Blake Fire & Security Systems

05/10/2026

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming part of everyday business.
Company vehicles. E-bikes. Power tools. Laptops. Portable equipment. EVs.
But have you considered what happens when one of those batteries starts to fail?

A lithium-ion battery fire doesn't necessarily begin with smoke. Before visible fire appears, a failing cell can release flammable vapour as it enters thermal runaway.
And that creates a problem for conventional Fire Detection.

UK fire brigades attended around 1,760 lithium-ion battery fires in 2025, according to QBE research. That's nearly 4.8 incidents every day, with the number of attended fires up 147% since 2022.

So is your existing Fire Detection strategy actually designed to identify this type of risk?

Our latest article looks at what Responsible Persons need to understand, including:
• Why lithium-ion fires behave differently
• Why conventional smoke detection may not provide the earliest warning
• What BS 5839-1:2025 means for detector selection
• Where off-gas, multi-sensor and aspirating detection can fit
• Why an extinguisher isn't a complete solution
• What you should be reviewing now

The technology is changing. Is your Fire Detection strategy keeping up?

Read the full article: https://www.blakefire-security.co.uk/blog/23-and-rising-why-lithium-ion-battery-fire-is-now-a-workplace-problem/

01/10/2026

💡 What happens when the lights go out at your premises?

Well, if your emergency lighting fails, you’re not just risking safety; you’re breaking the law.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, your building must have a working, maintained emergency lighting system. Fail to comply and you face serious consequences.

At Blake Fire & Security Systems, we’ve protected Billericay businesses for over 40 years. You can expect:

✅ Full surveys tailored to your building
✅ BS 5266-1:2016 compliant system designs
✅ Professional installation by engineers from a BAFE SP203-4 certified company
✅ Ongoing servicing to keep you inspection-ready

We handle it all - so you can get on with your job.

📞 Call 01702 447800
📍 Local, certified and ready to help

30/09/2026

What Really Drives Fire Alarm Costs for Commercial Buildings You want a number. That is fair - you are trying to budget. A Fire Alarm quote can feel like a boiler quote or a roof repair, something that should come down to size and spec. It does not work that way. Ask five installers for […] Our latest blog post

Fire alarm costs depend on your fire risk assessment category, wiring design, site access and monitoring, not a phone quote. See what really sets the price.

28/09/2026

432 cameras. €88 million stolen. 8 minutes.

The Louvre wasn't robbed because it lacked technology. It was robbed because its cameras weren't connected to anything that mattered.

61% of galleries had no coverage. A 2018 audit identified the exact entry point - with diagrams. Nobody acted on it. The camera at the break-in was facing the wrong direction.

For Essex businesses and commercial property owners, the question is simple: do your cameras record incidents, or prevent them?

BS 8418:2021 is the standard that determines the answer. Without installation by an NSI Gold-approved or SSAIB-certificated company, police cannot respond at Level 1 priority. Your system is a recording device, not a security system.

Blake Fire & Security has been installing BS 8418-compliant CCTV for commercial clients across Essex, London and the South East since 1979. NSI Gold approved. SSAIB certificated. Specialist CCTV engineers, not generalists.

We've written a full breakdown of the Louvre case and what it means for UK commercial operators — risk assessment failures, BS 8418 requirements, GDPR obligations, maintenance gaps.

https://www.blakefire-security.co.uk/blog/louvre-robbery-essex-commercial-cctv/

📞 01702 447800

24/09/2026

🚨 Billericay Business Owners: Are You Compliant with Emergency Lighting Law?

If your emergency lighting is not installed and maintained to BS 5266-1:2016 standards, your business could be at risk.

The law is clear:

✔ The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes emergency lighting a legal requirement
✔ You must keep systems maintained and inspection-ready
✔ Failures can lead to fines, prosecution and even prison sentences for serious breaches

Our latest blog explains:

🔍 What the law requires
🔍 Common mistakes business owners make
🔍 How Blake Fire & Security Systems keeps your premises safe and compliant

You cannot afford to miss this one.

👇 Read the full blog now!

📞 Questions? Call 01702 447800

23/09/2026

Lithium-ion battery fires are no longer just a domestic problem and conventional smoke detectors often miss the early warning signs. We're a family-run fire and security firm based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex and we've designed and maintained commercial Fire Alarm Systems since 1979, holding NSI Gold Approved status since 2005. So we've written this as a […] Our latest blog post

Lithium-ion battery fires are rising fast across UK commercial premises. See how a BS 5839-1:2025-compliant detection strategy catches thermal runaway early.

21/09/2026

30 years of accountability: How the Building Safety Act changes the Fire Safety game

The ability to claim for defects now extends up to 30 years. This means unaddressed flaws from as far back as 1992 could still be actionable. Are you holding onto the right records and maintaining accountability for past projects?

Ensure your Fire Safety records are comprehensive and retained.
Understand your building's risk category and responsibilities.
Seek qualified advice if you're uncertain about compliance.

Ready your building for the future of safety regulations.

https://www.blakefire-security.co.uk/blog/building-safety-regulations-and-fire-alarms-what-every-responsible-person-needs-to-know/

17/09/2026

Power cuts. Thick smoke. No visibility. Could your staff and customers find their way out? 🔦

Many Billericay businesses still don’t meet BS 5266-1:2016 standards for emergency lighting - and that puts lives at serious risk.

And your business could end up with heavy fines. Or worse! Ask yourself...

Are you sure your emergency lighting system would provide adequate illumination in a real emergency?

Blake Fire & Security Systems has been protecting local businesses for over 40 years.

Find out what most businesses miss when it comes to their emergency lighting system...

👇 Read the full blog now!

16/09/2026

The Night Kim Kardashian's Alarm Never Sounded In October 2016, Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint in her Paris hotel room. Her personal security team had gone with her sister to a nightclub elsewhere in the city. That left her alone when armed intruders, posing as police officers, forced their way in at around 3am. […] Our latest blog post

What is ARC monitoring, and how does alarm monitoring work? See the full chain: sensor trip, verification, keyholders and police, from Blake Fire & Security.

14/09/2026

Imagine this: A fire breaks out in your workplace. You see a fire extinguisher nearby—but do you know if it’s the right one? 🔥

Using the wrong extinguisher can worsen a fire, spread flames, or even cause an explosion. That’s why fire extinguishers are colour-coded in the UK

Ensuring compliance with UK fire safety laws isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a life-saving responsibility. At Blake Fire and Security, we help businesses choose, place, and maintain the right extinguishers, ensuring full compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Are you confident your fire extinguishers meet UK safety standards? If not, let’s chat! 📩

https://www.blakefire-security.co.uk/blog/which-fire-extinguisher-colours-mean-what-a-simple-guide