“A bad system will beat a good person every time.”
W. Edwards Deming
W. Edwards Deming
Keeping Security Systems Reliable Long Term
Multiple residential, commercial, and supported-living clients under ongoing service and maintenance agreements.
Many clients approached us with existing security systems that were unreliable, poorly maintained, or no longer compliant with insurance and operational requirements.
Common issues included:
Common issues included:
- Failing or swollen backup batteries
- Faulty external bells and sounders
- Sensors triggering false alarms or failing to detect
- Insurance requirements not being met due to lack of servicing
- Outdated firmware across alarms, intercoms, and CCTV
- Poorly installed access control hardware
- CCTV systems using outdated or failing cameras
- System failure during incidents
- Increased false alarms
- Long-term damage to control panels and power supplies
- Loss of confidence from staff, residents, and insurers
We carried out structured service visits across multiple sites, focusing on prevention rather than emergency callouts.
All alarm systems were assessed in line with annual maintenance requirements, ensuring:
All alarm systems were assessed in line with annual maintenance requirements, ensuring:
- Batteries were tested and replaced where required
- Bells and sounders were inspected and verified
- Sensors were cleaned, tested, and recalibrated
- System logs and fault histories were reviewed
- We also advised clients that while main alarm batteries are typically covered under a 3-year warranty, older systems that are not serviced regularly can suffer serious damage if batteries, bells, or power supplies fail unnoticed.
One of our largest clients experienced repeated failures of magnetic locks, caused not by the locks themselves but by incorrect installation.
Issues identified:
We:
Issues identified:
- Z&L brackets not installed correctly
- Excessive force being transferred to fixings
- Locks being repeatedly broken by day-to-day use
- Correctly installed and reinforced Z&L brackets
- Re-secured magnetic locks to manufacturer standards
- Reduced ongoing damage and repeat failures
We:
- Fully reprogrammed the intercom system
- Installed updated firmware
- Restored full communication between office and residents
Previously, simple tasks such as changing door codes on intercoms required on-site visits and significant time.
We redesigned system access to allow:
We redesigned system access to allow:
- Remote code changes
- Faster response times
- Reduced disruption to clients
- Replacing failing or outdated cameras
- Adding new cameras where coverage has changed
- Improving image quality and reliability
- Systems operating reliably year after year
- Reduced emergency callouts
- Compliance with insurance servicing requirements
- Longer lifespan of alarm panels and power supplies
- Faster response through remote system access
- Improved confidence from staff, residents, and management
