The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the UK certification body for the security and fire sectors, hailed a busy IFSEC 2018 exhibition. The three days provided a forum for the inspectorate to engage with the industry, raising awareness of the role of independent certification. A new show feature was Show Me How. As a Show Me How partner NSI held two sessions to encourage on-stand learning content. The topics were ‘User Focused Design: Update on NSI’s NCP 104 Code of Practice for CCTV Systems’ and ‘Safe Automated Gate Design – How to Minimise your Risk’.
The more traditional in-hall theatres featured Tony Weeks, Head of Technical Services, sharing some of the research findings from the recent Perpetuity Research paper, commissioned by NSI, in a session entitled Automating the Transfer of Alarms to Emergency Services: Maximising Public Benefits. And NSI’s Head of Field Operations (Systems), John Davidson spoke in FIREX to a packed theatre on the importance of using competent, trained risk assessors to complete life safety fire risk assessments.
NSI auditors judged the work of teams competing in exam conditions as part of the Engineers of Tomorrow Competition, beside the Keynote Arena speaker theatre at the IFSEC show floor. Now in its 20th year, the competition launched a new look and the addition of a fire competition to further showcase the skills and talent of apprentices and young engineers. NSI Chief Executive Richard Jenkins is pictured standing centre with some of the winning apprentices. Richard presented the heat winners’ prizes to Max Florey and Josh Dunn of Chris Lewis Fire & Security (intruder alarm competition) and Aaron Wilson and Stuart McLuskie of New College Lanarkshire (fire competition) at the end of the second day in the Keynote Arena, after introductions by BBC security journalist Frank Gardner, who chaired Keynote Arena talks.
Richard Jenkins said: “This event is the perfect example of the industry coming together for the benefit of greater public security. Independent certification is increasingly recognised as an important means of driving continual improvement for businesses and one we are pleased to spearhead within the security and fire safety sectors. We experienced a tremendous number of enquiries from companies interested in learning about how NSI’s highly trained team of auditing experts, the most highly trained within the industry, can help to drive up the performance of businesses of all sizes.
“One of the highlights this year was our VIP drinks reception celebrating our 20th Anniversary of Independence from the Loss Prevention Council. This provided another opportunity to mark a significant milestone on our journey, supported by representatives from our approved companies and the wider industry.
“It was great to see so many NSI approved companies in attendance this year and we look forward to welcoming them to our next major event, the 2019 NSI Summit taking place on March 21 at the Vox in Birmingham.”
