However, it does not provide sufficient detail to ensure that false alarms from confirmation technology systems are minimised. Therefore, DD243 :1999 is being revised to provide additional requirements for installers and ARCs.
The revised DD243 is unlikely to be available before early 2002, and the Inspectorates are drawing up an 'Inspection Document' to cover the interim period from October 1 until then. This will list details of permitted deviations from DD243:1999 for systems that include confirmation technology. There are only two permitted deviations, one regarding the overlapping of detectors and the other regarding the prevention of sending a confirmed signal on opening the entry door; both of which are covered in detail in the revised draft. The Inspection Document will provide details of them.
The following "interim guidance notes" have been issued by the British Security Industry Association:
"From October 1, and until the revised DD243 is published, systems may be installed and monitored to either:
i. DD243 : 1999 which does not permit the use of overlapping movement detectors for systems that include alarm confirmation technology (remember under the new ACPO policy all new systems installed must incorporate confirmation technology) ; OR
ii. DD243 : 1999 plus the Inspection Document for systems that include alarm confirmation technology, and which will permit the use of overlapping movement detectors of different technologies.
In the absence of the revised DD243, these notes have been drawn up to provide guidance for good working practices when installing systems using confirmation technology.
General points
- Installers should speak of security systems incorporating "confirmation technology" and should not speak of confirmation systems.
- The customer should be made aware of the ACPO requirements and how the use of confirmation technology can help to reduce false alarms. The type of confirmation technology used should be appropriate to the customer and the environment.
- The system specification and system record should clearly state the scope and extent of the different types of confirmation technology used in a security system.
- Consideration should be given to the procedure used when a customer attends the premises following an initial activation. It would be bad practice for a confirmed alarm to be signalled when the customer opens the entry door and starts the unsetting procedure.
- It is important to design the confirmation system such that it is impractical for the customer to signal a confirmed alarm signal if they stray off the entry route.
- It is important to remember that the initial alarm activation received at the ARC CANNOT be passed to the police.
The use of sequential confirmation technology
It is important to evaluate the risks associated with the premises and then decide the type and depth of confirmation technology to be installed.
Remember that the detector that sends the first (unconfirmed) activation cannot also send the second (confirmed ) activation.
Detectors should be configured such that there is a high degree of certainty that a sequential confirmation activation is caused by either: i. an intruder breaking the perimeter protection followed by an internal device activating, OR ii. an intruder activating two internal detectors sequentially.
Configurations not offering sequential confirmation The following are not considered to offer sequential technology:
- Two similar, single technology movement detectors having overlapping areas of coverage
- A 'double-knock' configuration
- A 'dual technology' detector
- Technology' detector that has been modified to produce two separate outputs
- A two or more vibration detectors having overlapping areas of coverage
- Two or more break glass detectors having overlapping areas of coverage
- Two or more foil-on-glass detectors fitted to the same pane of glass
- Two or more doors switches fitted to the same door
- Two or more audio detection devices
For systems installed to DD243 :1999 and the Inspection Document, where overlapping detectors are used, the following requirements apply:
a)Two independent dual technology movement detectors with the same technologies may have overlapping areas of coverage.
b) A dual technology movement detector and a single technology movement detector may have overlapping areas of coverage.
c)Movement detectors having overlapping areas of coverage should be located so that the overlap is in the far field of view of at least one detector.
Consideration should be given to providing a realistic time window between the first (Unconfirmed) activation and the second (confirmed) activation. (e.g. In Sweden where all systems have to be of a confirmed nature, the time window is 30 minutes and this has proved very effective. Remember it is impractical for the first activation to occur on a Friday night and for the second activation to occur on Sunday morning as the police may not accept this as a confirmed activation).
The ARC operator should be able to unambiguously identify the confirmed activation. The operator may not know, for example, that a second Code 3 appearing on screen is the confirmed activation or not without searching the log. Therefore it is important that you talk to your ARC to agree different codes, e.g one code for the first (unconfirmed) activation and a separate code for the second (confirmed) activation.
Care must be taken that when the customer attends the premises following an initial activation, a confirmation signal is not signalled during the unsetting procedure. It is essential, therefore, that proper training is given to the customer on setting and unsetting a system that uses sequential technology. Installers should discuss with the customer what action is to take place on first activation, e.g. call the keyholding company, first response team or keyholder (if keyholder is to respond the insurer and keyholder should carry out a "callout" risk assessment).
Audio confirmation technology
Installers should ensure customers are aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
All audio listen-in devices (ALD) should be sited so that they:
i. cannot, wherever practicable, detect noise from outside the protected premises;
ii. avoid noise sources that may interfere with their use;
iii. have as a minimum the same area of coverage as the detection device associated with it.
The system should be configured such that the cause of the activation is presented to the ARC operator.
It should not be possible to listen in to an ALD other than when it is in alarm condition, except where the engineer is testing the system on site and has the customer's permission to do so.
Consideration should be given to ensuring that the ALD cannot send a confirmation signal when the customer enters the premises via the entry route.
Visual confirmation technology
Installers should ensure customers are aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act, and that they register their CCTV system with the Data Protection Commissioner, if applicable.
The system specification and system record should state the scope and coverage of the visual confirmation system. The field of view of a camera should, as a minimum, be the same as the area of coverage of the associated detector.
Cameras should not be positioned to overlook neighbouring private areas (DPA 1998 applies).
Cameras should be positioned such that light sources do not interfere with the image produced.
It is good practice to ensure that the image captured at the point of initial activation is presented to the ARC operator.
Consideration should be given for the system installed to present the ARC operator the pre-alarm, alarm and Post-alarm images. This will give the ARC operator a comparison of images to decide what action should be taken to the images presented."
Document will be withdrawn
In its summary the BSIA says this is an interim document designed to assist installers to reduce false alarms. Once the revised DD243 is published, this document will be withdrawn as the new document goes into great detail on how to configure systems that include confirmation technology.
Source
Security Installer
Postscript
Copies of these guidelines can be downloaded from the BSIA website: www.bsia.co.uk