Frequently Asked Questions
The things people usually want to know before booking. Can’t see yours? Just ask us directly.
BS 5839-1 recommends that commercial fire alarm systems are serviced at least every six months. Some premises — higher-risk buildings, or where your fire risk assessment requires it — need more frequent visits. When we quote for your system we’ll tell you what we’d actually recommend, and we won’t sell you visits you don’t need.
At least once every twelve months, in line with BS 5306-3. On top of that, most extinguishers need an extended service every five years, and CO² units need a full overhaul and discharge test every ten. We keep all those dates on file and remind you before anything falls due.
Yes, in effect. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the “responsible person” for any non-domestic premises to keep fire safety equipment properly maintained. In practice that means alarms and extinguishers serviced to the British Standards, with records to prove it. Insurers expect the same paperwork — it’s usually the first thing asked for after an incident.
Whoever has control of the premises — typically the employer or business owner in a workplace, and the landlord or managing agent for common parts of a building, including HMOs. If that’s you, the maintenance duties sit with you, but you can (and most people do) hand the work itself to a competent contractor like us.
Yes. Every visit ends with a service certificate and your logbook updated before we leave site. These documents live alongside your fire risk assessment and they’re what fire officers and insurers ask to see. We keep copies too, so if yours ever go missing just ask.
Almost always. We start with an initial inspection, give you a straight answer on the condition of what you’ve inherited, and quote separately if any remedial work is needed. There’s no charge for that initial look if you go ahead with us.
Alarm servicing is priced per visit based on the size and layout of your system. Extinguisher servicing is charged per unit with one fixed call-out. Either way, you’ll have a fixed written quote before any work starts — no hourly rates and no surprise extras. If we find something unexpected mid-visit, we stop and ask first.
We’re based in Plymouth and cover the city and surrounding areas — Plympton, Plymstock, Devonport, Saltash, Torpoint, Tavistock and Ivybridge — plus sites across wider Devon and Cornwall. If you’re further afield it never hurts to ask.
Yes — a good share of our work is for agents and landlords, including HMOs. We can liaise with tenants directly to arrange access, keep an asset register across your whole portfolio, and flag anything coming due at any property. One email is genuinely all it takes.
Yes. We supply BS EN 3 kitemarked units and commission them on site — installed, labelled and recorded correctly from day one. If you’re fitting out new premises, send us the floor plan and we’ll work out what goes where as part of your free quote.
Ring us. A panel showing a fault, an extinguisher that’s been discharged or knocked — these things happen, and they’re usually quick to sort. We’ll either talk your team through it or book a call-out, and small fixes are often done on the spot from van stock.
Our focus is commercial premises and rented accommodation — offices, shops, schools, HMOs and landlords’ common areas — as that’s where the servicing laws apply. For a straightforward domestic job you’re usually better served by our sister company, Ocean City Electrical.