It would be a formidable challenge for purchasers of security services, to know all of this about every company that they invited to tender, but fortunately they don't have to because there is an organisation which does this for them.
Since 1994, the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) have provided an approval service for companies in the integrated electronic security systems sector. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation which is governed by a board of directors drawn from the police, insurance industry and government. The SSAIB is recognised throughout the security industry for its inspection services, and the board of directors includes representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), ACPO Scotland, the Association of British Insurers, British Insurance Brokers Association, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Master Locksmiths Association, the Security Industry Training Organisation and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), to name a few.
The SSAIB is committed to raising standards, and we inspect over 1300 companies each year to ensure they remain compliant with the relevant British Standards. As a UKAS-Accredited Certification body, we award product certification under the ACPO/ABI Sector Scheme which ensures that the installation of the security system itself complies with relevant standards for intruder alarms, CCTV, access control and alarm receiving centres.
In addition, the SSAIB offers Quality Management certification, based on ISO9000 standards, which involves auditing a company's records and procedures to ensure they have systems in place to support a quality installation service.
Training is the key
The SSAIB recognises that the installation of a quality security system comes down to one thing: training. We pay particular attention to development and training in our recognised firms and the wider security industry. Over the past year-and-a-half, we have been working closely with one of our recognised Training Partners, RedCare, to alert the industry to changes in key standards, such as the ACPO Policy, DD243: 2002 and most recently the new European Standards.
Training and qualifications is a particular focus of the new European Standards. For instance, EN50131-7 states that any individual carrying out risk analysis, service, maintenance, surveying or commissioning of a security system must hold a relevant qualification. One avenue for achieving this is a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), which the SSAIB has been proactively promoting to its recognised firms. We encourage younger employees and more experienced professionals alike to take up an NVQ appropriate to their skill level.
Through its training courses and seminars, the SSAIB demonstrates its commitment to continued education in the security industry. SSAIB-recognised firms employ some of the most well-qualified specialists in their fields, whether it's domestic alarm installations or hi-tech commercial integrated security systems.
At the end of the day, having installed a security system, customers want to know that it is acceptable to their insurance company and that if, heaven forbid, they become a victim of crime, their alarm will work, the police will respond to it and the insurance company will compensate for any losses. By using an SSAIB recognised firm to install the security system, they have the greatest possible assurance that everything will be all right.
The SSAIB are delighted to be participating in Security installer's experts online and invite any questions you may have on becoming a recognised installer or questions concerning any of the current standards or coming EN standards.
Source
Security Installer
