2008/07/16

Be sure of what you are buying

From February 2007 the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) Approved certification and rating for security barriers falls away. This grading system was the only one in South Africa that gave customers a benchmark by which to judge the quality of the security barriers they were purchasing to protect their homes and possessions. It also provided the assurance that certified products would do the job for which the customer was paying.
Now that there is no independent body in South Africa to guarantee the strength of barrier security, customers need to be aware of the following:

Barrier security products can look very similar and it is difficult for consumers to tell with any certainty that one product is superior to another unless they have the relevant knowledge.

The use of ‘award’ symbols in advertising often relates to the marketing of the product, quality management systems such as ISO ratings or management of the company rather than guaranteeing the strength or integrity of the product.

SAIA Approved brought about a much-needed improvement in the barrier security industry in terms of the quality and strength of products. With no independent watchdog body testing and approving barrier security, the danger of inferior products being sold as a dependable defense against intruders now exists more than ever before.

Products that depend completely on price will inevitably suffer a resultant drop in quality and strength.
Consumers need to be given the opportunity to make an informed choice so that if they choose price as a deciding factor, as they are quite entitled to do, they know the limitations of the product they are buying.

Trellidor has always maintained the highest standards in terms of product design, manufacture, quality, strength, installation and after-sales service. The closing of SAIA Approved will not change this as our products have achieved international certification.

Trellidor’s products are internationally certified by the UK based Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). This was achieved before the introduction of SAIA Approved certification.

Our products have also been approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers under the UK’s Secured by Design initiative. Licensed company status is awarded to companies that produce security products that pass standards and tests nominated by the UK police service.

No other barrier security manufacturers in South Africa have achieved these certifications, which are internationally respected.