The Regulatory Reform Order, or RRO, is the UK's legislative document about fire alarms operation and installation. This document is broken down into several sections and subsections can be difficult to digest if you're not a fire safety professional. So, in this blog, we aim to give you a bite-sized version of the UK's fire alarm regulations. 

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Waking up to smoke and flames is possibly one of the worst things that can happen to your family and home. From April 2018 to March 2019, over 30,000 fires occurred in homes and other buildings in England, resulting in millions of pounds of damage. The worst thing of all is that the majority of these fires could have been prevented with adequate fire safety measures. Families, homes and business can be kept safe when proper precautions are put in place, such as creating a fire escape plan and ensuring your smoke detectors are functioning properly. Here we list the top fire safety tips to help prevent fires from happening and to limit their effects if and when they do occur.

1.      Get a smoke alarm

Smoke alarms are one of the most important ways to protect your home and business from the risk of fire. At the very least, it will alert you of a fire before it gets out of control, giving you enough time to get out of the building and contact the fire service. There are several important things to remember when it comes to smoke alarms. These are:

• Have at least one alarm on every floor of your home or business
• Test that it is working every month
• Never disconnect or take the batteries out
• Replace the batteries annually
• If you’re hard of hearing, install a strobe light or vibrating pad alarm
• Only buy reputable smoke alarms that feature the LPCB logo or kite mark

2.      Be conscious when you are cooking

Despite cooking being a regular daily routine for most households, it is still a fire hazard, accounting for 48% of accidental dwelling fires. So, to help prevent fires from cooking here’s what to do and what not to do:

Do’s:

• Keep your oven and hob clean at all times – build-ups of grease and fast can trigger a fire
• Keep your toaster clean for the same reason
• Keep plugs and electric leads away from water
• If fat that you’re cooking with begins to smoke, immediately remove them from the heat – fat can easily set alight

Don’ts:

• Leave pots and pans unattended
• Pour water onto hot fat
• Leave flammable materials near a lit hob
• Leave children unattended in the kitchen or near appliances
• Leave saucepan handle sticking out where they might get knocked over

3.      Be mindful of electrics

Nearly 25% of all fires caused in England during April 2018 to March 2019 were caused as a result of electrical distribution and appliances and therefore should be one of the main focuses when it comes to preventing fires in your home and business. Here are a few things to consider:

• Ensure all electrical changes conducted in your home and business are performed by a qualified electrician.
• Check all electrical cords regularly, ensuring no cords run across doorways and carpets where they could be damaged.
• Limit the number of plugs you have in an electrical outlet or power strip.
• Only use lightbulbs that match the recommended wattage for each lamp.

4.      Keep an eye on candles

Candles cause at least two house fires a day in the UK. So being mindful about how many candles are lit and where they are placed in your home is important. Here’s how to stop your candles from becoming a fire hazard:

• Keep candles away from curtains, shelves and other flammable materials.
• Always burn candles in a secure holder.
• Never leave children or pets alone when candles are lit.
• Blow out candles fully before you leave the room.

5.      Create a fire escape plan

Fires in the home can spread in minutes, therefore every second counts. Have a plan in place whereby you and your family know what to do when a fire occurs is crucial to yours and your family’s safety. Everyone should know who to call in the case of an emergency, as well as knowing what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear one. You should also establish and practice an escape plan, especially if you have small children. Here are some tips for creating an effective plan:

• Draw a floor plan of your home that shows all doors and windows.
• Show and discuss the plan with all members of your family.
• Identify at least two ways out of every room, if possible. This could be through either windows or doors.
• Once outside, everyone should meet at an agreed-upon place that’s a safe distance from the house.

These tips can also apply to businesses and their staff members.

By following the five tips outlined above, you can make incredible strides to ensuring your home and business not only prevents damaging fires but can limit their effects if they occur. Here at IDS Security Systems, we supply high-quality fire alarm systems that can help detect when a fire occurs, potentially saving you, your family and your employees. Click below to learn more!

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If you would like to learn more about our range of fire alarm systems, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the IDS team today!

When you’re buying a house, security should be a top priority. After all, nobody wants to move into a new home where there is an inherent risk to your safety.

However, when you’re selling a house, home security can be just as important – particularly when it comes to property value.

Keeping your property up to date and up to scratch with the appropriate security measures can seriously pay off.

How so? Let’s find out…

Does a Security System Add Value to a Home?

Thinking about it logically, if you were buying a house, would you rather buy a house in a safe area that’s backed by top-quality CCTV or a property in a dodgy neighbourhood that doesn’t even have a front door?

While that example may seem a little extreme, the point remains. When you’re selling a house, a safe and secure property is a far more desirable proposition than one that poses potential risks. As such, it really does pay to cover any chinks in the proverbial armour.

Naturally, properties that pose minimal security risk are likely to garner a higher price tag. What’s more, they also provide a more attractive option to potential buyers in terms of overall investment, as they also present your would-be buyer with potentially cheaper insurance premiums.

Types of Home Security

If you’re considering ramping up your home security in the interest of adding value to your home, there are a few different routes you can take.

At IDS Security, we recommend considering the following options to keep your property as safe as houses.

Burglar Alarms

The holy grail of home safety, the tried and tested burglar alarm is perhaps the most popular and common form of home security in the UK.

At IDS, our cutting-edge intruder alarm systems are specifically designed to keep your home safe using the latest digital signalling equipment.

IDS can provide design, installation and maintenance of your home intruder alarm system for ultimate peace of mind, ensuring your system is installed correctly and always in full, working order.

Surveillance Cameras

Whether you’re looking to install traditional CCTV or hi-tech digital IP cameras, you can rest assured that our surveillance technology is top of the line and state-of-the-art.

Our expert team of installers can help you set up a security camera system that’s appropriate and fitting for your property.

Ranging from simple one-camera setup to multi-camera networks, we can provide your home with the level of security needed to suit your property.

Access Control

Providing technologically-advanced door entry solutions for your property, our access control systems provide electronic and magnetic door release for ultimate security.

Limiting entry through your chosen method of access – from smart card and key fobs to intercoms and biometrics – you can secure anything from a single internal door to multiple points of entry.

Fire Protection Systems

In addition to intruder security measures, we also offer protection from fire hazards as well in the form of our fire alarm systems.

Utilising state-of-the-art fire detection technology, our specialist fire alarms provide unrivalled reliability and reassurance, installed by expert fitters with a wealth of industry experience.

Our maintenance package also includes a 24/7 monitoring service with a round-the-clock call-out service included.

What are you waiting for? Add value to your property today with home security from IDS. Call now on 029 20 753 251 for more information or click the button below to enquire online.

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There’s no disputing the fact that fire alarms save lives. Moreover, they also save buildings, businesses and homes too, making them a hugely beneficial addition to any property.

However, that’s not to say they are perfect. Like any safety appliance, fire alarms can also cause issues, particularly if they’re triggered by mistake. False fire alarms are a massive burden to firefighters nationwide and cost the fire service untold amounts of time, money and resources.

As such, preventing false fire alarms should be a priority for any business owner with a fire safety measure in place.

Implications of False Fire Alarms

According to the London Fire Brigade, there were an astounding 38,000 false fire alarms in 2017. That figure equates to 104 false calls a day!

Not only is this a waste of time for the hard-working members of the fire brigade, but it’s also taking up precious time that could be better spent elsewhere, attending real emergencies and saving those in need.

If your workers are pre-conditioned by previous false alarms to believe an alarm doesn’t need their urgent attention, a real incident can result in slowed reactions which can translate to catastrophe.

So, as you can see, there are a few very important reasons that you do what you can to prevent false fire alarms for your safety and the safety of those around you.

False Fire Alarm Penalty UK

Local authorities have been toying with the idea of implementing a false fire alarm fine system for several years now; however, nothing has been set in stone as of this writing. That being said, persistent false-callers and re-offenders may be charged if proposed plans continue.

As of June 2019, London Fire Brigade planned to implement changes if they attended eight false alarms at the same site within 12 months, with further plans to charge for every additional false call-out that occurred thereafter.

Furthermore, while there isn’t an official system in place for a UK false fire alarm penalty at the moment, that’s not to say that a false fire alarm doesn’t incur some hefty costs all the same. If fire brigade resources are taken up unnecessarily, it could well hinder the treatment of a very real fire elsewhere. It is always in your interest to prevent false fire alarms wherever possible.

Common Causes of False Fire Alarms

Fire alarms can be inadvertently set off for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the logical to downright trivial. If your fire alarm isn’t well maintained or overly sensitive, you could be at risk of a false alarm.

Some common causes of false fire alarms include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Large amounts of steam (eg. from a bathroom)
• Cooking/burning food
• Dust within the unit
• Mould or mildew within the unit

Read more: Fire Alarm Maintenance UK

It’s also important to have the right fire alarms in place for your property and the occupancy. Fitting a fire alarm system that’s not appropriate for your business or premises could well lead to a false fire alarm down the line.

Competent installation can also have an effect on performance, as can efficient maintenance thereafter. A slap-dash job of installing is a recipe for disaster, while lack of care can render the system useless.

Preventing False Fire Alarms

To prevent false fire alarms from affecting your premises, it’s universally recommended that you enlist the aid of an expert fire alarm installation team.

Professional attention can guarantee the correct installation of the right system for your business, immediately reducing the risk of a false call out and the many knock-on effects they incur.

At IDS Security, our team of specialists can help you choose the right fire system for your business and install it professionally to the highest standards possible. With over 20 years of experience, we also offer round the clock monitoring and a 24/7 call-out service for maintained customers, offering unrivalled peace of mind and professional care.

Fire safety is no time to cut corners and take shortcuts. Call IDS today on 029 20 753 251 or click the button below to keep your premises safe and secure.

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While the police and ambulance services equate for the majority of emergency call outs in the UK, the fire service is far from underused, with an incredible number of hazards attended throughout the year.

The sheer volume of fire-related emergency calls alone is proof that fires are a very real immediate danger to us all and not just something that affects other people.

As such, a working fire alarm is a vital piece of equipment for any property and efficient fire alarm maintenance to keep it in working order year-round is just as important.

Fire Statistics UK

According to the gov.uk website, England’s Fire & Rescue Services attended over 167,000 fires between April 2017 and March 2018.

Incredibly, those figures equate to just around 460 fires a day on average – a sobering statistic that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Worse still, over 74k of these incidents were classified as “primary fires”, defined as any fire that occurs in a non-derelict building, vehicle or outdoor structure.

Of these, over 30k fires occurred in “dwellings” (i.e. houses, flats and caravans), while over 15.5k fires occurred in “other buildings” – including public venues like hotels, shops and restaurants – as well as places of work, such as offices, factories and warehouses.

Professional Fire Alarm Maintenance

Whether you’re responsible for fire alarm systems in a commercial setting, a public location or a residential property, efficient and effective fire alarm maintenance is of vital importance.

At IDS, we not only specialise in fire alarm design and installation, we also provide a professional maintenance package that’s tailored to you and your fire alarm system.

Our comprehensive fire alarm maintenance contract provides an extensive aftercare service, providing you with a reliable 24/7 call out service, for system monitoring at your beck and call.

Types of Fire Alarm Maintenance

Whether you have a conventional, addressable or wireless fire alarm, our expert staff can be on hand in no time to fix any manner fire alarm maintenance issues.

Any day, any time, we can be there to ensure your fire protection system is operating at full working capacity and functioning at optimal performance to keep you, the property and its contents safe.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing you with a service that offers genuine peace of mind that money can’t buy.

Don’t take the risk: stay protected with IDS fire alarm maintenance services today.

For more information, call 029 20 753 251 now or click the button below to get in touch online.

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