SSAIB News

SSAIB are delighted to announce a pioneering training partnership with BT Redcare, to increase our commitment to facilitating training in the security industry.

BT Redcare are the first manufacturer to work with the SSAIB to extend their training, in order to include syllabus items from the new fire, emergency and security systems standard. This new format will then be delivered to both companies and colleges that specialise in security and fire systems.

On top of that, BT Redcare will also become the first manufacturer to be listed on the new training component of the SSAIB’s website for registered firms. This will grow to include a wealth of information on training schemes and a list of colleges and commercial providers that offer them.

SSAIB training manager Trevor Jenks briefly discussed this revolutionary new link up at the company’s Installers Forum earlier this year and he believes that partnerships of this type are needed in the industry to improve the training of engineers – as well as supporting those that provide it.

“BT Redcare have been doing this for a long time, so it’s a way to enhance their training and ensure the essential knowledge of the technology is put in place,” Trevor said. “It’s a way of extending the existing training and expand the knowledge of engineers in this industry.

“It will also support the colleges and training providers - and we have to support them - but the main thing is that the existing product training is enhanced by ensuring that the fundamental technology is understood by experienced engineers and apprentices alike.

“There are a lot of engineers out in the field who know how to fit and - with experience - maintain the products.  However, by keeping their foundation knowledge up to date, they will become even better engineers and that’s the aim.”

BT Redcare have been a pioneer in the fire and security market for 25 years and they are the largest supplier of alarm signalling services in the UK - securing hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses with their services - and their regional technical manager Rob McLaughlin also welcomed the new partnership with SSAIB.

He revealed: “As a leader in fire and security, BT Redcare is committed to providing a range of class leading products, but also to promoting best practice and raising engineering standards within the industry as well.

“We’re extremely excited to work alongside the SSAIB on this new exciting training initiative and help get the next generation of installation engineers off to the best possible start in their careers.”

SSAIB are also currently working with other manufacturers, so we can help facilitate even more training opportunities for our registered firms through security training partnership initiatives.

After the success enjoyed in the first half of the year, SSAIB have announced their next series of regional meetings for 2017.

Following a fantastic turnout to our events in the first half of the year, the North East-based leading certification body – for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection and alarm systems, telecare systems and services, manned security services and monitoring services – will make the long trip to the south coast on September 12, with Southampton being confirmed as the location for the first meeting.

The West Midlands regional meeting will take place on October 4, before Exeter plays host to the South West’s event on November 7. With Scotland and Northern Ireland already ticked off the list earlier in the year, SSAIB complete their tour of the British Isles with a visit to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, a day later on November 8.

Chief executive Alex Carmichael will provide an update on SSAIB and will also discuss consumer legislation, while the new Trailblazers apprentice scheme will be explained by training manager Trevor Jenks. The meetings will also feature an update on standards, as well as other speakers yet to be confirmed.

Venues have not been agreed just yet, but keep checking our events page to find out where the remaining regional meetings of 2017 will be taking place.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t register for them in the meantime – as you can sign up under the Events tab of the Registered Firms side of our website for your preferred meeting. Failing that, ring the SSAIB on 0191 2963242 and ask to speak to Victoria or Andrew.

SSAIB would like to congratulate North Shields-based firm 2020 Vision for reaching the milestone of 25 years of certification with us, in the same year that they celebrate a successful quarter of a century in business.

The SSAIB-registered firm work with clients to implement and support cutting-edge, IP enabled security technology - including video surveillance, access control and converged security solutions - to protect assets, increase situational awareness and deliver business intelligence.

2020 Vision – who first achieved certification with the SSA back in 1992, before the SSAIB was formed two years later - started as a CCTV installer and the company has now grown into one of the top security providers in the UK. They have a proven track record in both the public sector and private sector; working with clients such as universities, the NHS and corporate companies like Stenaline.

And Peter revealed exactly why he had stayed with the SSAIB for two-and-a-half decades, having been one of the company’s founding members during its inception in 1994.

He said: “We’re proud to be one of the founding members of the SSAIB and it’s an association that has benefitted us greatly over the years. Reaching and surpassing the high standards that SSAIB expect has helped us to progress and it also confirms to our customers that we’re as professional as we can be.

“Third-party certification is so important across the security spectrum, because it ensures safety, protection and peace of mind for customers. The SSAIB describe their certification as a ‘mark of excellence’ and I completely agree with that – as they make sure that you’re doing everything you need to, exactly as you should be and that’s vital in this industry.”

As part of the festivities for their 25th anniversary, the company held a celebration evening for staff at Newcastle Racecourse earlier this month.

2020 Vision managing director Peter Houlis said: “I am delighted that the company has reached this great milestone of 25 years in business and is recognised nationally by clients, peers and suppliers alike. I am justly proud of our reputation; exceptional level of repeat business, high degree of referrals and customer retention; many in excess of twenty years.

“The company has gone from strength to strength since we started in 1992. Over that time, we have continued to evolve with the changes in technology and the sector.

“We fully understand the importance of service to the customer and the professionalism and customer focus of our team is integral to our success.

“Our celebration event was the perfect way for the whole 2020 Vision family to come together and celebrate all of our great achievements from the past 25 years and look ahead to a prosperous future.”

The company has already had a successful start to 2017, winning the inaugural outstanding security installer at the UK’s first Outstanding Security Professional Awards (OSPAs). In addition to that, Peter – who is also an independent registered firms’ representative on the SSAIB board – has been named in IFSEC Global’s list of the top 50 influencers in the security and fire industry as well.

He added: “We have a robust track record in delivering integrated technology solutions, which truly benefit our clients. Our customer-centric service is not just about security; we understand the issues our clients are facing and provide clever insight and situational analysis data, which can help to improve operations, protect assets, monitor health and safety and save money.

“Today, security is more about meeting legal obligations and compliance - as well as protecting assets. We strive for excellence, integrity and continual improvement at 2020 Vision and it’s always a great honour to see our work recognised by receiving these awards.”

SSAIB chief executive Alex Carmichael commented: “On behalf of SSAIB, I would like to congratulate Peter and everyone else associated with 2020 Vision for reaching a fantastic milestone of 25 years in business. I’d also like to congratulate them for their equally long association with the SSAIB and its predecessor, the SSA.

“We value each and every one of our firms and we really do appreciate when they continue to work with us year after year – as it shows that they trust what we do, they value the standards that we implement and they appreciate our ability to maintain those professional standards while providing a helpful and friendly approach.

“The SSAIB hope to celebrate many more milestones with 2020 Vision - and a lot of our other registered firms - for years to come.”

SSAIB auditor Stephen Grieve will be working closely with Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC) Tony Porter this month – as the pair will both be in attendance for a handful of talks and presentations on various aspects of surveillance cameras in November.

Stephen’s first engagement will see him give a presentation on Body-Worn Video (BWV) and the implications of it at a workshop for local authorities – arranged by the SCC – at the Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel on Wednesday November 8. Anyone unable to make this half-day workshop will have another chance to see it on Wednesday November 29, when the Civil Hall in Millennium Square, Leeds plays host to the last workshop of 2017.

Tony will also be accompanied by Stephen for the trip from Liverpool to Birmingham a day later, when the pair will be answering questions after Tony’s key-note speech on the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice at the National Association for Healthcare Security Conference on Thursday November 9.

Another presentation will also follow from Stephen on Tuesday November 14 – as he discusses the CCTV codes of practice at a Recognition Technologies in Retail Seminar at Goodenough College, London.

More information on all of the events that SSAIB attend can be found on our Events page.

British Approval for Fire Equipment (BAFE) have released an update for their SP101 fire extinguisher maintenance/service scheme, which will take effect from October 1 2017.

Having conducted a lengthy consultation period in April 2016 – in which they created a scheme revision group, alongside a public consultation – the SP101:2017 updated servicing competency document is now available on BAFE’s website.

One of the biggest changes to the scheme for SSAIB is that it now offers a dual route option, meaning that registered firms can gain third-party certification via an ISO 9001 or a Management System route. However, both routes will “use the same audit criteria for fire extinguisher competencies.”

In an effort to continue to “provide the best assurances to the industry and their customers of what defines a quality provider of fire extinguisher services in today’s market,” the scheme “updates and strengthens the role of the fire extinguisher technician.”

BAFE state that this has “been enhanced further by including additional technical competence to the revised sections” of BS 5306 – which relates to fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises - on top of “requirements for having training in asbestos awareness and health and safety procedures.”

Meanwhile, there has also been a review of the technician competency portfolio that BAFE assessors use, meaning every technician that gain the BAFE diploma “continue to be the best in the industry.” That means that passing the BS 5306 exam is “‘only the first step in demonstrating understanding of the relevant standards to work competently in the field.”

A copy of the updated scheme document for SP101:2017 is available to download at www.bafe.org.uk/sp101-2017.