CHAIRMAN'S INTRODUCTION
EXCELLENT RESPONSE FROM PSSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
The PSSA’s annual conference took place at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queen Street, London on Thursday 8th December. The day was well attended, with over 90 people from across the perimeter security industry accepting an invitation to the event.
We took the opportunity to extend activities for the day by including a Fencing Forum in the morning, prior to the formal AGM for members.
The session started with a brief overview by the PSSA’s chair of the PSSA and its goals, and the membership levels available within the Association to companies and individuals working with the High Security Fencing industry. Membership of the PSSA will give companies and individuals working with the High Security Fencing industry the opportunity to join the newly launched PSSA Verification Scheme.
Paul Painter, PSSA Director, chaired the body of the Fencing Forum which had primarily been convened following a questionnaire that had been circulated to 1,000 interested parties within the fencing industry. The responses highlighted a number of interesting points – notably the lack of a clear understanding of how companies go about getting their products tested for High Security applications and who the bodies are that carry out that testing.
Paul then offered the floor to the audience for discussion and a lively debate ensued that highlighted the areas of frustration suffered by companies working within this industry and potentially how the PSSA could help companies more easily qualify for opportunities in this market.
The conclusion of the Forum was that a group of interested parties within the fencing industry needed to meet in order to identify the details to be included in a much needed Verification Scheme for both fencing products and for their installation. This would be convened as early as possible in the New Year.
Please contact admin@pssasecurity.org if you would like to be part of this on-going Fencing Forum.
We were pleased to welcome Stephen Cooper, Head of Security, Olympic Delivery Authority to open the afternoon session. Stephen provided us with an interesting and detailed insight into the work of the ODA in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics with regards the physical security measures.
The official AGM for the PSSA members was held over lunchtime with Laurence Goode re-elected as the Chairperson and Steve Gaffer the Treasurer.
The PSSA were delighted to unveil the details of their new Product Verification Scheme.
The Scheme initially includes verification of vehicle security barriers, vital to hostile vehicle mitigation (H.V.M.), to standards such as PAS 68, but is modular to allow extension into all facets of perimeters. Work is already well on the way to also encompass high security fencing, as well as installation services.
Developed with involvement from across the entire industry, this Scheme is unique and fulfils a function which has long been lacking, giving real confidence that products being sold have been properly tested, meet specified standards in terms of performance and construction, and reflect the actual product that was originally tested. Up until now testing has focused generally on a single criteria (in the case of H.V.M. products just impact resistance), and there has been no way to determine that any product being sold is the same as the product originally tested. From today, seeing the ‘PSSA Verified’ logo on a product puts these concerns to bed.
In introducing Stephen Munden, PSSA Chairman Laurence Goode noted that the PSSA Product Verification Scheme would be managed independently of suppliers by business and technology management specialists Business Keys Limited.
Business Keys will also be working with PSSA in 2012 to extend the Scheme to include fencing products and most importantly, the installation process for high security perimeter products.
Stephen explained that the PSSA Scheme was developed to meet several specific market needs:
• Limited product standards available
• No relevant certification scheme
• ISO 9001 certification ineffective in controlling compliance
• Problems with products which have been tested, including no guarantee that product tested is the same as product being supplied; the installation may not be as tested; no product list available for commercial use
For users, specifiers and others procuring high security products this lack of reliable customer information could result in a lack of confidence in the products being sold and possibly installation of an ineffective security solution.
The brief given to Business Keys was therefore to develop a simple, robust and cost effective scheme that built on suppliers’ existing ISO 9001 certification and vehicle security barrier testing to BSI PAS 68, the recognised standard for impact testing.
Stephen explained that the Scheme was based on three PSSA Specifications, which had been developed and pilot tested with input from many stakeholders; one defining certification requirements, one the vehicle security barrier product criteria and the third detailing the evidence that would be required to achieve certification.
In order to achieve certification and entry onto the listing of verified products suppliers have to produce sufficient evidence that is then subjected to rigorous assessment and evaluation.
The verification process has four steps:
1. Consultation and support – Since the aim of the Scheme is not a ‘tick-box’ pass or fail compliance test but a process of continuous improvement of business performance and product quality, PSSA will offer applicants advice and support in reaching the new industry standards.
2. Application and quotation - Scheme applicants receive a quotation for verification of their products which relates directly to the amount of work required to conduct the assessment and the certification risks involved.
3. Assessment and evaluation – This comprises a combination of assessment of documentary evidence, on-site assessments and continuous online assessment by an independent, UKAS accredited, certification body.
4. Review and product listing – The final stage is a review, independent of both the suppliers and the certification body, which examines the evidence, reports and recommendations and confirms or otherwise that the case has been made for PSSA certification and entry into the industry listing of verified high security products.
The Scheme, which is designed to be a cost effective, value adding process, will have several benefits for members, including facilitation of product sales in home and overseas markets and the ability to differentiate their products. However, the real gain will be for the industry’s stakeholders. The Scheme provides government and its agencies with confidence in high security perimeter products essential to protect the national infrastructure. Customers will have an independent source of reference on which to base their procurement decisions.
The bottom line? Better protection of people, assets and business performance and reputation.
Three PSSA member companies, Broughton Controls, ATG Access and Frontier Pitts were the voluntary pilot companies for the scheme, having a variety of products verified. The conference attendees spent a good time questioning representatives from these companies on all aspects of the Verification Scheme.
At the end of the day the companies were presented with their Verification Scheme Certificates by Laurence Goode, PSSA Chairman to:
Maggie Horritt on behalf of Broughton Controls for their Defender 941 and 942 Series Crash Barriers,
Steve Gaffer, on behalf of Frontier Pitts for their Terra V Gate (ATTL)
And Gavin Hepburn of ATG Access Ltd accepted the certificate for their SP 400 Automatic Bollard.
The CPNI kindly briefed the assembled with updates on current threats, latest countermeasures and standards development.
Canapés, refreshments, general networking and catching up with old colleagues ended the proceedings for the day, with everyone looking to a brighter and better future in 2012 for the whole industry.
Laurence Goode, Chairman
