A first Code of Practice for the design, installation and maintenance of scaffold alarms has been developed and introduced by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the security and fire sector certification body. The NSI says that its code is addressing a niche market where the consumer has previously been susceptible to risk. Code of Practice NCP 115 could the NSI says radically improve the security of buildings in vulnerable circumstances and raise standards in this niche security sector.
The installation of scaffold alarms is a growing market, but has never been the subject of any form of self regulation or industry-specific standards. Given the opportunity scaffolding provides to an intruder or trespasser, the NSI says that its code will provide an aid for those with a vested interest in the security of buildings or the reduction of accidents, such as the insurance, and health and safety sectors respectively, to help mitigate risk during periods of vulnerability when repair or restoration work on a property is being carried out.
When widely adopted, the NSI says, its code will help tackle malpractice and raise standards within the scaffold security sector by becoming the industry benchmark. The code stipulates appropriate measures are put in place to ensure scaffold alarms are installed in a consistent manner which take into consideration the potential risks and areas of weakness. The benefits are likely to be far reaching; regardless of whether a building is domestic or commercial, vacant or occupied, contracting an installer who complies with the code will provide the consumer with the reassurance that the vulnerability of their property (and properties within close proximity) and the assets within, are appropriately protected during periods of building, renovation, maintenance or repair.
Chris Pinder, NSI External Affairs Director said: “Certificating installers of scaffold alarm systems marks an exciting new era in the development of NSI’s certification capability. Scaffolding provides an alternative means of access and egress for the intruder and it is important that the consumer has the peace of mind they are utilising the services of a professional scaffold alarms provider, operating to a dedicated industry Code of Practice.”
Chris adds: “NSI has undertaken a pilot phase during which time we have been working with a prominent scaffold security provider who has been robustly tested against the Code’s requirements. Scaffolding Alarm Systems will be an additional scope of approval within our certification schemes for installers of electronic security systems and a public announcement regarding the first approved installing company will be issued in the very near future”.
For those wishing to receive more details on NSI Code of Practice NCP 115, please e-mail [email protected]
