Noise Control of Burglar Alarms
Burglar alarms are a useful security device for domestic and commercial premises but they can cause noise nuisance to local residents if they ring regularly for no apparent reason. Anyone who has a burglar alarm fitted to their home or business needs to make sure that this does not happen and we recommend that you take the following steps to avoid any complaints:
- Your alarm should be fitted in accordance with BS4737 and have an automatic cut-out device to stop the ringing after 20 minutes
- We would advise that you give a key and the alarm code to a neighbour so that someone is available to disable and reset the alarm. This is important when you are going to be away from the premises for some time, for example, on holiday
- Alarms may become faulty during their lifetime; it is important that the alarm is regularly maintained by a qualified alarm engineer in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
The 'Control of Noise (Code of Practice on Noise from Audible Intruder Alarms) Order 1981' (Statutory Instrument 1981 No. 1829) gives guidance on ways to reduce the unnecessary ringing of alarms. If you allow your alarm to ring unnecessarily, action may be taken against you under section 79 or 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is therefore in your own interest to adhere to the procedures set out in the Code of Practice, which can be purchased at Government bookshops or through booksellers.
Alarms causing a noise nuisance
If the Council is satisfied that an alarm is causing a noise nuisance and is unable to contact a keyholder within a reasonable period of time, formal action will be taken.
An Abatement Notice requiring the alarm to be silenced will be served on the occupier by leaving it at or affixing it to the premises. An electrical engineer will also be summonsed to silence the alarm box. The occupier will then be responsible for reimbursing the Council for all costs reasonably incurred.
Keyholders
The Code of Practice on Noise from Audible Intruder Alarms (Paragraph 5)states that the alarm-holder should, within 48 hours of installing a new alarm system or of taking over an existing one, notify the local police of the name, address and telephone number of at least two keyholders. At the same time, alarm-holders should tell the local Environmental Health Authority that the alarm has been newly installed or that s/he has taken over responsibility for an existing system. They should also be told which police station has the information and who the responsible person is for the alarm. The police should be made aware of any changes in nominated keyholders within 24 hours.
If an alarm system is reported as causing a noise nuisance, the Council will try to contact a keyholder so that the problem can be resolved quickly without the need for any formal action. Each keyholder must be able to reach the property within 20 minutes and should be familiar with the property and the alarm system installed.
If you wish to register keyholder details please download and return the Key holder intruder alarm form.