Safety and security are one of the main considerations when starting your own business, especially if you are opening a retail outlet or shop. This is because shopss often contain large amounts of stock that can prove costly to replace if damaged by fire or are stolen. It is therefore important to install a good burglar alarm system.
Most insurers may insist on the installation of a shop alarm system before providing cover against theft. Alarm systems are graded depending on their resistance to intruder attack. Insurers will designate a particular grade depending on the degree of risk and replacement value of the property being protected.
If you are in the process of looking for a suitable premises for your business it is advisable to be aware of these grades. It might prevent an expensive surprise when an insurer insists on the installation of an expensive but necessary shop alarm system.
There are four grades based on risk of burglary:
Grade 1: Low Risk, typical intruders are expected to have little knowledge of the alarm system and may be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools.
Grade 2: Low to medium risk, typical intruders are expected to have a little more knowledge of the alarm system and use a general range of tools and some specialist equipment.
Grade 3: Medium to high risk, whereby intruders are expected to be conversant with the alarm system and have a comprehensive range of tools and portable electronic equipment.
Grade 4: High risk, intruders are expected to have the resources to plan an intrusion in detail and have a full range of equipment. This includes a means to override vital components of the alarm system.
A professional installer will always undertake a survey and risk assessment. When looking for a professional installer you should always choose one that has been approved by a reputable association such as the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS), the Alarms Inspectorate and Security Control (AISC) or the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB).
Depending on the nature of the risk, an insurer may visit the premises and decide on the grade based on their intelligence or the installer’s risk assessment. Equipment manufacturers designate each component of a burglar alarm system as being suitable for use at a specific grade. Installers tend to use the same grade of component throughout but may advise on the use of a higher grade component in a particularly vulnerable area.
As a rough guide, insurers will typically make the following decisions on the following types of property:
Grade 2: Lower risk premises (eg: florists)
Grade 3: Normal risk premises (eg: newsagents)
Grade 4: Very high-risk premises (eg: cash handling centres, banks and museums).
Most commercial properties will require grade 2 or 3 protection. If the presence of an alarm system were a condition of insurance cover than under these circumstances most insurers would insist on a grade 3 system.
Grade 1 systems can be purchased in a kit form over the counter and self installed. These types of system are not installed by a professional and therefore should not be used in a business property.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
