Editorial

The effects of this legislation are likely to be far reaching for the installation sector and the general verdict is that it will be for the good of the industry. Despite the length of time they’ve been coming (it was two years ago that we ran a nine-part feature on them!) they seem to have crept up suddenly with manufacturers pulling out the stops to get kit ready and installers, inevitably, waiting on that. There’s been no lack of information on the contents of EN50131-1 and the “key” document PD6662. I’ve never known so many seminars, advice sessions, web site advice sites etc etc ... even more than when the ACPO Policy was introduced ... so there’s no reason not to know the requirements.

Regular readers know we’ve been running features on the Euro standards in most editions this year. Probably the most informative was written by Drew Aitken of Honeywell Security in our April edition, and this month Drew has contributed a follow up looking at the standards from the points of view of five installation companies. The range of opinions is vast and not without a few gripes but the biggest message is that those who have prepared will do best. You may be thinking that these larger companies have the resources, whereas you might be a smaller installer who has found the changes harder work (reflected in some of the letters to our Mailbox this year). Whatever size your company, let us know your feelings about EN50131:1. Write/email your opinions to the addresses.

With changes in legislation having such a big impact on intruder alarm installers, you may not exactly welcome sudden changes in technology. But there’s no doubt that IP networking is forging into the intruder sector as end users suddenly have become more knowledgeable about what they want and at what price. (See our IP special features.) Someone mentioned to me that customers suddenly seem to be calling the shots. They know what type of equipment they need (or think they do) and even know what make and model will be suitable ... and how much they will be prepared to pay for it. But there’s no mystery to this sudden display of knowledge. With the internet bringing security secrets to the client’s desktop, installers had better get used to a more ‘informed’ customer.

This is not a bad thing in the long run ... The more customer awareness of security, the less a feeling of it being a grudge purchase. EN50131:1 may very well push prices up. But in a sector that has been highly price driven there is now a chance to sell on the quality of your service. Your customer may be spying cheap kit on the internet but it’s up to you to convince him you get what you pay for, and quality products from name manufacturers with good service and aftersales are a better investment than a cheap fix.