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21/01/2004 - Features

A new grading for systems

The European standard will introduce grading of alarms. It is expected that this move will help insurers as well as end-users because it will enable them to specify the grade of alarm they wish to be installed dependent upon the risk factor.

Installers will have to determine the risk, which means that installers will be trained to assess risk in a more formal capacity than under BS 4737.

The risk levels are based on the type of intruder likely to target the premises:

Grade 1: Low risk - Intruders are expected to have little knowledge of intruder alarm systems and be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools.

Grade 2: Low to medium risk - Intruders are expected to have a limited knowledge of intruder alarm systems and use of a general range of tools and portable instruments.

Grade 3: Medium to high risk - 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 - To be used when security takes precedence over all other factors. Intruders are expected to have the ability or resource to plan an intrusion in detail and have a range of equipment including means of substitution of vital components in the alarm systems.

It is currently expected that Grades 2 and 3 will be those that will be mainly used for commercial properties.

The European standard is likely to have some very specific impacts in the way that equipment operates and how signals are monitored.

Craig Leivers, research and development director at Pyronix told us: "All grade 3 detectors will have to be anti-mask, even when they are not set, so that it is not possible to intentionally or unintentionally put something in front of them without the end-user being alerted. Also the whole system has to be in line with the specified grade, and that includes the signalling method."

This means that the grade designated for the alarm system will dictate whether it is acceptable for the alarm to be linked to the receiving centre by a simple phone line (which can be cut); whether it must be a system that knows if the phone line has been cut or blocked; or whether a system is required that provides two links, one phone and one wireless, i.e. radio or mobile phone.