Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question and looking for answers? Hopefully we can answer them below!

Shortcut to questions

Yes! We do offer free no obligation surveys and quotations. All quotes will comply with the relevant British Standards Institution. Please click here if you would like a free survey and/or quotation.

A home security system will act as a deterrent to any potential intruder. The security system will also bring you peace of mind that your property is protected at all times when used correctly and that you or a key holder will be immediately notified either via an app or by our central monitoring station if there is a break in.

An Intruder System is primarily designed to detect any unauthorised presence in an area and raise an alarm. Abel strive through good design to reduce, if not eliminate, potential risks and false activations. We consider the day-to-day business use of the premises or the occupant’s lifestyle, to ensure that the system meets the security requirements of the client, remains cost effective, user-friendly and trouble free!

A service contract ensures that your system will be tested and serviced by one our engineers once/twice per year. The benefits from a service contract is that if during the visit we find a failure or recommend replacing a component, you will only pay for the part and there will be no additional charges.

In addition, if you need to call us out, the call out rate is cheaper and our engineers are available 24/7. We can dispatch an engineer to your home within four hours or less.

Installation times vary for each system and depend on whether you decide to go for a wireless system or a wired system.

Wireless systems have come on a long way in recent years so if you don’t have existing wiring in your house we would typically complete a wireless system installation in a semi-detached property within half a day. At the end of the process we would then go through the system with you and answer any questions that you may have.

For business installations this may take a little longer, as the installation time depends on the size of the premises and how easy it is to install the cables neatly and to regulations.

No, you do not need to wait in while the installation is being completed. You will need to let our engineers into your property and from there our engineers will call and update you throughout the installation with notice of when they will be finished. You can arrange a time to come back to the home where our engineer will give you a quick demonstration of how the system works.

We are following Government guidelines and our engineers are being given as much guidance from their line managers as possible. Our engineers will be adhering to the social distancing guidelines and will wear gloves and masks during the installation. They will also be carrying anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizer to use.

You can contact us through our contact form or via email. Or you can go to our social media pages and message us directly.

Fire

We have vast experience in the design, installation and servicing of fire alarm systems. We supply, install and service all systems to BAFE standards. Our fire systems include:

  • Heat and Smoke Detection
  • Smoke Beams
  • Aspirating Systems
  • Wire Free Detection
  • Visual Alarm Devices
  • Remote Monitoring
  • Fire and Rescue Service Signalling
  • Suppression Systems
  • Voice Evacuation
  • Disabled Refuge

Modern fire detection and alarms systems can incorporate a high degree of monitoring but it is vital that regular tests are carried out to ensure that the system operates as designed.

For domestic premises, all grades of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems need to be tested periodically, so that unreleased faults are identified, and in the case of more complex systems, so that preventative measures can be taken to ensure the continued reliability of the system.

Recommendations:

Grade A – Are to be tested by the user weekly and inspected and serviced by a competent person at periods not exceeding 6 months in accordance with the recommendations of BS5839 -1:2017.

The grades below are to be tested monthly by the user and inspected and serviced by a competent person at periods not exceeding 12 months for a sheltered housing scheme or as per manufacture recommendations.

Grade C – Fire detectors and fire alarms supplied with power from a common PSU, with central control equipment

Grade D – Mains powered smoke alarms, heat alarms or multi-sensor alarms with standby supplies

Grade F – Battery powered smoke alarms, heat alarms or multi-sensor alarms

For non-domestic premises it is recommended that the user carrier out a weekly test.  Each week a manual call point should be operated during normal working hours and it is good practice to test a different call point each week, this will ensure that all call points are tested in rotation over a period of time.

We also recommend periodic inspection and services to be carried out by a competent person at every six months. In larger or higher risk fire systems this may be reduced to quarterly servicing, or less depending on the advice in the Fire Risk Assessment for the premises. (BS5839 – 1:2017)

You should test your alarm once per week, testing a different call point each time. The result of this test should be recorded. It should also be tested twice a year by an engineer/approved person.

Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire. To do this you must assess all risks and establish general fire precautions. Please click here to learn more about fire risk assessments.

Yes, regular servicing of Emergency Lighting is essential. Due to the possibility of a failure of the normal lighting supply occurring shortly after a period of test the emergency lighting (or during the recharge period), it is recommended that all full duration tests should be carried out at a time of low risk to allow for full battery recharge

Alternatively, suitable temporary arrangements shall be made until the batteries have been recharged.

The owner/occupier of the premises shall appoint a competent person to supervise the servicing of the systems. The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out at the intervals recommended below. The regulating authority may require specific tests.

Daily Inspections of indicators to identify that the system is in a ready condition.

Month Emergency Lighting Tests: All emergency lighting systems must be tested monthly. The test is a short function test in accordance with BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8. The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this test while minimising damage to the system components, for example lamps. During this period, all luminaires and signs shall be checked to ensure that they are present, cleans and functioning correctly.

Annual Emergency Lighting Tests: A test for the full rated duration of the emergency lights (e.g. 3 hours) must be carried out. The emergency lights must still be working at the end of this test.

The result of the monthly and annual tests must be recorded and, if failures are detected, these must be remedied as soon as possible.

Yes it should be tested once per month to ensure that it is working and the findings of the test recorded in a fire log book.  It should also be tested twice a year by an engineer/approved person.

Intruder

Even if security isn’t your primary concern, anyone and everyone can benefit from a home security system. No matter how friendly or ‘nice’ your neighbourhood is, a home security system will provide you with additional peace of mind.

No, if your system is serviced regularly then the backup battery in the control panel will keep the system running during a temporary power outage. Once power is restored the battery will charge back up

Yes! Most of our new systems now come with an app function that you can control through a phone or tablet. If you have an older system, we may have to update the control panel and keypad to one that supports an app function. In addition, there are CCTV systems that we can install that will allow you to view your cameras with the same app.

Most common causes are cables being damaged during building works, or water getting in to components and corroding connections. All devices have tamper switches on them to detect if they have been disturbed or damaged intentionally.

A home security system can do more than alert you of an intrusion, with the continuous development of smart technology, you can remotely check in on the house from virtually anywhere and even control things such as smart blinds and lights to create the illusion that someone is home.

If there is a light flashing on your intruder alarm please contact one of our team on 08448 002277. They will often be able to rectify the issue over the phone and if not they can advise if an engineer is required.

Yes, there are pet friendly detectors which can be fitted on request. Our pet immune motion detectors detect the weight of the pet (in kgs) and will significantly reduce the likelihood of a false alarm.

If you plan to move in the next few years, make sure to get a security system that can move with you. One of our engineer’s will be able to discuss this if/when the time comes.

CCTV

67% of burglars in the UK have stated that CCTV would deter them from targeting a property. When protecting your home and your family, our high-definition CCTV cameras mean that there is no place for opportunists/ intruders to hide!

All cameras should be out of reach so that they cannot easily be knocked down or vandalised by intruders. Have exterior cameras installed at a second-story level at main access points i.e. front and back doors and windows which are not easily seen from the street.

While both types of cameras often look similar, external cameras need to be able to cope with all types of weather and varying light conditions. External cameras also tend to be more susceptible to being tampered with, therefore, are typically made of more durable materials or housed in casing.

From reduced theft and vandalism to an improved insurance premium there are many advantages of having CCTV for Commercial use. Click here to read our top 5 benefits of CCTV for Commercial use.

Home Automation

A smart home is a home that has most of its devices interconnected through Wi-Fi, such as lighting, heating and electronics. You have the ability to control all functions within the smart home through a smart phone or tablet.

We have products to match all budgets! We recommend having a smart thermostat installed to reduce your house hold energy bills.

Space is a big factor! Ask yourself, have you got room for a large projector screen and a couple of seating rows? If not, we may still be able to specify the right system for your space and for your budget. An entry level home cinema can be based around your existing widescreen TV, this paired up with a sound bar and subwoofer will instantly upgrade your cinema experience.

Controlled with a single button press, you are able to open and close your blinds remotely from your smartphone whilst you are away, creating the illusion that you are there.

As many as you want!

  1. Convenience – you can manage all of your home devices from one device.
  2. Energy Efficient – you have the ability to control overall and individual room temperatures at chosen times.
  3. Safety – you can check to see who is approaching the property or if you have remembered to secure it.
  4. Remote control home functions – you can enable the lights to be on to give the appearance that someone is home when you are away.

There are lots of great benefits! You will be able to control the lighting, blinds and temperature from a phone, tablet or smart speaker. There is also a panic button feature, which notifies neighbours and relatives when activated.

Yes, Abel has worked hard over the years to achieve and maintain several industry accreditations, including:

  • National Security Inspectorate (NSI) – Gold Award for Design, Installation and Maintenance of Electronic Security Systems, which included Access Control, CCTV and Intruder Alarm Systems.
  • NSI Gold Award for Monitoring of Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms, Detector Activated CCTV Systems and other CCTV Systems used in Security Applications
  • BAFE SP203-1 – Design, Installation, Commissioning/Handover and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
  • Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) – The ECA is a driving force in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry. The ECA Is pivotal in improving industry standards
  • Safe Contractor – The UK’s leading Health and Safety Accreditation
  • Construction Line – Assessment and validation of Health and Safety management
  • Achilles – UVDB is the utility industry pre-qualification system used across the UK. Working closely with key buying organisations in the sector

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