More on false alarms

It is also important that keyholder lists are kept up-to-date. Tim Geddes commented: "It is not uncommon for an alarm receiving centre to phone a keyholder, only to find that they are no longer employed or fulfilling this duty."

Alarm signals do not necessarily have to be passed on to the police. Some individuals and organisations may decide that they wish only their own keyholders and/or a commercial response company to respond in certain circumstances.

Richard Underwood, specialist security risk adviser at Norwich Union, told us: "We do usually expect a police response to be in place for remote monitored alarm systems. However, at lower risk premises where there are no significant keyholder safety issues to take account of and police involvement is unlikely to reduce the scale of any theft loss, we may agree to an alarm with 'keyholder only' response. An example might be a 'corner shop' at risk of a small 'smash and grab' burglary.

"Whether it is more appropriate for the keyholder to be the policy holder, a staff member or a commercial response company will depend on the circumstances. However, where use of a commercial response company is considered we look for companies that are subject to outside inspection by the National Security Inspectorate.

"Amongst other matters, this ensures that the company is observing recognised rules on security issues such as staff vetting, key handling and information security."

New technology

Confirmation requirements have helped to stimulate technological development, and end-users can look forward to further equipment options.

Craig Leivers of Pyronix said: "I would envisage radio systems becoming much more popular in the future. These are not widely used by organisations currently because, despite the advantages of being wire-free, there have been issues relating to range, susceptibility to interference and concerns about whether signals can be jammed. Now these problems have been overcome.

"In addition, two-way communication is now possible via radio. As well as signals being sent from detectors to control equipment, they can now also be sent from control equipment to the detectors, indicating that it is time to behave like a detector.

"This means that detectors can remain dormant when they are not needed, greatly saving on battery usage. Extending battery life from two to five-seven years will result in considerable cost savings."

Other developments will bring savings and greater flexibility according to Leivers: "Visual confirmation of alarms can now take place over the Internet, avoiding expensive communication links. Indeed Internet Protocol systems connected to the computer network mean that all aspects of your security, including CCTV and alarm signalling, can be controlled via the same system as your organisation¹s PCs."

When considering all the options, end-users should avoid seeing alarms as a grudge purchase, but similarly they need to ensure that any upgrading is based on actual need, according to Tim Geddes.

The BSIA chairman concluded: "If you consider your security requirements have changed, take advice, but don¹t change just because you feel that you should."

Catherine Park