Mis-firing audible intruder alarms can be a source of public annoyance. The ‘Control of Noise (Code of Practise on Noise from Audible Intruder Alarms) Order 1981 gives guidance on methods for reducing the incidence of nuisance from the mis-firing of alarms.

Code of Practice - Noise from Audible Intruder Alarms 1981

Summary
1. The system should be property designed, installed and maintained.

2. The system should be regularly maintained under contract with an Alarm Company so as to conform with current British Standards.

3. If there are a number of alarms in one area it should be easy to identify which alarm is going off.

4. The alarm should have an automatic cut off device set to cut the alarm off after 20 minutes.

5. The Local Authority should be notified of any new installation and existing ones taken over. The Police and Local Authority should also be notified of at least 2 keyholders. (Can name a Security Firm).

The keyholders should be well versed in the operating and silencing of the alarms.

The Police and Local Authority should also be notified of any changes to the nominated keyholders.

6. If there is no automatic cut off, one keyholder must take the responsibility for turning out and silencing the alarm.

The keyholders response time should be within 20 minutes of the alarm going off and should not exceed 45 minutes (exceptional cases only).

Failure to respond within 20 minutes would be relevant to consideration of whether the noise constitutes a nuisance or not.

7. If there are continual false alarms or the keyholder fails to respond within 20 minutes, then the Local Authority should consider serving a Notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring an automatic cut off.

Download form:  Notification to Local Authority of Installation of Alarm System or a Change of Alarm Keyholder (76kb)