One of the most effective ways to deter criminals and protect your property is to install an intruder alarm – but are there any rules and regulations surrounding the use of alarm systems in the UK that you should be aware of? This blog aims to find out!
UK Intruder Alarm Regulations
Intruder alarms can be loud and cause disturbances to nearby properties – this is why there are several regulations that govern the installation and use of intruder alarms in the UK.
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
This Act aims to tackle environmental quality and anti-social behaviour issues such as litter, noise and graffiti. Under this Act, alarms must switch off automatically within 20 minutes and a keyholder who lives nearby and can silence the alarm must be nominated. If the alarm continues to sound for longer than this and no keyholder can be contacted, the council may have to intervene and disarm the system for a fee.
Police Response Requirements
If you want your alarm to receive an immediate police response, it must meet the standards set by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). These standards state that for police to respond to a monitored alarm, the system must be installed by an accredited company and have a Unique Reference Number (URN).
Planning Permission
If you live in a listed building or conservation area, you may need to ask your local council for permission before installing an intruder alarm system.
British Standards
There are also a number of British standards that are in place to ensure that all alarm systems are effective and reliable. The main standard is BS EN 50131 and spells out how intruder alarms should be designed, installed and maintained. The other main standard is PD 6662 – a UK-specific guide that ensures alarm systems meet police expectations for reliability and effectiveness.
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At IDS Security, all of our alarm systems use the latest signalling equipment to ensure that the relevant emergency services are informed in the event of a break-in, fire or medical emergency. We also always ensure that our alarms follow the rules laid out in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environments Act 2005 and the various British standards relating to intruder alarm installation.
All of our intruder alarm systems are also tailor-made for the premises in question. Simply click the link below and fill out our FREE no obligation security survey and we will send one of our experienced engineers out to your property for a site visit before you know it!
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