Fire alarm servicing takeover
Changing fire alarm servicing company? We take over existing systems across Essex, Thurrock and East London: we review your records, inspect the system on a first visit, give you an honest defect list, then move you onto planned servicing.
Illustrative image — AI-generated, not a Charged Services job.
Safety first
If there is a fire or you suspect one, follow your site fire plan, evacuate and call 999. Don't wait for us or fill in a form first. Never open panels, reset an unexplained alarm or disable protection. From a safe place, an authorised person may read and photograph the closed panel, then contact your competent maintenance provider.
What we need from you
Rough answers are fine. If something is missing, say so: the first visit can help fill the gaps. Never send panel codes, PINs or passwords through the enquiry form.
The fire alarm logbook
Weekly tests, faults, false alarms and previous service entries show how the system has been looked after. Paper or electronic is fine.
Panel make and model
Copy it from the outside label of the closed panel, or photograph the closed panel front from a safe place. Do not open the panel.
Last service certificate
The most recent service report or certificate, plus any design, installation or commissioning certificates you hold.
Zone plan or drawings
The zone chart by the panel, or any drawings, help us match devices to areas. If there is none, we can help create one.
Survey and inspection
We don't take on a system blind. The first visit helps establish its condition and identifies major shortfalls for future servicing. It is not a full design review or certification of someone else's design, installation or commissioning.
Records review
We read the logbook and previous reports first, noting open faults, disabled devices, false-alarm history and anything overdue.
Inspection and testing
A competent engineer inspects the control equipment and standby supply, and tests detection, call points, warning devices and relevant interfaces to an agreed schedule and the manufacturer's instructions.
Building changes
We look for alterations since the system was designed, such as new partitions or changes of use, that may affect coverage.
Written findings
You get a clear summary: what is working, what needs attention, and whether the system can go straight onto routine servicing.
Proprietary and locked panels
Most conventional and addressable panels can be serviced by any competent engineer with the right access and records. Some systems are proprietary: full programming, parts or repairs may be limited to the manufacturer or its authorised contractors.
If your panel is one of these, we tell you at the first visit. We explain what we can service, what needs the manufacturer or an authorised partner, and whether an upgrade is worth considering over time. We won't claim access we don't have, and we won't push a replacement you don't need.
If engineer access details are held by your current provider, ask them in writing for a handover. Access is then agreed securely with an authorised contact, never through a web form.
Faults found at takeover
Takeover visits often reveal open faults, disabled devices, missing records or alterations that were never reflected in the system. We report the findings in writing and record faults in the logbook, so you can agree appropriate action and arrange fault repairs as soon as possible. Unresolved fault indications must not be concealed.
Anything that affects protection is reported to the Responsible Person straight away. Remedial work is quoted on its own, so your servicing contract stays clear about what it covers.
Like-for-like repairs are separate from modifications or extensions, which need competent design input, written agreement, appropriate testing and the relevant certificates on completion.
Emergency fire alarm callout is available, subject to availability, through our emergency callout and fault repairs service.
Moving onto a contract
Once the system is understood, we agree a planned servicing contract. BS 5839-1:2025 recommends inspection and servicing by a competent person approximately every six months, with visits between five and seven months after the previous visit, or more often where the site needs it. It is a code of practice, not the law itself. In England and Wales the Fire Safety Order requires suitable maintenance but does not itself set a six-month deadline.
Keep your existing arrangement in place until the new start date is confirmed in writing, and check your current contract's notice period first so there is no gap in cover. Weekly user tests and logbook entries carry on as normal throughout.
See maintenance contracts and fire alarm servicing for what a contract covers.
Other fire services we provide
Servicing takeover FAQs
Yes. Most conventional and addressable systems can be taken over once we have reviewed the records and inspected the system. We agree the servicing plan after that first visit, not before.
The fire alarm logbook, the panel make and model from the closed panel's outside label, the last service certificate or report, and the zone plan or drawings if you have them. If anything is missing, tell us; we record the gaps and provide a logbook if needed, but cannot recreate missing historical certificates.
They help. Ask your current provider in writing for the engineer access details and any handover records. Never put codes, PINs or passwords in an enquiry form; access details are agreed securely with an authorised contact.
Some panels can only be fully programmed or repaired by the manufacturer or its authorised contractors. We check this at the first visit and tell you plainly what we can service, what needs the manufacturer or an authorised partner, and whether an upgrade is worth considering. We will not pretend a locked panel is open.
We give you written findings and record faults in the logbook, so you can agree appropriate action and arrange fault repairs as soon as possible. Faults affecting protection are reported to the Responsible Person straight away. Unresolved fault indications must not be concealed.
No. Check your current contract's end date and notice period, and keep your existing arrangement in place until your new start date is confirmed in writing, so there is no gap in cover. Weekly user tests and logbook entries carry on as normal throughout.
BS 5839-1:2025 recommends inspection and servicing by a competent person approximately every six months, with visits between five and seven months after the previous visit, or more often where your fire risk assessment needs it. It is a code of practice rather than the law itself.
Emergency fire alarm callout is available, subject to availability. Call 01375 886299. If there is a fire or you suspect one, evacuate and call 999 first.
Switch your fire alarm servicing
Choose Fire alarm servicing on the quote form and tell us the town, building type and current provider, or call 01375 886299.