By Dan Mather, Managing Director, JKE Fire & Security
Quick answer: The right fire alarm and security arrangements for a Nottinghamshire business depend on its fire-risk assessment, building layout, people, working hours and day-to-day hazards. Facilities managers should review detection and warning, escape routes, system records, maintenance and remote signalling, then plan any upgrades alongside commercial intruder alarms, CCTV/VSS and access control where they address a clear site risk.
What should facilities managers review when planning fire and security budgets?
Start with the site’s current fire-risk assessment and the arrangements already in place. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places fire-safety duties on the Responsible Person, who must assess and manage risks in relevant non-domestic premises. A fire alarm should support the site’s fire strategy; there is no single alarm category that is right for every building.
Use the review to identify what needs action now, what should be budgeted for, and what evidence is needed for an inspection. Check that your records accurately describe the installed system and site as it operates today.
Useful checks include:
- Are the fire alarm design, commissioning information and zone plan available and up to date?
- Are routine user checks and servicing recorded in the logbook?
- Can people in all relevant areas hear or otherwise receive the warning?
- Have layout, occupancy, processes or escape routes changed since the last assessment?
- Do doors controlled by access systems still allow safe escape in an emergency?
- Are monitoring and signalling routes working and suitable for the site?
For guidance, see the Fire Safety Order, the BSI page for BS 5839-1 and the government’s fire-risk assessment guidance. These sources help frame a site review; an expert assessment should take the actual premises and risks into account.
Which fire and security considerations apply to different Nottinghamshire sites?
Each site needs a solution that reflects how the building is used. The table is a planning prompt, not a substitute for a fire-risk assessment.
| Sector | Fire-safety considerations | Supporting security solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Leisure centres and gyms | Busy public areas, changing rooms, noisy activity spaces, plant rooms and kitchens; consider clear warnings and accessible evacuation arrangements. | CCTV/VSS for entrances and shared areas; access control for staff-only rooms; intruder detection for unoccupied periods. |
| GP surgeries, dental practices and small healthcare sites | Patients may need help to move; account for treatment rooms, waiting areas, stores, out-of-hours use and audibility of warnings. | Access control for medicines or records areas; CCTV/VSS at appropriate entrances; monitored intruder alarms. |
| Food production and kitchen-heavy businesses | Heat, steam, dust, cooking processes, refrigeration, cleaning regimes and changing production layouts can influence detector choice and location. | Intruder alarms for closed hours; access control for sensitive work areas; CCTV/VSS for external approaches and goods-in areas. |
| Self-storage and small warehouse units | Many units, limited staffing, stored materials, loading areas and concealed spaces may complicate detection and evacuation planning. | Commercial CCTV installation and VSS for gates, aisles and loading areas; access control to help manage entry; intruder alarms for out-of-hours protection. |
| Rural, farm and agricultural premises | Remote buildings, dusty environments, machinery, fuel, hay or straw, livestock and emergency access need consideration in the site plan. | Perimeter CCTV/VSS, monitored intruder alarms and controlled access to stores or machinery areas. |
What should leisure centres and gyms consider?
Facilities teams should consider how the alarm and evacuation arrangements work across changing rooms, exercise spaces, reception, plant areas and any food-preparation areas. Music and equipment noise can affect how clearly a warning is heard. Review routes and procedures for visitors who may be unfamiliar with the building, and make sure security measures do not obstruct safe exit.
What should GP surgeries, dental practices and small healthcare sites consider?
A small healthcare site should take account of patients who may have reduced mobility, hearing or vision, as well as how treatment rooms and waiting areas are occupied. Review access permissions for sensitive rooms and consider how staff can manage entry without creating barriers to emergency escape. Government guidance includes a dedicated fire-risk assessment guide for healthcare premises.
What should food production and kitchen-heavy businesses consider?
Cooking heat, steam, dust and cleaning can affect how detectors perform and where they should be installed. The design should reflect different areas and processes rather than assume one detector type suits the whole building. Changes to equipment or production layouts should trigger a review of the fire-risk assessment and alarm arrangements.
What should self-storage and small warehouse operators consider?
Map how customers, staff and deliveries move through the site. Consider how an alarm is raised and heard in areas with few staff, and how access control, CCTV/VSS and intruder detection can support day-to-day security. Clear arrangements for customer access and stored items also help teams manage risk consistently.
What should rural and agricultural premises consider?
Farm premises can include several buildings with different uses and levels of occupancy. Include sheds, workshops, stores and any areas used by staff or visitors in the review. Plan for reliable alarm signalling, clear site information for emergency responders and practical access to buildings. Security measures should reflect distance from neighbours and the location of valuable equipment, without disrupting normal operations.
Is the PSTN/ISDN switch-off relevant to alarm signalling?
Yes. The UK telecoms industry is moving away from traditional PSTN and ISDN services, with the switch-off planned for January 2027. If a fire or intruder alarm uses a legacy telephone line to send signals to a monitoring centre, ask your provider to confirm whether the route is affected and what replacement is suitable.
Check the actual route from the system to the monitoring centre, not just the phone connection in the office. Any change should be tested end-to-end and recorded so you know activations and faults can still be reported. Read the government’s guidance on moving landlines to digital technology.
What practical issues can an inspection or site review uncover?
Across commercial sites, straightforward checks can reveal issues that are easy to miss between planned visits: propped fire doors, out-of-date logbooks, changes to room use and warning devices that may not be audible in every occupied area. In premises with bedrooms, audibility deserves particular attention. These findings do not automatically mean a new system is needed, but they should be assessed and recorded.
A useful pre-inspection checklist is to:
- Confirm the latest fire-risk assessment reflects current use and occupancy.
- Gather alarm design, service and monitoring records in one place.
- Check fire doors, escape routes and access-controlled exits.
- List any building, process or occupancy changes since the last review.
- Confirm the monitoring route and plan for any PSTN/ISDN dependency.
- Agree actions, owners and budget priorities, then record completion.
Real Experience
At a commercial property in Derby, we installed a fully wireless EN 54 fire alarm system because cabling would have disrupted the building and its daily operation. Wireless can be a practical option where cabling is disruptive, but the choice should follow the building, fire strategy and design requirements, not be made simply because a system is wireless.
At the start of COVID-19, a client’s previous maintenance and monitoring company went into liquidation. We attended within two days during lockdown to check whether the existing intruder system could be recommissioned. The panel needed replacing, so we quoted on site, received approval and started work that day. We returned to install dual-path communication and test the connection to the monitoring station.
Richard Mills, GAV/Guarding UK Ltd’s Technical Support Co-ordinator, said they work with JKE because we are professional, communicate well, use a ticketing system, are flexible and have competent engineers operating in the required locations. Read the Guarding UK Ltd case study and our Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust case study.
Across leisure, healthcare, food production and storage sites, common findings include propped fire doors, out-of-date logbooks, warning devices that are difficult to hear in some occupied areas and legacy signalling routes. These are recurring issues to check, not findings from one named client.
Our fire alarm service includes survey, installation and ongoing support. For security planning, commercial intruder alarms, access control systems and commercial CCTV installation/VSS can be considered together where appropriate.
How can Nottinghamshire facilities teams plan for reliable long-term support?
A dependable solution includes more than equipment: design information, commissioning records, user guidance, planned maintenance and a clear route to support when something needs attention. JKE provides maintenance and monitoring for commercial systems, helping clients keep performance and documentation under review.
We support sites in Nottinghamshire and across the wider region, including Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Buxton, Ashbourne, Belper and the Peak District, extending into Burton upon Trent, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire.
Book a survey or call 0800 2545645 to discuss your premises, inspection plans and budget priorities. You can also contact JKE Fire & Security.
Frequently asked questions
Do all commercial premises in Nottinghamshire need a fire alarm?
The appropriate fire precautions depend on the premises and its fire-risk assessment. The Responsible Person should assess risks to people and ensure suitable precautions are in place. The alarm design should follow the site’s fire strategy and relevant guidance.
How often should a commercial fire alarm be maintained?
The system should be maintained in line with its design, relevant guidance and the needs of the premises. Arrange periodic servicing by an expert and keep records of service visits, faults and routine user checks. The required maintenance arrangements should be confirmed for the specific system.
Should fire alarms and access control be linked?
They can be coordinated where the design supports safe operation. In particular, access-controlled doors must not prevent people from escaping in an emergency. The interaction between fire detection, door releases and escape routes should be designed and tested appropriately.
What should I do if our alarm uses a landline for monitoring?
Ask your alarm or monitoring provider whether the system relies on PSTN or ISDN and what action is needed ahead of the planned January 2027 switch-off. Confirm the replacement signalling route and arrange an end-to-end test with the monitoring centre.
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