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The festive season is a great time of year, but it also brings added fire risks in the home. With lights, candles, extra cooking and decorations, the risk of a house fire increases. This simple Christmas fire safety guide will help you keep your home and family safe.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Good fire safety starts with working alarms.

• Install smoke alarms on every floor.
• Fit CO alarms if you have fuel-burning appliances.
• Test alarms weekly and replace batteries or units as needed.

Christmas Lights & Electrical Safety

Festive lights look beautiful, but they’re a common fire hazard.

• Check all cables and plugs for damage.
• Avoid overloading sockets or extension leads.
• Turn off lights before bed or leaving the house.
• Swap older lights for LEDs, which run cooler.
• Keep cables away from heat sources and walkways.

Candles, Fires & Heaters

Candles and decorations can pose a significant fire risk.

• Keep candles away from trees, wrapping paper, and curtains.
• Never leave candles burning unattended.
• Consider using LED flameless candles.
• Keep portable heaters clear of soft furnishings.
• Ensure fireplaces and chimneys are properly maintained.

Christmas Cooking Fire Safety Tips

Cooking-related fires spike during Christmas, so it’s important to be extra careful in the kitchen.

• Never leave pans unattended.
• Keep tea towels, packaging, and decorations away from the cooker.
• Be extra careful if tired or after a drink.
• Clean ovens and hobs regularly to reduce grease fires.

Plan Your Escape

Even with precautions, accidents can happen. Having a clear plan is key for home fire safety.

• Keep hallways and stairs clear.
• Know where keys are kept.
• Agree on a meeting point outside.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the escape plan.

Stay Safe This Christmas

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, but it’s important to be mindful of the extra fire risks at this time of year. A few simple checks can make a big difference in keeping your home and family safe.

For more advice on keeping your home safe this festive season, visit the NIFRS website or contact Diamond Systems. Our team is happy to provide expert tips and guidance to help protect your home.

Fire safety law in Northern Ireland requires building managers and “responsible persons” to make suitable arrangements for everyone’s safe evacuation. Key legislation includes the Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010, which place a legal duty to plan for all occupants, including those with disabilities or mobility impairments.

Ensuring everyone can exit safely isn’t just good practice – it’s a legal requirement.

Why It Matters

Responsible persons must plan for people with:

• Mobility impairments
• Sensory disabilities (hearing or vision)
• Cognitive or learning difficulties

Failing to do so could put lives at risk and lead to enforcement action.

Key Elements of a Safe Evacuation

• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs): Tailored plans for anyone who may need help.
• Evacuation chairs: For safe stair descent; staff must be trained, and chairs maintained.
• Disabled refuge areas: Safe zones for waiting if immediate exit isn’t possible.
• Buddy system: Staff know who needs help and what to do.
• Accessible routes & signage: Exits, corridors, and doors kept clear and usable.

Keeping Plans Effective

Review plans whenever:

• New staff or visitors join
• Building layout changes
• Equipment or hazards change
• After drills or practice evacuations

Regular training ensures staff are confident and procedures work in practice.

How We Can Help

We provide a full service for evacuation safety, including:

• Supply & servicing of evacuation chairs and disabled refuge systems
• Training for staff on safe and effective use
• Assistance with PEEPs and evacuation procedures
• Staff training and evacuation drills tailored to your premises

Contact our team for more information or a quotation – we’ll help ensure your evacuation plans are safe, compliant, and practical for everyone.

2025 has already been a landmark year at Diamond Systems. We’ve welcomed a record number of new fire and security maintenance clients across Northern Ireland and beyond — and when we ask them why they made the switch, the feedback is remarkably consistent.

In an industry where reliability, compliance and fast response times matter more than ever, organisations are choosing partners who take safety seriously, communicate clearly, and resolve issues without delay.

Here are the top five reasons more companies are turning to Diamond as their trusted fire and security partner.

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1️⃣ One Partner. One Point of Contact. Zero Runaround.

A growing number of clients come to us after becoming frustrated with juggling multiple fire and security providers — one company for alarms, another for CCTV, another for extinguishers, and yet another for monitoring. Add in several different ARC contacts, and simply getting a straight answer can become a full-time job.

At Diamond Systems, we remove that noise completely.

You get one high-performing partner, one accountable point of contact, and a dedicated team who knows your sites, your systems, and your people. You’re not phoning a generic call centre or explaining your issue over and over again.

We take ownership. We take pride in resolving issues quickly and properly. And most importantly, we care — because this is life safety, not just another service call.

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2️⃣ Industry-Leading Response Times (Verified by NSI Gold Audits)

Slow or unreliable responses are one of the biggest reasons organisations switch to us. When something goes wrong with fire or security systems, every minute counts.

Our NSI Gold audits — conducted independently and rigorously — show that Diamond consistently exceeds the 90% benchmark for four-hour emergency response.

⭐ Our 4-hour response rate is consistently above NSI’s audited standard.

This isn’t a marketing line; it’s verified performance. When you need an engineer, we’re there. It’s one of the reasons we hold one of the strongest reputations in the region for reactive response.

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3️⃣ Planned Preventative Maintenance Completed On Time

Another theme we hear repeatedly: PPM visits that slip month after month, leaving clients exposed, non-compliant, and frustrated.

Diamond’s PPM completion rate consistently exceeds NSI’s 90% benchmark — and again, this is independently verified as part of our NSI Gold accreditation.

We combine technical excellence with transparency. Through our client portal, you can view:

✔️ Upcoming PPM due dates
✔️ All service reports and invoices
✔️ Defect and remedial reports
✔️ A complete asset list with inspection history

It’s lean, streamlined, and built to put you back in control — no more chasing for paperwork, updates, or answers.

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4️⃣ 24/7 Engineering Support & Remote Technical Help

The old “man in a van” model simply can’t meet today’s expectations. Modern fire and security systems demand round-the-clock attention, monitoring, and support.

Because we operate as a fully accredited NSI Gold company with a dedicated engineering team, we provide genuine 24/7 cover — not a voicemail, not a subcontractor.

Our remote diagnostics allow us to resolve many issues instantly, without waiting for a site visit. Faster resolution, reduced downtime, and lower disruption for your organisation.

When something goes wrong, you want expertise immediately. That’s exactly what we deliver.

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5️⃣ Competence, Experience & True Professional Standards

With almost 40 years in business, Diamond Systems has grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s most respected specialists in fire and security.

Our team holds FireQual certifications across system design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and verification. Every recommendation we make — whether for a repair, a replacement part, or a site upgrade — is grounded in competence and compliance.

We don’t cut corners. We don’t guess. And we never compromise on safety.

This is why so many organisations — from councils to private sector operators to multi-site estates — trust Diamond with the systems that protect their people, property, and business continuity.

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✨ “We felt the Diamond difference from day one.”

That’s the line we hear most from new clients. They value:

✔️ Clear communication
✔️ Rapid response
✔️ Competent engineering
✔️ Transparency at every stage
✔️ A partner who genuinely cares about keeping people safe

In a market crowded with providers, professionalism still stands out. And clients recognise it immediately.

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Ready to switch to a smarter, more reliable fire & security partner?

If your organisation is ready for a partner who brings clarity, speed, competence and care to your fire and security systems, we’d love to speak with you.

Get in touch to arrange a consultation or request a competitive maintenance and monitoring proposal.

Diamond Systems — protecting people, property and peace of mind for almost 40 years.

Every month, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, shares an insight into leadership within fire and security…

As we move into the final stretch of 2025, November has been a month of contributing to the wider business community – through sharing best practice, volunteering, mentoring, and continuous learning – while also laying the groundwork for a confident and ambitious 2026.

NI Safety Group Annual Conference – Martyn’s Law in Focus

We began the month exhibiting at the NI Safety Group Annual Conference, where one of the key themes centred on Preparing for Martyn’s Law and strengthening venue safety.

It was an honour to spend time with Figen Murray OBE, initiator of Martyn’s Law and a truly inspirational person. I also had the privilege of taking part in a panel session alongside Figen, Tony Stafford from the SIA, and Jenny Penrose from our longstanding client, Odyssey Trust. Together we shared practical insights on improving security and emergency preparedness across all sectors.

If you missed it, the full write-up is available here: NISG Annual Conference Highlights.

Projects & Technical Delivery – What the Team Has Been Working On

It has been a busy and productive month across our Projects, Compliance and Maintenance teams, with activity spanning NI and beyond.

New Fire & Security Installation Delivered

We handed over a new fire and security installation for a leading aerospace and defence manufacturer. Extensive pre-configuration was completed in The Vault to minimise downtime and disruption on site.

Enhanced Security for Several MLAs

In response to the current threat environment, our security team has also been delivering enhanced protection measures for several MLAs, ensuring their homes and constituency spaces are as secure as possible.

BESS Site – South of England

Members of our technical team visited a large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site in the south of England, where we will be commissioning a high-end fire detection system early in the new year. This project draws together our expertise in specialist detection and critical infrastructure protection.

Upgrade Works at a Belfast Community Facility

Closer to home, we upgraded ageing life safety and security systems at a long-established Belfast community centre – bringing the building up to modern standards and improving overall resilience.

Maintenance Across NI

Our service engineers have been busy as always, maintaining systems right across Northern Ireland – from university colleges and factories to offices and entertainment venues.

Compliance Services

We also completed numerous Fire Risk Assessments across Northern Ireland, and delivered another Fire Warden Training Course – we were delighted to score 10/10 from all attendees!

ISO 9001 Quality Audit – NSI Visit

Our annual ISO 9001 quality audit took place this month, carried out by NSI. Upholding high standards is part of who we are, and the audit once again validated the strength of our systems and processes.

A special thanks to Julieann, our Operations Manager, whose meticulous work ensures our continued compliance and quality assurance.

Leadership, Governance & Growth

November brought a wealth of leadership and governance-focused opportunities for me.

IoD Private Dinner

I attended an intimate IoD dinner with leaders from across Northern Ireland. Martin Tierney shared superb insights into leadership, lean practice, and his experience in a world-class family business. Seating Matters continues to set a global example in operational excellence.

IoD Directors’ Bootcamp

Later in the month, the IoD Directors’ Bootcamp provided a timely refresher on directors’ duties and good governance – particularly relevant as we prepare to appoint a Non-Executive Director in early 2026. Much of the discussion mirrored the reflections shared at the earlier IoD dinner on the value of a strong board in a growing family business.

Crescent One – Distilled (The Foundation)

I attended Distilled, hosted by The Foundation, at Crescent One- an inspiring evening exploring leadership, purpose and tackling complex business challenges with clarity.

The fireside chat with Sarah Schaefer, Jo Hopkins, and Brendan Gallen, chaired by John McKee, was excellent.

• Sarah shared valuable learning from Wrightbus and her earlier roles
• Jo offered fascinating insights from elite sport and high-performance coaching
• Brendan highlighted findings from The People Advantage and the role of purpose in unlocking performance

The evening closed with a whiskey tasting with Master Distiller Graeme Millar from McConnell’s Irish Whisky, accompanied by music from The String Ninjas – a brilliant event all-round.

NI Chamber President’s Banquet

I’m looking forward to attending this week’s NI Chamber of Commerce President’s Banquet as a guest of Danske Bank. This year’s theme celebrates The Open Championship in Portrush – a special event that I had the privilege of attending in July with some of our clients.

Three-Year Vision Finalised

A major milestone this month was putting the final touches on our new three-year vision during our board meeting. It is ambitious, strategic, and firmly rooted in our values.

We’ve placed strong emphasis on clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability as we prepare for our next phase of growth. I’m excited to present the full vision to the wider team in early December.

Investing in the Team

LinkedIn Masterclass with Kerry Hall

We hosted a fantastic LinkedIn training session with Kerry Hall, helping the team strengthen both their personal and professional online presence. Expect to see more from us on LinkedIn as these insights are put into practice.

Community, Schools & Giving Back

Wallace High School Careers Fair

This week Ian and I went back to Wallace High School – our old school – to exhibit at their Careers Fair. Supporting young people as they explore future paths feels more important than ever. The engagement from the pupils was fantastic, and encouraging to see so much interest from the young women there. It was great to catch up with my A Level English teacher, who was a big part of why I studied English at Queens University Belfast.

SistersIN Mentoring Programme

This month I was delighted to begin my mentoring journey with SistersIN, meeting my mentee, Isha from Methodist College, for the first time. Helping young women build confidence and feel supported as they navigate future opportunities is something I feel deeply passionate about.

Wellbeing & Personal Growth

Somatic Breathwork with Ben Gadd

I took part in a somatic breathwork session led by Ben Gadd – a deeply emotional experience that brought forward memories and connection to friends on the other side of the world. A powerful reminder of the importance of pause and presence.

Lucille Cassidy’s Winter Reset

I’ll be closing out the month with Lucille Cassidy’s Winter Reset – a restorative blend of reformer pilates, yoga, hot-and-cold exposure, and journalling. A perfect way to create space and intention before the busy festive season.

Looking Ahead – Preparing for 2026

Behind the scenes, a significant amount of work has been focused on goal-setting, planning, and strengthening accountability structures. This month has been about building the right foundation for thoughtful, sustainable growth.

Our purpose remains unchanged: to help people understand how to protect what matters most. But how we deliver that, through leadership, innovation, technology, and education – is evolving in all the right ways.

Until next month,

Angela 

E-bikes and e-scooters are now common across offices, apartment blocks and workplaces in Northern Ireland – and so are the fires linked to lithium batteries. These fires behave differently from traditional fires, spreading rapidly, producing toxic gases and blocking escape routes within seconds.

Here’s what responsible persons, landlords and building managers need to know.

1. Why These Fires Are So Dangerous

Lithium-ion batteries can fail through damage, incorrect charging, poor-quality chargers or modifications. When they enter “thermal runaway”, they produce:

• fast-growing flames
• intense localised heat
• toxic gases (carbon monoxide & hydrogen cyanide)
• smoke that can appear like harmless steam

In corridors and stairwells, this can quickly make escape impossible.

2. Don’t block escape routes

No e-bikes or e-scooters should be stored or charged in escape routes, including:

• corridors
• stairways
• lobbies
• riser cupboards
• electrical intake rooms
• under-stair spaces
• external balconies

These areas must remain free of combustibles at all times.

3. If Charging on Site Is Necessary

Some workplaces and residential complexes may need designated charging areas. Guidance recommends that these spaces should ideally:

• be on ground level with direct external access
• be separated by fire-resistant construction
• contain automatic smoke detection
• include ventilation/AOVs to release toxic gases
• provide localised suppression where appropriate
• have an external electrical isolation switch
• never be the only route of escape

4. Fire Risk Assessment Requirements

Your Fire Risk Assessment should now specifically consider:

• the presence of EPPVs on the premises
• where tenants or employees are charging devices
• use of incorrect chargers or extension leads
• proximity to ignition sources or gas services
• whether alternative charging arrangements are needed

If tenants or staff are breaching safety rules, dutyholders must act.

5. Best Practice for Users

Everyone using e-bikes and e-scooters should:

• only use the manufacturer-approved charger
• never charge overnight or unattended
• stop using damaged, swollen or overheating batteries
• charge on a non-combustible surface
• buy from reputable suppliers – no DIY conversions

6. How Diamond Systems Can Help

We support responsible persons and building owners with:

• Fire Risk Assessment updates
• Fire detection and alarm installation and maintenance
• Fire Warden Training
• Lithium-battery extinguishing solutions

Lithium-battery fires are one of the fastest-growing safety risks in NI buildings. For more information on your responsibilities for fire safety under Northern Ireland legislation, visit the NIFRS website. London Fire Brigade also have a guidance note specifically on this risk. With our extensive experience, Diamond Systems can help you stay compliant – and keep people safe. Get in touch if we can help.

The Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG) Annual Conference at the La Mon Hotel once again brought together leading professionals across health, safety, and security. As conversations intensify around Martyn’s Law ahead of its planned implementation, this year’s event provided timely insights and invaluable collaboration opportunities.

Diamond Systems was proud to exhibit for the second consecutive year and to continue supporting the NISG community in its shared mission: keeping people safe.

Showcasing Innovative Safety and Security Solutions

Thank you to everyone who visited the Diamond Systems stand throughout the day. Our team—Paul Doherty and Conor McCreesh—enjoyed discussing a range of industry-leading solutions, including:

• Britannia Fire P50 eco fire extinguishers
• Safety Chair evacuation chairs
• Kentec Electronics wireless lockdown alarms
• Ajax Systems smart security systems
• Fire safety, compliance and workplace training courses

These products and services continue to support organisations across Northern Ireland as they review and strengthen their safety arrangements.

A Powerful Focus on Martyn’s Law

The conference agenda, expertly hosted by Ronan Kelly, featured an impactful keynote from Figen Murray OBE, whose advocacy led to Martyn’s Law receiving Royal Assent in April 2025. Her message underlined the importance of proactive safety planning and highlighted the journey toward full implementation, anticipated by April 2027.

Diamond Systems fully supports the aims of Martyn’s Law and the positive changes it will bring to public venue protection.

Panel Discussion: Practical Considerations for Venues

A panel discussion featured our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, Jenny Penrose from the Odyssey Complex and Tony Stafford of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and explored the practical implications of Martyn’s Law and the steps venues should be taking now.

As part of this session, Angela contributed insights on the essential role of CCTV in venue safety, emphasising:

• The need for systems to be fit for purpose and correctly designed
• The importance of eliminating blind spots
• The value of competent, proactive maintenance
• How AI-enhanced CCTV can support early detection of suspicious behaviour

These principles align with the core objectives of Martyn’s Law: improving situational awareness and enabling timely responses.

Sharing Best Practice Amongst Northern Ireland’s Leading Venues

Diamond Systems was pleased to attend the conference alongside guests from several of Northern Ireland’s most iconic venues, including The Odyssey Complex, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, Ulster Hall, the Grand Opera House, and the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Each plays a significant role in delivering safe and secure experiences for the public.

In the evening, we were also joined by our insurance broker, Willis Insurance and Risk Management, and members of the PSNI. As event sponsors, we were pleased to highlight the ongoing collaboration, professionalism and shared values within the NISG network.

Supporting Organisations as Martyn’s Law Approaches

With Martyn’s Law entering the implementation phase, now is the right time for venues and duty holders to review risk assessments, strengthen physical and digital security measures, and ensure staff are trained and prepared.

Diamond Systems can support you with:

• CCTV system design, upgrades and maintenance
• Smart security technology, including AI-supported solutions
• Lockdown alarm systems
• Evacuation equipment and training
• Fire safety, compliance and workplace training

To learn more about what we showcased at the NISG Annual Conference—or to discuss how we can support your Martyn’s Law preparations—please get in touch with our team.

Diamond Systems is proud to support the 2025/26 SistersIN Leadership Programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering young women across Northern Ireland. This year, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, is volunteering as a mentor, working closely with a pupil from Methodist College Belfast as she develops her leadership skills and prepares for life beyond school.

As a company with a strong commitment to people, community and long-term development, we are delighted to play a role in helping shape the next generation of female leaders.

About SistersIN

SistersIN is an eight-month leadership and mentoring programme designed exclusively for female sixth-form pupils in Northern Ireland. The programme provides:

• Structured leadership development
• One-to-one mentoring with female business leaders
• A practical leadership project within each participating school
• Exposure to different career paths, industries and opportunities

The goal is simple: to enable young women to step into leadership roles with confidence, capability and a clear sense of possibility. The initiative has grown rapidly, with more schools, mentors and students participating each year, creating real impact at a pivotal stage in young women’s lives.

Why Diamond Systems Is Involved

At Diamond Systems, we believe in supporting people to grow—professionally, personally, and as leaders. With almost 40 years’ experience in the fire and security industry, we understand the importance of representation, confidence-building and creating pathways for talent to thrive.

Our involvement with SistersIN reflects our values:

• Empowerment – giving young women the tools to lead with confidence.
• Community – contributing positively to the wider Northern Ireland community.
• Leadership development – supporting the leaders of tomorrow, not just those of today.
• Inclusion – showing that high-tech industries like ours are open, accessible and full of opportunity for women and girls.

As a senior female leader in a traditionally male-dominated field, Angela brings first-hand experience of navigating leadership, building resilience and shaping a career with purpose. Her mentorship is a continuation of our commitment to supporting people in Northern Ireland at every stage of their development.

Every month, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, shares an insight into leadership within fire and security…

October began quite literally on the other side of the world. I had the trip of a lifetime to Sydney, Australia with lifelong friends, travelling over 11,000 miles and 22 hours each way. We were there to celebrate the wedding of our dear friend Allison, and we would not have missed it for the world.

We made the most of every minute of our trip and covered some serious ground (in between bottles of prosecco!). From The Rocks to Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, Woolloomooloo Bay to Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay and Vaucluse, right across to Dover Heights, Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour and Taronga Zoo.

The celebrations were rounded off with the most beautiful black-tie wedding ceremony in Balmain and an unforgettable reception in the Yallamundi Rooms of the Sydney Opera House. It truly was the experience of a lifetime and we have made memories that will last forever.

Whilst in Sydney, Allison who is CFO of ARA Group, kindly arranged a meeting for me with Chantelle Yousif, General Manager for the Greater Sydney area at ARA Fire. It was fascinating to discuss fire and life safety on opposite sides of the globe and to compare how both organisations are benefitting from the industry leading job management software, Uptick.

I also had the chance to meet up with family who had emigrated from Northern Ireland to Australia 65 years ago. It was absolutely fascinating to hear their recollections of the six week journey aboard the ship that took them to their new home in Adelaide in 1960. I will never forget the day we spent together in Sydney.

A huge thank you to Jemma at Selective Travel for expertly arranging such a complex itinerary and ensuring the entire journey ran smoothly.

Returning home meant straight back into a packed and exciting month for Diamond Systems.

Project Highlights

While I was off enjoying myself in Oz, our brilliant team continued delivering major fire and security projects throughout Northern Ireland including:

• Malone Mews Apartments
Life safety and smart security for Ark Housing’s latest social housing scheme. Huge credit to the team for completing this project on schedule and to a high standard. Using our off-site build facility, The Vault, helped maximise efficiency and minimise disruption on site.
https://diamondsystems.co.uk/2025/10/25/life-safety-and-security-solutions-for-malone-mews-apartments/

• P50 Rollout for a Major Retail Chain
Replacing traditional extinguishers with sustainable P50 technology across multiple locations province-wide.
https://diamondsystems.co.uk/2025/10/15/rolling-out-the-p50-fire-extinguisher-for-a-major-retail-chain/

These projects reflect exactly what drives us at Diamond Systems. We protect people, property and business continuity while helping organisations reduce environmental impact and enhance safety.

Welcoming our Junior Sales Executive

In October, I was delighted to welcome Conor to the team as our Junior Sales Executive. He will help customers strengthen workplace safety across our product and training portfolio, including P50 fire extinguishers, evacuation solutions, defibrillators, fire risk assessments, and fire warden and compliance training.

Conor holds a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate from Ulster University and previously worked with one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial property consultancies, gaining hands-on experience in valuations, property management, and lease negotiations.

Conor has already brought great energy and a can-do attitude, and he will be developing our safety products and training services while getting to know our customers. If he can help your organisation, connect with him on LinkedIn or email conor.mccreesh@diamondsystems.co.uk.

Ten Years of the NI Family Business Forum

We were proud to support the NI Family Business Conference celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. Family businesses are the backbone of our local economy and events like this recognise the resilience, innovation, and community impact built over generations.

It was lovely to catch up with my good friend Melanie West of Westmond Logistics and my MSc Supervisor Keith Miller from Ulster University. I also enjoyed great conversations with some of Northern Ireland’s most successful family business leaders including Tracy Hamilton MBE of Mash Direct and Mark Hutchinson of Hutchinson Engineering. Full round-up here:
https://diamondsystems.co.uk/2025/10/25/ten-years-of-the-ni-family-business-forum/

Lean Learning at the Gemba Summit

The Gemba Summit in Titanic Belfast was a standout highlight this month. Congratulations to Ryan Tierney and Tom Hughes for bringing world-class Lean leaders and thinking to Northern Ireland.  It was wonderful catching up with industry peers who are equally passionate about continuous improvement including Margaret Goldsmith and Brendan Stamp of Guardian Fire & Safety who travelled up from Wexford. After years of discussing Lean between us, this was our first time meeting in person.

I enjoyed reconnecting with Mark O’Neill, John McLaughlin, Alastair and Joy Luke, and Alison McFadden Chartered MCIPD, and meeting Theo Pappas, CEO of Vative, flying in from my new favourite place, Australia. For our new Junior Sales Executive, Conor, it was a great introduction to the power of Lean. Our Technical Manager, Ian, also attended and has already implemented improvements in our project delivery inspired by the event.

It felt surreal to chat with Alastair and Ryan about the journey they have been on to promote Lean. A simple LinkedIn request from Ryan asking for a videographer recommendation sparked a connection and the rest is history. Their success is proof that networking works and that quality video content can scale a business globally.

Full round-up here: https://diamondsystems.co.uk/2025/10/15/leaning-forward-our-experience-at-the-gemba-summit-2025/

Strengthening Cyber Security in Defence

Towards the end of the month, I attended an excellent ADS NI and NI Cyber Cluster event focused on cyber resilience in the defence supply chain. The Defence Cyber Security Certificate (DCC) is a significant step in ensuring cyber protection is prioritised throughout every supplier link.

As fire and security systems become increasingly network-connected, cybersecurity is now absolutely critical to life safety. We are proud to hold Cyber Essentials Plus, demonstrating our commitment to these standards.

Looking Ahead to November

I am delighted to be speaking at the 2025 Northern Ireland Safety Group Annual Conference and Exhibition on 6 November at La Mon.

The theme this year is “Health and Safety for All” with a strong emphasis on the incoming Martyn’s Law. After hearing from Figen Murray OBE, I will join a panel discussion on how electronic fire and security systems support emergency preparedness and response.

Topics I will be covering include:
• Fire and voice alarm integration
• Lockdown and panic alarms
• CCTV and access control
• Emergency communications and evacuation solutions including evacuation chairs

True preparedness means people, processes, and systems working in harmony when it matters most.

If you are responsible for premises or facilities, this is a must-attend event with practical insights to prepare for the legal changes ahead.

Final Thought

Travelling across the world and returning to a busy month here at home reminded me why we do what we do. Whether supporting family-run firms, national retailers, housing providers, public sector clients, or global peers, our mission stays the same. Keeping people safe is what drives me and my team every single day.

Thank you for following our journey. If you want to talk to us about compliance, cyber-secure life safety, sustainable protection, or our latest smart security innovations, we would love to help.

Until next month,
Angela

We were proud to be deliver the life safety and security systems for the new Malone Mews Apartments development for Ark Housing located on the popular Lisburn Road in Belfast.

Malone Mews is a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, providing 14 homes in total.

We delivered this project in conjunction with the team at Temple Electrical Services.

Here’s what we provided to keep the future residents safe:

💎 Fire Detection & Alarm System
💎 Video Surveillance CCTV
💎 Access Control & Intercom System

At Diamond Systems, we work across a wide range of sectors from social housing and residential developments to education, healthcare, manufacturing, and commercial projects, providing tailored fire, security, and life safety systems designed to protect people and property.

Get in touch with our Projects team if we can assist you.

The Gemba Summit in the iconic Titanic Belfast was a standout highlight this month and a brilliant reminder of the power of continuous improvement. Congratulations to Ryan Tierney and Tom Hughes for bringing world-class Lean leaders, thinkers, and practitioners together right here in Northern Ireland.

We had the chance to connect with peers who share the same passion for improving systems, culture, and customer experience. It was fantastic to catch up with Margaret Goldsmith and Brendan Stamp from Guardian Fire & Safety who travelled up from Wexford. We have spent a couple of years discussing Lean implementation in our respective businesses and it was great to finally meet in person.

How Lean is Driving Change at Diamond Systems

Lean is not just something we attend conferences for. It is a mindset we are actively embedding within Diamond Systems. Our focus is on delivering life safety, security and compliance services that are efficient, reliable and value-adding for our clients.

Our Technical Manager attended the summit and has already introduced improvements within our project delivery function. These include better scheduling, cleaner handovers between design and engineering stages, and waste reduction through our off-site build facility, The Vault. The goal is simple. We want projects delivered faster, with less disruption, less rework and less risk for our clients.

Lean is also shaping how we work with our supply chain, how we communicate internally, and how we use data and technology to make smarter decisions. Continuous improvement means always asking how we can make it better tomorrow than it is today.

For our new Junior Sales Executive, Conor McCreesh, the Gemba Summit was a perfect introduction to why Lean matters. When every process, every conversation, and every decision is focused on value for the customer, you build stronger relationships and a stronger business.

Why Lean Matters in Life Safety and Security

Fire, security and compliance are mission-critical. People rely on systems to work without fail in the moments that matter most. Lean helps ensure that we deliver on that responsibility consistently. It supports:

• Better process control
• Less downtime and disruption
• Faster response to issues
• Improved communication between teams
• A better experience for clients and building users

It also reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence as one of Northern Ireland’s leading independent NSI Gold companies.

Looking Forward

We left the Gemba Summit energised and inspired. The Lean community across the island of Ireland is growing and Diamond Systems is proud to play an active role in that journey. We will continue investing in Lean leadership, training, and culture as we scale our service offering and support more organisations to stay safe, compliant and resilient.

Lean has one clear message. There is always a better way. At Diamond Systems, we are determined to find it.