Optimal Fire & Security Ltd

14/09/2026

A project we’re incredibly proud to have delivered.

It’s fantastic to see our work at Mary
Hare School, Newbury recognised and featured by Aiphone as an official case study.

Optimal Fire & Security was responsible for the consultation, design, supply, integration, installation and commissioning of the complete electronic entrance-control and security solution, and we continue to provide ongoing service and maintenance support today.

This became one of the most technically involved integrations we’ve undertaken since establishing Optimal, bringing together Aiphone two-way IP video intercom, Paxton Net2 access control, Hikvision ANPR and CCTV, Ubiquiti wireless network infrastructure, bespoke control equipment and vehicle barrier integration.

Accessibility was fundamental to the design.

Mary Hare needed staff and visitors to be able to see one another clearly at both ends of an intercom call, allowing lip-reading and sign language to be used naturally. The Aiphone IX | IXG solution provided the large, clear two-way video interface required and was an important part of making the overall solution work for the school. Aiphone highlights this requirement prominently in its own case study.

A special thank you also goes to Graham Storer and the team at Metafence, who installed the vehicle barrier systems and originally introduced Optimal to Mary Hare to develop the electronic control and security solution around them. would share Aiphone’s post with this:

A project we’re incredibly proud to have delivered.

It’s fantastic to see our work at Mary Hare School, Newbury recognised and featured by Aiphone as an official case study.

Optimal Fire & Security was responsible for the consultation, design, supply, integration, installation and commissioning of the complete electronic entrance-control and security solution, and we continue to provide ongoing service and maintenance support today.

This became one of the most technically involved integrations we’ve undertaken since establishing Optimal, bringing together Aiphone two-way IP video intercom, Paxton Net2 access control, Hikvision ANPR and CCTV, Ubiquiti wireless network infrastructure, bespoke control equipment and vehicle barrier integration.

Accessibility was fundamental to the design.

Mary Hare needed staff and visitors to be able to see one another clearly at both ends of an intercom call, allowing lip-reading and sign language to be used naturally. The Aiphone IX | IXG solution provided the large, clear two-way video interface required and was an important part of making the overall solution work for the school. Aiphone highlights this requirement prominently in its own case study.

A special thank you also goes to Graham Storer and the team at Metafence, who installed the vehicle barrier systems and originally introduced Optimal to Mary Hare to develop the electronic control and security solution around them.

Thank you to Aiphone for recognising the project and to Mary Hare School for trusting us to deliver it.

We’ll be publishing our own full case study shortly, looking behind the scenes at the engineering and integration that brought the complete system together.

Very proud of this one.



Thank you to Aiphone for recognising the project and to Mary Hare School for trusting us to deliver it.

We’ll be publishing our own full case study shortly, looking behind the scenes at the engineering and integration that brought the complete system together.

Very proud of this one.



https://www.aiphone.com/case-study/mary-hare-school/

Discover how effective school intercom system installation enhances security for students and staff at Mary Hare School in Berkshire, UK.

08/08/2026

🎉 CELEBRATING 12 YEARS OF OPTIMAL FIRE & SECURITY! 🎉

This year marks 12 years since Optimal Fire & Security began in 2014 — and we’re incredibly proud of how far the business has come.

What started as a small independent fire and security company has grown through hard work, experience and a genuine commitment to providing our clients with a professional, reliable and personal service.

Today, our team brings together the skills and expertise to design, install, integrate, service and maintain a wide range of fire and security systems, including:

🔥 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
🔐 Intruder Alarm Systems
🚪 Access Control & Door Entry
📹 CCTV / Video Surveillance
📡 Remote Monitoring
⚙️ Integrated Fire & Security Solutions

But reaching 12 years isn’t just about us.

A huge thank you to our long-standing clients who have trusted and supported Optimal year after year, and to all of our newer clients who continue to put their confidence in us. Your continued business genuinely means a great deal to the whole team.

We’d also like to thank the businesses we collaborate with, our suppliers, manufacturers and industry partners. Those relationships play an important part in enabling us to deliver the quality, expertise and service we expect from ourselves.

And, of course, a massive thank you to the Optimal team. 👏

We remain proudly independent, BAFE registered, SSAIB certified and members of the Fire Industry Association, continuing to invest in our knowledge, training and technical capabilities as the industry evolves.

12 years of expertise, dedication, innovation and reliability — and we’re looking forward to the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Optimal journey so far. 💙

Optimal Fire & Security Ltd
Design • Installation • Service • Maintenance • Integration

📞 0118 967 6194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk

13/07/2026

At Optimal Fire & Security, we provide professional fire alarm installation, servicing and ongoing maintenance for schools, colleges and other educational premises.

This project included an addressable fire alarm control panel, a clear zonal layout drawing, manual call points and fire action notices to help ensure staff, students and visitors have clear instructions in an emergency.

From new installations and system upgrades through to routine servicing and maintenance, we help educational establishments keep their fire alarm systems reliable, compliant and ready when needed.

08/07/2026

Great visit to Controlsoft today for access control technical development.

A big thank you to Alex Jeffries for delivering an excellent and very informative session, and to Keelan Van de Merwe and Ed Fryer for the fantastic hospitality throughout the day.

At Optimal Fire & Security Ltd, we are always looking to strengthen our knowledge of high-quality systems that can support our clients with reliable access control, advanced access control software, integration solutions, lockdown functionality, and wider site security requirements.

Controlsoft offers an excellent access control platform, with powerful software capabilities and strong integration options that make it a really impressive solution for a wide range of sites and applications.

Attending from Optimal Fire & Security Ltd were David Bray, Sam Barnes, and David Gaskell.

Thanks again to the Controlsoft team — very much appreciated.

Controlsoft: www.controlsoft.com
Optimal Fire & Security Ltd: www.optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk

21/06/2026

⚠️ EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE PREPAREDNESS ⚠️

With reports highlighting the possibility of power infrastructure being affected by extreme temperatures, now is a good time to review your contingency plans.

Many fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV systems and access control systems incorporate battery backup. However, battery backup is designed to provide temporary resilience and may not be adequate for prolonged power outages.

If your premises experience an extended loss of power, consider:

✅ Reviewing fire and emergency procedures

✅ Ensuring keyholder and emergency contact details are up to date

✅ Checking emergency lighting and fire alarm systems are operational

✅ Confirming emergency keys, override devices and manual access arrangements are available

✅ Increasing staff vigilance, site inspections and lock-up checks

✅ Considering temporary security patrols or manned guarding for higher-risk or unoccupied premises

✅ Reviewing business continuity arrangements and staff responsibilities

✅ Verifying any UPS, generator or backup power systems are operational and fuelled

As standby batteries become depleted, physical security measures, regular site attendance and staff awareness may become the primary means of protecting your premises.

Preparation today can help maintain the safety and security of your people, property and business during any prolonged power interruption.

📞 0118 967 6194

📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk

21/06/2026

🔧 IS YOUR ALARM DUE FOR MAINTENANCE?

Your intruder alarm system is protecting your property 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Like any important safety or security system, regular maintenance helps ensure it continues to operate reliably when you need it most.

A routine maintenance visit allows us to:

✅ Check detectors, door contacts and warning devices
✅ Test standby batteries and power supplies
✅ Verify signalling and communication equipment (where fitted)
✅ Identify potential issues before they become faults
✅ Review any recurring activations or system concerns
✅ Help maintain compliance with current standards and insurance requirements

Many faults can be identified and rectified before they result in unwanted activations, system downtime or costly emergency call-outs.

For our maintained customers, we actively schedule routine service visits to help ensure systems remain in good working order and certification requirements are met where applicable.

If your system hasn’t been serviced recently, or you’re unsure when it was last checked, we’d be happy to help.

📞 0118 967 6194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk

Optimal Fire & Security Ltd
SSAIB Certificated • BAFE Registered Organisation • FIA Member

Protecting People, Property & Peace of Mind.

21/06/2026

☀️ HEATWAVE SECURITY TIP ☀️

With temperatures expected to reach extreme levels this week, some intruder alarm systems may be more susceptible to environmental changes than usual.

Alarm detectors are designed to monitor changes within a protected area. Rapid temperature fluctuations, direct sunlight, draughts, open windows, fans and air conditioning can all create turbulent environmental conditions that may increase the likelihood of unwanted alarm activations.

To help reduce the risk of false alarms during the heatwave:

✅ Keep protected areas as stable as possible
✅ Close blinds or curtains where strong sunlight enters
✅ Avoid direct sunlight shining onto detectors
✅ Avoid fans or air conditioning blowing directly towards sensors
✅ Keep windows and doors closed when the system is armed
✅ Contact us if you experience repeated activations

A stable environment helps your alarm system operate as intended and reduces the risk of nuisance alarms.

If you have any concerns about your intruder alarm system, please get in touch with our team.

📞 0118 967 6194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk

17/06/2026

Investing in Quality, Accuracy & Compliance

The tools don’t make the engineer, but the right tools certainly help.

We’ve recently upgraded our multimeters to new calibrated Fluke units for our engineers. Accurate and reliable test equipment is essential when commissioning, maintaining and fault-finding fire and security systems.

As part of our ongoing commitment to quality and compliance, all of our test equipment is independently calibrated by a third-party UKAS-accredited calibration provider, operating to ISO 9001:2015 quality standards. This gives us documented traceability and confidence that our instruments are performing accurately and within specification.

It’s a small investment behind the scenes, but one that helps us continue delivering the professional service our clients rely on.

🔧 Independently calibrated test equipment
🔧 Traceable measurement accuracy
🔧 Reliable results
🔧 Professional standards

30/04/2026

Great catching up with ARC Monitoring at The Security Event today.

We use ARC Monitoring for dual-path signalling on monitored fire and intruder alarm systems, so it was great to catch up with the team behind the service that helps support our customers.

Great day at the NEC with the Optimal team.

23/03/2026

Another day keeping our clients systems operational in some lovely surroundings. We carry out fire alarm, CCTV, intruder alarm and access control service and maintenance, working across schools and businesses, always aiming to keep disruption to a minimum.