Burglar Alarm Security Grades
(Security Grades)

Introduction

The design and installation of Alarm control systems in Europe must comply with the European Standards EN 50131. The concept of these Standards rely on risk assessment in order to specify the equipment and system requirements. The risk assessments are distinguished into grades based on the type of risk and the effort an intruder might be prepared to use in a burglary. As a result, the equipment used in alarm installations has also been graded to be according to these standards.

The Grades

The Grades range from Grade1 (lowest risk) to Grade4 (highest risk) Grade 1 is for a property unlikely to attract an intruder and that any attempted intrusion is likely to be a spur-of-the-moment occurrance with no prior planning. Properties falling into this Grade would be low grade domestic properties without an insurance requirement. Grade 2 applies to a property which might attract an experienced thief with some knowledge of alarm systems, access points, and may carry some tools which could be used to bypass a simple alarm system. Properties falling into this Grade would be most domestic preoperties and low-risk commercial properties e.g. greengrocers. Grade 3 applies to a property at substantial risk of burglary – the property is likely to contain articles of high value/ease of disposal. The intruder could be expected to have a good knowledge of alarm systems Properties in this grade would be high-risk domestic properties and most commercial properties e.g newsagents. Grade 4 Intruders could be expected to plan in advance, have a good knowledge of alarm systems and the tools to bypass/change the alarm system. Intruders may also gain access through floors, walls and ceilings. Properties falling into this Grade would be large jewellers, banks etc.

Which Grade?

For the study and installation of a system if there no restrictions from an insurance company it is entirely up to the installer and the owner of the property to decide which Grade they will follow in order to obtain the willing security. For example a PIR with a lid and wall tamper and anti-masking will be Grade 3, without any one of those features the Grade will drop to 2. Security systems can use equipment from different manufacturers and different Grades but the overall grade of the system will be that of the lowest grade component used.

Insurance Requirements

In most of the cases a well designed, installed and serviced system will help to reduce the money paid to insurance companies. It may be more economical in time to invest in a more expensive alarm security system than to pay higher insurance fees every year.