SSAIB News

Following the success the company has enjoyed on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, SSAIB have enhanced our digital marketing even further with the launch of a brand new YouTube channel.

Having launched with the SSAIB - Mark of Excellence information video which was made for some of the exhibitions we attend, registered firms and interested parties will be able to learn more about SSAIB and our latest development in a brand new format - as the video-sharing platform allows us to give a different perspective to viewers of the SSAIB YouTube channel.

The new channel is available here and we invite everyone to like our first video and subscribe to the new channel - in order to make sure you don't miss any of the latest SSAIB video content that appears on YouTube.

SSAIB have certificated registered firm MRP Alarms to the latest ISO 9001 quality management systems standard.

Importantly, while Harrogate-based MRP Alarms was already audited to the previous (2008) version of ISO 9001 for the installation of wired and wireless intruder alarm systems, it sought benchmark certification to this updated ISO 9001: 2015 standard - as part of the company’s commitment to the highest level of quality assurance for its residential and commercial customers.

MRP Alarms’ achievement follows SSAIB’s own recent UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation to ISO 9001:2015, enabling SSAIB to audit companies to the revised standard.

ISO 9001 helps organisations demonstrate to their customers that they can offer products and services of consistently good quality. It also acts as a tool to streamline their processes and make them more efficient at what they do. The 2015 edition’s introduction followed more than three years’ revision work by experts - from nearly 95 participating and observing countries - to bring the standard up to date with modern needs, which also includes compatibility with other management systems such as ISO 14001 (for which SSAIB is also UKAS-accredited.)

Established some 30 years ago, MRP Alarms installs and maintains its clients’ intruder alarm systems in compliance with all relevant British and European standards, while the firm’s engineers are fully NVQ/City & Guilds qualified.

Company owner Mark Peretti comments that its fresh accreditation to ISO 9001:2015 demonstrates “our commitment to the highest standards of quality assurance, which underpins everything we do and helps to ensure we maximise our customer service levels. This management system standard also offers benefits through our increased efficiency and improved business performance.”

SSAIB chief executive Alex Carmichael adds that SSAIB’s UKAS accreditation to certificate organisations against the latest ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems standard will enable existing SSAIB-registered firms to update their own existing ISO 9001:2008 accreditation to this latest standard by the deadline of September 2018. The latest edition is less prescriptive than its predecessor - focusing instead on performance - and the 2015 version is designed to be easily integrated with other management systems.

The latest edition of the SSAIB News magazine is now available and will be on display for the first time at this year’s IFSEC International at the ExCel in London.

The 2017 version of our annual newsletter has been put together by Ian Drury of Live Wire Media and features a wealth of articles dedicated to the security and fire industries. Copies of the magazine will be available to pick up at stand G450 at IFSEC International between June 20-22.

Those that can’t make the trip to London needn’t worry though – as the SSAIB will be handing out issues at every one of our regional meetings and exhibitions during the second half of the year, with SSAIB-registered firms also receiving a copy through the post in the next week or so as well.

The magazine’s cover story focuses on the SSAIB’s leading role in the pioneering use of drones being used by two Police forces and their ground-breaking certification to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. The revolutionary use of body-worn video by the Metropolitan and Greater Manchester Police forces to the same code of practice is also featured.

Chief executive Alex Carmichael looks back at his second year in the role, as well as giving an update of SSAIB’s progress and the latest developments within the company. In addition to Alex touching on it in his piece, training manager Trevor Jenks discusses the new Trailblazer scheme and what it means for firms looking for/employing apprentices in this industry.

Digital marketing specialist Alistair Gleave explains why social media channels are becoming increasingly more important for businesses to get ahead. Meanwhile, marketing team member and social media coordinator Glen Maxwell explains what the SSAIB is doing to increase its own digital marketing and how it can benefit our registered firms.

The latest SSAIB news is complimented by a look back at the company’s schedule of regional meetings and exhibitions for the first half of 2017 – as we travelled the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland to meet with our registered firms and give them the chance to talk to us and give us feedback on a number of aspects of SSAIB certification.

Auditor Richard Deacon discusses his role within the company - and also gives his views on how the serious issue of false alarm calls has been successfully tackled – before Security Systems and Monitoring scheme manager David Roscoe brings the magazine to a close with a technical update of BS EN 50518.

Following a successful start of 2017, SSAIB are bringing a close to their programme of regional meetings and exhibitions for the first half of the year by attending IFSEC International at the ExCel in London later this month.

The three-day event – held between June 20-22 – is a fitting finale for a successful six-month tour of the UK and Ireland, which has taken in the likes of Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, London and Birmingham among others. The SSAIB’s presence at IFSEC International will give registered firms - and any other interested parties - a chance to pick the brains of the SSAIB team, headed by chief executive Alex Carmichael and chairman Geoff Tate.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the SSAIB stand at G450 to discuss the latest developments and standards within the security and fire industries, the benefits of having SSAIB certification, how firms can achieve accreditation with us and why we recommend that security and fire safety service buyers should actively seek out SSAIB-registered firms to complete their work.

SSAIB training manager Trevor Jenks will also be actively involved in running the Engineers of Tomorrow competition, of which the SSAIB is a proud stakeholder of – having supported the venture since its inception nearly 20 years ago.  A team of SSAIB auditors will also be judging the three-day contest, in which some of the best apprentices in the country will battle it out for first place.

In an exclusive to our SSAIB-registered firms, a link will also be sent out via email that will allow all those who register for IFSEC International through it to receive a free lunch voucher – available to use while they are at the event.

Sales and marketing manager Andrew Brown revealed that SSAIB are glad to be returning to IFSEC International once again and he hopes that it helps the company to meet even more firms, old and new.

Andrew said: “It’s good that we are able to return to IFSEC once again this year – as it’s important that the SSAIB is able to go out and allow people to come and speak to us. We’ve enjoyed a fantastic start to the year travelling all over the UK and Ireland and the response our own events have had is fantastic.

“It seems appropriate that we end the first half of 2017 with a trip to IFSEC, because the whole SSAIB team have been working hard in the run-up to this year’s event. We want to get the message out that we’re the leading certification body for both the fire and security industries, so shows like this are vital for us to be able to do that.

“The SSAIB believe we have one of the most streamline application processes in the industry, so new applicants aren’t tied down with endless paperwork and some of the unnecessary red tape that they might experience elsewhere. We also ensure that we maintain professional standards with a friendly and helpful approach to our registered firms, which sets us apart from all of our competitors, and I think that’s appreciated by SSAIB firms.

“The whole of the SSAIB team are looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during this year’s IFSEC International exhibition, so make sure you stop off at stand G450.”

SSAIB are celebrating our latest successful Installers Forum event – after the 2017 event was supported fantastically by our registered firms.

Demand for the event – sponsored by BT Redcare – saw places snapped up within 36 hours of them being made available, meaning that the auditorium at the prestigious BT Tower in London was packed out for the company’s annual showpiece occasion.

Attendees were treated to an annual update from SSAIB chief executive Alex Carmichael, who praised the progress that the company has made and discussed the changes that SSAIB has implemented to take us forward. Event host Nick Whiting then discussed BT Redcare and the recent developments they have made.

Cyber security expert Andrew Sieradzki gave a presentation on the dangers of cyber exploitation and also highlighted the benefits of the Cyber Essentials scheme – which SSAIB achieved to Cyber Essentials Plus standard – and the benefits of companies completing it.

SSAIB training manager Trevor Jenks informed attendees on the new Trailblazers apprentice scheme for fire and security – as well as going through how firms can apply for funding for it. IFSEC’s head of content Charlotte Wright then wrapped up proceedings by discussing next month’s event at the Excel in London and what it is likely to include.

Lunch then took place upstairs in the revolving restaurant, which stands at 189 metres high – allowing our guests to enjoy unparalleled views of London as they ate.

Sales manager Andrew Brown was delighted with the event and the support it had received from SSAIB firms.

Andrew said: “It’s great to have held yet another successful Installers Forum at the BT Tower. The success of them really does depend on our firms and the turnout for this year’s event was fantastic to see.

“I’d like to thank every single person that attended, all of our speakers and our brilliant hosts at BT Redcare. The BT Tower isn’t open to the public, so it’s great to be able to give our guests an almost exclusive visit to the revolving restaurant that has some magnificent views of London.

“We always try to give firms help and advice whenever we visit them, be it here or during our regional meetings throughout the year. So, we hope we’ve given them something to think about with regards to apprenticeships and cyber security – as they’re aspects of business that sometimes get overlooked.

“If we can continue to help and support our firms, then these events are more than worth it.”