The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched a guide to procuring intruder alarm systems and security alarm services.
The guide includes a checklist of criteria that a reputable security company should demonstrate when tendering for an intruder and hold-up alarm system.
Anyone involved in the decision-making process for buying intruder alarms will also be offered questions to ask of service providers. Detailed in nine simple steps these questions will cover police response, compliance with technical standards, approval by an inspectorate’s personnel vetting and quality management systems.
The guide, which emphasises the importance of properly installed and maintained systems, also suggests questions like: is the supplier a member of an industry trade association? Does the supplier have full public and employer’s liability insurance cover? Can they provide references? And do they have qualified installation and service engineers?
“The security of the premises and staff is ultimately the customer’s responsibility,” said David Wilkinson, Director of Technical Services at the BSIA. “This is why it is vitally important that you only source a security system from a quality, professional security systems company.
“For systems that require a police response, you also need to ensure that the system and service provided meets with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Security Systems Policy.
“Educating end users on recent security developments and the value of choosing a reputable supplier is a key role of the Association. This procurement guide will prove an extremely useful tool in helping end-users to choose the right security alarm system and in helping them to avoid procurement pitfalls.”
Added to the BSIA’s library of guidance for the procurement and use of security technology, the guide is free to download from the BSIA’s website.
BSIA membership is contingent on successful completion of an independent inspection in accordance with quality standard ISO 9001 with a UKAS-accredited certification body and compliance with relevant British and European standards and/or BSIA codes of practice. You can find a reputable security systems company near you on the BSIA’s Company Finder.