As a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep your employees safe. Part of that responsibility includes conducting fire drills. Being proactive about fire safety in the workplace is not just an activity that we recommend you do, it's required by law. If you take a look at the fire safety regulations outlined by the UK government, they state that you must have appropriate fire detection and warning equipment on site. In addition, you should have fire fighting equipment that staff members know how to use, and it should be tested and maintained regularly. 

What fire checks should I do?

• Ensure that all of your fire alarm systems are working. This includes fire detection and alarm equipment.
• Check that emergency lights that guide employees to the fire exists are working.
• Make a note of any faults you find and have them fixed as soon as possible.
• Ensure that all fire escapes are free from obstruction and easily accessible.
• Check that all automatic fire doors close correctly.
• Make sure there are fire exit signs in all the relevant places.

How often should we do a fire drill?

The government recommends that all businesses carry out at least one fire drill per year. Once completed, a record should be made to show that everyone in the business at that time took part in the drill. If a fire did occur and there was no record to show that you'd provided the necessary training, you could be held legally accountable for injuries that occur as a result of the fire.

What if we have a high turnover?

When new staff members join your business, they have no idea what your fire safety plan is, it's your responsibility to make sure that they can access it right away. This could include keeping maps, signs and instructions pinned up in a number of places around the workplace. If you have a period where a lot of new people join the business, you may want to conduct an additional fire drill to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. The inconvenience of doing a fire drill is nothing in comparison to the guilt you'd feel if one of your staff members was unsure what to do during a fire.

Which places need to do fire drills more often?

There are some places, like schools, nurseries and care homes, where fire drills should be conducted multiple times a year. This helps the young and vulnerable to learn the processes and gives the staff an opportunity to highlight potential problems that could arise in a real-life situation. It's also important that if you take on members of staff with additional needs, for example, wheelchair users, that you adjust your fire drills and procedures accordingly.

How can IDS Security help me?

Here at IDS Security, we have years of experience helping all kinds of businesses make their premises fire safe. We offer a wide range of fire detection and alarm systems and we can even advise on the best equipment for you! We know that lots of business owners have a hard time assessing their own premises highlighting the most vulnerable places and deciding where to install sensors. We can help with all of that. All you have to do is get in touch!

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Read More: Your COVID-19 Fire Safety Questions Answered

Door entry systems can be used in residential or business premises to control the flow of people. They're great if you need to grant access to certain people (eg. employees) while preventing other people (eg. delivery men) from wandering in unannounced.

We've noticed that a lot of people are adding a door entry system in the wake of COVID-19. During this unsettling time, it's really important you can monitor and control the people coming in and out of your buildings.

One question we often get asked is - how do door entry systems work? The answer to this question truly depends on the door entry system you choose. Here at IDS Security, we offer a wide range of door access systems to suit a number of different requirements.

Popular types of door entry systems

When choosing a door entry system, you need to consider a few things. Who are the people that need access to the building & what type of system is most convenient to them? Who are the people you're trying to keep out & what level of security do you need?

Based on your answers to these questions, you can choose a door entry system that's both convenient and secure. Here are some of the most popular types of door entry systems:

• Biometric
• Fob activated
• Card reader
• Keypad

How do these door entry systems work?

Biometric Door Entry Systems

Biometric door entry systems rely on physical body parts to gain access. This could be anything from a fingerprint, to a handprint or even a retinal scanner! Generally, these types of door entry systems are used in high-security places when it's vital that only a select few people (identified by their biometrics) can be granted access.

Fob Activated Door Entry Systems

These door entry systems are quite common, and grant access to people who are provided with a fob. This is usually stored on a keyring so it can be accessed easily. We often see these door entry systems installed at apartment complexes, eg. student accommodation.

Fobs can be used to open multiple doors and gates, making it easy for occupiers to access all of the spaces they need without having to carry multiple different keys.

Card Reader Door Entry Systems

Card reader door entry systems are very similar to fob entry systems. Instead of a fob, people can carry a card to gain access to different areas. We often see these being used in hospital buildings, for example, where certain members of staff need access to different wards and rooms.

Keypad Door Entry Systems

Keypad door entry systems work by inputting a code or password. Users who know the code or password are granted access. We often see this type of door entry system installed in private car parks or apartment buildings. 

One of the key benefits (and downsides) of this door entry system is that the code or password can be shared with other people. This is great if you live in an apartment and want to grant access to visitors. All you need to do is tell them the password and they can do the rest themselves.

Of course, if the code or password gets into the wrong hands, it can mean unwanted people have access to the premises. To prevent this from happening, you could pair a keypad door entry system with biometrics or a fob.

If you're interested in adding a door access system to your home or business premises, the IDS Security team can help. We have years of experience installing all different types of door entry systems, so we can help you find the right one for you.

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Making your property environmentally friendly won't happen overnight, it's achieved by implementing greener options in as many areas as possible. Switching off lights when you're not using them, ditching single-use plastics and recycling are great places to start, but they're not the only changes you can make. Security systems can use a lot of electricity, after all, they need to be switched on 24/7 if they're going to be effective! Today we're taking a look at solar-powered CCTV systems that are designed to be better for the environment than their traditional, mains-powered counterparts.

What does a solar-powered CCTV system include?

When you purchase a solar-powered CCTV system, you can expect to receive:

• 4G CCTV cameras
• Solar panel
• Battery/power bank
• Charging cable
• Mounting brackets

A solar-powered CCTV kit will come with everything you need to set up your solar-powered CCTV system. Most solar-powered CCTV cameras have large, sustainable batteries that can power the CCTV cameras even on cloudy days. They reserve up to 2 months of battery life and recharge whenever the sun peeps through the clouds. All of the equipment is weather-resistant, meaning you shouldn't have any problems when it rains or snows.

Most solar-powered CCTV cameras come with 4G capabilities, meaning they can connect to your phone or monitoring device using a mobile network. This is perfect because it means you don't have to rely on a wifi connection.

Benefits of a solar-powered CCTV system

• Can be installed anywhere

One of the biggest limitations with traditional CCTV cameras is that they need to be plugged into the main powers supply in order to work. This generally involves running cables from your property to the CCTV cameras. Of course, there's only so far that most wiring will stretch, which limits the number of places you can install your CCTV cameras.

In contrast, solar-powered CCTV cameras can be installed anywhere because the cameras and power supply are installed in the same place. Since you don't need wires running from your property to the CCTV system, you can install solar-powered CCTV cameras just about anywhere.

• Won't be affected by power cuts

People often worry that their CCTV cameras won't work in the event of a power cut. Nowadays, most CCTV camera systems come with a back-up battery, so this isn't a huge concern - however, older CCTV systems still rely solely on their mains supply. When a power cut occurs, your CCTV system might stop working or worse yet, you might not be able to monitor your cameras because they can't connect to the wifi.

With a solar-powered CCTV camera system, you can be confident that it will work even during a power outage. The onboard battery stores plenty of battery life & the 4G sim card will allow you to monitor your cameras using your mobile phone - even when the wifi is down!

Read More: Will my security system work during a power cut?

• Environmentally-friendly option

Finally, we can't ignore the fact that solar-powered CCTV cameras are the most environmentally friendly CCTV option. When integrated into your security system (at home or in the office) you know you're doing your bit to create a greener, cleaner planet. It's a great feeling to know you're saving the planet and keeping your property safe at the same time.

Here at IDS Security, we create bespoke security systems for homes and offices alike. If you'd like to install environmentally-friendly solar-powered CCTV cameras as part of your system, be sure to let our team know! We'll be able to find the perfect solar-powered CCTV cameras for your premises.

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Power cuts happen suddenly and unexpectedly, there really is no way of predicting when the next one will happen! For many home or business owners, one of the biggest worries about power cuts is the fact that their properties will be left vulnerable. After all, most security systems rely on a mains connection to function. So what should you do in a power cut? And how do you know whether your property will be safe? 

Will my security system work without a mains supply?

One of the main concerns with a powercut is that everything will stop working until the power comes back on. While this might not be a huge problem for some electrical appliances, like your toaster or your TV - your security system is pretty critical! If your security system is fitter with an emergency battery, then this won't be a concern. 

A backup battery is designed to kick in immediately whenever there's a power outage. This means your security system should continue working as normal! That's one less thing to worry about while you're scrambling around in the dark - and is especially important for business owners who might be concerned about their business premises in a mass power outage!

Do emergency batteries come as standard?

Here at IDS Security, we supply emergency backup batteries as standard with our fire alarms and intruder alarms because these are the most critical security systems. If you'd like to have an emergency battery installed with any of our other systems, we'll happily quote you for this as part of your bespoke system. All of our security systems can be fitted with an emergency battery at your request.

Will my security system still be monitored?

As you know, here at IDS we offer 24-hour monitoring & engineering with our maintenance contracts. These contracts provide you with round the clock reassurance that you're in good hands if an emergency occurs. If an issue is detected, our technicians will be called out to your property immediately! We rely on systems such as BT Red Care to make sure that the relevant emergency services are contacted if there's a break-in, fire, or another emergency at your property.

So what happens if the power goes out? Well, as long as you have a backup battery installed, we'll be able to monitor your property as normal. We understand how important it is that your property is surveilled, especially if you're a business owner who's not always on-site. You don't want to be stuck at home during a power cut, wondering whether your business is vulnerable, do you? Combine a monitoring contract with our backup battery systems and you can rest assured your home/business will be safe during a power cut.

Will my CCTV cameras work during a power cut?

To ensure your CCTV cameras can work as normal during a power cut, we'd recommend having a backup battery installed first and foremost. A lot of the CCTV systems we supply can be monitored remotely via your mobile phone - as long as there's a stable internet connection. We know what you're thinking, surely if the power goes off, my wifi will go off and I'll not be able to monitor my premises anymore! 

Don't worry, we have a solution for that. We can install a 4G router into your CCTV security system so that it still has connectivity during a power cut. As long as your phone/laptop has a 4G connection too, you should be able to monitor your CCTV cameras as normal. 

Did you know, there are now solar powered CCTV cameras on the market that come with a 4G sim card as standard? This means you can install a CCTV system that's completely autonomous and not reliant on mains electricity at all! This is a great option if you're someone who's concerned about power shortages in your area.

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If you don't currently have a security system installed at your home or business premises, IDS can help! We create bespoke security systems that suit your needs exactly. Want to find out more? Book a consultation with one of our technicians today!

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So, you've found your dream house, filled in the paperwork, picked up the keys & now you're ready to start your adventure as a new homeowner. Most new homeowners have a long list of jobs to tackle after they move in, from setting up bill payments to redecorating - it's always hectic.

One thing that often gets overlooked by new homeowners is home security. While it may not be your top priority, setting up an effective home security system should be something that new homeowners do shortly after moving in. After all, you don't want all your lovely new home to be vulnerable to burglars, fires or something worse!

First things first, request a survey

It's highly unlikely that you'll know all the vulnerable places in your new home when you've only just moved in. Chances are, you've never had to set up a home security system before, and installing things randomly will not protect your home. A much better idea for new homeowners is to employ the help of home security technicians, like the ones here at IDS Security.

With years of experience surveying homes, installing security systems and even providing regular maintenance, IDS can help new homeowners create a bespoke security system that suits their needs exactly.

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Typical home security systems

Here at IDS, we believe that each home security system should be different, after all, every home is different! That being said, there are a few key components of home security systems that can be integrated just about anywhere to provide a high level of security. So, if you're a new homeowner who's unsure where to start with their home security system, just keep reading...

CCTV Cameras

A great way to keep eyes on your new property at all times is to install CCTV cameras. The IDS team can help you by showing you exactly where to position them to get the best view of the most vulnerable areas. Better still, our CCTV cameras can be accessed remotely from your mobile phone, meaning you can check on your property wherever you are! This is especially great for new homeowners who don't know the area they're moving to, or who are feeling anxious about leaving their property vacant for the first time.

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Intruder Alarms

When you move to a new area, it's natural to feel unsettled. You don't know the people who live near you, or who walk past the front of you home. You may not even know the level of crime that goes on in the neighbourhood. For that reason, it's important that you consider installing an intruder alarm. Not only will it keep your home safe in the event of a burgarly, but it will also put your mind at rest so you can focus on making your new house a home.

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Fire Alarms

It's likely that your new house will have some kind of fire alarm installed, but does it work? And how old is it? If you're looking at adding a security system to your new home that'll last for years to come, we'd highly recommend upgrading your old fire alarm & checking out our maintenance plans. Fires can happen anytime, anywhere, so you want to make sure your new home is properly protected!

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Buying your first home should be an enjoyable experience. With a little help from IDS Security, you can have a top of the range, bespoke home security system installed in no time. Find out more about our home security systems below, or give us a call on 029 20 753 251 to find out more.

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Read More: Do Home Security Systems Impact Home Insurance?