NSI vs SSAIB: Which Alarm Certification Matters for Your Home or Business?

When it comes to security installations, credibility and compliance are the topmost priorities for people who want the most out of their alarm systems. In the UK, many homeowners and businesses rely on security hardware to keep themselves safe and to provide maximum coverage so that they can keep their belongings safe as well.

However, security isn’t just a matter of simply installing cameras and alarm systems; it is about making sure that this hardware is not only placed correctly but also installed properly.

A great example of this can be found in alarm systems that require precise placement and strict SOP installations, without which you will almost always be left with a severe vulnerability that puts your safety and the safety of your possessions at risk – and this is where certified installers come in.

Obtaining the necessary credentials from certification bodies such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) not only allows third-party installers to follow compliance, but it also enables them to follow the alarm quality standards of the UK and experience-based recommendations to maximise security for your home or business.

In simple terms, if a security company is accredited by a professional body, such as the NSI or SSAIB, it is a clear sign that they are capable and trustworthy. Read on to find out more about NSI and SSAIB, and whether there is a need to prioritise one certification over the other when choosing between installing security hardware for your home or business:

SSAIB and NSI – Understanding Each Certification

In a nutshell, both certifications have the same goal: to assure quality, compliance, and reliability in alarm security services. Both professional bodies were created to set a gold standard for how security hardware should be installed by third-party service providers, like Calder Security.

SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarm Inspections Board) is an SIA (Security Industry Authority) approved leading certification body for providing security systems and services, which include security alarm systems, monitoring, fire detection, access control, etc. The certification also covers SOPs for their installation, monitoring, and maintenance.

The SSAIB was founded in 1994 and provides guarantees while promoting high standards of service. This certification has a wide coverage of companies and covers both small and large security companies.

The way security companies obtain this certification is by applying and going through a series of audits. The SSAIB audits companies on their competence, systems, staff vetting, compliance with standards, and ongoing performance.

Through these audits, the security company is provided with an appropriate certification level that allows it to operate legally and competently.

SSAIB certifications also comply with police policies and insurers. This enables local law enforcement to do their job more effectively during a reported robbery and can also comply with insurers’ policies, granting businesses and homeowners better coverage. In fact, the SSAIB certification is sometimes a requirement for insurance companies for claims validity.

On the other hand, the NSI is one of the UK’s leading third-party certification bodies for security and fire safety service providers.

Like SSAIB, the NSI also audits and accredits companies and provides them with a certification under different levels. Security companies can either be awarded a Gold or Silver certification depending on the scope of their quality systems, compliance, and technical competence.

The NSI also covers security companies that provide services to homes and workplaces, and is one of the most widely accepted accreditations by the police and insurance companies.

NSI VS SSAIB: KEY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

NSI-approved companies and SSAIB certifications provide compliance, better coverage, and professional installations. These professional bodies are major players in the UK security sector that share several overlapping roles.

Let’s explore some of the key similarities and differences of these certifications that can help you figure out the best certification for your home or business:

NSI Gold and SSAIB Certification

One key difference between NSI and SSAIB is that NSI offers tiered certifications. The NSI Gold is often considered a premium-level certification that requires security companies to not only meet technical installation standards but also implement and maintain a full quality management system.

The NSI Silver certification has a narrower focus that emphasises technical competence without the necessary full ISO-quality management integration. In most cases, very large companies usually regard NSI Gold as an important factor because it signals stronger internal controls and organisational experience.

For most homeowners, this certification level might not be necessary because home installations are self-contained and don’t usually require scaling or the installation of highly complex security hardware.

SSAIB certification is also more than capable of catering to workplaces and provides excellent coverage for all types of businesses, ranging from small to large companies. This flexibility allows SSAIB-approved companies like Calder Security to easily cater to a wide range of customers without compromising on their security demands.

Market Presence

Both SSAIB and NSI have excellent visibility in the security market, and both are often advertised by security firms. However, in the case of NSI Gold, security companies may put more emphasis on their prestigious certification and highlight it more prominently in marketing materials, but this doesn’t make SSAIB any weaker. In fact, SSAIB is the gold standard for many security companies that aim to provide flexible and high-coverage security solutions.

Approval Process

NSI and SSAIB use independent criteria for vetting security companies and performing audits. Both certifications focus on conducting deep audits that cover staff vetting, documentation, and risk assessments.

The only key difference is that the NSI accreditation may place greater emphasis on internal controls, record keeping or traceability, especially in the case of the Gold tier certification.

This difference can be an important factor for very large companies looking for a security company that provides them with highly customised security solutions based on their specific needs. In this case, the NSI’s approval process may get an edge, but for the vast majority of security installations, the SSAIB certification is adequate to cater to both homeowners and workplaces.

NSI VS SSAIB: WHICH ALARM CERTIFICATION MATTERS FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS?

When it comes to alarm quality standards for the UK or the installation of any type of security hardware for work or home, both NSI-approved and SSAIB-certified companies can provide customers with bespoke and professional security solutions.

The truth is, both certifications matter, and in many cases, either one is acceptable in the eyes of law enforcement and insurance companies. So, your choice of picking a certification may depend on your personal preferences or individual requirements that stem from your insurance company.

For example, if your insurer explicitly states a preference for either NSI or SSAIB certification, then that would be the most important determining factor for your choice. If you are looking for security solutions for a very large company with highly specific monitoring or internal documentation requirements, then NSI Gold-certified companies would be your best bet.

However, if you are only looking for full compliance with quality installations that provide you with the most out of your security system for your home or office, then either could work.

Our recommendation for figuring out the right certification would be to first look at the requirements of your insurance company. If your insurance company doesn’t have any specific requirement, then you can easily choose between any SSAIB-certified or NSI-approved company. This can allow you to not only seek the best company for your needs but also find the right installer that fits your budget.

Keep in mind that you should also seek advice from your local police force to see if they tend to favour one certification over the other. In most cases, you will not need to pick one over the other, but it is good to cover all bases when picking the right security company for your individual needs.

BENEFITS OF HIRING SSAIB CERTIFIED CONTRACTORS

We talked about NSI Gold certifications and how they may offer more perceived benefit for complex security needs in highly specific cases, but the important thing to keep in mind is that apart from NSI’s prestigious nomenclature, both SSAIB and NSI offer more or less the same benefits.

For most people, an SSAIB certification will be more than enough to cater to their needs. SSAIB accreditation enables customers to get peace of mind since these companies are accredited to be highly competent and vetted to hire highly qualified, compliant, and professional staff.

Here are a few key benefits that you can expect when hiring an approved contractor for your home or workplace:

• Confidence in the product or service purchased
• Peace of mind knowing that your property is well-protected
• The guarantee that you are complying with your insurer’s policy
• Compliance with the British and EU codes of practice
• Help and support provided by expert technicians
• Properly vetted staff and employees
• Competent staff and great customer service
• Appropriate insurance cover for any type of work being carried out
• Best maintenance services for the upkeep of your security equipment
• Excellent attention to detail
• Customised services perfect for tailored needs
• Twice-yearly inspections to ensure they meet the expected standards

WHY TRUST CALDER SECURITY?

Calder Security is an SSAIB-certified and approved contractor and provides the best level of service in terms of installation, as well as the equipment we use. An SSAIB approval is a mark of excellence and means that our customers can have full confidence in our expertise and workmanship.

Being an approved contractor allows us to demonstrate the high standards we have set for ourselves and allows us to achieve them with ease. We have been certified consistently since 1994 and renew our certification every 3 years to stay on top of the game.

We understand that many insurance policies require you to have SSAIB security systems installed on your property, and we help you minimise both security threats and your insurance premiums.

We are approved under several scopes that include intruder alarm systems, CCTV systems, and access control systems. For verification, you may check the SSAIB website for our approved status here.

SSAIB APPROVED SECURITY SERVICES OFFERED BY CALDER SECURITY

Calder Security is proud to offer a wide range of SSAIB-approved security solutions to all our clients, including home and business owners. Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Home and Business Burglar Alarm Services
• Home and Business CCTV Services
• Home and Business Access Control Services

HOME AND BUSINESS BURGLAR ALARM SERVICES

Burglar alarms are a pillar of basic security and can be installed in homes as well as businesses. We, at Calder Security, are SSAIB-approved intruder alarm installers, and all our systems comply with the latest industry standards.

Professional burglar alarm installation

Our engineers and contractors are all SSAIB approved and offer installations of the highest standards. All our alarm installations comply with standards PD6662:2010, DD243, and BS8243, and meet the stringent requirements of BS4737 AND European Standard EN50131 (Intruder Alarm Systems in Buildings).

Our systems are designed specifically for your security needs using equipment from trusted brands, including Texecom, Visonic, Scantronic, Risco, and Pyronix.

Professional burglar alarm maintenance and repair

We know the importance of professional installation coupled with regular maintenance that will allow your property to be protected from all kinds of security threats.

An annual service check is extremely important to check if everything is working as it should, and our SSAIB-approved contractors make sure to thoroughly check your systems for continued reliability and performance.

If your burglar alarm shows signs of a fault, our experienced engineers can assess the system and repair it in one visit. Due to our skill set, we can work with virtually any alarm system, even those that haven’t been installed by us.

Professional burglar alarm monitoring

As an SSAIB-approved alarm receiving centre (ARC), we provide professional alarm monitoring services where our ARC is notified when your alarm is triggered.

It offers an extra line of defence in ensuring that any alarm triggers are dealt with professionally, especially when the property is uninhabited.

We offer three main methods of monitoring depending on the level of security you require: digital monitoring uses a standard telephone line, DualCom GPRS operates via a phone line and GPRS, and BT Redcare GSM operates via a phone line and GSM.

When alerted to the alarm being triggered, the ARC performs checks to confirm the alarm, notify the key holder, and, if appropriate, alert the police.

HOME AND BUSINESS CCTV SERVICES

Calder Security is an approved installer and contractor for CCTV services, which include:

Professional CCTV installation

CCTV installation is a specialist job with many factors to consider, such as effective positioning and placement of the cameras, setting up the DVR, integrating with other security measures such as intruder alarms, and the settings of the system itself.

Our approved installers have the specific knowledge and experience to work on a wide range of CCTV systems to get the most out of them and use only quality equipment from manufacturers such as Hikvision.

Professional CCTV maintenance and repair

Maintenance is key to keeping your CCTV system working effectively and is very important in discovering potential faults and fixing them before they become serious issues.

Our specialist engineers can conduct a visual assessment of the system as well as a detailed inspection that includes checking all its components.

In addition to that, if you find that your CCTV system isn’t working properly, you can count on our security specialists for a fast and responsive repair service, even for systems not installed by us.

Professional CCTV monitoring

Professional CCTV monitoring is another great service that allows you to keep an eye on your premises via a professional monitoring station, even when it is unoccupied.

Our trusted Remote Video Receiving Centres (RVRC) allow you to detect any breach of security in real-time, enabling you to take appropriate action to minimise the risk. It offers peace of mind to you as a property owner that any incident detected would prompt an appropriate response.

HOME AND BUSINESS ACCESS CONTROL SERVICES

The following are the SSAIB-approved access control system services offered by Calder Security for both home and business security:

Professional access control installation

Since an access control system operates the locking and unlocking of your property’s doors, it must be professionally installed by someone who possesses the required skill and knowledge to work on them.

We are SSAIB-approved installers for home and business access control systems, as well as MLA-approved locksmiths, and can advise you on the best system for your needs.

We can offer all types of access control systems, including intercom, proximity fob, card swipe, and keypad. We can even offer biometric systems that work with fingerprints or retina scans.

Professional access control maintenance and repair

Like any other technology, access control systems require periodic maintenance to make sure they continue to work as they should.

Our SSAIB-approved contractors, specialist security engineers, and MLA-approved locksmiths are able to maintain and enhance a variety of door entry systems.

We also operate a 24-hour emergency service for fixes and repairs, and can resolve issues efficiently and effectively using our vast knowledge and experience.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.

Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts about more information on NSI and SSAIB certifications, and which matters more for your home or business.