In educational institutions, the Responsible Person (often the employer, headteacher, or governors) is legally accountable for fire safety. In this article we cover how a typical school or academy’s fire alarm evacuation plan might be structured, what is expected especially in schools that include boarding or sleeping/residential accommodation and typical/expected times (by floor, occupancy type, etc.). I also highlight compliance requirements and compare different building types.

A Smoke Cloak system (also known as a security fog or fog cannon system) is a security measure that releases a dense fog or smoke to obscure visibility during a break-in or unauthorised entry. It is used in both commercial and residential settings to deter theft and protect assets.

Emergency lighting is a legally required safety system in the UK that ensures safe evacuation, visibility of escape routes, and identification of fire safety equipment during a mains power failure.

In the United Kingdom, the latest update to fire alarm signalling and system compliance has now come into force via the revised standard BS 5839 1:2025. The revision replaced the 2017 edition. This update includes significant changes around alarm transmission times, system design, documentation, maintenance, and overall signalling performance, meaning organisations responsible for fire safety need to act swiftly.

Alarm monitoring works by linking an intruder alarm to a remote Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). When the system is activated, trained operators are alerted immediately and can take action, such as contacting keyholders, verifying the alarm and, where appropriate, notifying the police.

The fire and security engineering sector is undergoing a quiet but significant shift, as employers increasingly favour multi-discipline engineers over single-discipline specialists to manage the growing complexity of modern building systems.

As fire safety regulations tighten and insurers place increasing emphasis on risk management, choosing the right fire alarm system has become a critical decision for owners and managers of commercial properties across the UK.

As organisations rethink how they protect people, property and information, Electronic Access Control Systems (EACS) are rapidly replacing traditional locks and keys across offices, hospitals, schools and industrial sites.

The recent UK school evac chair debate in late 2025 centred on a Parliamentary debate sparked by Lucas Vezza-O'Brien's petition after his personal experience being left behind, pushing for mandatory chairs & training.

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has released an updated version of Fact File 38, setting out clear guidance on end-user responsibilities for arranging effective Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) in line with the NFCC Policy on False Alarm Management.

Making sure your service provider turns up on time, does what they say they will and provides reports on time can be a job in itself, see below how SS Systems manages fire and security maintenance contracts so our customers receive a hassle free service delivery.

A bit of year end fun from SS Systems to see the old year out and the new year in. If you think fire alarms, CCTV, and security systems are dull pieces of hardware, think again, because the world of safety tech is full of quirky history, bizarre inventions, and genuinely hilarious moments. From 18th-century night watchmen clacking wooden rattles through the streets, to chicken-powered fire detectors, to NASA’s zero-gravity extinguishers, the evolution of safety equipment has been anything but ordinary.