Security
Security System False Alarms Surge Targeted By ‘Task Force’ Action
Matthew Holliday, Director of Approval Schemes at the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), describes how and why FMs are being affected by a worrying recent rise in security system false alarms, and how coordinated industry-wide remedial measures are tackling the potentially costly risks involved.
A surge in the number of false alarms triggered by security systems over the past two years has caused potentially significant challenges for facilities managers. The risk of losing crucial police response to genuine site alarm activations for months at a time is compounded by insurance ramifications including increased costs, underlining the need for demonstrable solutions to the current problem.
This issue centres primarily on current weaknesses in dual- path signalling systems, along with the mandated phasing out of comparatively robust PSTN phone lines. These factors have prompted coordinated
remedial action across the security
industry by UKAS accredited third-party certification bodies such as NSI, working in conjunction with the police, insurers and other stakeholders.
False Alarm Causes
The current situation is mainly attributable to the popularity of dual-path signalling among system installers, with these systems using two communication channels (primary and backup). GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) wireless 2G, 4G and 5G technologies are attractive to alarm system installers for their cost-effectiveness, ease of installation and reliability.
However, this reliance on GSM radio – for both signalling paths – is causing false alarms, particularly in remote locations where GSM base stations are sparsely distributed. Simultaneous failures in concurrent dual-path communication channels are more likely, resulting in erroneous alarm signals.
A secondary cause of current false alarms centres on IP-based broadband communications, which enable high-speed data transfer but don’t provide ‘always on’ connectivity needed for alarm signalling. Analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) ‘copper wire’ lines are remotely powered by landline phone exchanges, but are being phased out by 31 January 2027, with many installations switching entirely to ‘All-IP’ protocols which are more susceptible to short-term outages and require constant on-site power.
Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) that monitor remote alarms often understandably interpret IP-related outages as potential tampering or sabotage, which increases line fault failures being mistakenly processed for police response.
Remedying The Faults
Multifaceted remedial action has included site-specific risk assessments, improved maintenance procedures, and tailored technology solutions. The limitations of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to signalling have become evident, underlining the urgent need for adaptable solutions designed to meet the unique requirements of each site.
An industry-wide task force including NSI, ARCs, trade associations and others has developed best practices to guide installers. These offer practical solutions such as the deployment of extended radio aerials and high-gain antennae to help overcome location- specific signalling limitations. The advice also outlines procedures to mitigate radio frequency interference, which can compromise radio signalling paths and lead to false alarms.
This guidance could form the basis of a broad industry agreement, enabling its rapid adoption across the sector, and also acts as an interim measure while relevant standards and codes of practice are updated to incorporate these solutions.
The new guidance is also likely to become an essential element of inspection processes conducted by NSI and other third-party certification bodies. By updating standards and continuing to work collaboratively, the industry can halt this recent setback in false alarms, while maintaining the trust of police, insurers and security system buyers alike.
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Police Response Loss Facilities managers and other alarm system end users face
worrying implications from the risk of losing immediate ‘Level 1’ police response to a confirmed alarm activation, under the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) requirements for security systems. Once two false system activations are received by police in a rolling 12-month period, a third such activation immediately demotes remotely monitored ‘Type A’ systems to ‘Level 3 – Withdrawn’.
Sites must then rely on keyholder-only response for a minimum of 90 days. During this period various NPCC conditions, including the upgrade of systems to meet current standards and passing of compliance checks, must be met before the alarm system can be restored to ‘Level 1’ police response.
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