National Security Inspectorate (NSI) News

The 25th annual Security & Fire Excellence Awards took center stage at the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House, in London, UK, on Monday, 2nd December, 2024. The event recognized the outstanding achievements of professionals and organizations in the UK security and fire sectors, with a strong showing from NSI-certified companies among the winners and finalists. With an emphasis on innovation, inclusion and sustainability, this milestone year for the Awards continued to set a benchmark f...

London’s iconic Shakespeare’s Underglobe Theatre set the stage for the much-anticipated Women in Security Awards 2024. With places booked months in advance, the event was filled, bringing together outstanding women from diverse roles across the security sector.   Talent and dedication Organized annually by Professional Security magazine in collaboration with patron - Una Riley, the Women in Security Awards are widely regarded as a prestigious platform celebrating the ach...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alaster Purchase as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Richard Fogelman, NSI Chief Executive, stated, "I am very excited to welcome Alaster to our senior management team. His appointment underscores our continued commitment to upholding the gold standard in security and fire safety certification."  Extensive industry experience Recently, as Chief Operating Officer for GS1 UK, and latterly as Corporate...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alaster Purchase as its new Chief Operating Officer. Richard Fogelman, NSI Chief Executive, stated, “I am very excited to welcome Alaster to our senior management team. His appointment underscores our continued commitment to upholding the gold standard in security and fire safety certification.”  Alaster Purchase Recently, as Chief Operating Officer for GS1 UK, and latterly as Corporate Marketi...

The Security & Fire Excellence Awards took center stage on 4th December 2023 at the iconic JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, UK, with over 1000 people in attendance representing the UK private security sector.   Marking its 24th year, these well-respected Awards celebrate the very best people, projects, and processes the security and fire sectors have to offer.  New categories A significant number of NSI-approved companies from across the UK emerged as both winners...

The City of London Crime Prevention Association (CoLCPA) has proudly relaunched the Building Security Assessment Scheme in collaboration with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) at Fishmongers’ Hall in the heart of the City of London. Security and fire safety Formerly known as CoLCPA’s Building Security Accreditation, this long-standing initiative, developed from a collaboration involving the City of London Police, the City of London Corporation, representatives of managing ag...

The official awards of publications Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters, the "FSM Awards," took place yesterday evening at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Established to promote innovation and the highest standards of excellence, NSI approved companies were well-represented among the finalists and winners. NSI congratulates all the winners and finalists among whom 10 NSI approved companies were shortlisted as finalists with 28 nominations between them, of whom six took home the top pr...

NSI is proud to build on its four-decade-long partnership with IFSEC, as the UK’s longest-running security event celebrates its 50th edition. Throughout the 3-day event taking place at ExCeL London on 16-18 May, NSI experts will once again be a major attraction for installers on stand IF.4250 where visitors can ask questions about the latest industry standards and learn about the benefits of gaining certification with the UK’s most highly trusted and respected Certification Body...

A.P.E Fire & Security, is committed to ensuring that the security of property is never compromised. For over 40 years, the company has been providing industry-renowned fire alarms, CCTV systems, biometric devices, and other fire and security systems to clients across the UK. The specialist services have achieved a wealth of certifications since the company has started in 1977, helping to reassure its clients that their property is in the safe hands of experienced and reputable security expe...

With less than two weeks to go until the long-awaited IFSEC and FIREX International events return to ExCeL London, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced an extensive program of activity to ensure installers/integrators and those interested in gaining Third-Party Certification have plenty of reasons to attend and visit the NSI stand at IFSEC (IF4050). As the United Kingdom’s premier UKAS accredited certification body for the security and fire safety sectors, NSI will once...

The inaugural Fire and Security Matters Awards took place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 28th April 2022. Celebrating organizations, teams, and individuals from across the UK, the black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony included a significant number of NSI-approved companies and their representatives who have achieved the highest standards of excellence and innovation in their pursuit to keep people and property safe. More than 400 guests from the fire and security sectors attended...

The ECA Industry Awards, which recognizes the accomplishments of ECA members and other representatives from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry, was held on 22 October at the London Hilton Bankside hotel hosted by TV presenter, Steph McGovern.  NSI once again sponsored the FSA Best Fire & Security Project Award and two NSI approved companies received industry recognition for this category - Darke & Taylor Ltd (winners) and Network Security & Alarms Ltd...

BAFE, British Approvals for Fire Equipment, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, has announced their latest Scheme, BAFE SP207, currently in the final stages of development. BAFE SP207 Scheme BAFE SP207 covers the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems. These systems are used by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats (including single-storey flats and maisonettes) across the UK. The Scheme has been develope...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1st June 2020, in light of the current Government 'go to work if are unable to work from home' guidance. Government guidance allows all employers to resume activity in the workplace where appropriate, including professional services that cannot be delivered remotely, such as NSI on-site audits. NSI’s discretion NSI recognizes all Government guidance regarding social distancing...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1 June 2020, in light of current Government “go to work if you are unable to work from home” guidance. Government guidance allows all employers to resume activity in the workplace where appropriate, including professional services that cannot be delivered remotely, such as NSI on-site audits. NSI will utilize a combination of remote audit and on-site audit capability in ac...

The Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) is a certification body for organizations providing security systems and services, fire detection and alarm systems, telecare systems and services, manned security services and monitoring services. In this challenging time, with the closure of many business and the Prime Minister’s statement to further restrict movement, it is important to ensure the vital national work that the private security industry firms carry out is recognize...

Bodies within the Security and Fire sector, namely the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Fire and Security Association (FSA), National Security Inspectorate (NSI), and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) are re-iterating calls for employees of all security and fire safety companies approved by UKAS-accredited specialist certification bodies to be designated as ‘Key Workers’, to ensure environments not currently designated as ‘critical’ con...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the UK’s independent certification body specializing in the security and fire safety sectors, shared in the success of this year’s IFSEC and FIREX exhibitions as the integrated events proved important forums for approved companies and applicants, as well as key industry stakeholders, to engage face-to-face with NSI experts.  The three-day events provided a vital opportunity to raise awareness of the valuable role of independent certific...

BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, releases the revised Scheme Document for their Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (BAFE SP205). Following a thorough review process and a five week public consultation period, BAFE have launched the revised document for Fire Risk Assessment providers. A major point of the review was to maintain the robust certification process whilst acknowledging the large number of sole traders and in-house fire safety teams looking to gain thi...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has published industry research undertaken by Perpetuity Research into the benefits and challenges of automating confirmed alarm signaling from Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) to police control rooms. The independent research – done via an online survey and one-to-one interviews with a range of industry people including from Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) – assesses the pros and cons of automating signaling beyond current practice, the potenti...

When it comes to security, not all intruder alarm systems are created equal. With so many features and benefits to compare between brands and products, it can be a daunting task trying to navigate through all this technical information to find equipment and systems most suitable for users’ particular needs. Intruder alarms are categorized into 4 different grades, based on their levels of performance (such as functionality, reliability, and durability). Anyone who is thinking of installing...

The standard relates to the engineering of fire alarm systems, fire doors and secured fire exits BSI, the business standards company has revised BS 7273-4:2015 Code of Practice for the operation of fire protection measures - Part 4: Actuation of release mechanisms for doors. It was developed using collaborative input from the fire and safety industry with such organisations as The Fire Industry Association (FIA), Fire Protection Association and National Landlords Association o...

Competition will help young engineers and apprentices to showcase their skills Engineers of Tomorrow, the annual competition that encourages the development of future talent within the security sector, is a true advocate for apprenticeships. Helping young engineers and apprentices to showcase their skills, Engineers of Tomorrow is a competition that allows apprentices in the security sector to prove themselves. Undertaking a 90-minute assessment, participants assess a pr...

Chubb Fire & Security is a provider of security, fire safety solutions, monitoring and response services Chubb Fire & Security has moved its certification for its fire extinguisher maintenance operations to the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) that also audits the installation of its electronic security systems under its NACOSS Gold Scheme. Chubb Fire & Security is a leading provider of security, fire safety solutions, and monitoring and response services for...