Whether for commercial or home premises in the Isle of Man, protection and peace of mind are the key objectives of an Eye-Spy Security intruder alarm system, meeting all industry, police and insurance standards.
Business Intruder Alarm Systems
We understand the problems you face in safeguarding your business from the threat of unauthorised entry and can help you to protect your premises 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We know that each business is unique and therefore we aim to identify and provide an alarm system tailored to your individual needs. Using a combination of the latest access point, motion and vibration sensors, remote monitoring and alert notification technology, appropriate to your needs and budget, we can help you and your business to keep secure.
Home Intruder Alarm Systems
The right alarm system for the home very much depends on your personal circumstances including; your budget, where you live and how much protection you need amongst other factors. Whether a simple bells only audible alarm or a full key-holder monitoring and response service, we can help guide you to the right security solution to meet your needs.
Installation and Maintenance
Our highly trained and security vetted team of in-house engineers can handle all your installation, maintenance and repair needs. With our focus on customer care we offer a range of maintenance and support packages to suite your every need and ensure that you remain optimally protected at all times.
The right solution for you
At Eye-Spy Security we will provide you with the necessary professional advice to guide you through the various options available. The following is a guide to some of the key aspects to consider, both in terms of the system and the provider:
‘Wired’ or ‘Wireless’ Alarm Systems
Wired alarms comprise a number of electronic sensors that are connected to a control panel by low-voltage wiring and are governed by the BS EN 50131-1:2006+A3:2020 and PD6662:2017 series of standards. These are installed into new homes and into existing homes during refurbishment as it is more convenient to run the wiring at these times.
Wireless alarms, as the word suggests, use battery powered sensors that are ‘connected’ to a control panel by narrowband RF signals (radio signals). These used to be governed by BS 6799, but are now included in the BS EN 50131 series of standards for alarms. These are quick to install and are used for homes where you don’t want to disturb the decor. The only minor downside is that the sensor batteries have to be changed from time to time.
In either case when a sensor (e.g. passive infra-red detector, door contact, microphone) detects an intrusion it will send a signal to the control panel. The control panel will then activate an internal and or external audible and visual alarm. If the alarm is the type that can send a signal to a remote alarm receiving centre (ARC) it will do so and the ARC will carry out your instructions to inform a range of people, such as a professional keyholding service, you, or another keyholder. Once the ARC has received a confirmation signal from the alarm system the ARC will inform the police if that is what you have arranged for.
Eye-Spy Security only install wire free systems which conform both to British Standards and the ACPO Intruder Alarm Policy which is a PD6662:2017 Class VI alarm. This type is typically more expensive than its hard-wired counterpart. Be aware that systems that claim to meet with British Standards, but don’t specify BS EN 50131-1:2006+A3:2020 or PD6662:2017, may well be referring to the electrical standard and not that of the alarm system.
Type of System
What type of intruder alarm grade system do I need?
The type of system will depend entirely on a site survey and risk assessment of the premises in question. Intruder alarm installers will perform risk assessment so that the risk associated with the premises can be fully understood this will then determine the correct grading.
- Grade 1 - Intruder Alarm would only be of interest in domestic properties (without an insurance requirement for an alarm system).
- Grade 2 - Intruder Alarm would be most domestic properties and low-risk commercial.
- Grade 3 - Intruder Alarm would be for high-risk domestics and high-risk commercial properties.
- Grade 4 - Intruder Alarm would be for extremely high-risk domestic and higher risk commercial properties.
If the installation is a grade 2 then there is no problem using, for example, a grade 3 power supply.
If however, an installer fits a grade 2 component (such as a detector) in a system then that system is limited to grade 2 at best.
If you are thinking about the installation of an alarm system it is worth taking into account that the police response to alarm activations varies according to the type of alarm installed. In recent years the percentage of false alarm calls caused by either equipment, communication or user error represented in excess of 92% of all alarm activations nationally. In order to redress the balance in favour of genuine calls, the ACPO Unified Intruder Alarm Policy has been adopted by the police, in which two types of alarms are defined, together with the relevant police response.
Type A – Remote Signalling Alarms, including intruder alarms terminating at approved central monitoring stations. They must be maintained and used in accordance with British Standard BS EN 50131-1:2006+A3:2020 and PD6662:2017 (high security systems). Such alarms will be registered with the police and identified by a unique reference number (URN) and can include personal attack alarms. The police response to their activation will be based on the assumption that an offence is taking place, but against the background of competing urgent calls and available resources. Such a response will also be conditional upon the number of false activations in any 12-month period, in which case the activation may receive a lower priority police attendance.
Type B – Audible Only and Hybrid Alarms, including bells-only and automatic dialling alarms, as well as alarms from non-compliant companies and non-compliant central stations. URNs will not be issued for these systems. To obtain police attendance, in addition to their activation Type B alarms will also require some indication that an offence is in progress, e.g. from a witness.
Why choose Eye-Spy Security?
In identifying a compliant company, such as Eye Spy, installing Type A alarms you should ask yourself:
- Before disclosing personal security details, have I checked the address and credentials of the company and seen proof of identity from the representative?
- Is the company subject to an independent inspection process and if so by which organisation?
- Is the installation of an alarm a requirement of my insurance company and if so, is the company acceptable to my insurer?
- Can the company representative provide me with a list of police rules for occupiers of premises with alarms and written confirmation that the alarm and the company are currently acceptable to the police locally for the transmission of alarm messages from new installations?
- Does the quotation: specify that the installation will be to British Standard BS EN 50131-1:2006+A3:2020 and PD6662:2017? Does it include the terms of maintenance and monitoring contracts?
- Does the company operate a 24 hour call-out service and emergency attendance within four hours?