Burglar Alarm Systems

Burglar alarm systems are divided into three classes (A, B, C). The individual criteria for systems are laid down in the different VdS guidelines and DIN standards. However, exactly which parts of the building are monitored and how they are monitored is not just important for the company itself. Often a burglar alarm system is required for insurance reasons. It’s thus advisable to consult with the insurer at an early stage in order to avoid the risk of insufficient coverage. In accordance with their function, burglar alarm systems belong to the hazard detection systems as per VDE 0833 “Hazard detection systems for fire, intrusion and hold-up” within hazard detection technology. The functions of a hazard detection system are:

• To ensure alarm transmission.
• To protect people, the company and company assets.
• To take precautions in the event of an emergency.
• To comply with the regulations and security requirements applicable to specific buildings and sectors.

Standards and guidelines for the three VdS classes A, B, C

In addition to the requirements resulting from the classification, the burglar alarm system must meet a number of technical requirements:

• It must detect events reliably. No environmental influences should lead to malfunctions or false alarms.
• It must be as fail-safe as possible and, at the same time, the rate of false alarms must be as low as possible.
• It should be state-of-the-art and particularly user-friendly in order to minimise the number of potential errors here too.
• All possible burglary scenarios for the building(s) must be taken into account in the design. As a rule, burglar alarm systems are designed in such a way that sensors for detection are not only installed at neuralgic points. Expansion often takes place according to the onion principle, with the outer layers protecting the inner core.
• In case of need, it should have automatic alarm transmission to the security guard service or the security control centre. In the case of facilities such as government buildings, it should also have alarm transmission to the police (with systems in compliance with the ÜEA, the uniform German-wide guideline for hold-up and burglar alarm systems).
• It should comply with the recommendations and regulations of specific sectors based on hazard levels.

Prevention: The human being and technology
Prevention can never be considered from a solely technical point of view: the overall context of a burglary is too complex for that. Motives, perpetrators and their technical knowledge differ too much. Ideally, technical security and behavioural prevention measures should both work together. The best way to achieve this is to actively involve your own staff – for example by turning the security concept into a company-wide safety & security policy that reflects the daily context. Then specific, verifiable agreements can be made on the basis of that policy. With Concepture, you can find the right balance between technical requirements, legal requirements and an individual prevention guideline for your company.