Alarm Surveyors
The Alarm Company will always make an appointment for their Surveyor to call at your premises.
Make certain that the company you are dealing with is honest and reliable. All personnel working for NSI / NACOSS / ICON / or the SSAIB registered companies are security screened, including a police check for a criminal record. The Surveyor will look around the whole of your premises and ask questions that could compamise your security, so be sure of their integrity first! If you are unsure of the company you are inviting to quote seek advice from your Crime Pprevention Officer or Alarms Administration Department, usually situated in your local Police Headquarter.
The Survey
The surveyor will discuss types of alarm systems with you to ascertain the most suitable type and level of protection you require.
Almost all alarm surveyors are experienced alarm engineers-either ex service engineers or installers. They will check for vulnerable areas and see where your valuanles are located. They will also usually ask if you have had previous intruders and how they gained entry. They are required to ask for the value of items held on the premises,to comply with the European Standards-you are not obliged to answer, but the value and type of items at risk can determine the level of security required.
If you are at all unsure what they are proposing-ask them to explain.
If you are unsure of the type and design of any equipment they intend to instal, most will be happy to show you an example. The surveyor will estimate the cost of all the equipment needed to complete the system and within a few days a detailed specification and cost will be delivered to you.
The information on stopthief.info should put you in a position to make a decision, but if you need help and advice, the local Crime Prevention Officer will be pleased to help. Dont ask the local PC as they usually do not have the required local knowledge of the alarm industry. The Alarms Administration department of your police force will also be able to give some advice.
Always get at least two quotations and don't tell the rival bidders which company they are quoting against. The alarm industry is a very close knit industry, and may use their knowledge of their competitors to tailor a price to compete with a rival bid. This is not always in the clients interest. Do not decide on price alone. Read the specification and the contract Our section on getting QUOTATIONS will inform you of what to look for.
Don't forget, if your insurance company is involved, OR there may be a possibility in the future, always send them a copy of your quotation and contract for approval BEFORE making a final decision and signing anything.
It is usual for the security systems company to ask you to fit a fused spur mains supply adjacent to the proposed alarm control box (not the keypad.
When you have made a choice, an installation date will be arranged with you. Most installation engineers are more than helpful and will instal a system in an average house in one to two days, and leave everything clean and tidy. When the system is complete they will explain the operation to you and allow you to set your own entry code-it is not usually neccessary for the engineer to know your code.
It may be neccesary for fitted carpets to be relaid after the installation is compleated.
If you do have a problem with the installation or operation of your alarm system, contact the alarm company immediately. A decent company will rectify problems quickly. If you do not get the service you deserve, contact the relevant Inspection Body (NSI / ICON / NACOSS or SSAIB), They will investigate and if they find in your favour, the alarm company will rectify the problem at their expense. 99.9% of problems are minor and never get this far.