Editorial

“Oh no, not more legislation”, readers will cry ... and you’ll be excused if you think that this industry is now so overloaded with new legislation, initiatives, strategies, documents and standards that it’s surprising any work gets done at all. Installers may also be surprised, and possibly peeved, that among the proposals is the eradication of the humble external sounder. Ok, we know that a lot them are dummies, many are too old to croak and some wake up the neighbour at the drop of a hat, but there are reliable systems and they are central to the existing set-up, so I predict there will be a few protests aired.

However, under new noise pollution laws, your customers may be required to register them anyway and the whole effort of this may be too much hassle (see page 46). Overall, the new strategy from the BSIA is full of good sense and, in a sector which has had an uphill struggle for credibility, should lead to better systems being installed. It could also go a long way to cracking that old nut, the domestic sector. It advocates fully-monitored, less complicated, user friendly systems that will further cut false alarms. Sounders would be abolished as signalling devices, effectively requiring all systems to be type A monitored alarm systems but without external sounders. As most false alarms are caused by end user confusion during setting and unsetting, equipment should be standardised as simple to operate, for instance, from outside the premises using a key fob.

The strategy is said to outline the issue from the intruder alarm company perspective ... rather than the endless police policies, insurance guidelines and end user requirements we have grown used to over the years. So this will, theoretically, be putting forward the perspective of Security Installer readers. Turn to page 15 for a precis of the strategy and see if it represents your views ... whether your company is a BSIA member or not. With the introduction of the Euro Standards only months away, this is well timed. But you may agree or disagree with the strategy. Write to Mailbox, Security Installer, 7th floor, Ludgate House, 245 Blackfriars Road, London 9UY or email ahyder@cmpinformation.com

It was encouraging to see the talents displayed by the young engineers at IFSEC’s Apprentice Skills Challenge, and it brings to mind the importance of installer training. SITO’s National Training Programmes Manager, Noel Sargent, tells me there is a need for part time assessors to help with the apprenticeship programme and he is particularly interested to hear from suitable people in the Midlands, Yorkshire, South East and Avon/Bristol. You should have experience of the security systems industry, hold or be willing to work towards the Assessor ‘A’ unit award and be able to work part time to an agreed schedule. Contact Noel at SITO on 01905 20004.

Alan Hyder, editor