So what does this mean for security installers, monitoring centres, manufacturers and customers?
It means a certain amount of confusion!
But I should point out that during 2001 all industry bodies involved in the alarms sector have been working very hard to ensure that this confusion is minimised. With the assistance of the British Standards Institute we have tried to revise and publish the standards that govern this area in time for the October 1 deadline, but unfortunately this has not been possible.
Revision is complete, but the editing and publishing phase at the BSI will take a further three months. Meanwhile, ACPO are determined to continue with the October 1 deadline, so the industry bodies are continuing our work and, as I will go on to explain, we are endeavouring to ensure that the industry gets the information it needs.
What is confirmation technology?
Confirmation technology comes in three main forms:
Basically, confirmation technology provides additional evidence of an intrusion. For example, a burglar activates an alarm by breaking in through the window of a premises (glass break detector) and is then picked up by the PIR covering the room.
The monitoring centre therefore has two signals suggesting a break-in rather than just one and is able to make a more informed decision when alerting the police.
Some alarm companies already install confirmation technology, but others have little or no experience of it
The type and depth of confirmation technology should be based on the evaluated risks associated with the premises – and two 'same technology' detectors should not be used to cover the same area, as they will be activated by the same occurrence and will not provide a true 'confirmed' signal.
Installers have to learn
ACPO has included confirmation technology within its new systems policy in an attempt to reduce false alarms. However, if the quality of installation falls short of the required high standard, false alarms will not be reduced. Some alarm companies already employ best practice when installing confirmation technology, but others have little or no experience of installing confirmed systems. This means they will have to learn to specify and install a confirmation system and, more importantly, to be able to offer comprehensive guidance to their customers.
Given that one of the main causes of false alarms is user-error, this is a very important consideration.
Confirmation standard
DD 243: 2002
The availability of clear guidelines and appropriate standards for installers is therefore paramount. The existing standard for confirmation technology is DD 243:1999, but it does not go into sufficient detail to provide an adequate guide to installers.
As mentioned at the start of this article, DD 243:1999 has been revised over the last year, but won't be published until early 2002. It incorporates aspects of the BSIA's code of practice for sequential and audio confirmation and gives in-depth guidance to installers and monitoring centres on the installation and monitoring of systems incorporating alarm confirmation technology.
Manufacturers need time to revise products ...a more realistic deadline for full change to DD243:2002 is late 2002
Before DD 243:2002 is available, installers and monitoring centres will have to continue to use DD 243:1999 as their guide. However, help is at hand!
Inspectorates consulted
The BSIA and other industry partners met at the start of September with the two main security systems inspectorates, the NSI (National Security Inspectorate, NACOSS division) and the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board).
The aim of the meeting was to look at any additional information that could be provided to supplement DD 243:1999, to assist installers in the transitional period before DD 243:2002 is available. These guidelines are being established with the inspectorates so that a system installed in accordance with them will be acceptable for inspection purposes.
This means that from 1 October 2001 installers will be able to install to DD 243:1999 or DD 243:1999 and the document agreed with the inspectorates. From early next year the revised DD 243:2002 will also be available. Ideally, installers will begin operating in accordance with DD 243:2002 as soon as possible, but it is important to remember that installers can only install the equipment that is available from manufacturers. The alarm manufacturers will need sufficient time to revise products to meet the new requirements, including preparing appropriate software, testing it and producing the required hardware and documentation. Consequently a more realistic deadline for full change-over to DD 243:2002 will be late 2002.
Best practice guidelines
The BSIA, and its industry partners, have produced a simple additional document on best practice points to consider when installing a confirmation system. This is now available from various bodies including the BSIA (if you would like a copy go on to the BSIA website at www.bsia.co.uk, or contact our helpline on 01905 21464).
There will be a lot more advice, opinion and, no doubt, complaints appearing in the trade press over the coming weeks, but the crucial point to remember is that we are all working towards the same goal: the reduction of false alarms.
If you are an installer or an end-user and you need advice on the new policy all you have to do is pick up the phone and ring your industry body. Now is the time to get your voice heard. You need to get it right!
With high quality installation, monitoring and best practice user-operation of confirmation systems, we can reduce false alarms and transform the image and success of the sector. By doing this we can also play our part in improving crime prevention and law enforcement in the UK.
Source
Security Installer
Postscript
Alex Carmichael is Deputy Technical Manager at the BSIA