Installing An Inappropriate Grade Of Intruder Alarm May Lead

[j.paul]

Not sure if this has been posted before

Installing an inappropriate grade of intruder alarm may lead to insurance cover being refused

From October 2005, businesses arranging the installation of a new intruder alarm system will have found that they need to comply with new European Standards for alarm design and installation. According to Norwich Union, failure to check with an insurer that the appropriate grade of alarm is being installed may lead to insurance cover being refused or made conditional upon potentially expensive additional work being undertaken.

The European Standards for Intruder and Hold up Alarm Systems (Euro Stds), identify four different grades of alarm based on increasing levels of expected capability and tools available to an intruder. Alarm installers are required to undertake a security risk assessment to help determine the grade that may be appropriate, but as part of this process will usually advise customers to check whether any interested insurer agrees with the grade proposed.

Richard Underwood, specialist security risk adviser at Norwich Union Risk Services said: "It has always been important that insurers are involved in providing advice to businesses on alarm installations, but the difficulty and expense of making alterations to systems installed to the new European Standards make it critical that businesses seek insurer input at an early stage."

"At Norwich Union we usually expect a grade 3 system to be installed in business premises, but we have found that a number of businesses are agreeing to installers suggestions of cheaper grade 2 systems without seeking insurer advice. As it requires replacement of nearly all the alarm components to retrospectively move a grade 2 system to grade 3, failing to seek insurer advice can prove an expensive omission."

"In addition to helping select an appropriate grade of system, at Norwich Union we have a team of Risk Advisers that can provide other useful advice concerning alarm coverage, signalling and response measures. In view of the complexities of modern alarm systems, the advice to businesses must be to always consult your broker or insurer before installing an alarm."

[morph]

Even better get the insurance company to do the risk assesment and then tell the installer what level of system is required. After all they are insuring "The Risk"

Logical really, but they dont want the repsonsibillity.

[amateurandy]

Even better get the insurance company to do the risk assesment and then tell the installer what level of system is required. After all they are insuring "The Risk"

Logical really, but they dont want the repsonsibillity.

You can say that again!

I used to (no longer thank heavens) be regularly involved in insurance, risk assessment, mitigation, etc. usually regarding computer systems, server rooms etc..

I used to drive me mad that insurers would never actually provide proper guidance on what to do. They would always let you do whatever you thought right, criticise afterwards and load the premiums accordingly.

Never prepared to take responsibilty :!:

But always happy to take the money.

[jb-eye]

But have you ever come across a single person in an insurance brokers or insurance co. who knows anything about grading? I haven't. When they are asked about thje required grade, their eyes glaze over.

Strangely enough i have, It was Norwich Union Risk Services

Jef

[esp-protocol]

Even better get the insurance company to do the risk assesment and then tell the installer what level of system is required. After all they are insuring "The Risk"

Logical really, but they dont want the repsonsibillity.

I find it very strange that in the fire industry the BS states:

a) Any statutory requirements imposed by enforcing authorities, and any requirements imposed by

property insurers, for a fire alarm system should clearly state the Category of system required.

B) The purchaser of the system or his agent should inform the designer of the system as to the Category of system that is required (e.g. in purchase or tender specifications).

c) If the designer is not informed as to the Category of system required, the designer should make clear, to the purchaser or his agent, the Category of system that is proposed, prior to an order for the system being placed.

Basically if we are not told the category, then we "suggest" a category, but the onus is still on the purchaser to be satisfied it is suitable.

You guys may be expert in installing security systems, but does that really make you experts in "burglary" and breaking and entering??

I think it should be down to the insurers to determine.... they are always going to want the best so it could only mean more work for installers surely ??

[Service Engineer]

I think it should be down to the insurers to determine

QFA. Insurers should decide the system grade of each insured each premises.

Many insurance policies are worded in such a way to allow them many not so obvious, behind the scenes get out clauses, currently insurers are in the position of saying "sorry, were not paying because your system wasn't to our requirements", without actually stating exactly what there requirements are.

[jb-eye]

Just thought i would offer my view on this which appears to fall in line with the general consensus, and to this end have added a typical system design. Pay attention to the risk analysis and especially the part where we now add (R4) rooms onto the spec which shows no protection

SYSTEM DESIGN PROPOSAL

NACOSS GOLD Cerificate No. XXXXXX

This system design proposal is for an intruder alarm and hold up system installed to PD6662-2004 and EN 50131-1. All products used in the design proposal have both a security grade and an environmental class in accordance with PD6662-2004. For the purpose of clarification front, rear, left and right are to be defined by a person standing outside facing the front elevation of the property. A location and risk assessment for this system was conducted during our survey. A copy of this proposal should be submitted to your insurer. We have allocated this system the following security grade:

Grade 2 Option B

CONTROL EQUIPMENT

Your alarm system is to be controlled by a JB-EYE 8-44 circuit control panel ref: G2/MSX/44. The unit is to be 230 volt mains powered incorporating a standby rechargeable battery that will automatically take over powering the system in the event of an electrical failure for 12 hours. This unit incorporates an onboard modem for remote support and a time and date stamped 500 event log. The panel is compliant with the latest national Police force policy for intruder detection systems and British Standard DD243:2004 and is capable of reporting sequentially confirmed alarm signals. Environmental Class 2

The panel will be installed to the location shown below:

To the Ground floor rear area within the protected area

An 8 Circuit, 4 output expansion unit, complete with intelligent 1.5amp power supply housed within a metal enclosure installed to:

At high level to the first floor common area

At high level to the ground floor stores

CONTROL INDICATING EQUIPMENT

The control equipment keypad reference EUR-021 is to include a code for operation of the system. Environmental Class 2

The keypad is to be located to the:

Adjacent to the front door.

RISK ANALYSIS

Please note the following information is derived from our risk assessment which is based on our survey of the premises and other information made available at the time, it allows for valuations and information provided by the customer or the customers representative. All 'rooms' have been given a risk evaluation; this will help you ascertain whether more than one detector is to be installed to a room for the purpose of alarm confirmation. Only confirmed alarms (the activation of two or more devices within a thirty minute window) are to be passed to the Police. Should you consider our risk assessment to be incorrect please contact this office so additional protection can be allowed for. The risk guide is: R1=Activation of a device(s) within this zone should cause the transmission of a confirmed alarm, R2= Activation of a device(s) within this zone should cause the transmission of an unconfirmed alarm but will contribute towards a confirmed alarm, R3= Activation of a device(s) within this zone should cause the transmission of an unconfirmed alarm but is unlikely to contribute towards a confirmed alarm, & R4 = insignificant/unprotected.

INSTALLATION PLAN

Circuit 1 (Final Door Set) Entry time is 30seconds

A locking device which, in compliance with DD243:2004 clause 6.4.3., when used to unlock the initial entry door will disable alarm confirmation. Unauthorised access via this door or any other point of entry will contribute towards generating a confirmed alarm that will be passed to the police. Environmental Class 3. This device to be located to the:

To the front entry/exit door (R2)

Circuit 2 (Access)

This area will be protected by magnetic door contacts reference No. JB-EYE HD Environmental Class 2.

Installed to the:

Front entry/exit door (R2).

Circuit 3 (Access)

This area will be protected by a JB-EYE 12Mt 90

[j.paul]

Like the R4 idea Jef

On a side note to this, most wrongful advice/Efficacy insurance doesn't cover you if you spec the wrong grade of system

e.g You spec and install a grade 2, then the customers insurance company come's back and says "it should be a Grade 3" you could be liable for all upgrade costs

We were recommend by our insurance company to alter our T&C's to cover this

[Guest]

"At Norwich Union we usually expect a grade 3 system to be installed in business premises, but we have found that a number of businesses are agreeing to installers suggestions of cheaper grade 2 systems without seeking insurer advice. As it requires replacement of nearly all the alarm components to retrospectively move a grade 2 system to grade 3, failing to seek insurer advice can prove an expensive omission."

months back did i not say its cheaper to fit grade 3 controls, detection ect.. & leave the ats method to grade the system.....

We were recommend by our insurance company to alter our T&C's to cover this

paper work is as important as the on site work