Commercial Fire Alarm Installation

Every business has a duty to protect the people in its building, and a well-designed fire alarm is at the heart of that. Crystal Smart & Security designs and installs wired and wireless fire alarm systems to BS 5839-1 for offices, shops, hospitality venues and landlords. We're based in Cardiff and work with businesses nationwide.

As members of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), with FireQual-qualified engineers, we treat fire detection as a life-safety system first, not just another piece of kit on the wall.

Fire alarms designed around your building

No two premises are the same. Before we recommend anything, we visit your site, look at how the building is laid out and used, and talk through who is in it and when. From there we design a system to BS 5839-1 that fits your premises, your fire risk assessment and the way you work.

• A site visit to understand your layout, occupancy and risks
• System design to BS 5839-1, the British Standard for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises
• Clear advice on the right category of system for your building
• A written design and documentation you can keep on file

Wired fire alarm systems: conventional and addressable

Wired systems remain the backbone of fire detection in many commercial buildings, and we install both main types.

Conventional (zoned) systems split your building into zones. When a detector or call point activates, the panel shows which zone it's in, and your team checks that area. They're straightforward and cost-effective, and they often suit smaller premises such as shops, small offices, cafés and pubs.

Addressable systems give every detector, call point and sounder its own address, so the panel shows exactly which device has activated and where. That means faster responses, easier fault-finding and more flexibility as your building changes. They tend to suit larger or more complex sites, such as multi-storey offices, hotels and multi-occupancy buildings.

We work with panels and devices from established manufacturers including Kentec, C-TEC and Advanced, and every wired system is designed, installed and commissioned to BS 5839-1 by our FireQual-qualified engineers.

Why choose a wireless EN 54 fire alarm?

Wireless fire alarm systems certified to EN 54 meet the same European product standards as wired systems, but without running cable through every room. For many commercial buildings, that makes a real difference.

• Less disruption: far less drilling, chasing and making good, so you can keep trading while we work
• Faster installs: fewer cable runs usually means less time on site
• Ideal for listed and finished buildings: protect premises where cabling would be difficult or unsightly
• Easy to extend: add detectors, call points and sounders as your building or layout changes
• Fully compliant: EN 54 certified devices, designed and installed to BS 5839-1

Wired or wireless? We'll recommend what suits your building

There's no one right answer. Wired systems suit new builds, refurbishments and larger sites where cabling is practical; wireless EN 54 systems suit occupied, finished or listed buildings where disruption needs to be kept to a minimum. Some premises benefit from a mix of both. After your site visit, we'll explain the options honestly and recommend the system that fits your building, your fire risk assessment and the way you work.

Who we install fire alarms for

We work with businesses of all sizes across the UK, including:

• Offices and shared workspaces
• Shops and retail units
• Hospitality venues such as restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels
• Landlords with commercial or multi-occupancy buildings

If your premises don't fit neatly into one of these, get in touch anyway. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.

What's included in an installation

• Site survey and system design
• Supply and installation of the control panel, detectors, manual call points and sounders, wired or wireless
• Commissioning and testing of the full system
• Handover, including how to carry out your weekly alarm test
• Certification and documentation for your records

Once your system is in, it needs regular servicing to stay compliant. We can look after that too with our fire alarm servicing and maintenance contracts .

One team for fire and security

Many of our clients also use us for CCTV, intruder alarms and access control. Keeping fire and security with one provider means one point of contact, joined-up servicing and fewer site visits. See our commercial CCTV and security systems .

Frequently asked questions

Do wireless fire alarms meet the British Standards?

Yes. Wireless systems that use EN 54 certified devices can be designed and installed to BS 5839-1, the same standard that applies to wired systems.

What's the difference between a conventional and an addressable fire alarm?

A conventional system divides your building into zones, so the panel tells you which zone has activated. An addressable system identifies each individual device, showing exactly where the alarm or fault is. Conventional often suits smaller premises; addressable usually suits larger or more complex buildings. We install both and will recommend the right one after a site visit.

Do you install fire alarms outside Cardiff?

Yes. We're based in Cardiff and install commercial fire alarm systems for businesses nationwide.

How long does a commercial fire alarm installation take?

It depends on the size and layout of your building. Wireless systems usually need less time on site than wired ones. We'll give you a clear timescale after the site visit.

Can you add to or upgrade an existing fire alarm system?

Often, yes. We'll assess your current system during a site visit and advise whether it can be extended or upgraded, or whether a new system makes more sense.

Do I need my fire alarm serviced after it's installed?

Yes. BS 5839-1:2025 recommends servicing at intervals of about six months. We offer maintenance contracts so it's taken care of; see our fire alarm servicing page.

Book a fire alarm site visit

Tell us about your premises and we'll arrange a site visit to design the right system. Call 02920 029200 or book a site visit online .

Crystal Smart & Security Ltd · 5 Watermark, Ferry Road, Cardiff CF11 0JU · 02920 02920 0