Importance of intrusion

Our homes are our castles, a place to keep loved ones and personal possessions safe and secure. The same applies to protecting our businesses and the assets and people that work within. With over 267,000 burglaries reported in the UK in 2021, with an average of 817 houses burgled every day, that is one every 106 seconds, residential and commercial intruder systems are not just a deterrent they are a round-the-clock monitoring system protecting not just the building and its contents but the perimeter and outbuildings. With the demand for intruder security higher than ever, installers are looking for the right products to meet customer needs.

Choice of system

For installers, there are a vast array of systems to present to home and business owners ranging from bell-only alarms, user monitored smart security systems to third-party monitored security systems with recurring monitoring contracts. Whilst bell-only systems provide a cheaper solution the audible alarm is the only method of alert, designed to scare off intruders and alert those in the vicinity, but with statistics showing that less than 10% of burglaries are detected by neighbours or nearby businesses, the end-user may want to consider the wider options. With technology-led smart home-security systems or monitored systems alongside the external sounder the user or third party is notified and in some instances can see what is happening at the property to verify if further action is required. This is important when you consider the average burglary in the UK takes less than 10 minutes and there are an average of 69 crimes every hour affecting businesses throughout the UK with a cost to business estimated to be £12.9 billion per year.

Wired or wireless

Whilst most residential systems have a mains-powered control panel with a backup battery, end-users have the option of wired or wireless when it comes to sensors, PIR, door and window sensors and extending to internal and external cameras, lights and video doorbells. The advantage of wireless sensors is that they are easier to install and move around a property with no electrical wiring to support, the downside is they are reliant on batteries, so battery life needs to be checked regularly. Wired systems are usually more complex to install, but often provide more functionality and need less maintenance. The advantage of most modern intrusion systems is that now they can be connected with other smart-home accessories like smart speakers, indoor cameras, exterior security lights and cameras or video doorbells. At ADI we stock a broad assortment of intrusion systems from leading suppliers alongside smart-home products so as an installer you have the choice to fulfil the requirement of your customers whether it’s a simple home intruder installation, commercial intruder system or a full intruder, access control, security camera and smart-home solution.

Maintenance and standards

As with any intruder system, regular maintenance is important and reduces defects, maintenance contracts are a good option for the end-user and a great way for the installer/end-user relationship to be kept in place, enabling conversations around new technology and upgrades. Using a professional installer is also a requirement for some insurance companies, be that home or business insurance. For UK installers new systems should comply with the British Standards and Codes of Practice and Euro standards on intruder alarms. These include the BS 8243:2021 – Design, installation and configuration of Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems designed to generate confirmed alarm conditions. Also, BS EN 50131 European Standards on Intruder Alarms. Under BS EN 50131-1:2004, intruder alarm systems are required to be security graded according to the kind of intruder considered likely to try to defeat the system. Sometimes this can be a condition of insurance dependent on premises risks. The standards cover four security grades, grade 1 – low risk, grade 2 – low to medium risk, grade 3 – medium to high risk and grade 4 – high risk with examples being banks and museums.

Whether you are installing a new system or upgrading and expanding your customers' current system, there is a multitude of systems, peripherals and smart-home accessories available, it is all about helping your customer to make the right decision for their home or business for long-term security and peace of mind.

UK intrusion statistics supplied by Texecom