Bristol Intruder Alarms Conform to European Standards

Different Grades of Burglar Alarm
When you choose an intruder alarm for your home or business, you should consider the level of risk associated with your property. There are four different grades of alarm system as set down by European Standards. The grades are based on the ability of the burglar alarm to withstand an attack from intruders and on the likely level of knowledge and set of tools possessed by the burglar.

Grade 1: Alarm is suitable for a low risk. The burglar is likely to be opportunistic with few tools and little knowledge of alarm systems. Please note Standfast Security Systems do not supply alarms at Grade 1 standard as these are mostly DIY alarms.

Grade 2: Alarm is best for low to medium risk. The intruder is likely to have limited knowledge and some tools.

Grade 3: Alarm is suited to a medium to high risk (e.g. jeweller’s shop). The intruder will have full range of tools and knowledge.

Grade 4: Alarm is suitable for a high risk. The burglar is likely to have expert knowledge and full range of tools.

Alarm Systems Marked as Suited to a Specific Grade

All alarm systems are marked as being suitable for a particular grade. Alarm installers usually fit alarm systems with all parts being of a similar grade but sometimes it is appropriate to fit different bits of the system with differing grades of part. In this case, the overall grade of the total system will be the grade of the lowest graded piece of equipment.

As there is still so little grade 4 equipment available, most alarm companies install grade 3 equipment as their top grade. However, grade 4 signalling equipment is now readily available (signalling equipment is part of an alarm monitoring system and contacts the alarm receiving centre in the event of a burglary or electricity failure) and this is recommended by Standfast Security Systems in all medium to high risk situations, such as jewellers’ stores.

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) no longer decides the grade of alarm that should be fitted. This is now the responsibility of the alarm systems company. Customers should always be aware that some alarm installers could recommend an alarm at a lower grade than is necessary in order to win their business. This is not best practice and will not result in adequate protection against risk. Standfast Security Systems always recommend the correct grade of alarm system for the risk level of the property involved.

What are the Differences Between the Grades of Alarm?
As the grades increase the alarm control panel becomes more complex and is able to store more events and detect more.

Grade 2 alarm control panels store more events than a grade 1 system.
Grade 3 alarm sensors also detect masking, where something is placed over the sensor lens.
Grade 4 systems also detect where something is blocking the sensor’s field or range of view.

Signalling and Maintenance Grading
The signalling grades have a set of options within each grade with suitable combinations of signalling. The different grades require different levels of alarm maintenance too.

It is important to note the Association of Chief Police Officers now require a confirmed activation of an alarm before they will attend. The confirmed activation must come from an alarm receiving centre (ARC) with dual path signalling (two links to the ARC), or from a confirmed sighting by a member of the public of a burglary in progress. You can find out more about getting a police response to your alarm here. Here is a table showing the most likely options being used in the UK, according to the different grades of alarm.

Alarm Grade	Control Panel	Sensors	Signalling	Performance of Signalling Link to Alarm Receiving Centre	Maintenance
Grade 1	DIY alarms	DIY alarms	DIY alarms	DIY alarms	DIY alarms
Grade 2	Stores limited events	Detect movement Does not detect masking (something being placed over them) Does not detect range reduction (something blocking the sensor’s field of view)	Option X Siren at premises Option B Siren & single link to ARC Option C Two links to ARC Option D Single link to ARC	Link must report failure of signal within 25 hours	Option X:1 site visit per annum Option B, C, D: 2 visits per anuum or 1 site visit and 1 remote check
Grade 3	Stores more events	Detect movement and masking but not range reduction	Option B Siren & single link to ARC Option C Two links to ARC Option D Single link to ARC	Link must report failure of signal within 5 hours	Option B, C, D: 2 visits per annum or 1 site visit and 1 remote check
Grade 4	Stores even more events	Detect movement, masking and range reduction	Option B Siren & single link to ARC Option C Two links to ARC Option D Single link to ARC	Link must report failure of signal within 3 minutes	Option B, C, D: 2 site visits per annum

For further information about Bristol alarms systems, please contact us on 0117 942 3366 or fill in our online form. We look forward to hearing from you.