Alarms
Noise made by the operation of burglar alarms is now a common
cause of complaint. If you have an alarm fitted in your home or
business, this information tells you what you need to know about
your responsibilities. You should be aware the use of a burglar
alarm is now governed by the
Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. Please note,
this information is not a full explanation of the law.
Premises alarms
Many owners and occupiers will protect their properties -
whether domestic or commercial - by installing a system or taking
over an existing one on acquiring the premises. They have a
responsibility to ensure the device fitted primarily for their own
protection does not become a source of nuisance to their neighbours
and the general public. The alarm system should be properly
designed, installed and maintained as far as is reasonably
practicable to prevent false alarms. Guidance is given in British
Standard BS 4737 of 1987, as amended by BS 7150 of 1989. If your
house has an alarm you must register your details with noise and
nuisance team on 020 8825 8111 Monday-Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
Avoiding disturbance
To avoid disturbance to the public, all such alarm systems
must be fitted with an automatic cut-out device. This should
disconnect both the internal and external sounders, either bell or
buzzer, after a period of not more than 20 minutes following
activation. Such a cut out device can be supplemented with a
flashing light, which will continue to operate after the sounder
has ceased. This will help alert the public and police to the
alarmed state of the property. Owners are strongly advised to
submit keyholder information to Ealing Council's noise and nuisance
team. Should they fail to do so and an alarm subsequently causes
annoyance to neighbours, the
council's contractors may disconnect the alarm and charge the
owner for any costs incurred.
Vehicle alarms
Noise caused by the operation of audible vehicle alarms may
also give rise to complaints of a nuisance. Owners who seek to
protect their vehicle by installing a system of this type or who
purchase a vehicle with an existing system fitted must be aware of
their legal responsibilities.
It is a requirement under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to fit a five-minute cut out device to all vehicle alarms. It is also now an actionable statutory nuisance under section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisances Act 1993, for the registered keeper to allow an alarm to sound frequently or for a prolonged period, so as to cause a nuisance to local residents and people working in the immediate vicinity.
Where an authorised council officer witnesses the prolonged or frequent sounding of an alarm from an unattended vehicle, they may serve a noise abatement notice. This requires the person responsible to de-activate the alarm and take action to prevent a recurrence of the nuisance. If after an hour, the person has not come forward, the council may de-activate the alarm or remove the vehicle. Full costs of this action will be recovered from the 'person responsible' or the 'registered keeper' of the vehicle. This may be in excess of £200.
It is also important that you set your alarm to a reasonable level of sensitivity to minimise 'false alarms' and maintain your alarm system in good working order.
If you are caused nuisance by a constantly sounding alarm you should contact the council's noise and nuisance team.
LeafletsA leaflet about alarms is available in pdf format.