DD243 A simple guide

Overview

What is DD243:2000, to put it simply, it is a document which is aimed at reducing false alarms, and reducing un-needed police response.

This section is aimed at the specifier, system designer, installer and the end user, it describe how to
plan, install and ultimately use an alarm system within the guide lines of ACPO Security Alarm Policy DD243:2000

The reduction of false alarms can be achieved by a number of ways, one way of reducing the high rate of false alarms is by reducing the system un-setting false alarms, which ACPO consider high.

Summery

RULE 1

If a remote keypad is to set and unset your alarm, entering by the designated entry/exit door must disable all confirmation in the building. This means that a burglar who enters by that door will not cause more than one signal to be transmitted to the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) if straying off the designated entry route. Therefore there will be no Police response.

RULE 2

In order to overcome the above, the system will need to have a different means of setting and un-setting. The options are:

By means of unlocking the entry door with the use of a combined lock and keyswitch.
In conjunction with the ARC
Portable ancillary control equipment (radio key fobs, proximity tokens, etc.)
Access control equipment (swipe cards etc.)

RULE 3

The system must be designed to provide an effective confirmation facility and with the overall object of minimising false alarms. The design of the system must use one of three alternative confirmation types:

Audio, i.e. listening devices throughout the building linked to the ARC.
Visual, i.e. CCTV pictures of various areas transmitted to the ARC.
Sequential detection, where the ARC must receive at least two signals from different detectors before they can call the Police. Telephone line faults and radio signalling path failures also count as one signal for sequential purposes.

RULE 4

Resetting of the alarm system after an activation can now be done by the user, unless the Police are called, in which case the ARC can perform the reset remotely, or the alarm company must be called, whichever is appropriate.

RULE 5

After an activation of the alarm from a single detector, the system will re-arm within a set time. If a door sensor caused the alarm, and the door consequently remains open, or any other detection device is indicating an alarm state when the system tries to re-arm, that door/device will be omitted from the alarm, therefore leaving a gap in the security of the building

RULE 1

RULE 2

In order to overcome the above, the system will need to have a different means of setting and un-setting. The options are:

By means of unlocking the entry door with the use of a combined lock and keyswitch.

In conjunction with the ARC

Portable ancillary control equipment (radio key fobs, proximity tokens, etc.)

Access control equipment (swipe cards etc.)

RULE 3

The system must be designed to provide an effective confirmation facility and with the overall object of minimising false alarms. The design of the system must use one of three alternative confirmation types:

Audio, i.e. listening devices throughout the building linked to the ARC.

Visual, i.e. CCTV pictures of various areas transmitted to the ARC.

Sequential detection, where the ARC must receive at least two signals from different detectors before they can call the Police. Telephone line faults and radio signalling path failures also count as one signal for sequential purposes.

RULE 4

Resetting of the alarm system after an activation can now be done by the user, unless the Police are called, in which case the ARC can perform the reset remotely, or the alarm company must be called, whichever is appropriate.

RULE 5