| Burglar alarms provide a valuable service to the
community. When they misfire on a regular basis, people's tolerance
of the noise they create will become totally negative. By following
some simple rules you can ensure that your burglar alarm remains
effective in protecting your
property. | |
When a burglar alarm is triggered, neighbours will
respond positively and ensure that your property is safe. If the
system repeatedly sets off the alarm, neighbours will ignore the
alarm leaving your property vulnerable to burglars. When this
happens the prolonged ringing of the alarm gives rise to intense
irritation, often resulting in a complaint to the local
authority.
If Environmental Health receive a complaint concerning a ringing
burglar alarm it will be treated in the same way as any other
statutory noise nuisance. The alarm's continued ringing will result
in the service of a Part III, Environmental Protection Act 1990
statutory noise nuisance notice; this will require the householder
to stop the alarm ringing within one hour. If you fail to comply
with the notice the local authority has the powers to complete the
works. The external bell will be disconnected and if the internal
bell is causing a problem then the local authority will break into
your premises to disconnect the internal alarm. All the costs
involved in the disconnection will be recharged to you as the
occupier.
Your house or factory will then be left without the protection of
the alarm system.
What can I do to ensure the alarm does not cause unnecessary
annoyance to my neighbours?
- Most alarm problems are caused by faulty or misplaced PIR
sensors. These sensors work by detecting movement. If you site them
so that curtains or plants are in their field of vision then
movement of these items caused by the central heating will trigger
the alarm system. Better quality PIRs will require a double trigger
to activate the alarm.
- When the alarm is triggered and the bell rings there is an
initial period when neighbours or the police will check that the
premises are safe. It the alarm continues to ring after this period
it will be providing no protection to the premises and causing
annoyance to your neighbours. At this point the local authority can
become involved in stopping any noise nuisance. To comply with the
code of practice the alarm should have a timer fitted which
silences the bell after 20 minutes. A properly designed system can
reset itself if there are no further problems detected.
- If the alarm is triggered and the local authority becomes
involved, all the costs incurred by the local authority will be
repayable by you. These costs can be minimised by simply telling
the local authority of two keyholders who can be contacted in your
absence. If one of the keyholders can shut off the alarm then no
costs will be charged to you. You can notify the local authority of
the names of two keyholders by downloading the form and returning
it to the address on the form. The service is available to
householders and to factory/commercial premises occupiers. There is
no charge for this
service.
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| Please note - Some documents published before
1st December 2006 may contain incorrect contact
numbers. |
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