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Intruder Alarm Systems – EN50131

From 1st October New European Standards for Intruder Alarms replaced British Standard 4737. These apply to all New Alarm Systems to be installed to Domestic and Commercial premises alike.

Overview

Intruder Alarm Systems have to be security graded.
The grading is dependant upon a risk assessment carried out by either the Alarm Company Surveyor or an Insurance Company Surveyor.

The System Design Proposal (Previously Specification) is to be based on a Risk Assessment

One of the fundamental differences between the current British Standards and the new EN standards is the way in which systems are to be designed.
EN standards will require system designs to be based on RISK.
To aid this, intruder alarm systems installed in buildings will be graded. The grade of system (please refer to next section) will take into account the:

  1. Risk level of the premises/house
  2. Risk level to the occupants (or householders)
  3. Contents value
  4. Typical knowledge intruders might be expected to have

The risk assessment is a fundamental part of the survey, this will form the basis of the System Design ‘Proposal’.
It is therefore essential that all the risks are considered and that the system as designed is therefore suitable and adequate to protect the particular risks.

Grading of Systems and Grading of Equipment

 

System grades (1-4) are categorised within the EN standard as:

Grade 1

Low risk system where intruders are expected to have little knowledge of intruder alarm systems and be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools. (This standard is less than the previous BS4737 and it is expected that grade 1 will not be acceptable to most Insurance Companies. E.g. certain devices are not required to be ‘tamper proof’)

Grade 2

Low to medium risk system where intruders are expected to have a limited knowledge of intruder alarm systems and the use of a general range of tools and portable instruments.

Grade 3

Medium to high-risk system where intruders are expected to be conversant with intruder alarm systems and have a comprehensive range of tools and portable electronic equipment.

Grade 4

High-risk system where security takes precedence over all other factors. Intruders are expected to have the ability or recourse to plan an intrusion in detail and have a full range of equipment, including means of substitution and vital components in the intruder alarm system.

Additional items

The equipment is now graded according to the level of protection built into the device, with grade 1 being the lowest (least secure) security grade.
12 hours of standby battery power is now mandatory (BS4737 was 8 hours).
Control Panels are to have considerably more ‘reporting information’ e.g. for greater event recording and memory

Environmental Classification of Equipment:

As well as the 4 security grades, the equipment now has to conform to one of 4 environmental classes:

Class 1 – Indoor  (Even temperature) (e.g. office / living room)

Class 2 – Indoor General (e.g. Garage)

Class 3 – Outdoor Sheltered

Class 4 – Outdoor General (Open to the elements etc)

 

Intruder Alarm Systems – ACPO Policy Changes 2006

NEW POLICE RESPONSE POLICY (FROM 1ST APRIL 2006)

 

ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) is to tighten national response to Remotely Monitored Security Systems from 01/04/06.

The new ACPO policy states “after the 1st of April 2006 we will allow 3 Policed false intruder activations and 2 Policed false personal attack activations, when these thresholds have been reached for either element a level three letter will be generated”. (Prior to 01/04/06 the level was 5 Policed false intruder alarm activations).

  1. A Level Three letter means that the Intruder Alarm System has lost response and the Police will not attend.

The changes are likely to mean that a significant number of Alarm Systems will need to be upgraded to incorporate Confirmation Technology in order to minimise the risk of having police response withdrawn. A Confirmed Activation is one which results from the activation of 2 or more independent detectors within a fixed period e.g. incorporates confirmation technology.

Systems capable of generating confirmed activations

(Generally those installed after September 2001) e.g. incorporating confirmation technology.

  1. Will only qualify for re-instatement of police response by demonstrating they have been false alarm free for a period of 3 consecutive months.

Systems which are NOT capable of generating confirmed activations

(Generally those installed before September 2001)

  1. Will NOT be allowed the 3 months alarm free period and must be upgraded to incorporate confirmation technology before qualifying for reinstatement of police response.

All systems that have Police Response withdrawn

  1. Must regain response within 6 months, if not the Police URN will be withdrawn.

An application for a Police URN (after it has been withdrawn)

Would be subject to any charges made by the police under the ACPO Policy, and the system would have to be upgraded to full European Standards, the costs could be significant to upgrade your alarm system to European Standards, e.g. the Control and Detection equipment etc may require replacing.

 

Systems without Confirmation Technology are at greater risk of exceeding the Policed false alarm level and we would strongly advise that you have your system upgraded in order to minimise the risk of having Police Response withdrawn.