Commercial Fire Alarm Systems in London, Kent and the South East
Your fire alarm is only as reliable as the company behind it. If your current provider misses service visits, takes days to respond to faults, or has locked you into a system that only they can maintain, you already know what that costs you in time, in compliance risk, and in the confidence of anyone who relies on that building being properly protected.
Electrifire designs, installs and maintains commercial fire alarm systems across London, Kent and the M25 corridor. We are BAFE SP203 accredited and our engineers are experienced across all major commercial fire alarm platforms, which means we can install new systems, maintain existing ones and take over systems from other providers regardless of the manufacturer. We have been doing this since 2009, and our customers stay with us because they know they can depend on the quality of our work and the clarity of our communication.
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BAFE SP203 accredited for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance
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Experienced across all major manufacturers including Advanced, Apollo, C-Tec, EMS, Gent, HAES, Kentec and Morley
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Six-monthly servicing to BS 5839-1:2025
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Reactive call-outs and 24/7 emergency support
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Dedicated account management with pre-booked attendance
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Systems maintained regardless of who installed them
Talk to us about your fire alarm requirements >>
Fire Alarm Design & Installation
Every installation starts with understanding the building, its use, and the fire strategy that applies to it. We design systems to the appropriate category based on the fire risk assessment, selecting the manufacturer platform and detection technology best suited to the building's requirements. We are not tied to a single manufacturer, which means the system specification is driven by what the building needs rather than by what we happen to sell.
Whether you need a full new installation, a system upgrade, or an extension to cover additional areas following a building alteration, we manage the process from initial survey through to commissioning and handover.
Honeywell Gent Approved System Integrator
Electrifire is a Honeywell Gent Approved System Integrator. This means our engineers are trained, assessed and approved by Gent to design, install, commission and maintain Vigilon fire alarm systems to the highest standard. Gent does not grant this status to every fire alarm company - it requires demonstrable competence and a commitment to ongoing training.
For FM and property management companies, the Gent Approved Integrator model provides an important safeguard. Unlike closed protocol systems where you are locked into a single installer with no alternative, Vigilon systems are supported by a UK-wide network of Gent Approved Integrators. If you ever need to change provider, you have genuine options. You get the quality and reliability of a premium manufacturer-backed system without the commercial risk of being tied to one company.
We believe this is fundamentally different from the approach taken by some competitors who install proprietary closed protocol systems at reduced margins, then apply significantly higher pricing to maintenance and remedial work knowing the client has no alternative. With Gent Vigilon, you get one of the most advanced fire alarm platforms on the market and the freedom to choose who maintains it.
We install both wired and wireless commercial fire alarm systems. Wired systems offer greater long-term reliability, a longer lifespan and lower ongoing maintenance costs, and they are the preferred option wherever cabling is feasible. Wireless systems are better suited to listed buildings, premises with asbestos, recently refurbished spaces and occupied sites where cabling disruption is not acceptable. We recommend the most appropriate option for your premises rather than defaulting to one approach.
The category of a commercial fire alarm system determines the extent of detection coverage across the building, and the appropriate category is specified in the fire risk assessment. L1 provides detection throughout all areas of the building, offering the highest level of protection. L2 covers defined areas beyond escape routes where fire risk is higher or where a fire could develop undetected. L3 protects escape routes only. L4 covers defined parts of escape routes. We design and install systems to all categories, and if you are unsure which category applies to your premises, we can advise based on your fire risk assessment or arrange one through our specialist partners.
- Initial site survey to assess the building, its fire strategy, and the appropriate system specification
- System design to the relevant BS 5839 category, with full documentation
- Installation by BAFE SP203-accredited engineers with minimal disruption to your operations
- Full commissioning, testing and handover, including panel familiarisation for your site team
- Logbook setup and guidance on weekly testing procedures
- Ongoing maintenance options from day one
Fire Alarm Maintenance Contracts & Servicing
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person for any commercial premises to ensure fire alarm systems are adequately maintained. BS 5839-1:2025 recommends inspection and servicing by a competent person at least every six months. For premises managed in accordance with SFG20 building maintenance standards, fire alarm servicing schedules align with the planned maintenance tasks specified in that framework - and we are experienced in working to SFG20 requirements.
Electrifire provides planned preventative maintenance contracts that manage this for you. We schedule your service visits, attend when agreed, carry out a full inspection to BS 5839-1, and provide a detailed service report and signed logbook entry. If we identify faults, we report them clearly and provide a costed proposal for any remedial work. For multi-system contracts covering fire alarms, CCTV, access control and intruder alarms under one agreement, see our planned maintenance page.
- Full inspection of all detectors, call points, control panels, sounders and beacons
- Battery condition check and replacement where required
- Wiring and circuit integrity checks
- Panel clock synchronisation and event log review
- Zone chart verification against actual device locations
- Service report and signed logbook entry provided on completion
- Clear written notification of any faults found, with costed remedial proposals
For Vigilon systems equipped with S-Quad Self-Test (S4T) detectors, Electrifire can carry out functional testing using Honeywell's Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS) app. This is a step change in how fire alarm maintenance is delivered, and it solves several problems that FM companies deal with regularly.
Each S4T detector contains a patented internal module that generates real smoke and heats the thermistor to functionally test both the optical and heat sensors. Testing is carried out from the engineer's mobile device - no ladders, no scaffolding, no smoke poles, no panel isolation. The system stays live throughout, which eliminates the need for firewatch staff and reduces risk to the building.
- A system with 250 detectors can be functionally tested in under an hour - versus three days with traditional smoke pole methods
- One engineer on site, using a mobile device - no second person required at the panel
- No disruption to building occupiers - testing is discrete and does not trigger evacuation
- 100% functional testing regardless of access - locked rooms, high ceilings, occupied spaces are no longer a barrier
- Digital compliance reports generated automatically through CLSS - no lost paperwork, no disputed results
- CLSS provides real-time system visibility across your entire portfolio from anywhere
For FM companies managing large or multi-site portfolios, the efficiency and compliance benefits are significant. Service visits are shorter, compliance documentation is digital and indisputable, and the cost of testing is materially reduced. If you are currently paying for two-man testing, firewatch cover, or out-of-hours access to complete functional tests, Self-Test changes the economics of your maintenance contract.
For FM and property management companies managing multiple sites, we offer a single point of contact, consolidated reporting, and the flexibility to work around your operational requirements.
- Dedicated account manager - one person who knows your portfolio
- Advance scheduling - every visit booked ahead, no unannounced attendance
- Consolidated reporting across your portfolio
- Flexibility to accommodate site-specific access requirements and working hours
We understand that FM companies often need fire alarm maintenance quotes for their own tender submissions to end clients. We are happy to work with you on pricing that supports your tender process, including holding rates for a defined contract period. If you are putting together a bid and need a reliable subcontractor quote, talk to us early and we will make sure you have what you need on time.
If you already have a fire alarm system maintained by another provider and you are looking to change, we can take over the maintenance. Because we only work with open protocol systems and are experienced across all major manufacturers, we can maintain most commercial fire alarm systems regardless of who installed them.
When we take over a system, we carry out a special inspection in accordance with BS 5839-1. This establishes a baseline condition, identifies any existing faults or non-compliance, and provides a clear picture of what you have and what it needs.
BS 5839-1:2025 - What Has Changed?
The current edition of the fire alarm standard for non-domestic premises is BS 5839-1:2025, published in April 2025. Key updates include clearer guidance on servicing intervals (still six-monthly, but with flexibility between five and seven months), improved requirements for maintenance documentation, panel clock synchronisation at every service visit, and updated expectations around engineer competence and continuing professional development.
The competence requirements are worth highlighting. Following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Building Safety Act 2022, there is an increasing expectation across the industry that engineers carrying out fire alarm work can demonstrate not only their qualifications but also ongoing CPD. BS 5839-1:2025 formalises this expectation. Electrifire's engineers maintain their competence through regular manufacturer training and industry development, and we can evidence this to your clients or auditors on request.
All Electrifire maintenance work is carried out in accordance with BS 5839-1:2025. If your current provider is still working to the 2017 edition, it may be worth reviewing whether your servicing meets the updated requirements.
Fault Finding, Remedial Work and 24/7 Support
Detectors fail, batteries degrade, wiring gets damaged during building works, and panels need attention. When a fault occurs, you need an engineer who attends promptly, diagnoses accurately, and resolves the problem without unnecessary cost.
Our engineers are experienced in diagnosing faults across the full range of commercial fire alarm manufacturers. We attend with common spare parts and aim to resolve the most frequent issues in a single visit.
- Fault diagnosis across all major manufacturers and system types
- Component replacement and system repairs
- Cause-and-effect remedial works
- System modifications and additions following building alterations
Persistent false alarms are more than a nuisance. They erode confidence in the system, disrupt your client's operations, and in some areas attract charges from the fire and rescue service. We investigate the root cause of false alarms - whether that is contaminated detectors, incorrect device placement, environmental factors, or system configuration issues - and implement practical solutions to reduce them. For premises where ongoing monitoring would provide additional reassurance, see our fire monitoring page.
24/7 Call-Out Support
Fire alarm faults do not only occur during office hours. If a system goes into fault on a Friday evening or a sounder activates at 3am on a Sunday, you need a provider who answers the phone and sends an engineer - not one who promises to look at it on Monday.
Electrifire provides 24/7 on-call support for fire alarm faults and emergencies. For maintenance contract customers, call-outs are available at discounted rates with priority response. For customers without a contract, we offer a standard call-out service at published rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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