dreadful work. This is so common that one wonders if it is showing up the limitations of any approval system, or the short memories of Approved Installers for their own inadequacies of the past. Perhaps the truth is somewhere in between.

“They all welcome the additional work available to them after approval, which not only assures them of a good future, but also extends the breadth and depth of their experience, as the larger more complex systems come their way.

“Two problems which they believe should be tackled by NSCIA are the differences between Police forces’ alarm policies and the indifferent attitude to NSCIA by some Police authorities.

“Companies who take training seriously welcomed the NSCIA initiatives in training activities. One company claims an improvement in gross profit, as a direct result of the introduction of regular training.”