Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
Specialist commercial fire alarm installation, upgrades, extensions and maintenance to BS 5839 standards. We work with facilities managers, managing agents, main contractors and commercial property operators across London and the South East — on new builds, refurbishments and buildings with systems already in place.
Need assistance with your fire or security system?
Call our team on 020 3376 2672
Commercial Fire Alarm Services
New installations, system upgrades, extensions and fault-related works — all delivered to BS 5839 standards
New Fire Alarm Installations
System design tailored to building use, occupancy profile and risk assessment requirements. Installed by FireQual Level 3 qualified engineers with full commissioning, testing and handover documentation to support practical completion and building control sign-off.
- Site surveys and technical reviews
- BS 5839 system design
- Installation, commissioning and testing
- As-built drawings and O&M manuals
Maintenance & Servicing
Scheduled servicing to BS 5839-1 with quarterly, bi-annual or annual visit options. Comprehensive reporting and certification issued after each visit. We also take over maintenance responsibility for systems installed by others — see our dedicated fire alarm maintenance page for full details.
- Scheduled maintenance contracts
- Full system testing and certification
- Fault finding and repairs
- 24/7 emergency callout available
System Upgrades & Extensions
Upgrade obsolete or non-compliant systems to current standards, or extend existing installations to cover building alterations, refurbishments and expansions. Practical solutions for legacy systems requiring modernisation or buildings undergoing a change of use.
- Obsolete system replacements
- Zone extensions and modifications
- Addressable system conversions
- Integration with BMS platforms
Fault Finding & Remedial Works
Targeted works following fire risk assessments, building control inspections or maintenance reports. Fault diagnosis and repairs for systems with persistent issues, false alarms or zone faults — bringing non-compliant or problematic systems back to operational standard.
- Post-inspection remedial works
- Fault diagnostics and repairs
- False alarm investigations
- Component replacements
Already Have a System in Place?
We regularly work with buildings that have fire alarm systems already installed — whether they need servicing, extending or bringing up to standard
Taking Over Maintenance
We take over servicing responsibility for systems installed by others. We start with a technical review to assess condition, compliance status and documentation, then move into a scheduled maintenance programme.
- System condition assessment
- Documentation review and update
- Ongoing scheduled servicing
Extensions & Modifications
Extend or modify an existing installation to cover building alterations, refurbishments or a change of use. Zone extensions, detector additions and panel upgrades integrated with existing infrastructure where practical.
- Building alteration support
- Zone extensions and additions
- Panel capacity upgrades
Bringing Systems Up to Standard
Address issues identified through fire risk assessments, building control inspections or maintenance reports. Practical works to resolve coverage gaps, replace obsolete equipment and clear outstanding actions.
- Post-inspection works
- Coverage gap resolution
- Obsolete equipment replacement
Who We Work With
Supporting the people responsible for fire safety in commercial buildings
Facilities Managers
Ongoing servicing, system upgrades and fault resolution. Technical reviews, clear quotations and full documentation to support building management and compliance reporting.
Managing Agents
Service takeovers, system upgrades and outstanding works for managed commercial property portfolios. Responsive delivery with clear reporting for landlords and leaseholders.
Main Contractors
Fire alarm installation, commissioning and handover for new build and refurbishment projects. Programme coordination, practical completion support and full documentation for building control sign-off.
Commercial Property End Users
Direct support for owners and occupiers needing installation, servicing or upgrades. Site surveys, practical advice and fixed-price quotations tailored to building use and requirements.
Commercial Buildings We Support
Fire alarm systems designed and installed across a wide range of commercial, industrial and public buildings — each with its own detection requirements, occupancy profile and regulatory obligations.
Commercial Offices
Escape routes and high-risk areas
Hotels & Hospitality
Full building coverage including sleeping risk
Retail & Shopping
Public area and back-of-house protection
Healthcare Facilities
HTM-aligned detection and warning
Educational Buildings
Schools, colleges and training facilities
Industrial & Warehousing
High-ceiling beam detection and wide-area coverage
Residential Care Homes
Category L1 systems for sleeping risk premises
Multi-Occupancy Buildings
Complex zoning and common area coverage
Related Life Safety Systems
We also install and maintain emergency lighting and selected security systems alongside fire alarm works
Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting systems to BS 5266 for safe evacuation. Installation, testing and maintenance for escape route and open area anti-panic lighting.
Access Control
Access control systems integrated with fire alarm installations where required — including door release coordination and emergency egress compliance.
CCTV & Security
CCTV systems and intruder alarms where required alongside fire alarm installations for broader building protection.
Compliance & Standards
Fire alarm systems designed and installed to meet regulatory requirements and British Standards
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The primary fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises. Requires a suitable fire detection and warning system based on fire risk assessment findings. System design must reflect building use, occupancy and identified risks — typically aligned to the relevant BS 5839 category.
Learn more about BS5839 fire alarm categoriesBS 5839-1:2017 Standard
The British Standard for fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. Defines system categories, design requirements, installation standards and maintenance obligations. All commercial fire alarm systems should be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with BS 5839-1.
How We Work
A straightforward process from first contact through to handover
Initial Discussion
Talk through your requirements, building use and any existing systems. We'll advise on next steps and arrange a site visit where needed.
Site Survey
Survey for new installations or a technical review of what's already in place. We assess building layout, occupancy and what's needed to meet the required standard.
Quotation & Scope
Detailed quotation with a clear scope of works and programme. Fixed pricing, no hidden costs, with technical specifications included.
Delivery & Handover
Installation, commissioning and testing. Full handover pack including as-built drawings, certificates and O&M manuals. User training where required.
Maintenance Requirements
BS 5839-1 sets out minimum testing and servicing frequencies to keep systems reliable and legally compliant
Call Point Testing
Test a different manual call point each week to confirm the system activates correctly. Rotate through all call points systematically and record each test in the logbook.
Routine Maintenance
Comprehensive inspection and testing by a competent engineer. Includes detector testing, battery checks and system verification.
Comprehensive Inspection
Full inspection and certification by a BAFE-registered company. Includes all quarterly checks plus additional verification and updated documentation.
Common Fire Alarm Issues
Typical problems we diagnose and resolve for commercial fire alarm systems
False Alarms
Usually caused by contaminated detectors, incorrect detector types or environmental factors. We identify the root cause and implement a lasting fix.
Solution: Detector cleaning, repositioning or type changeBattery Failures
Standby batteries degrade over time. Regular testing and timely replacement keeps the system reliable during power outages.
Solution: Battery replacement and charging system checksZone Faults
Wiring faults, detector failures or isolation issues. We use diagnostic tools to locate and resolve zone problems quickly.
Solution: Circuit testing and component replacementSounder Issues
Failed sounders or inadequate coverage. We ensure all areas receive adequate audible warning in line with BS 5839.
Solution: Sounder replacement and coverage assessmentRegional Coverage
Commercial fire alarm installation, servicing and support across London and the South East
SS Electrical Engineering Ltd covers London and the South East including Reading, Guildford, Farnborough, Slough, Basingstoke, Maidstone, Southampton, Croydon and Essex.
We work with facilities managers, managing agents, main contractors and commercial property operators on everything from new installations to system upgrades and fault resolution.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements or arrange a site visit.
Examples of recent commercial fire and life safety projects completed across London and the South East can be viewed in our Projects section.
Client Feedback
What our clients say
We have been very happy with the service we have received this year and would be happy to continue working with SS Electrical Engineering into a new contract year. Brad has been exceptional throughout, with excellent knowledge and a high standard of service.
Maintenance Manager
Hotel
We use SS Electrical Engineering to support our larger-scale projects, and their knowledge across different fire alarm systems is exceptional. They are always willing to help, quick to respond, and consistently go the extra mile to support successful delivery.
Ed
Project Manager, Fire Alarm Contractor
Tony and the team cleared the issues in a single day, where this had previously taken multiple visits before SS Electrical Engineering became involved. They also advised us to keep spare devices on site, meaning faults can now be resolved quickly with minimal downtime.
Rick
Facilities Manager
Commercial Fire Alarm Systems Specialist
BAFE SP203-1 registered. New installations, upgrades, extensions and fault resolution by FireQual Level 3 qualified engineers across London and the South East.