Alarms
Noise made by the operation of audible burglar alarms is a common cause of complaint. Owners and occupiers who seek to protect their properties, (whether domestic or commercial) by installing a system or taking over an existing system on acquiring premises, have a responsibility to ensure the alarm fitted does not become a source of noise nuisance to their neighbours and the general public.
The alarm system should be properly designed, installed and maintained as far as is reasonable practicable to prevent false alarms. Guidance is given in British Standard BS 4737 of 1987, as amended by BS 7150 of 1989.
Installation
To avoid disturbing the public, all alarms should be fitted with an automatic cut-out device. This will 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 that will continue to operate after the sounder has stopped to alert the public and police to the alarmed state of the property.
All owners of newly adopted or installed alarm systems must:
- Inform the local police station in writing of the names, addresses and contact telephone numbers of at least two ‘nominated key holders’ who can be called upon to de-activate the alarm in the absence of the owner; and
Notify the Environmental Health Department of the installation of the system and the name of the police station holding the key holder information. Copies of the notification forms are available on request.
Excessive noise from alarms may amount to a "statutory noise nuisance". In such cases, the Council will serve an "Abatement Notice". Contraventions of such a Notice are an offence. The Council may also carry out "works in default" to silence an alarm. If this happens, the owner will be liable for the costs involved (at least £150).
Vehicle Alarms
Similarly, 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 (be it a car, van or motorbike etc.) 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 5 minute cut-out device to all vehicle alarms. It is also 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 vicinity.
Where an authorised Officer of the Council witnesses the prolonged or frequent ringing of an alarm from an unattended vehicle, the Officer may serve a noise abatement notice, requiring the person responsible to de-activate the alarm and carry out works 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.
- Vehicle alarms must be fitted with a 5-minute cutout device.
- Set your alarm to a reasonable level of sensitivity to minimise ‘false alarms’.
- Maintain your alarm system in good working order.