MOBOTIX AG, a leading manufacturer of digital high-resolution, network-based video security systems has announced Keybury Fire and Security has been awarded Advanced Partner status following completion of an extensive training and certification program. Keybury has added the complete MOBOTIX range of door entry and high resolution, fully digital IP based CCTV to its portfolio to strengthen its position as the leading independent fire and security supplier servicing clients across the North of England.

Since founding in 1982, Keybury Fire and Security has grown and diversified to become one of the leading and longest established independent fire and security companies in the UK. Keybury has been successfully protecting homes and business properties for over a quarter of a century, cost-effectively installing and maintaining thousands of security systems – burglar alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems and security lighting.

The firm is one of the most accredited suppliers in the industry with certification from the National Security Inspectorate, UKAS, BAFE, BSIA and FPA amongst several others.  As Patrick Beebe, Operations Director for Keybury explains, “We place a great deal of importance on accreditation and certification as the products and services we supply to our clients are absolutely critical in protecting lives and property. We need to be certain that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that every element is installed and maintained based on manufacturers specification and industry best practice.”

Keybury has been awarded the highest level of MOBOTIX accreditation following a deep technical training and examination program successfully completed by the firms CCTV installation and maintenance teams over several months. “We had looked at IP CCTV in the past and some of the innovative technologies from MOBOTIX such as the hemispheric cameras and door entry systems offer unique features that will help us deliver highly integrated security solutions that meet the needs of our clients.” Mr Beebe added.

The Advanced MOBOTIX Partner (AMP) certification ensures that customers specifying a solution from Keybury can be certain that the firm has a full technical understanding of the entire product range as well as the support from MOBOTIX to deliver vendor-backed specialist support.

Keybury has a reputation for embracing new technology and recently announced a service platform to enable business or domestic customers to keep tabs on their CCTV security systems remotely via their mobile phones or iPads.

Keybury is only the 25th UK partner to be awarded Advanced Partner status and as Mike Lewis, UK and Ireland Business Development Director for MOBOTIX explained, “Keybury are highly respected within the UK fire and security space and its addition to the MOBOTIX partner community is part of our commitment to build a diverse channel that serves every element of the market.”

Two leading authorities in fire safety provision and training are pooling their expertise to stage a series of free workshops aimed at extinguishing the confusion and complexities surrounding fire risk assessments, now a legal requirement for all businesses.

They are being run by Keybury Fire & Security and its specialist fire risk assessment arm Fire Key – the firm has offices in Keighley, Skipton, Ilkley, Harrogate and York – and Harrogate-based fire safety training company Steve Pepper Training Associates.

The first workshop is at Cold Cotes events centre at Felliscliffe, Harrogate, on Tuesday, July 19. Registration is from 9am.

All are aimed at business owners, senior health and safety personnel, HR managers and training budget holders.

Keybury and Fire Key director Dave Lalor’s seminar is geared to equip firms with the tools to ensure their businesses are – and stay – on the right side of the law, followed by fire extinguisher training, another legal requirement. Steve Pepper’s fire safety awareness presentation will help relevant personnel understand their roles and responsibilities.

Mr Lalor explained: “The Fire Safety Order requires that commercial premises must carry out a fire risk assessment to determine not only the risk to their own people from fire, but also that measures are taken to keep all people safe from fire while on their premises.

“In easily manageable premises, it is quite likely and practical that the owner or duty holder carries out the assessment. In more complex buildings, however, it is wise to consider employing a professional consultant.

“In England and Wales, Government guidance suggests that where buildings are more than four storeys high, then the duty holder should seek the advice of a competent person.

“Growing demands on companies to meet the requirements of the new legislation this year saw the creation of The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council, but the simple fact is that many people have not yet grasped what they are they are supposed to be doing.

“In fact, the Fire & Rescue Service has estimated that 60% of UK businesses are failing current fire safety legislation and have warned that they intend to bring the full weight of the law to bear upon them. Companies are forewarned and the workshops are designed to redress the imbalance.”

Full details are at www.keybury.co.uk/fire

Partners in raising fire safety awareness – Keybury’s David Lalor, left, and Steve Pepper.

New to the expanding Keybury Fire & Security team are, standing, engineers Andrew Bell and Richard Hunter, and, seated, trainees Jamie Pretty, left, and John Hickman.

Keybury Fire & Security is poised for further growth in 2011 after strengthening its installation team with the appointment of four new engineers.

They include two new trainees, Jamie Pretty, 16, of Riddlesden, and 17-year-old John Hickman, Oakworth, and qualified installation engineers Andrew Bell, Batley, and Richard Hunter, Pontefract.

The two seniors will service growing demand for Keybury’s services in their respective areas, while the young recruits reflect the firm’s increasing investment in in-house training.

Keybury Fire & Security operations director Patrick Beebe explained: “As well as providing job opportunities for local people, we want to ensure that we have enough skilled engineers coming through the system to meet potential future staffing requirements.

 “We continue to experience strong demand in all areas of business activity across our West and North Yorkshire trading heartlands, with noticeable growth in Leeds, Harrogate and York.  Fire alarm and CCTV business are particularly buoyant in both the corporate and domestic sectors.”

Established in 1982, Keighley-based Keybury Fire & Security now has a 42-strong workforce and a regional customer base set to hit 10,000 this year. The company also has regional offices in Skipton, Ilkley, Harrogate, York and Leeds.

Firms that sit by the fire when it comes to meeting critical requirements of the latest fire safety legislation may well get burned!

That’s the New Year warning from David Lalor, director of Yorkshire company Fire Key.

David said an increasing number of firms and organisations were now using Fire Key to undertake fire risk assessments that allow them to meet their legal responsibilities surrounding ever more complex and ever-changing legislation.

He commented: “There’s so much confusion, notably in relation to larger buildings and business premises. By law, they must produce a valid and current fire risk assessment and have a designated person responsible for fire safety in place.

“However, there remains widespread bewilderment about exactly what they’re supposed to be doing and who is actually responsible for doing it. People are now realising that they often need to bring in a specialist to help, advise and guide them through the minefield to ensure compliance.”

Fire Key has successfully undertaken fire risk assessments on behalf of the West Yorkshire-based Czajka Care Group, owned by Konrad Czajka, which has nursing homes in Nab Wood, Shipley, Cross Hills and Steeton. The group’s head office, community care headquarters and new training centre are all based in Saltaire.

Health and safety manager David Riley, commented: “We care for over 300 residents and not only do we put their care first, but we also have an obligation for their safety, along with that of visiting relatives and friends, plus our own staff.

“Over the last six months, working in partnership with Fire Key, the Czajka Care Group has strengthened all its fire safety requirements.  We are in safe hands thanks to the company.”

Keighley-based Harrison & Clough, the UK’s leading supplier of fasteners, fixings, hand and power tools, is another Fire Key customer.

The company’s operations director Stephen Hey said: “Since the changes to the fire safety legislation, Fire Key has undertaken thorough and comprehensive fire risks assessments at all our UK sites.

“They has also installed a new fire alarm system at our head office in Keighley and now service all our fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting.

“We aim to work with local businesses whenever possible and Fire Key provides us with a one-stop-shop for meeting our obligations. Their expertise ensures we are fully compliant with the latest fire regulations.”

David Lalor added: “Fire safety is a must – bright sparks that play with fire and shun their legal obligations are in dire danger of getting their fingers burned!”

Firekey is a standalone division of Keighley-based Keybury Fire & Security, which also has regional offices in Skipton, Ikley, Harrogate and York. Further information on fire safety is posted at facebook.com/keybury and facebook/com/firekeyservices

ENDS