When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and security systems teams carrying out intruder alarm installation — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Install intruder alarm systems with cabling at height and electrical work.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-installation survey: visit the site, obtain and review the asbestos register, check drawings for hidden services, identify working-at-height locations, agree out-of-hours access where possible, and brief the building manager.
- 2Set up and secure the work area: erect barrier tape or screens around work zones, deploy hazard signage, and communicate the day's activities to the building manager and affected occupants.
- 3Electrical isolation: identify and isolate relevant mains circuits at the consumer unit using lock-off/tag-out; prove dead with an approved voltage indicator before any drilling or cable work near fixed wiring.
- 4Service detection: use a calibrated CAT scanner to check for hidden cables, pipes and services in every wall, floor or ceiling surface before drilling or fixing.
- 5Set up access equipment: inspect ladder or podium steps before use, position and secure correctly, establish an exclusion zone below overhead work areas.
- 6Cable installation: route cables through trunking or conduit using on-tool dust extraction for all drilling; work to the agreed cable schedule, avoiding suspect ACMs. Secure cables progressively to prevent trailing hazards.
- 7Device and panel fixing: fix detectors, PIRs, door contacts, sounders and the control panel to prepared positions; connect low-voltage wiring within the panel using insulated tools, leaving battery connection until last.
- 8Mains connection: a competent electrician connects the alarm transformer to the mains supply in compliance with BS 7671; restore isolated circuits, confirm earth continuity and polarity.
- 9Commissioning and testing: connect the backup battery, power up the system, test all zones, detectors and sounders; confirm bell/siren duration complies with local authority noise requirements and the system meets the specified grade.
- 10Completion and site clearance: remove all tools, cable offcuts, waste and access equipment; reinstate any disturbed surfaces; debrief the building manager, hand over user documentation, and confirm all circuits are restored.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Redesign installation sequence or use extended fixing tools to reduce the need to work at height where practicable.
- › Wear a safety helmet to protect against head injury from falls or falling objects, and non-slip safety footwear.
- › Where sustained overhead work is needed, use a suitable working platform (e.g. low-level podium steps or tower scaffold) in preference to a ladder.
- › Use a Class 1 or EN 131 ladder only for short-duration, light-duty tasks; inspect before each use and secure at the top or foot. Ladder angle 75° (1 out : 4 up).
Falling objects
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Cordon off the area directly beneath all overhead work using barrier tape and warning signs; restrict access until the task is complete.
- › Attach hand tools to the operative's wrist or belt with lanyards; use a tool bag or bucket hoist rather than loose carrying.
- › Any person entering the exclusion zone, or where an exclusion zone cannot be fully maintained, must wear a safety helmet.
Electric shock — live fixed wiring
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Identify and isolate relevant mains circuits at the consumer unit before drilling or chasing; apply lock-off/tag-out and prove dead with an approved voltage indicator before work commences.
- › Use a calibrated cable and pipe detector (CAT scanner) to identify hidden services in walls, floors and ceilings before drilling or fixing.
- › Electrical connections to the mains supply (bell transformer, tamper circuit) must be made only by a competent electrician; work must comply with BS 7671.
- › Where proximity to live parts is unavoidable during inspection or fault-finding, use Class 00 or Class 0 insulated gloves rated for the voltage.
Electric shock — alarm system low voltage
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Connect the backup battery last during installation and disconnect it first during removal; use insulated tools to prevent short circuits.
- › Use fully insulated screwdrivers and pliers (VDE rated) when working within the panel enclosure.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use sack trucks, pallet trucks, or mini-hoists to move bulk bags and materials to the work area rather than manual carrying.
- › Split heavy cable drums into smaller reels; use smaller panel enclosures where specification allows to reduce individual lift weights below 20 kg.
- › All operatives must have received manual handling awareness training; use team lifts for awkward or heavy loads.
- › Wear grip gloves to improve control during carries; safety footwear to protect against dropped loads.
Slips, trips and falls at same level
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles rated for wet surfaces.
- › Run cables at high level or route through trunking/conduit where possible; secure temporary floor cables with protective covers and remove as soon as practicable.
- › Warn building occupants of temporary cable routes with hazard signage; brief building manager at the start and end of each working day.
Dust inhalation from drilling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a drill fitted with an M-class or H-class vacuum dust shroud to capture dust at source before it becomes airborne.
- › Where extraction is impractical, use wet drilling methods to suppress dust generation.
- › Wear a tight-fitting FFP3 respirator when drilling into materials that may generate silica-containing or other hazardous dust, or where engineering controls are insufficient.
Asbestos-containing materials contact
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain and review the site asbestos register or management survey before commencing. If no register exists, treat suspect materials as ACMs and halt work pending a survey.
- › Do not drill into or disturb any material identified as, or suspected to be, an ACM. Redesign cable route to avoid. Escalate to the duty holder immediately.
- › All operatives must hold current asbestos awareness training (Category A) in accordance with CAR 2012 to recognise potential ACMs.
Disruption to building occupants
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Schedule the most disruptive activities (drilling, cable routing) outside occupied hours where possible.
- › Use hoarding, barrier tape or temporary screens to separate work activities from occupant circulation routes.
- › Brief the building manager and relevant occupants before work starts; provide emergency contact details; update occupants of programme changes.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
Competence
- ✓ Competent installer; electrical competence for mains connections (Part P where notifiable)
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a intruder alarm installation RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for intruder alarm installation, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to intruder alarm installation?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.