MHS Alarm Services Ltd was originally formed in 1972 as Midland Home Security. A few years later the firm changed it's name to MHS Security as work increased outside the "Midlands" area. The firm enjoyed a continued steady growth.
In 1989, MHS Security joined forces with Delta Alarms a southern based company to extend its national coverage. In 2009 MHS was acquired by Tennals Group, and ever since have continued that growth organically, also through numerous acquisitions. With over forty years’ experience in this industry, and a robust client base we have grown through recommendation only. As a business we pride ourselves on working to third party accreditation, delivering a service our clients expect through a competitive unique pricing model with no hidden extra’s.
Currently Tennals are one of the largest independent owned fire and security organisations in the UK.
Installation, Design, Supply & Commission
We survey, design, supply, install and commission a range of fire safety systems for open protocol and managed systems.
We install high-quality equipment from leading manufacturers, ensuring the most suitable installation for the type of business and usage.
How do you determine the correct Fire Alarm System required?
Choosing a fire alarm system for your premises isn’t just about adhering to legal requirements; it’s also about saving time, money, reducing false alarms and effort.
The need for a fire detection system in any specific building will normally be determined by the authority responsible for enforcing the fire safety legislation or by a fire risk assessment.
Did you know there are 8 categories of Fire Alarm System?
Your fire risk assessment will determine the level of fire alarm system required for your business premises. Then a designer will consider the types of fire alarm options available prior to designing the main fire alarm system, as not all types may suit the building they are designing for. Four common types of fire alarm systems include: Conventional, Addressable, Analogue addressable and Wireless.
The Installation Process
Stage 1 - Design
The first stage of designing any fire alarm installation is to carry out a full site survey, to identify any matters that may affect the design of the system in order to make the most appropriate recommendation. Whether this is for a new a new fire alarm system, modification or extension to an existing system, we are able to help. Once your needs have been fully assessed, one of our expert systems managers will design a system for your premises in line with current British Standards complying with the Fire Safety Order 2005. In every case, the same principles apply: gaining a clear understanding of our client’s needs, assessing the structure and type of building and ensuring the design of the fire alarm system matches the intended use of the building. We then put together a proposal and quotation for the best option available to meet your requirements and budget.
Stage 2 - Supply
There is a wide choice of fire alarm systems available dependent upon its location and use. We supply quality equipment from leading manufacturers from conventional non-addressable fire alarms to addressable analogue and digital systems. Hard-wired or wireless options are available. Whatever the system type, we are specialist providers and preferred system integrators for a number of major manufacture.
Stage 3 - Installation
Our expert and fully qualified technicians will install your new system with minimum disruption to your business. Our installation work is carried out to the highest standards. Following your fire alarm installation, training in the operation of the fire alarm system at each site will be given.
Stage 4 - Commission
Our qualified technicians then carry out commissioning. Commissioning ensures we test every element, and the system as a whole, to make sure it matches the specified design and installation requirements. Only once this work has been carried out will we sign off and supply a commissioning certificate for the project. All our work & servicing complies with British Standards – BS5839.s
Our Equipment Suppliers
Maintenance
Once your new system is up and running and fully tested we offer a range of maintenance packages to suit you. Please contact us to find out more.
Fire Alarm Maintenance
We provide fire alarm maintenance options to ensure you are compliant with regulatory and legislative requirements. For contracted customers we provide a call- out service, 24-7, 365 days per year. All services are performed in accordance with relevant British Standard codes of practice; by fully trained and competent Technicians.
Regular servicing and maintenance of your fire alarm system is a legal requirement. It will also give you assurance that your fire alarm equipment will work when it is needed most.
For evidence of our third-party certification, please see here.
Fire Alarm Maintenance Accreditation
Regular servicing and maintenance of your fire alarm system is a legal requirement. It will also give you assurance that your fire alarm equipment will work when it is needed most.
How often should I have my fire alarm system serviced?
The period between fire alarm service visits should be based upon your fire risk assessment. This takes into account the type of fire alarm system installed, the environment in which it operates and other factors that may affect the long term operation of the system.
The recommended period between successive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months.
In addition, you need to test your fire alarm on a weekly basis to ensure you comply with the requirements of BS5839.
What Are The Benefits of Fire System Maintenance
There are many benefits of regular fire alarm inspection and maintenance to ensure you protect you, your employees,
customers, visitors and premises. Having a fully functional fire detection and alarm system will give you an early
warning signal in the event of fire, enabling safe and timely evacuation.
Regular maintenance of your fire alarm system can also benefit you by maximising component life and minimising false alarms.
What causes false alarms with fire alarm and detection systems?
Properly designed, installed and maintained fire detection and alarm systems don’t cause false alarms. It is the mismanagement of fire alarm systems them that does and this is where they can really cost you money, due to:
- Lost production
- Disruption due to staff evacuation
- Unnecessary release of retained firefighters
- Possible future charging for attendance by fire and rescue services
- Increased insurance premiums
Modern and properly maintained systems rarely suffer equipment malfunctions but it is estimated that false alarms cost the UK in excess of £1 billion a year.
In recent years, The Fire Industry Association (FIA) launched a campaign to cut false alarms, as part of ongoing attempts to highlight the costs associated with false alarms. For more information visit FIA website
Please see the attached infographic produced by the Fire Industry Association for advice on minimising false alarms. It could help you cut false alarm costs and save your business money.
More information about our fire alarm maintenance contracts
- Most manufacturers and types of fire alarm equipment can be maintained and tested
- On-site inspection and maintenance can be made by appointment
- Demonstration and instruction of fire panel operation can be given during inspection
- Cost controlled service as no work is undertaken without your approval
- All year round support and helpful advice
- Certificate of inspection issued on completion of work.
- We are a 'Notifier' approved supplier and Gold Partner
Gas Suppression Systems & Integrity Testing
If you have a computer room, comms room, data centre or specialist manufacturing, the chances are this may require you to have an automatic gas suppression system. We are able to provide the supply, installation, commissioning and on-going maintenance to the current standards. These will be fully automatic systems using gases such as FM200, Co2 and inergen to name a few. Also, we are able to supply install, commission and on-going maintenance of cooking facility gas suppression systems such as Ansul. All our Gas Suppression System work complies to British Standards – BS6266 BSEN 15004. In addition, we offer an integrity testing service to insure against leakages occurring.
24-7 Monitoring
24-7 Fire Alarm Monitoring will be via EMCS; one of the UK largest independent monitoring stations.
It can be achieved by various types of communicators, such as Red Care and Dual Comm. Signals from these systems will be received within seconds at the monitoring station to call the emergency services.
We are also supply, install and commissioning these systems.