Frequently asked questions…

For fire detection and life safety systems, the British Standard BS 5839-1 recommends a minimum of two service visits per year. These inspections verify that all detection devices, sounders, call points, and control panels are functioning correctly and that no faults or environmental changes have compromised system performance.

Security and CCTV systems should typically be maintained at a minimum once a year, or more frequently depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the risk profile of your premises. Regular testing helps identify issues such as camera misalignment, sensor degradation, or outdated firmware that could affect reliability or image quality.

At Unite Fire & Security, we offer a range of maintenance contracts tailored to your needs – from standard annual checks to fully comprehensive service agreements that include priority callouts, 24/7 emergency support, and proactive system monitoring.

By choosing a Unite maintenance contract, you’ll have the assurance that your life safety and security systems are always compliant, fully functional, and ready to protect your people and property.

Yes – our team can assess your existing fire alarm system and recommend the most effective upgrade path to bring it up to current standards and regulations. We understand that many businesses cannot afford downtime, so we plan all upgrade works carefully to minimise disruption to your daily operations.

Upgrading your fire alarm system not only enhances safety and reliability but also improves long-term efficiency. To ensure ongoing compliance and performance, we also offer a choice of maintenance contracts following your upgrade.

Our systems are designed with built-in safeguards to help minimise false alarms and unnecessary callouts. In many cases, we can programme your alarm system to verify an activation – for example, by checking multiple sensors or zones before alerting responders or keyholders. This verification process helps to ensure that genuine incidents are identified quickly, while accidental triggers are filtered out.

If a false alarm does occur, you’ll receive clear instructions from our team on how to safely reset and manage the system. We also provide user training during handover so that staff understand how to operate the system confidently and respond appropriately in any situation.

For ongoing reassurance, our maintenance contracts include regular system checks and recalibration of detectors to reduce the likelihood of false activations caused by dust, environmental changes, or wear and tear. By keeping your system well-maintained and up to date, you can be confident that it will perform reliably when it matters most.

Yes – most modern CCTV and surveillance systems we install are designed for secure remote access, allowing you to view live or recorded footage from anywhere via a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This provides peace of mind and ensures you can monitor your premises in real time, whether you are on-site, at home, or travelling.

We configure remote access using secure connections with appropriate encryption and password protection to keep your data safe from unauthorised access. Depending on your system, you can receive instant alerts, review recorded events, or even control camera angles remotely.

When an intruder alarm is activated, the system immediately alerts the appropriate parties based on how it’s configured. This could include your on-site security team, designated keyholders, or a 24/7 monitored centre. The system can also trigger connected devices such as CCTV cameras, lights, or access control locks to help verify and contain the situation.

Yes – with modern access control systems, you can manage multiple doors, entrances, or even entire sites from a single, centralised platform. This makes it easy to control who has access, set permissions, and monitor activity across all locations in real time, without needing to be physically on-site.