by Richard Morgan March 08, 2023 4 min read
Security and Fire Protection for your Business
When it comes to protecting your business from the impact of crime or fire you can't afford to take any chances. The correct choice of fire or security protection system and provider is vital.
Having a fire or security systems provider in whom you can trust will ensure peace of mind for you and demonstrate to your insurer that you have acted responsibly to protect your business. This need not be a matter of luck - it can be an informed choice if you select an SSAIB certificated company.
This information will advise why it is important to choose an SSAIB certificated provider and what to consider when selecting systems for your business.
Confidence
SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) only certificate companies who demonstrate competence and professionalism in the management of their business. Certificated providers must also demonstrate technical competence and professional conduct when it comes to providing fire detection and alarm or security services to your business.
SSAIB certification means that you can be confident in the quality of service provided to protect your business from the potentially devastating consequences of fire or crime.
Increasingly insurers require evidence that all reasonable steps have been taken to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of personnel and assets within the workplace. An SSAIB certificated provider will meet or exceed your insurer's requirements.
When Buying a System
For increased confidence when buying a fire or security system you should:
SSAIB Certificated Installers
SSAIB check the following so that you don't have to:
SSAIB’s skilled assessors check all of the above, plus the quality of workmanship undertaken to ensure that standards are maintained.
Police and Fire Services Response
As part of their approach to false alarms management, the Police and Fire Services will generally only respond to alarm system activation where the signal has been verified by either an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) or visually by a security guard, a witness or victim.
Monitored Intruder Alarms
Monitored intruder alarm systems are issues with a unique reference number which is used to identify the premises where the alarm is installed. When the alarm is activated, the alarm receiving centre (ARC) monitoring the alarm will verify that it is a genuine emergency and pass the call onto the Police for a response. Police services in the UK will only offer a response to verified alarm signals from systems which have been granted a Police URN, the aim being to provide an effective response to genuine intruder alarms. Such systems can only be installed by certificated providers and must be subject to a maintenance agreement. Excess false alarms will jeopardise Police response. SSAIB certification is approved by all UK Police Forces; therefore certificated providers can obtain police URNs for the systems they install.
Monitored Fire Alarms
Some Fire Service authorities are adopting an approach modelled on the Police Policy outlined above. Where this is the case, to obtain a Fire Services response for an alarm activation from a monitored fire alarm system, it will be necessary to have a URN issued by the Fire Services and this will only be available to certificated providers. A maintenance agreement will also be required. Excess false alarms will jeopardise a Fire Services response.
Our Credentials
Founded in 1994, SSAIB is a not-forprofit Certification Body operating in the security, fire systems and telecare sectors. It was established to promote and encourage high standards of installation and service. There are currently over 1400 companies certificated by SSAIB, providing a wide range of intruder alarm, CCTV, alarm receiving and monitor services, fire detection and alarm systems and much more. SSAIB is subject to independent accreditation by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the sole accreditation body recognised by the Government to assess organisations that provide certification services. This means that SSAIB have been evaluated and demonstrated competence and impartiality in their approach to all aspects of its certification services. All SSAIB certificated providers installing intruder alarm systems demonstrate compliance with the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Policy, which is supported by insurers.
Your Satisfaction
SSAIB’s remit as a Certification Body is to ensure that your interests are protected. This is achieved by allowing only those providers who meet their exacting standards of quality and performance to be certificated by SSAIB. Only certificated companies are allowed to use the SSAIB Certificated Installer mark.
However, if you are dissatisfied with the service you receive from a certificated company in terms of the system failing to comply with the agreed specification, with standards applicable to the system, or the work has not been carried out to an acceptable standard, SSAIB will investigate the complaint. If substantiated, SSAIB will require the installer to rectify the cause of the complaint. For more information on protecting your business or choosing a system for your business, visit the SSAIB website www.ssaib.org
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