The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is an independent, not-for-profit approvals body providing inspection services for the security and fire industries.

For over 30 years, NSI has been protecting the customer by insisting on the highest standards and operating the toughest inspection regime. Companies are inspected regularly by highly qualified, full-time inspectors, to prove their ongoing competence.

The NSI story began in 1971 with the formation of the National Supervisory Council for Intruder Alarms (NSCIA), created to deal with the problem of cowboys and poor quality equipment in the intruder alarm market.

Twenty years later the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS) was formed from the merger of the NSCIA and the Security Systems Inspectorate (SSI). Its role was very much to continue to improve standards in line with increasingly tougher requirements of the insurance sector and the Police national alarms policy.

NACOSS was instrumental in driving standards upwards in the security industry during this period, achieving widespread recognition from insurers, Police and security buyers. CCTV and access control systems were added to the scope covered by NACOSS.

The Inspectorate of the Security Industry (ISI) was formed in 1992 to offer a voluntary inspection for the manned security sector.

ISI and NACOSS merged in 2001 to create a unified inspectorate NSI, covering all elements of the security industry, with the goal of creating a one-stop-shop for the benefit of customers and suppliers alike.

At the same time, increasing demand from the fire sector for third party certification for fire protection systems encouraged NSI to extend its scope into this area.

Many security companies already installed fire protection systems, and NSI’s experience would be ideal for developing the new BAFE Fire Protection Industry Modular Scheme SP203.

NSI’s Customer Care support process reinforces the reliability and integrity of the companies it inspects.

All NSI schemes meet or exceed the appropriate requirements of the Police, Fire Service and Insurers.

Mission

To raise standards in the security and fire industries in the interests of the customer

Vision

To achieve recognition as the benchmark of public confidence in the security and fire industries

Ethos

• public service
• not for profit
• highest standards
• own corporate governance
• firm but fair
• best practice
• inclusive
• independent

Why the Police, Fire Service, Insurers and many other organisations trust NSI companies to do the job properly:

quality delivery - highest performance standards in the UK, inspected by toughest inspection regime

security vetting - security staff are strictly vetted

training - high level of staff training and supervision

maintenance and callout - companies have to deliver quality service/maintenance (24/7 4-hour response)

police response - NSI approved security systems companies are authorised to install Police-calling systems and NSI companies operate the most efficient Police-calling processes and networks in the UK

fire service response - NSI approved fire companies meet both the new requirements of the Fire Service for the installation of alarm monitoring systems and the new CFOA Policy, requiring all automated Fire Brigade calling alarms to be designed, installed, commisioned and maintained by Third Party Certificated companies

false alarms - NSI approved companies are required to design systems to minimise false alarms

deterrence - anecdotal surveys show a high criminal awareness and avoidance of premises protected by NSI approved companies

customer care - NSI offers an independent technical arbitration service

NSI exists ‘to improve standards for the benefit of customers of the security and fire industries’, but customers are not the only beneficiaries of our inspection schemes.

We serve the Government by giving the public measurable confidence in the industries we inspect. We support the Police and Fire Services by operating Memoranda of Understanding with them which help us all to partner practical solutions to complex problems, such as the management of false alarms.

We work closely with the insurance industry, whose steadfast support over more than 30 years has helped to reduce risks and keep insurance premiums at a minimum (which benefits all stakeholders).

Not only do we inspect approved companies with consistent rigour, but we also add to their knowledge and best practice by interpreting Standards in depth and offering an unparalleled level of technical advice.

Of course the interests of all stakeholders are not always the same, and it is our task to balance our approach to ensure that we compromise and are flexible, but never at the expense of high standards.

Most of all, our focus is on the customer. We believe that every customer in the UK, from the largest multi-national company to the individual householder, is entitled to receive a professional service from security and fire companies which have proved their competence, time and time again. They may not always offer the cheapest solutions, but they are invariably the best.

The threat to every customer is the long-term undermining of high standards by poor performers and it is our motivation to separate the strong from the weak, in a transparent and open way.

So if a company which has not been approved by NSI offers its services, our advice to the customer is to challenge its credentials.

We think we have heard all of the excuses, but none of them stands up to the simple fact that over 1000 UK companies operating from over 1500 locations, can meet the standards and continue to do so, day on day.

From the NSI website, www.nsi.org.uk

Written by Richard Laker - Visit Website