What do grades mean on a security system? Let us explain.

 

A grade number for a security system for your home or business come from the UK and European standards on intruder alarms known as BS EN50131, it mainly relates to a security system that has the abilities to recognize genuine break-ins, attempted break-ins and to avoid false alarms. 

 

By choosing a graded alarm system it will protect you with a much better performance featuring the reliability to protect a premises and its surroundings and does a better job then using cheap low cost poor quality systems.

 

Most DIY alarms or cheap GSM alarms are not graded or are often found falsely graded and therefore don't meet the UK don’t meet UK and European standards, making the components cheaper to manufacture. This financial saving is normally reflected in the RRP, but you may get a less reliable product.  

 

EN 50131 defines four grades of intruder alarms, and each grade is defined according to its performance against intruders

How does an alarm system get a grading?

For alarm hardware to be graded it must be certified by an independent test house. This is the first check. The second is that it must be installed by an NSI or SSAIB accredited installer.

The NSI and SSAIB are not-for-profit certification bodies for the security protection industries in the UK.

What is a Grade 1 alarm system?

This alarm system can fend off opportunistic burglars with no specialist equipment or knowledge of the alarm system. Alarms that fall into the Grade 1 category are ones that only protect the most obvious entry points, such as the front door. This level of alarm is suitable for properties with few items of value and a low risk of burglary.

What is a Grade 2 alarm system?

A Grade 2 burglar alarm can resist intruders with knowledge of the alarm system and a general range of equipment. These systems protect core entry points, such as front doors and windows, as well as the home’s interior. A Grade 2 burglar alarm is appropriate for flats, houses and offices.

It is incredibly rare for home alarm systems to be graded above Grade 2. Generally home alarms do not need to be graded any higher.

What is a Grade 3 alarm system?

A more sophisticated system with the capability of defending a property from intruders with expert knowledge of the alarm system and specialist tools. Grade 3 systems protect large premises with many entry points, so they are well suited to commercial properties.

What is a Grade 4 alarm system?

A top end alarm system that can protect a property against professional burglars with in-depth knowledge of an alarm system and a full range of tools and resources. Any premises requiring a Grade 4 alarm is the type to be targeted by a team of criminals, so think banks and embassies.

How does an alarm system pass a grade? We'll tell you!

Intruder alarms are put through rigorous testing procedures by accredited laboratories such as TÜV SÜD and Intertek. Testing takes several months, during which all components are assessed, including the control panel, motion detectors (Passive Infrared Sensors), door and window contact sensors, and the bell box.

Tests will look at many things, there will be:

1 – General tests

General tests look at the alarm’s core features, like its ability to arm and disarm, send notifications and respond to user-inputs. They will make sure all sensors can consistently connect to the control Panel and if the motion sensors claim to be pet-friendly then the test house will check this too.

2 – Functional tests

The second group of tests are functional tests and centre on the alarm’s signalling. Passing these tests means the system can tell you whether the issue is a potential intruder, a fault, low battery or something else.

3 – Anti-tampering tests

These check the system’s ability to detect and respond to tampering, which can take several forms. Read our blog post on how cheap burglar alarms can be defeated for more details.

4 – Environmental tests

Environmental tests measure the alarm’s resilience to the elements. These are things like dry heat, cold, steam, smoke, dust and sunlight. There’s also the device specific tests. For the window / door sensors, the test house checks that innocuous impacts won’t set the alarm off, like the vibrations of a lorry driving past.

5 – Power supply tests

Other than tampering, power may be lost when a fuse trips or there’s a power cut. The system must firstly have a back-up battery and, secondly, know when to switch it on.

6 – Response and Recording tests

These tests assess the alarm’s ability to sound the alarm in the event of a break-in and keep an event history. Lab technicians will look at the location of the sirens, the siren’s volume, duration and ability to withstand tampering.

Why aren’t all alarms graded?

Not all burglar alarms are graded. It’s not compulsory and the time and financial investment put many manufacturers off. Many smart alarms originally designed in America like Ring and Simplisafe aren’t graded or Verisure which are false graded, because they don’t meet UK and European alarm standards.

 

What are the pros of graded alarms?

• Minimises false alarms. Graded alarms are tested for all the common issues that cause false alarms, from a bug flying in front of a motion sensor, to a football hitting a window with a contact sensor.
• Quality components. Because there are so many technical standards to meet, the components of a graded alarm system are generally better quality and have been designed to last for many years.
• Smash and crash protection. Every alarm system gives an entrant between 30 – 60 seconds to deactivate the alarm when they enter the property. ‘Smash and crash’ is when the burglar ‘crashes’ through the entry door, locates the alarm and ‘smashes’ it before the countdown finishes. Graded alarms aren’t vulnerable to these types of attack.
• Can offer 24/7 monitoring with a police response. If the alarm is graded then the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), which monitors the alarm, can request a Level 1 ‘immediate response’ when two sensors are activated. The police will attend the property as quickly as possible.
• Insurance approval. According to MoneySupermarket.com some insurers give a discount if you own a burglar alarm. Below is a screenshot from the home insurance questionnaire. Want to know more? We’ve done a deep dive into how much a burglar alarm can save you on insurance.

What are the cons of graded alarms?

• Cost. The significant research investment required to design a graded alarm system often means that, in exchange for proven levels of accuracy and reliability,  these alarms are typically more expensive. 
• Requires professional installation to be Grade 2 certified. Graded alarms require a professional installation, which costs around £200.
• Mix and match sensors. Graded alarms may not be able to integrate with another brand’s sensors. The Boundary central hub cannot integrate the sensors of another brand’s ungraded alarm system because they have not been independently certified.

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Grading remains the gold standard…

With it becoming more common to achieve 4 to 5-star reviews, it becomes trickier to decide the best alarm. We hope this article has shown you that, on top of customer reviews, an alarm’s grade is crucial.

For us it remains the gold standard in alarm security, which is why our chosen alarm manufactures have been designed to meet Grade 2 standards. The aim is to bring you all the reliability of a wired system, with all the life-simplifying features of smart technology.