Maintenance & Monitoring

What Our Maintenance Contracts Cover

Every maintenance contract is tailored to your systems and premises. A typical contract includes:

• Scheduled Service Visits — Inspections and a full annual service at the intervals set by the relevant British Standard (BS 5839-1 for fire alarms, BS EN 50131 for intruder alarms, BS 5306-3 for extinguishers). The schedule for each system is set out below. All visits are pre-arranged at a time that suits your operations.
• Full System Testing — Devices are tested across the two visits so every detector, sounder, call point, sensor, lock, and control panel is covered each year. CCTV cameras and recorders are fully checked at the annual service. Faults are identified and resolved on-site where possible.
• Battery Replacement — Control panel batteries, detector batteries, and backup power supplies are checked and replaced as needed. Battery failure is one of the most common causes of system downtime.
• Software and Firmware Updates — CCTV recorders, access control software, and alarm panels require periodic updates to maintain security and functionality.
• Compliance Documentation — After every visit, you receive a service report. Your compliance certificate is issued once a year, at the annual service. This documentation is essential for insurance purposes, fire authority inspections, and building management records.
• Priority Emergency Call-Out — Contract customers receive priority response for faults and emergencies, with reduced call-out charges, plus 24-hour telephone support.

Maintenance Schedules by System

Different systems have different servicing requirements set by their respective British Standards:

• Fire Alarms (BS 5839-1) — Weekly testing by the responsible person. Six-monthly inspection by a qualified engineer. Annual full system inspection, test, and certificate.
• Fire Extinguishers (BS 5306-3) — Monthly visual checks by the responsible person. Annual service by a qualified engineer. Extended service / replacement every 5 years (where applicable).
• CCTV — Annual full service covering camera alignment, image quality, recording integrity, storage capacity, camera cleaning, cable inspection, and firmware updates. High-security sites can opt for a six-monthly service.
• Intruder Alarms (BS EN 50131) — Six-monthly remote inspection for monitored systems, and an annual full service on site. Monitoring centres require maintained systems for continued service.
• Access Control — Annual service covering readers, locks, controllers, and software. More frequent checks for high-traffic doors.
• Automated Gates — Annual safety and mechanical inspection. Twice-yearly for high-usage installations.

24/7 Remote Monitoring

Monitoring adds an active response layer to your passive detection systems. When an alarm triggers, the monitoring centre receives the signal and takes action — contacting keyholders, dispatching security, or notifying the emergency services.

We offer monitoring for fire alarms, intruder alarms, and CCTV. Signals are transmitted via a dual-path communication device (DualCom), using IP and mobile network, to ensure continuous reliability, even if one connection path fails.

• Fire Alarm Monitoring — The alarm receiving centre receives fire signals and contacts the fire service on your behalf. This service is considered critical for unoccupied buildings, premises that need out-of-hours coverage, and sleeping risk premises such as HMOs, hotels, and care homes.
• Intruder Alarm Monitoring — Alarm activations are verified and escalated to keyholders. Video verification (linking CCTV to alarm events) enables faster response.
• CCTV Monitoring — Live operators watch your cameras during specified hours or respond to motion-triggered alerts. Particularly effective for high-risk properties, construction sites, and vacant properties.

Why Choose IDS Global as Your Single Security and Fire Safety Supplier?

Many businesses end up with separate contractors for fire alarms, CCTV, intruder alarms, and access control. This creates gaps: nobody takes overall responsibility, maintenance schedules clash, and faults that cross system boundaries are nobody's problem.

With IDS Global, one contract covers everything. One engineer visits, one report is issued, and one phone number gets you support. When your systems are integrated — your fire alarm releasing your access control doors, your CCTV recording when your intruder alarm triggers — having a single supplier who understands the full picture means problems get solved faster and nothing falls between the gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions