BS8418 Monitored CCTV for a Police Response

Posted by admin  at December 18th, 2012

CCTV monitoring has followed the path of burglar alarms in recent years by which we mean that the police have become fed up of attending false alarms. Initially systems needed external detectors, a method of setting the system, warning speakers, cctv cameras and remote monitoring via a phone or ideally broadband link. However with very little in the way of standards or guidelines the police were soon attending many false alarms. This drove the development of BS8418 and its latest revision BS8418:2010.
The pre-BS8418 systems (often referred to as legacy systems) can no longer guarantee a police response. Moreover many insurers are beginning to insist upon BS8418 systems particularly where there is a high risk externally such as metal storage.
The new standard focuses on reducing the likelihood of false alarms and covers aspects of design, installation and daily use of the system. There are now very exacting requirements in terms of camera views and detector coverage and a specific requirement for the monitoring station known as an RVRC (Remote Viewing Response Centre).
A good idea is to start with an NSI Gold approved installer and perhaps ask about previous systems they have installed. Previously fully functional (pan, tilt zoom) cameras were popular with this system but with the advent of megapixel, multi-view static ip cameras there is less chance of missing any action.
Often the ability to remotely challenge intruders via PA speakers onsite is enough to deter but with the comfort of knowing that should they persist then a guaranteed police response is on the way. Often monitored CCTV ensures a premise never gets an intrusion when burglars are detected early within the grounds.
Police response CCTV can save money and quickly pay for itself where manned guarding is currently employed.