BS 7499:2020

 What is BS 7499 - Static guarding security services about?

This is a code of practice giving recommendations on how to provide static security guarding services.  

Who is BS 7499 - Static guarding security services for?

It’s for security services providers and users, which encompasses:

• SIA Approved Contractors
• Organizations providing security services
• Organizations installing alarm systems
• Those responsible for security systems in buildings
• Security service training officers
• Facilities management companies
• Security companies
• The retail, sports, entertainment and airports sectors
• Prisons, probation and police services
• Local government

Why should you use BS 7499 - Static guarding security services?

It gives recommendations for the management, staffing and operation of an organization providing security guarding services on a static site.

NOTE 1: It does not apply to all security services, for example cash-in-transit services, secure parcel services, keyholding and response services, mobile patrol services, door supervisors, close protection services, event stewarding and the management and operation of closed-circuit television (CCTV).

NOTE 2: Recommendations for cash-in-transit services, CCTV, door supervisors, keyholding and response services, mobile patrol services, and event stewarding are given in BS 7872, BS 7958, BS 7960, BS 7984-1, BS 7984-3, and BS 8406 respectively.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS 7499:2020 is a radically revised standard. When BS 7499:2013 was being reviewed it was realized that it was doing “treble duty” – acting as a code of practice on static site guarding, a code of practice on mobile patrol services, and being used as a general standard on the provision of security services.

It meant users were potentially getting a lot content that wasn’t relevant to them. Also that there was a lot of duplication throughout the security standards portfolio. Therefore the decision was made to split BS 7499 into three standards:

• BS 10800:2020, which contains the provision of security services content previously found in the old BS 7499, and which forms the new, overarching standard
• This standard, BS 7499:2020 which is a revised code of practice, now only covering static guarding security services
• BS 7984-3:2020, which is a new code of practice on the provision of mobile security services