SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Installation Quality (IQ) Board of Directors is trying to put more legitimacy behind its IQ certification program for alarm businesses and contractors.
IQ began a new auditing process in January to ensure that IQ-certified companies are in compliance with guidelines designed to improve the quality of electronic security companies and ensure that they are dedicated to reducing false alarms. Lisa Prosser, chairwoman of the IQ Board, says IQ companies wanted “more teeth” in the program.
“The program … has not had any quantifiable inspection. It’s done in the spirit of volunteerism,” says Prosser, who adds the goal is to make IQ as much a sign of quality for a company as UL. “There’s been a suggestion the program has not been solid in some instances, so we looked for a way with our very limited resources to put some inspection into place.”
Companies that are IQ certified will be selected at random to undergo a review of its paperwork and procedures. Violations of IQ guidelines will result in sanctions, as well as the removal of a company’s IQ certification if it fails to comply with the audit’s recommendations.
