Protect your Commercial Property During Lockdown

Protect your Commercial Property During Lockdown discussed by the Fire & Security Experts Elite Fire & Security

We have put together some advice for you as a business or commercial property owner that will ensure you can protect your Commercial Property During Lockdown and ensure it is ready for operation as soon as it can be if you have any concerns or problems with your systems.

How can you Protect your Commercial Property During Lockdown?

Whether you have security systems in place already or none at all then there are things you should do to ensure it is protected during the lockdown.

Walk the perimeter of your property and check all your windows, external doors and garage entrances are secure and locked. Burglars will often try to enter through doors and windows so having secure locks for each is essential especially during these times. Windows that overlook a wall or low roof are an easy target so these should be especially secure.

Look for anything that could tempt any thieves or burglars, rotting or warped window or door frames.

Check your alarm sensors on doors and windows are all working as they should be and give them a wipe to clean away any dust or dirt.

Check any CCTV cameras you have are pointing in the right direction to protect your property and there is nothing obscuring their views like overgrown trees or bushes.

Check any external lights are working and there is nothing covering them like overgrown plants or trees.

Shady areas that are concealed by trees or walls can entice and give burglars the opportunity to break into your property without being seen, especially in these quieter times. Motion sensor lights are always recommended for any areas like this front and back and will act as a deterrent.

If you have them, close blinds or window coverings so no belongings, IT equipment or stock are on view as these will entice burglars to try to break-in. If they can’t see what’s inside then they are less likely to break in.

Check and view your CCTV coverage regularly and remotely if you can to check for any unusual activity.

Conduct your usual fire alarm test to ensure each section of your system is working as it should be.

Check your gates and barriers are working as they should be and they are locking as you would expect them to.

Remove any unnecessary access permissions from your access control system.

Read through your insurance documents and contact your insurance company to ensure you are following their advice during these times to make sure your insurance remains valid throughout.

How can you look after your Commercial Property During Lockdown?

Looking after and checking your fire and security systems during lockdown is essential and will ensure your systems are in good working order to protect your property and ensure your insurance remains valid.

Fire Alarm Systems

Fire detection and alarm systems give an early warning of fire and, or smoke and assist a safe and speedy evacuation of premises for all occupants as well as protecting belongings.

The UK Fire Alarm Regulations recommend that all fire alarm systems should be installed and maintained in line with the BS 5839 (British Standards). The code of practice in the BS 5839 has been developed in line with current UK building regulations for both new-build and existing non-domestic premises.

All UK businesses must have a designated ‘Responsible Person’ who is responsible for ensuring a fire risk assessment is carried out and all necessary action has been taken to prevent a fire, injury or death if a fire breaks out. If your designated person is not available at this time then you should reassign this role to someone who is, or yourself.

Not all businesses need a full fire alarm system in place and will depend on the size of your property and how many people work or live within. If you don’t legally need to have a fire alarm system in place then domestic fire and carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted on every floor of your property or business and if there are sleeping areas they must be fitted directly outside of these. Elite Fire & Security System experts will be able to advise you if you need one and what you should do.

The UK Fire Alarm Regulations state that any fire alarm system should be adequately maintained. The British Standard 5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be serviced and tested by a competent fire system specialist like Elite Fire & Security a minimum of every 6 months. If you have a complex system, and, or a large property then your fire alarm system specialist will advise you that it should be serviced and tested by them every 3 months, as there are many components that integrate together which need to work together.

A fully operational and working fire alarm system is a regulatory requirement and British standards advise that your fire alarm system is tested every week. A weekly test is advised to check that each alarm sounds and the system panel receive the signal as it should do. Every test should be documented in your fire alarm logbook and any maintenance or repairs should be carried out by your fire alarm specialist and documented in your logbook.

It is a legal requirement and your responsibility as the owner of a business or commercial property to ensure you have the correct fire safety measures and procedures in place after an in-depth fire risk assessment has been completed. If safety measures, procedures and the correct fire detection/alarm systems are not in place and a fire breaks out it could invalidate your insurance and you will be liable for injuries, fatalities and the cost of property damage which can amount to millions. Contact your insurance company and ask them if you should be doing anything different during these lockdown times to ensure your insurance remains valid, as well as contacting Elite Fire & Security Systems who will be able to advise you any additional things you should be doing at these times.

Elite Fire & Security are one of the South and South West’s leading fire safety specialists. Our fire industry experts will evaluate the fire protection requirements of your business or premises and can provide you with recommendations to ensure you meet the Regulatory Fire Reform Order 2005. If your fire alarm system needs a service then contact us today and we can arrange for one of our fire alarm system experts to come and service your system following the 2-metre rules and guidelines set by the government during these times.

Commercial Property During Lockdown – CCTV Systems

A CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a surveillance system which comprises of cameras, video and displays for monitoring activity within your business or commercial property. A good and professional CCTV system requires strategic placement of cameras to ensure it is effective at deterring break-ins, vandalism as well as monitoring activity happening inside and outside of your business or commercial property. A CCTV system ensures you can see what is happening internally and externally, monitoring any unusual activity of visitors, passers-by, deliveries or employees. A professionally installed CCTV system allows you to see activity in real-time or playback to a date and time if you need to.

CCTV provides evidence if a break-in occurs or if there has been any theft or damage to your property. It can be used to collate evidence to help you build a picture of anything that has happened and can be used as evidence by the police if a crime has taken place, or if you need to settle a dispute with a delivery or between colleagues. CCTV footage is admissible in a court of law as evidence and plays a crucial role in identifying a criminal and the crime they have committed.

You should check your CCTV system footage regularly as well as any cameras to ensure there is nothing obscuring their view. Elite Fire & Security experts recommend you have your CCTV system serviced annually as a minimum to ensure it is in full and effective working order and this is normally a requirement of your insurance company if it has been included as part of your insurance terms and conditions. Always check with your insurance provider how often they advise for it to be checked and serviced by your Security Expert to ensure your policy remains valid and what evidence they need of this.

Commercial Property During Lockdown – Access Control Systems

Access control systems offer security to a business, home or premises by offering flexible and convenient control to a building or area to anyone who is authorised and restricting access to unauthorised people. An access control system can be used on a door, gate, lift, barrier, any entry point or on multiple entry points to control who enters and leaves a property. They protect people, an area, belongings and systems inside a property as well as the property itself and they also enable you to monitor who is entering and leaving at any time.

We would advise you to remove any access permission that is not required during these times as it can easily be restored when you are fully operational again.

Elite Fire and Security are specialists in installing, repairing and maintaining all types of access control systems. As with any of your fire and security systems you should contact your insurance provider at this time and check their advice as to what you should be doing to ensure your insurance remains valid. Contact us today if you need a service, maintenance or repair to your access control system and we can arrange this for you.

Commercial Property During Lockdown – Intruder Alarms

An intruder alarm system protects your property both inside and out and consists of a series of electrical components that connect to a property and its entry points. Sensors and contacts detect movement or the opening of windows and doors which then sound a loud alarm to alert those nearby of the unauthorised entry. Some systems can be connected directly to alert your designated security businesses and or the police.

An intruder alarm should be checked regularly by yourself and they should be serviced annually by a security expert like Elite Fire & Security to ensure the whole system and its components are in good working order with no defects.

Elite Fire & Security are experts in installing, servicing, repairing and maintaining all types of intruder alarms and are available to service or repair your alarm during lockdown to ensure your business and property is protected and your insurance remains valid.

Commercial Property During Lockdown – Gates & Barriers

Commercial Gates & Barriers protect a site, property or business from; unauthorised access, they monitor and control access, prevent access or slow traffic down when they are entering or exiting. A Commercial Gate or barrier system also offers privacy compared to an open entrance.

Commercial gate or barrier systems can sometimes reduce your insurance premiums if they have been installed by a security company like Elite Fire & Security. They should be serviced and maintained by a security expert annually to ensure the readers and components are working correctly, and the system is functioning as it should.

During lockdown you should check your gates and barriers are working effectively and contact us if you need them serviced or repaired at this time to ensure your property remains secure and your insurance policy remains valid.

Elite Fire & Security COVID-19 Statement

We have been carefully observing the development of COVID-19 virus, Government advice, information and media

In compliance with the latest Government guidance, we are working as normal as it is possible to carry out our work at a distance of 2-metres.

We are prioritising appointments as follows:

1. Businesses with Fire or Security Systems which if not REPAIRED will impact on insurance coverage or vulnerability of the building
2. Businesses with Fire or Security Systems which if not SERVICED will impact on insurance coverage or vulnerability of the building
3. Businesses who are taking the opportunity whilst the building is unoccupied to have with Fire or Security Systems repaired or serviced

Our teams will endeavour to get to every customer whether new and old and will secure, repair or service your fire and security systems.

About Elite Fire & Security

We are one of the UK’s leading Fire & Security System Specialists who can install, repair and maintain all types of fire and security systems throughout Bristol, Bath, the South West and London. We offer professional and cost-effective security advice that you can trust and are available to repair and maintain your fire and security systems at this time. Contact us today on 0333 577 1230 and one of our experts will be able to answer any questions you have or arrange your repair or service following the latest government guidelines.

To protect our staff, clients and other contacts we would like to issue the following advice:

We would like to reassure our clients that it is business as usual at Elite Fire & Security. Our staff currently continue to work as normal, with and following guidelines to minimise contact and ensure the sanitising hands and materials. We are preparing for all eventualities and keeping the situation under constant review. We have plans in place to introduce different working arrangements should the need arise.

The wellbeing of our staff and clients remain our priority and we have put in place reasonable and proportionate arrangements to protect our colleagues and clients. These include:

• Clients are advised not to attend our offices, if not essential
• Elderly and vulnerable clients should not attend our offices at all
• Colleagues sanitise equipment and surrounding environment – maintaining social distancing

We will not visit clients:

• If they have returned from travel to an affected country in the past 14 days
• If they have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus
• If they are displaying any of the symptoms associated with coronavirus – fever, cough, shortness of breath

Business meetings will be conducted via telephone or video if possible

We are allowing staff to self-isolate or work from home should they have recently travelled or feel concerned for their wellbeing

If any members of our team experience a new persistent cough and/or a high temperature above 37.8C they are self-isolating in line with Government guidance.

What we ask of our Clients

• We are asking Clients to refrain from shaking hands or contact
• If you attend our offices we may ask you to confirm: you have not returned from travel to an affected country in the past 14 days; been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus; are not displaying any of the symptoms associated with coronavirus
• We will request that you wash your hands or use any available hand sanitiser if attending our offices; please don’t be offended

If you do have a face to face meeting with a member of our team, we ask you to follow Public Health guidance including:

• Washing your hands with soap and water often
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing and putting it in the bin straight away
• Not touching your face if your hands are not clean
• Maintain an instance of at least two metres

We wish to reassure you that we are taking all necessary precautions and will be reviewing the situation and updating our procedures regularly. We will continue to follow the Government guidance which you can find here. If you have any concerns about your Commercial Property During Lockdown please feel free to contact us on 0333 577 1230 and one of our experts will be able to answer any questions you have or can arrange for your repair or service.