Summary of the BS 8418 Code of Practice

“Only systems compliant with the new British Standard governing this area of CCTV – BS 8418:2003 – are now eligible to obtain a Unique Reference Number from the police.”

– Until recently, URNs had only been awarded to intruder alarm systems. In order to gain a Level 1 response, all new intruder alarm systems must now be confirmed by a second detector activation, a visual image or an audible signal.

– The Association of Chief Police Officers announced last November that a new appendix to their Security Systems Policy would enable end-users to apply for a URN for detector activated CCTV systems – on the basis that the system is BS8418 compliant.

– ‘BS 8418: 2003 - Installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems code of practice’ provides guidelines on the design, installation, commissioning, operation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems.

BSIA warns end-users on police response to detector-activated CCTV

Security system users could be jeopardising their ability to receive a timely police response, warns the BSIA, if they fail to secure a Unique Reference Number (URN) for detector-activated CCTV systems.

Only systems compliant with the new British Standard governing this area of CCTV – BS 8418:2003 – are now eligible to obtain a Unique Reference Number from the police.

Detector activated (or remotely monitored) CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular for large or exposed sites out of hours as an alternative to continual live monitoring of images. They alert a Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC) when an incident occurs (and a detector is activated), at which point images of the site can be viewed and appropriate action taken.

Alex Carmichael, BSIA Technical Director, explains why this development is so significant: “Remotely monitored CCTV is undoubtedly an effective and economic solution, where a premises requires security and high value items need to be protected at all times.

“RVRC personnel can confirm that the activation is genuine by viewing CCTV images and alerting the Police, now that URNs are available for these systems. This entitles them to a Level 1 response, which is effectively immediate, whereas with non-compliant systems, no police response is normally forthcoming.

“The insistence on only BS 8418–compliant systems being eligible should pay dividends – making a significant reduction in false alarm rates a realistic prospect.”