Foreword

This Section of BS 4737 has been prepared under the direction of the Furniture and Household Equipment Standards Policy Committee to provide recommendations for those intruder alarm systems in which a majority of the components of an installed system are sited in exposed or open areas or in the surroundings of a building. The systems considered are those providing security comparable to BS 4737‑1. Notwithstanding its title and scope, many of the basic requirements of BS 4737‑1 are applicable to exterior systems and, where relevant, are referred to in this document.

The main objectives of BS 4737 are to maximize the effectiveness of intruder alarm systems, in respect of the detection and signalling of unauthorized intrusions, and to minimize the incidence of false alarms.

BS 4737 is being revised and published in Parts as follows.

— Part 1: Specification for installed systems with local audible and/or remote signalling;
— Part 2: Specification for installed systems for deliberate operation;
— Part 3: Specification for components (incorporating a revision of the existing; Sections 3.1 to 3.14 of BS 4737 ).
— Part 4: Codes of practice;
— Section 4.1: Code of practice for planning and installation;
— Section 4.2: Code of practice for maintenance and records;
— Section 4.3: Code of practice for exterior alarm systems.
— Part 5: Terms and symbols;
— Section 5.1: Glossary of terms;
— Section 5.2: Recommendations for symbols for diagrams.

BS 4737 does not give any requirements for the degree of protection and a prospective customer should give careful consideration to the extent and degree of protection required, having regard to the nature of the site to be protected, the value of its contents and the prevailing circumstances. It should be recognized that comprehensive protection necessarily entails substantial expense, but no intruder alarm system can possibly detect all forms of unauthorized entry or be completely tamper-proof.

The successful operation of an installed intruder alarm system requires the active cooperation of the customer in carrying out the necessary procedures carefully and thoroughly. The usefulness of the whole system and its social acceptability can be jeopardized by lack of care. This care has to extend to the security both of keys and of information regarding the system, its design, installation and method of operation and to ensuring adequate maintenance, to preserve the protection against criminal activity and to reduce the incidence of false alarms. In particular, a high level of site discipline and maintenance is considered to be a vital aspect in the minimizing of false alarms from exterior alarm systems.

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. In particular, systems utilizing electromagnetic radiation for detection or transmission may require approval by the Department of Trade and Industry (Radiocommunications Division), and the requirements of police force policies with respect to exterior intruder alarm system installations may differ significantly from those for systems installed in premises.

Summary of pages

This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv, pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.

This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover.

BS 4737-4.3:1988

Intruder alarm systems in buildings. Codes of practice - Code of practice for exterior alarm systems

Current

Published:

30 Dec 1988