Many organisations are aware of their responsibilities regarding fire and security requirements, but struggle to identify the most suitable suppliers. Getting it right is so important, as the safety and security of the staff and resources is of paramount importance.

There is a myriad of companies offering their services, but how can you gauge the quality of their work and their on-going customer service support? Will they put right any problems without too much fuss and will they be around to do it? Do you know how well they are run as a business? Are they financially sound? Are they adequately insured should something go wrong and are their staff security vetted?

You also need to think of the requirements of the police and fire brigades who respond to alarms. The police will only now respond (other than 999 calls) to monitored intruder alarms and CCTV systems that are both installed and maintained to the appropriate Standards by companies who can prove this by being approved by an appropriate approvals body. The fire brigades are going down the same route for monitored fire detection systems, and insurers also want you to minimise your risk by choosing a supplier that can prove it meets the highest standards.

So how do you identify these suppliers? Look for those approved by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). NSI is an independent, not-for-profit approvals body providing inspection and certification services for the security and fire industries. For over 30 years NSI has been protecting the customer by insisting on the highest standards and operating the toughest inspection regime. Companies are inspected regularly, by highly qualified, full-time inspectors, to prove their ongoing delivery of the highest standards. NSI’s Customer Care service reinforces the reliability and integrity of the companies it inspects. All NSI schemes exceed the appropriate requirements of the Police, Fire Service and Insurers.

Accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which operates on behalf of the Government under a Memorandum of Understanding from the DTI, NSI operates its NACOSS Gold and Systems Silver schemes for companies involved in the installation of electronic security systems, which includes intruder alarms, CCTV and access control systems. Contracted manned security providers, including key-holding services, are approved through NSI’s Guarding Gold and Silver schemes and companies involved in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire protection systems are approved through Fire Gold and Silver schemes.

With over 1100 companies operating out of 1500 plus locations, ranging from small family concerns to those with national coverage, there are plenty of NSI approved companies to choose from. For further information or for details of local NSI approved companies, call 0845 006 3003 or visit www.nsi.org.uk

Julian Stanton is Marketing Manager for NSI National Security Inspectorate. The organisation's websites can be found at www.nsi.org.uk for security and www.nsi-fire.org.uk for fire protection.

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