Feature
Detector-Activated CCTV Alarms Versus Conventional Systems
Matthew Holliday, Director of Approval Schemes at the National Security Inspectorate (NSI),
explains the advantages of detector-activated surveillance alarm systems with police response and their operational benefits versus conventional building alarm monitoring systems.
Until recently, facilities managers have largely been unable to take advantage of detector-activated CCTV with police response.
Relatively few police URNs (Unique Reference
Numbers, which qualify them for police alarm response from their local constabulary), have been issued to such systems since the first version of British Standard 8418 – covering the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of detector-activated video surveillance systems (VSS) – was introduced in 2003.
Since then, take-up of these VSS has been held back by onerous technical and operational requirements and the consequent relatively high cost of compliant remote video verification equipment when compared with alternative technology.
Last year
introduced; BS 8418:2021 made several major changes (FMUK, September 2021)1
a significantly revised version of BS 8418 was . Key among these was the introduction of a
two-tiered risk-based approach: ‘Type A’ and ‘Type A+’ systems. In essence, a ‘Type A+’ system design includes additional security features designed to suit higher risk industrial, military, utilities and other similar sites, while a standard ‘Type A’ system involves the use of image transmission to alarm receiving centres (ARCs) and dedicated remote video response centres (RVRCs), with alarm verification operators at these centres screening out false alarms using recognised detection techniques.
14 fmuk Operational Comparisons CCTV technology’s technical evolution over the past 30+
years means FMs and other end-user customers can now cost- effectively specify the installation of equipment that’s reliable, with low-light capability, high resolution images, pre- and post-event recording, and both stand-alone and networked operational capability – i.e. integration with other systems including IT, mobile/remote comms, visitor management and access control.
Connectivity options such as shared structured cabling using IP (Internet Protocol) also enable quick and easy relocation of cameras without costly/disruptive re-cabling/infrastructure alteration issues, e.g. to cover changes in building use and/or the evolving nature of specific site-based risks.
These technological advances have led to video surveillance progressing from a costly, standalone, disconnected method of providing security to a cost-effective, connected solution able to offer primary event verification – and importantly, being accepted by the Police as eligible for an immediate response to a confirmed intrusion event using a URN. Video surveillance solutions offer buyers, end users and specifiers a more informed decision-making option in comparison with traditional detector- activated intruder alarms.
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