Quick reference · Detector-activated video surveillance systems
How detector-activated video surveillance systems (VSS) are designed, installed, commissioned and maintained, when the cameras are triggered by detectors and the pictures go to a remote centre to be checked.
The rules for CCTV that only starts sending pictures when a detector is triggered: how the system is set up, and how it is looked after.
BS 8418:2021. BS 8418:2021 was published on 6 August 2021. A 12-month transition ran to 31 July 2022, when the 2015 edition stopped being an option.
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The design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of detector-activated video surveillance systems, both permanent and temporary or portable. It is written for VSS companies and their engineers. The 2015 title was 'Installation and remote monitoring of detector-activated CCTV systems'.
How to plan, fit, set up and maintain CCTV that is triggered by detectors. It is written for the companies and engineers who install it.
A detector triggers the cameras and sends images to a remote video response centre. An operator checks whether it is a real intrusion. If it is, the operator can challenge over audio and ask for a police response.
Something sets off a detector, the camera sends pictures to a monitoring centre, and a person checks them. If someone is really breaking in, the operator can speak to them through a speaker and call the police.
Two tiers. Type A is the baseline. Type A+ includes everything in Type A plus extra protection against the system being tampered with or compromised, and suits higher-risk sites such as industrial, utilities and military. The tier is chosen from a threat assessment and risk analysis, which is an informative annex.
Type A is the standard level. Type A+ adds extra protection against tampering, for higher-risk sites. A risk assessment decides which one a site needs.
The two-tier structure, updated cyber security guidance, performance-based wording instead of product-specific wording, and the monitoring-centre requirements moved out to BS 9518. The stated aim was to cut cost and heavy installation requirements.
There are now two levels, more on cyber security, and less about specific products. The monitoring centre rules moved to a different standard.
It was published on 6 August 2021. A 12-month transition ran to 31 July 2022, during which a company could work to either the 2015 or the 2021 edition.
For a year, from summer 2021 to 31 July 2022, either edition could be used. After that, only the 2021 one.
Into BS 9518:2021, published in July 2021, which replaced BS 8591:2014. It covers how monitoring centres process fire, intruder, hold-up, video surveillance, social and lone-worker alarms. Timings, audio challenge and retention figures for the centre you find online may be from older editions.
The rules for the control room now sit in BS 9518. Be careful with timings and retention figures found online, because they may come from the older edition.
The alarm-handling timings and retention figures could not be confirmed for the 2021 edition. Check the standard.
It needs a police unique reference number (URN) and must comply with BS 8418. Both Type A and Type A+ can get a URN when certificated to BS 8418:2021. Installation and maintenance must be by a company approved by a UKAS-accredited certification body such as NSI.
For the police to attend, the system needs a URN from the police and must meet BS 8418, and the installer must be approved by a body such as NSI.
The NPCC requirements (May 2021) call a police-recognised system 'Type A'. The installer works to BS 8418 and the parts of BS EN 62676-4 it calls up. The centre works to BS 8418 and BS 5979 Category II or BS EN 50518. The system must be able to do audio challenge, and the centre should call police only when the images show unauthorised access and criminal activity in progress or being attempted.
The police expect the system to meet BS 8418, the control room to meet its own standard, audio challenge to be possible, and calls only when the pictures show a crime happening.
From a police document dated May 2021. Check whether a newer version exists.
For remote CCTV, on the same thresholds as intruder alarms: three false calls in a rolling 12 months. A written warning follows at two false calls, withdrawal takes effect no sooner than 14 days after the letter, and the URN is deleted if response stays withdrawn for over 6 months.
Three false calls in a year and the police can stop attending. You get a warning after two, and at least 14 days' notice before it stops.
Police policy is updated from time to time. Check the current version.
Changes must be notified to the police within 28 days. The police issue and own the URN, and there is a yearly fee that changes, so check the current amount.
Tell the police about changes within 28 days. The police own the URN and charge a fee that changes each year.
NSI companies work to either NCP 104 or BS 8418. NCP 104 adds requirements for network security, detectors, video analytics, audio and cabling that BS EN 62676-4 does not cover.
An NSI approved company follows either BS 8418 or NCP 104, which has extra rules about network security, detectors, audio and cabling.
BS 7958 is the code of practice for managing CCTV in controlled environments where footage may be evidence. BS EN 62676-4 gives guidance on selecting, planning, installing and maintaining systems.
BS 7958 is about running CCTV so footage can be used as evidence. BS EN 62676-4 is about choosing and setting up cameras.
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Other guides: BS 5839-1, BS 5839-6, BS 5266-1 and BS EN 1838, BS 5306 (extinguishers), BS EN 50131-1 and PD 6662, BS EN 62676-4, BS EN 60839-11-1, BS 7273-4, BS 7671 (for alarm and CCTV work). Not sure what a word means? Explain this text or see the glossary.
For guidance only. Always check against the current edition of the standard and the manufacturer's data.
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