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Diamond Systems is proud to have played a key role in the delivery of the brand-new St Ronan’s College in Lurgan, County Armagh – a £58.5 million, state-of-the-art campus that brings together three separate school sites into one modern, purpose-built facility for around 1,750 students.

Working as a specialist subcontractor to Nugent, on behalf of principal contractor Glasgiven Contracts, we supplied and commissioned the fire detection and alarm system, including class change, assist call and emergency voice communication (refuge) system, and installed a full suite of intrusion detection and video surveillance cameras across the extensive new campus.

Our Scope of Works

The scale and complexity of the project required robust, future-proofed systems that would meet the needs of a large, multi-building education environment. Our package included:

 

• Fire Detection & Alarm System – Kentec Taktis analogue addressable panels with Hochiki ESP protocol detection and alarm devices, providing open-protocol, fully addressable coverage designed to BS 5839-1 M/L4, BS 7273-4 and BS 7273-6 standards, with enhanced protection for high-risk areas such as data hubs, boiler rooms, and electrical distribution spaces.
• Emergency Voice Communication (Refuge) System – Enabling safe evacuation for all building users in line with BS 5839-9.
• Assist Call – Managing safety alarms across the site in line with BS8300:2
• Class Change – Providing automated notifications to students and staff of upcoming class changes, reducing disruption and improving time keeping.
• Intruder Alarm – Integrated to provide out-of-hours security, linked to a 24/7 remote monitoring station.
• CCTV System – High-definition video surveillance for site-wide coverage and safeguarding.
• Preventative and Corrective Maintenance – Providing ongoing support to ensure all systems remain fully operational and compliant.

A Campus Built for the Future

The new St Ronan’s college offers inspiring specialist classrooms for science, art, drama, technology, music, ICT, business, and home economics, alongside a dedicated sixth-form centre, a spacious double-height dining hall, and extensive sports facilities – from grass and synthetic GAA pitches to a fitness suite, sports hall, tennis courts, and a chapel.

For Diamond Systems, delivering this project was about more than installing systems – it was about ensuring that this flagship education facility is protected by reliable, intelligent, and integrated life safety and security infrastructure that will serve staff, students, and visitors for decades to come.

Collaboration at Scale

We’d like to thank Nugents, Glasgiven Contracts, and all members of the design and delivery team for their collaboration throughout the project. This was a true team effort, requiring careful coordination to meet programme milestones while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship.

St Ronan’s is a landmark educational development for Northern Ireland – and we’re proud that our technology and expertise will help keep it safe and secure every day.

At Diamond Systems, we’re proud to be recognised as Edwards EST3 fire alarm specialists – trusted to handle some of the most complex commissioning work in Northern Ireland. Our recent projects at Odyssey Place in Belfast for Char & Mash and Little Wing Pizzeria are perfect examples of why specialist expertise matters.

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The challenge – integrating into one of Northern Ireland’s largest fire alarm networks

Odyssey Place operates one of the largest networked fire alarm systems in Northern Ireland, built on the Edwards EST3 platform. Adding a new venue to this network isn’t simply a matter of wiring in a few devices – it requires precise programming, configuration, and integration into the site-wide life safety system without disruption to existing operations.

That’s where Diamond Systems comes in. Our engineers have deep, hands-on experience with Edwards EST3 commissioning, programming, and network integration, ensuring each new panel is fully synchronised with the wider system and compliant with the latest fire safety standards.

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Char & Mash – life safety and security from day one

For the stunning new 15,000 sq. ft. Char & Mash, we supplied, programmed, and commissioned the Edwards EST3 fire alarm system and TOA voice alarm system to BS 5839-1:2025 and BS 5839-8:2023 standards.

In addition to the life safety systems, our in-house team also designed and installed a complete security package, including:

• 🔒 Intruder Alarm
• 🎥 CCTV
• 🚪 Access Control

The result is a venue that’s not only beautifully designed, but also safe, secure, and fully compliant.

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Little Wing – complex commissioning for a busy restaurant

When Little Wing Pizzeria, part of the renowned Beannchor Group, agreed to open its newest location in Odyssey Place, we were appointed to supply, programme, and commission its Edwards EST3 fire alarm system and TOA voice alarm system.

The same high level of precision was required – programming the new system into the Odyssey network without affecting any other connected units. This kind of commissioning is complex, and it’s exactly why operators turn to specialists who understand the Edwards EST3’s advanced networking capabilities.

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Why EST3 expertise matters

The Edwards EST3 is one of the most advanced and reliable fire alarm control systems available, offering extensive networking, intelligent detection, and integration with voice alarm systems. However, its capabilities mean it must be programmed and commissioned by technicians who understand both the hardware and the network logic behind it.

At Diamond Systems, we’ve been working with Edwards EST3 systems since 1997, delivering projects where safety, compliance, and uninterrupted operation are critical. From large public venues to multi-building complexes, our EST3 commissioning ensures systems work flawlessly from day one. We can also provide forward migration services to the EST4 life safety platform.

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Making Odyssey Place a safer destination

With projects like Char & Mash and Little Wing, we’re continuing to support the transformation of Odyssey Place into one of Belfast’s most exciting destinations – and making sure it’s protected by the very best in life safety and security technology.

If you need Edwards EST3 supply, programming, or commissioning, talk to the experts who’ve delivered it on one of the most complex networks in the country.

📞 Contact Diamond Systems – Northern Ireland’s trusted EST3 specialists.

July has been a brilliant month for Northern Ireland, not least because of the return of The Open to Royal Portrush. We were lucky to enjoy a few fantastic days at the tournament, with Friday being a standout — spent in great company with clients and friends of Diamond. The hospitality was superb, and a young woman named Anna (who, I believe, normally works in a restaurant on the north coast) gave us impeccable service. The professionalism and warmth of the young people working the event was so impressive. Whatever training they received will undoubtedly enhance the standard of service they bring back to their day jobs. The atmosphere throughout was electric — friendly, relaxed, and welcoming. I hope many visitors left inspired to return and explore more of what our beautiful part of the world has to offer.

It’s also been a huge month for our Projects Team, with several key handovers and completions. After many weeks on site, we proudly completed the life safety and security systems at St Ronan’s College in Lurgan, handing over the main building to Nugents in July. Due to open in September, this 21,000m² school will amalgamate three existing schools and accommodate 1,750 pupils — a fantastic facility for the local area. We’re incredibly proud to have played our part in creating a safe environment for generations of students.

Elsewhere, we also completed works at Odyssey Place, which continues to transform with the stylish new bar and restaurant Char and Mash now open, alongside the ever-popular Little Wing. It’s exciting to see these projects come to life.

From a compliance perspective, July was a significant month. We successfully completed our annual NVIR-O-CERT audit for the 10th consecutive year — part of the CEF environmental management scheme. Each year, we take away fresh insights for continual improvement. We also renewed our membership with Fire Aware, a community I’m proud to be part of. It’s growing stronger — especially following the recent Netflix documentary on Grenfell. Having previously read Peter Apps’ powerful book Show Me the Bodies, the documentary didn’t shock me — but it did sadden me deeply. It strengthened my resolve to push our industry forward.

That said, it’s not just the fire industry that needs change. Those procuring systems must also take a hard look at their role. When price becomes the only factor, corners are cut — and life safety is devalued. Until we collectively start prioritising value over cost, real progress will remain elusive.

This month also reminded me how much family businesses in Northern Ireland support one another — something I always try to do. In July, we worked with Jahn Media to refresh our audio branding. If you’ve called the office recently, you may have noticed the updated voiceover — thanks to Aaron and the team for a great job.

On the subject of audio, I took a leap outside my comfort zone this month and recorded my first ever podcast interview! I’ve been putting it off for far too long, but thanks to Peter and the NI Business Podcast team, I ended up really enjoying the experience. Sometimes, it’s good to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come — and if it sparks some ideas for others, all the better. The episode will be available on YouTube sometime in August.

In terms of personal development, I’ve been reading some brilliant books by Mark Leruste and Daniel Priestley, thanks to recommendations from my Scalex community. Both authors highlight the power of storytelling in business and the importance of showing up as your authentic self. That really resonated. We’re a locally owned, family-run SME — and I believe that’s what sets us apart from the larger players in our sector.

There’s been more acquisition activity in the local fire and security space this month, and it’s becoming increasingly rare to find independently owned NSI Gold companies here in Northern Ireland. That’s why I’m even more proud of what we stand for at Diamond.

Finally, I’ve just started reading Karren Brady’s autobiography. She’s long been a role model of mine — especially as a working mother. Like me, she was fairly average at school but driven in ways only those with a growth mindset will truly understand. I admire her perspective on feminism, which she defines not in terms of division, but in terms of equality of opportunity. That resonates deeply with me. I’ve never felt out of place working in a male-dominated sector like fire and security — even at industry meetings where I’ve been the only woman in the room. Feminism, to me, is about fairness. And I’m proud that both my daughters share that view.

Here’s to another month of progress, purpose, and staying true to who we are.

— Angela

If you own, manage, or are responsible for a commercial property or non-domestic premises in Northern Ireland, you have a legal duty to keep people safe from the risk of fire. One of the key requirements under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 is to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment — and keep it regularly reviewed.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of your premises to:

• Identify potential fire hazards;
• Assess the risk of fire occurring and who might be at risk;
• Evaluate the adequacy of your existing fire safety measures;
• Record your findings and implement any necessary improvements.

This isn’t just a paperwork exercise — it’s a legal requirement designed to protect life, property, and business continuity.

Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?

In Northern Ireland, fire safety law applies to nearly all non-domestic premises, including:

• Offices, shops, and retail premises
• Restaurants, cafes, and pubs
• Hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs
• Factories, warehouses, and workshops
• Community premises and places of worship
• Residential care homes
• Common areas of flats and apartments

If you are a business owner, landlord, property manager, or anyone with control over premises, you are legally classed as the “appropriate person” and must ensure a fire risk assessment is in place and kept up to date.

Common Fire Safety Failures We See

When we carry out Fire Risk Assessments in non-domestic premises, we frequently spot the same critical issues.

All of these could put your team, customers, and assets at risk — and leave you in breach of your legal obligations:

💎 No fire alarm zone plan. Under BS5839-1:2025, if you have a fire alarm, you must have a zone plan mounted beside your fire alarm panel. A competent maintenance technician should be highlighting this, but we regularly find it missing.

💎 Inadequate provision for evacuating disabled people. You must be able to safely evacuate all occupants without relying on NIFRS to assist. For example, evacuation chairs should be easily accessible and staff trained in their use.

💎 Inadequately trained fire wardens. With hybrid and remote working, many premises now lack enough trained fire wardens during core hours.

💎 Weekly fire alarm tests not being carried out. Routine tests must be done and recorded in your Fire Alarm Log Book — a simple but often overlooked requirement.

💎 Outstanding fire alarm faults. Faults that haven’t been investigated or cleared by your fire alarm maintainer can leave you exposed to risk and non-compliance.

Any of these issues can lead to enforcement action, fines, and — more importantly — risk to life. The good news? We can help you fix them quickly and professionally, giving you peace of mind that your people, property, and critical assets are protected.

How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

We recommend your fire risk assessment should be reviewed:

• At least annually;
• Whenever there are significant changes in layout, occupancy, or use;
• After any fire-related incidents or near-misses.

Regular reviews help ensure you stay compliant and protected as your business evolves.

Let Diamond Systems Help You Stay Compliant

At Diamond Systems, we provide clear, professional Fire Risk Assessments for businesses, landlords, and organisations across Northern Ireland.

✅ Easy-to-understand, jargon-free reports
✅ Practical recommendations tailored to your business
✅ Support to fix any issues we identify
✅ Friendly, experienced assessors who want to help

If you’re unsure when your last fire risk assessment was completed, or you’ve spotted any of the issues mentioned above, now is the time to act.

📩 Email info@diamondsystems.co.uk to arrange a quotation.

A new, monthly blog from our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett

June 2025 – Rest, Resilience & Raising Standards

If May was about momentum, June felt like a month of meaningful grounding. Between technical seminars, strategic growth, wellness events, and some very special team moments, it’s the kind of month that reminds me why I do what I do — and how important it is to slow down every once in a while.

✨ Celebrating Progress

One of my favourite moments this month was celebrating Chris’s completion of his apprenticeship. He’s now a fully qualified engineer — a huge personal milestone for him, and a proud moment for all of us. You can read more about his journey in this blog post. It’s exactly the kind of outcome I envisioned when I created the Diamond Apprentice Development Programme four years ago — a 90-day onboarding plan for all new apprentices joining our team.

We also passed our NSI Security Technical Audit in June with flying colours — two security installations were inspected and both achieved Grade A, with no deviations from British Standards. Thanks to our clients for facilitating the audits and trusting us with their security. That’s the bar we set, and it’s a credit to the whole team.

🔧 Empowering Through Knowledge

In line with our commitment to empower people with knowledge — not just systems — I hosted a Breakfast Briefing in Lisburn to explore the key changes in BS5839-1:2025 and Part E of the NI Building Regulations. Will Lloyd, Head of Technical at the FIA, delivered the technical detail on BS5839-1, and I shared the practical implications of the Part E updates for fire safety across NI.

I am very proud that Diamond is regarded as a thought leader — the people you turn to when you want clarity, not complexity.

That’s why we also formally launched our Design Service this month — providing consultant engineers with access to:

• Full fire alarm system design
• Design support and specification guidance
• Design verification and compliance assurance

We are the people who make it easier to get life safety and security right — from the start. With industry-leading design qualifications within our team, we can be trusted to deliver.

🌍 Broadening Our Impact

We were delighted to exhibit at the All Ireland Sustainability Summit in June, showcasing the P50 fire extinguishers — a low maintenance, eco-friendly option that challenges the throwaway culture of traditional extinguishers. Big thanks to Fiona Mitchell for helping on the stand and being part of our mission to promote more sustainable fire safety solutions.

I also had a number of productive meetings with new partners and manufacturers this month. As we continue to grow and evolve, it’s important to work with suppliers who share our values around innovation, quality, and compliance.

And for a little fun outside the fire and security world, I was invited to attend the Cultra Motorsport Festival by Porsche Centre Belfast — a lovely day out and a reminder of the synergy between precision engineering and performance in both our industries.

🌱 The Power of Slowing Down

I’ve learned that you can’t lead effectively if you’re running on empty. So I made wellness a priority for myself and for our team this month — not as a “nice to have”, but as fuel for what’s ahead.

• I’ve started weekly yoga sessions at my local leisure centre.
• I welcomed Ciaran May from Natural Resilience to speak to the team about stress, mindset and practical wellbeing — a brilliant session that’s still being talked about.
• I joined Natural Resilience’s ‘Breaking Bread’ and ‘Rising Tide’ events — spaces that gave me the breathing room to reflect, connect with others, and reset.
• I spent a restorative day at Lucille Cassidy’s amazing studio in Glenavy with some of the women from our May Donegal retreat — reconnecting with myself and my circle of support.

All of this helped me slow down properly when I finally stepped away for a family holiday in Spain. The beach, the headspace, the sun — all of it left me feeling recharged and ready to lead again.

📸 Finally Updating the Headshots

This month I also did something I’ve been putting off for far too long — I got new headshots taken by Annette Burke at 4ever Photos. She made me feel completely relaxed (not easy when you don’t love being in front of a camera!) and I’m honestly delighted with the results. They’re already starting to appear across our platforms — and they actually feel like me.

💭 Looking Ahead

June was about growth — both strategic and personal. We raised the standard in how we deliver, how we support our clients, and how we look after each other. And we did it without losing sight of who we are: a proud, local company leading the way in life safety and security — with heart.

Thanks for reading. If you’ve found yourself sprinting this year without pause, I highly recommend building in the space to breathe. There’s power in the pause.

Angela

We’re delighted to share the fantastic news that our fourth year apprentice, Chris Bradford, has successfully completed his EAL Level 3 NVQ in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems with South Eastern Regional College (SERC).

Since joining Diamond Systems in 2021, Chris has shown impressive dedication and a strong desire to learn and grow. Chris was the first ever apprentice to go through our Diamond Development Plan, a 90 day onboarding programme that gives our new apprentices a flying start.

Over the course of his qualification, Chris has demonstrated his ability to:

• Install and commission fire detection and alarm systems
• Communicate effectively with customers
• Follow health and safety best practices
• Conduct maintenance, fault-finding, and technical audits in real-world settings

Chris completed practical modules at a range of client sites, showing real commitment to mastering each element of his training — from cable installation and system handovers to method statements and sound level testing.

Chris’ achievement has been further reinforced by a glowing report from his SERC (South Eastern Regional College) lecturer:

“Your understanding of the operational requirements for the site, your ability to communicate effectively with the project manager and myself, demonstrated your knowledge of the system and awareness of health and safety hazards. You are a credit to yourself and Diamond, and you have made great progress over the year.“

The achievement is a significant milestone in Chris’s professional development, and we are incredibly proud to have supported him on this journey. His contribution to the team continues to grow, and we’re excited to see what he’ll do next as a fully qualified member of our engineering team.

Well done, Chris – you’ve earned it!

We were delighted to exhibit at the All Ireland Sustainability Summit in Belfast – a fantastic day packed with inspiring conversations, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to building a more sustainable future for businesses across the island of Ireland.

At the Diamond Systems stand, we showcased our eco-friendly, low-maintenance P50 Fire Extinguishers from Britannia Fire Ltd. These extinguishers are a powerful alternative to traditional models – requiring no annual servicing from a third party and lasting up to 20 years. It’s a simple switch with a significant environmental impact.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello. We hope you left with fresh ideas on how fire and security systems can help drive your sustainability agenda, rather than hold it back.

If you missed us on the day – or didn’t get a chance to take our quick quiz – you can still find out how sustainable your fire and security systems are by taking our scorecard here:
👉 Click to take the quiz

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Five Quick Sustainability Wins for Smarter Fire & Security

For businesses serious about reducing their environmental impact without compromising on safety, here are five easy wins we shared at the event:

🔥 Use one trusted fire and security partner
Fewer contractors = fewer site visits = lower emissions.

💻 Choose a provider with remote servicing capabilities
Embrace digital diagnostics to reduce travel and carbon output.

🧯 Ditch PFAS foam extinguishers in favour of P50s
No toxic chemicals. No annual engineer servicing. Just smart.

📱 Expect software like Uptick for real-time access to reports
Digital records eliminate paper waste and reduce admin overhead.

🚨 Cut false alarms and unnecessary callouts
Upgrading to intelligent detectors and using BAFE-approved companies reduces false alarms and NIFRS attendance.

Each of these actions might seem small, but together, they create meaningful impact – for your carbon footprint, your compliance, and your bottom line.

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And the Winner Is…

Congratulations to Sara Allen from Magheramore Estate, winner of our event prize draw! Sara takes home a Home Safety Pack including a fire blanket, carbon monoxide detector, and first aid kit. 👏👏👏

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If you’re ready to make your fire and security setup more sustainable, we’d love to help. From high-quality systems to expert advice and ongoing support, Diamond Systems is proud to lead the way in combining innovation, compliance and environmental responsibility.

Let’s protect people, property, and the planet — together. 🌍

On the morning of 17th June 2025, we welcomed fire alarm designers, specifiers, engineers, and end users from across Northern Ireland to our Breakfast Briefing on the newly updated BS 5839-1:2025 standard and changes to NI Building Regulations Technical Booklet E. The beautiful T3 Conference Centre in Lisburn was our venue, unique in that the room hire rate is donated entirely to charity.

With significant fire safety updates now in force, including revised competency requirements and updated detection guidance for sleeping risks, staying informed is essential for anyone involved in fire detection and alarm system design, installation or maintenance.

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Industry Insight Straight from the Experts

We were delighted to host Will Lloyd from the Fire Industry Association (FIA), who made the journey to Belfast to deliver an in-depth and engaging presentation on the changes to BS 5839-1 – the British Standard for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings.

Some of the topics Will covered included:

• 🔧 Revised competency definitions
• 📋 Variations and zone plans
• 📶 Alarm transmission and class change systems
• 🛏️ Detection changes for L2 sleeping risks
• 🚧 Obstructions (e.g. ductwork)
• 🔍 Accessibility for maintenance
• 🔥 Use of heat detectors and cable requirements
• 🧰 Pink sleeving (Will’s personal highlight!)
• 🚨 Transparent covers on manual call points
• 🧪 Battery calculations
• 🔐 Cybersecurity considerations
• 🔁 Service intervals and system integrity

Fun fact: BS 5839 has been around for 45 years and has only undergone 11 revisions – making this latest version one of the most comprehensive to date.

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Updates to Northern Ireland Building Regulations

Our own Angela Bennett MSc, FCA, Joint Managing Director of Diamond Systems, also provided a clear and concise overview of recent changes to Technical Booklet E, the fire safety guidance within the Northern Ireland Building Regulations.

One of the key updates is the requirement at project handover to provide comprehensive Fire Safety Information to the occupier – and to notify the relevant local council that this has been done. This is a significant change for developers and building control officers alike, reinforcing the importance of clear fire safety communication from project start to finish.

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Staying Compliant, Connected – and Well-Fed!

With a packed room of local engineering consultants and fire safety professionals, it was fantastic to see so many engaged attendees taking proactive steps to stay up to date with legislation and standards.

Events like these help ensure our industry remains informed, compliant, and connected – and they’re a great opportunity to earn CPD hours while enjoying a coffee and a scone!

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Want to Stay in the Loop?

If you’d like to be notified about future Diamond Systems briefings, CPD sessions, or training events, get in touch with our team or follow us on LinkedIn for updates.

Until then, if you’re working on fire alarm designs, make sure you’re working from the 2025 version – and if you need support interpreting the changes or reviewing your specifications, we’re happy to help.

We are delighted to welcome Ian Daniel back to the team!

Ian originally joined Diamond in January 2001 and made a lasting impact before moving on to a new opportunity in November 2019.

With over 30 years of experience in the fire and security industry, Ian brings a wealth of technical knowledge, leadership, and integrity to our newly created role of Technical Manager.

Ian’s role will include responsibility for managing our installation and commissioning projects, extra works and modifications, as well as technical liaison for clients and our team.

He’s been deeply missed by both our team and our clients — and we couldn’t be happier to have him back as part of the Diamond family.

You can contact Ian by emailing ian@diamondsystems.co.uk.

 

Our Joint Managing Directors, Steve Snoddon and Angela Bennett, attended a highly valuable industry event today, organised by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) at the Crowne Plaza Belfast. Steve currently sits on the FIA Services Council, which represents the companies which design, install, commission and maintain fire detection and alarm systems and fire extinguishing products and systems.

The briefing focused on the newly revised BS 5839-1:2025, and included informative presentations from Will Lloyd and Neil Budd of the FIA, as well as Ken Bullock from BAFE, who spoke on the topic of competency. It was also great to meet Michael Gregg, Training Manager at the FIA, with whom we have made many bookings for training!

It was a packed day full of expert insight, practical guidance, and discussion around how the revised Code of Practice will impact the fire safety industry.

Key Purposes of the Event:

• Gain expert guidance on the latest industry changes
• Understand how the updates to BS 5839-1:2025 affect compliance
• Explore the implications for training and certification
• Enhance professional development and demonstrate competence

Now that the new revision is in effect, it’s vital for everyone involved in fire alarm design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance to stay informed and up to date.

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Key Takeaways from the Day

• Clause numbers have been reformatted for clarity – lots of work to be done updating documentation including certs
• Competency has been redefined (training + experience +CPD)
• Some departures from the standard can no longer be listed as variations – e.g., no zone plan; no ARC connection for supported housing and residential care premises
• Stairway lobbies are no longer exempt under areas of low fire risk
• L2 systems in buildings with sleeping risk (e.g., hotels) now require more stringent design considerations – get in touch for details
• A new section on Extensions and Modifications has been introduced
• Numerous subtle changes affecting every stage from design to maintenance

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Intelligent Procurement of Fire Alarm Services

Procurement of fire detection and alarm services for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance should involve the careful selection of a fire alarm specialist who is on the BAFE Fire Safety Register. BAFE Scheme 203-1 covers Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (Design, Installation, Commissioning, Maintenance).

BAFE scheme 203-1 companies have until 1st November 2025 to ensure the lead technician for each of the modules undertaken (design, installation, commissioning and maintenance) hold the new Level 3 qualifications. At Diamond Systems, we’re already ahead:

• Our Lead Technicians are already qualified under the various aspects of the modular scheme – covering fire alarm installation, commissioning, and maintenance
• Steve Snoddon was among the first certified in the new Design Qualification back in 2021
• Jonathan McPolin, our Systems Design Technician also holds the Design Qualification (since August 2022)
• Angela Bennett recently completed the Level 3 Fundamentals Qualification, tailored for those from a non-technical background or who are starting out on their qualification pathway

We’re strong supporters of FIA training and the ongoing push toward industry-wide competency. As BAFE rightly said today: “Having the lead technician qualified is only the beginning.” We agree – and we’d love to see the requirements continue to go further.

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For Designers and Specifiers

Fire alarm systems (in non-domestic premises) designed after 29 April 2025 should be designed in line with the 2025 version of BS 5839-1, unless stipulated otherwise via contract.

If you need help navigating the changes, get in touch with Diamond Systems for design support and design verification.