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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.

We spent an inspiring morning at the HM Chartered Accountants NI Family Business Forum in W5 Belfast, celebrating 10 years of connecting and supporting family-owned businesses across Northern Ireland.

As a second-generation family business, Diamond  understands the unique blend of challenges and rewards that come with growing a company while safeguarding its legacy. Events like these are a brilliant opportunity to hear from others on the same journey, share experiences, and take fresh ideas back to the team.

It was great to hear from the speakers, including Mark Hutchinson CDir, another second-generation leader, on the importance of vision, courage, and surrounding yourself with trusted advisors.

A special publication celebrating ten years of the Forum was distributed at the event, which our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett was delighted to contribute to, having been a regular attendee at previous Forum events.

Always lovely to catch up with familiar faces, including Dr Keith Millar and Dr Ian Smyth from Ulster University Business School, and many of the incredible business owners who make this community so strong. Angela is pictured with Tracy Hamilton MBE, Director at Mash Direct.

A big thank you to HM Chartered Accountants and Ulster University for hosting such a valuable event.

This autumn, we’ve been busy supporting one of our GB-based partners with a Northern Ireland–wide rollout of P50 fire extinguishers for a major retail chain.

The retail chain selected the P50 for its sustainability, safety, and lifecycle cost savings, and who could blame them!

Keep an eye out for the P50s the next time you are out shopping.

On top of that, we’ve seen a steady stream of P50 extinguisher orders coming in across every kind of setting.

From farms and offices to vehicle fleets and apartment developments, where safety, performance, and compliance are non-negotiable.

It’s great to see more organisations embracing innovation in fire protection, choosing solutions that are not only safer but also better for the environment.

If you’d like to learn more about the P50 fire extinguisher or book a demo, get in touch with our team today.

Diamond Systems is pleased to announce the appointment of Conor McCreesh as Junior Sales Executive, supporting the continued growth of our life safety and compliance offering across Northern Ireland.

Conor will play a key role in helping organisations enhance workplace safety through our expanding range of products and services, including:

• P50 fire extinguishers
• Evacuation solutions
• Defibrillators
• Fire risk assessments
• Fire warden and compliance training

His focus will be on engaging with new and existing customers to ensure they have the right safety measures in place to protect people and remain compliant with regulatory requirements.

A graduate of Ulster University with a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate, Conor brings valuable experience from one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial property consultancies. His background in residential and commercial valuations, property management, and lease negotiations gives him a strong understanding of the needs and challenges faced by building owners and facilities teams.

Conor has already brought great energy to the business and is engaging proactively with clients as he grows his knowledge of our technology-led fire and security solutions. His arrival further strengthens Diamond Systems’ commitment to delivering excellent service and innovative products to customers across all sectors.

We look forward to supporting Conor as he develops his career with Diamond Systems and helps more organisations create safer, better-protected environments.

If you would like to speak to Conor about improving safety in your workplace, you can contact him directly at:
conor.mccreesh@DiamondSystems.co.uk

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

“September has been a whirlwind month for me, packed with progress, people, and plenty of sparkle at a few black tie events. From new team members and two trips to London, to audits and training, it’s been a reminder of how important strong networks and continuous learning are – both for Diamond and for me personally.

The Next Generation of Talent

The month started on a high as we welcomed Josh, our new apprentice, who joined Diamond Systems on 1st September. He’s already settling in brilliantly, and it’s fantastic to see the next generation of talent beginning their journey with us. In October we’ll be joined by our new Junior Sales Executive, further strengthening our safety products and training division – exciting times ahead. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is creating additional employment, and giving young people a start in a solid career.

I am a big believer in paying it forward, so this month I signed up as a mentor with SistersIN, a wonderful initiative that connects female leaders with young women still at school. It’s a privilege to support and encourage the next generation as they shape their future careers. I didn’t have a mentor at school, or university (outside of family members), but I have had plenty since. Mentorship is a fantastic way to grow and challenge yourself, and it also holds you accountable and makes you more receptive to feedback.

Projects and Performance

September saw us commence a Northern Ireland-wide rollout of P50 fire extinguishers for a major retail chain, on behalf of one of our GB based partners. The retail chain selected the P50 for its sustainability, safety, and life cycle cost saving, and who could blame them. Keep an eye out for the P50s the next time you are out shopping. On top of that, we’ve seen a steady stream of P50 extinguisher orders coming in across every kind of setting, from farms and offices, to vehicle fleets and apartment developments. It is good to see Northern Ireland embracing this innovation, even though we are around 10 years behind the P50’s adoption in GB.

On the compliance front, we retained a Grade A in our annual Health & Safety Audit – our 20th year as members of the Safe-T-Cert scheme. As our projects take us everywhere from new construction sites to residential homes, health and safety is a vital aspect of the planning and delivery of our work. Our NSI Fire Audit also fell into September, this time the focus was one of our recent major projects within an education setting. Three times per year NSI Inspectors visit our company to audit our completed projects across security and fire, and review our paperwork and certification, ensuring the highest compliance with the Codes of Practice and NSI Gold Scheme rules.

Networking and Industry Events

Networking has been a big theme for me this month (when is it ever not?!)  I have recently rejoined the Institute of Directors and attended their annual dinner in Belfast, which was a fantastic evening of connection and conversation. I also enjoyed a busy calendar of client meetings with ADS members following the brilliant Stormont ADS event earlier in the month, which commemorated the Battle of Britain. It was truly an honour to be on the guest list for that event, and to meet some of the wonderfully brave people who protect our nation.

A highlight this month was attending the DSEI event in London, where I was hugely impressed by the innovation and strength of the UK defence sector. I particularly enjoyed speaking to the Northern Ireland businesses who were exhibiting there, some of whom are clients of Diamond. It was fascinating to hear about the products and services they supply into the defence sector. Another networking highlight was attending my friend Ciaran May’s Natural Resilience ‘Breaking Bread’ breakfast, with Lady Mary Peters and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Paul Doherty (no relation to our Paul Doherty!), in the beautiful setting of Regency House. It is fantastic to catch up with familiar faces at these events, some of whom also attend Ciaran’s Rising Tide sea dips.

September also saw the Women in Fire Safety Awards in London, which I attended as a guest of Gavin Skelly of Fire Aware. As last year’s UK Woman of the Year, I was honoured to give the opening speech – and it was inspiring to see such talent and commitment across our industry. I have now officialy handed over the title to the 2025 winner, and what a worthy successor in Dr Barbara Lane, one of the most respected voices in fire safety. Her expertise, leadership and role in shaping standards – including her work on the Grenfell Inquiry – make her an inspiration to us all – and inspiration is what these awards are all about!

Whilst in London, I also spent time with our partners at Uptick, the job management platform we use to deliver a seamless experience for our clients. It was great to catch up with the wonderful team, take part in a video interview about our journey with Uptick, and see first-hand how their innovation continues to transform the way fire and security businesses operate. Partnerships like this help us stay ahead – ensuring our clients benefit from both cutting-edge technology and our trusted expertise.

Planning has also been underway this month for November’s NI Safety Group conference, where I’ll be speaking on a panel about Martyn’s Law, alongside other industry voices including Figen Murray. You can now buy tickets for the event on the NISG website.

Learning and Inspiration

The month will finish on a forward-looking note with the AI event at the MAC Theatre: Stop Watching AI from the Sidelines. Start Building It Into Your Business Now. It is set to be a practical, high-energy session full of real-world insights and live demos, with a clear message – AI is here, and it’s time to embrace it. Just as we embrace innovation in fire and security, events like this encourage us to apply the same mindset across every area of business. Our willingness to learn new skills, embrace change, and step into unfamiliar territory helps us grow – both as leaders and as businesses.

Looking Ahead

September was also a month for some final preparations for my upcoming trip to Australia for a close friend’s wedding.

As we head into October, I’m excited to welcome our new Junior Sales Executive to the Diamond team, keep building on the momentum of our projects, and continue finding ways to grow, connect, and inspire.”

Angela