Get A Clearer Picture Of Your Business Security With CCTV System Maintenance

When was the last time you checked your CCTV system was working properly?

If you’re in business, it’s all too easy to have a CCTV system installed and simply leave it to its own devices. Until it lets you down.

Your CCTV system is a proven deterrent in the war on crime. It is your ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’ both when you are on your premises and away from them. But if it isn’t working to optimum levels, then you could miss out on vital factual information and valuable protection from criminals.

While it is important that your CCTV system acts as a deterrent to lawbreakers, if the worst should happen you may need your system to provide criminal evidence. There have been many instances where justice has not been served due to a faulty camera, or recording equipment, so please don’t let this happen to you.

Not all CCTV systems are up to the job. You may have a system installed which has been in place for some years and has become outdated. It is also important that cabling and connections are checked at regular intervals – at least every six months – so that any deterioration or damage can be effectively dealt with. Cameras and lenses also need to be kept scrupulously clean so that your pictures are top quality and sharp for viewing.

Another major consideration is the positioning of your cameras which can easily be disturbed by the elements, or workmen carrying out routine maintenance. Are your cameras positioned at the right angles? Are there any blind spots that could constitute a problem?

With a CCTV maintenance contract in place you will have complete peace of mind, knowing that all the vital aspects of your security system are being maintained to the highest levels of quality, and also in accordance with the Data Protection Act – which is another important consideration. Do you know what your obligations are with regard to the storing of public images for example?

In choosing a CCTV maintenance provider, do make sure that all work is guaranteed and that it is carried out to the relevant British or European standards. Also make sure that the company concerned only uses components approved by the manufacturer.

A professional CCTV system maintenance company will ensure all your equipment doesn’t just ‘work’, but is ‘fit for purpose’, so you can go about your daily business knowing that this vital aspect of your security system is thoroughly taken care of.

Why Use Local Plumbers In Greenwich?

The borough of Greenwich, as with most areas of London, can be an expensive place to live – particularly if you are a homeowner with the consequent responsibility for safety and maintenance this comes with. If you need to bring in an engineer to either repair or service your plumbing, there are many reasons why it makes sense to choose a firm which is local to the area. Here are just some of the reasons why:

Firstly, think simple logistics: If you live in Greenwich, choosing a firm of Greenwich plumbers as opposed to a firm located in another part of London is a far better option if your pipes burst or your radiator springs a leak as they will be familiar with the area and won’t have very far to travel in any case. As anyone who has been in this situation before knows, every minute counts if you have a serious leak in your house and you want to try and minimise the costs of water damage and repair.

Secondly, using a local firm of Greenwich plumbers means you can build up a trusting relationship with them and feel confident that you aren’t being ripped off. Whether you find them through a recommendation from a friend or online, using someone local can help you avoid the kinds of situations you see on television programmes, where a plumber from a large, faceless firm will come in, do a bad job, charge the earth and leave you in an even worse situation.

Because local plumbers Greenwich will be hoping for repeat business, it makes no sense for them to alienate clients so they will nearly always be looking to do the best possible job – again, even more so if you have found them through a mutual friend or acquaintance.

Thirdly, building up a relationship with a local plumber means you are likely to get a more thorough service and more for your money. If you are giving a plumber your repeat business they will often be quite happy to carry out a free inspection of your pipes or system if you are worried about something – a service that many larger firms will always charge for, even if nothing actually needs doing. It will also save you time as they will know about any previous problems you have had and will therefore be able to identify the problem more easily.

Where Can I find A Good Plumber In Blackheath?

If you own a house in Blackheath, whether it’s to rent out or as your main residence, at some point you will no doubt have to call in the services of a plumber. Whether you have leaking taps or radiators, or need a shower or water tank installing, you need the services of an expert to make sure the job is done properly. Most people prefer to call in a local technician who can get to them quickly and with whom they can build up a trusting relationship and feel sure they are paying a fair price, but how do you go about finding a good Blackheath plumber?

The best way to find a good plumber in any area is to ask friends or acquaintances which local service they use, and whether they are reliable or not. If possible, ask somebody who has lived and owned a house in Blackheath for many years as they will almost certainly have come to learn which plumbers are worth calling and which are best avoided. Blackheath can be an expensive place to live and many firms will take advantage of this by charging you over the odds. By getting a personal recommendation you should hopefully find somebody who will give you a fair quote and may even be able to do a free inspection.

If you don’t know anybody to recommend a Blackheath plumber, try looking online instead. There are many different websites hosting local service directories, many of which allow previous clients to leave online reviews so you can get a feel for those companies who are likely to do a good job. Do bear in mind though that some companies are not above leaving fake reviews to boost their credibility, so read them carefully to see if they seem genuine.

When choosing a plumber, always make sure they are Blackheath Gas Safe registered as this is a legal requirement in the UK and you should never hire somebody unless they can prove it. Once you have ascertained that any local plumbers you are considering are qualified and certified, it then becomes a simple matter of working out which ones will offer the best service at the best price. Blackheath is a pretty big area so you will probably find you have plenty to choose from. It helps if they are based fairly near to where you live in case you need to call them out in an emergency.

Why Is Being Able To Write Well So Important?

Whilst English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, quality written English is a little more difficult to come by. The tabloid press in the UK is quick to point out the failures of the English school system that churns out thousands of illiterate 16 year olds every year. Whilst these headlines are often sensationalist and exaggerated, they do highlight an important problem. Those who speak English as second language are also prone to struggle with writing. The question is ‘why is it so important to be able to write well?’

Firstly, writing is very different from having a conversation with somebody. It is far more difficult to express your tone or attitude in writing as you do not have the benefit of being able to use your voice or facial expressions. When you are in conversation, the person listening to you also has the ability to ask you to clarify your message, a luxury you must do without when writing. The only way to convey your message clearly in writing is to carefully and effectively utilise the written word.

People will judge you on your ability to write, especially in the work place. Poor grammar jumps out at a person that has a firm grasp of the English language and looks extremely unprofessional, ultimately reflecting poorly on you and your company. If you are in the process of applying for jobs, a potential employer will come down extremely hard on a poorly written application form or curriculum vitae.

It is often said that ‘time is money’ in business and as a result, anything you produce at work needs to be understood clearly, first time around. Your writing should be clear and concise; something a large proportion of English speakers struggle with. It is simply impossible if you cannot use the English language comfortably.


Like most things, practise makes perfect with writing English. Reading is also an essential part of extending your vocabulary and truly mastering the language. If you do need help, look a specifically designed online course to improve written English  or consider enrolling onto a college course. There are plenty of courses across the country, each tailored towards different standards of English speakers.

An online course to improve written English should teach you how to effectively use punctuation and grammar whilst extending your vocabulary. The best will offer interactive learning as well as support from tutors.

At the end of the day, improving your written English may well be the step you need to take to progress in your career. Not only will it impress employers, you will find your colleagues and superiors are far more inclined to work with you if you can write clearly and concisely.

Fire Detection Systems – Your First Line Of Defence In The Fight Against Fire

Ideally you want your fire detection system to alert you at the earliest sign of trouble – heat radiation or the presence of smoke – before the fire ignites, takes hold, and becomes unmanageable.

With the vast array of automatic smoke detectors, heat detectors, beam detectors, ionisation detectors, multi-sensors and CO2 detectors on the market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of products and fittings available.

This is where a professional fire prevention and detection company can help. They will be able to advise you on the best system for your premises and purpose, ensuring that you don’t waste money on appliances or services you don’t need.

Because there are many diverse fire-prevention products and systems on the market, it can be particularly baffling for the business owner or manufacturer who may have any number of different raw materials, potentially toxic liquids and combustible products stored on site.

And if you are running a retail business, entertainment business, public venue, or other type of business where the public has regular access, then your fire detection system will need to comply with BS5839 standards as a minimum requirement.

Hopefully you will never get to experience at first-hand, the utter devastation to life and livelihood a serious fire can cause. But for those who have, or will, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Having already considered the dangers to life and limb, the next major problem for business owners is loss of valuable equipment and data. How many times do we hear people bemoan the fact that they meant to back up their data, only they never got around to it? Once that valuable data has been destroyed it is too late. And even where you have back up facilities in place, there is often a lengthy disruption or delay to the usual way of working before ‘normal service is resumed’.

It’s no coincidence that 30 per cent of all businesses that have been hit by a major fire go out of business within a year, and 70 per cent fail within five years, according to Home Office Computing Magazine.

Please resolve not let your business become a fire casualty. Not when a fire detection system can be put in place for a little as a single cup of coffee per day. And what’s more it’s a tax- deductable expense too!

As a responsible business owner, you owe it to your colleagues, employees, customers and clients – and especially to yourself – to have cost-effective fire detection systems in place that will spring into action at the first sign of trouble. It will give you added peace of mind that – should the worst happen – your early-warning fire detection system is capable of saving lives . . . and possibly your livelihood too.

The Importance Of Fire Alarm Maintenance For Business Owners

According to the UK Statistics Authority, in 2010-2011 there were 24,900 fires in buildings other than residential dwellings, resulting in 1200 injuries and 19 fatalities.

Whether you are working out of a small office, a workshop, warehouse, or via multi-site premises, if you’re a business owner you need to be certain your fire alarms are serving their purpose 24/7, 365 days a year.

Anything less than optimum performance and you are risking life, limb, and livelihood.

As a responsible business owner you will be aware that since October 2006 you are required to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment as part of your Health and Safety provision. If you employ more than four people then you will be required to document the essential findings of your FRA as well as outlining details of your:

Fire Safety Policy

Safety Procedures

Installation and Maintenance of Alarms, Emergency Lighting and Extinguishers

Training Drills

This is further complicated with the introduction of the Fire Safety (Employees' Capabilities) (England) Regulations 2010 which came into force on 6 April 2010. As an employer you are now required to consider:

What a worker is able and unable to do when giving them tasks.

How these capabilities may affect their ability to deal with fire-related risks.

So regardless of how few or how many employees you currently have, it may well benefit your business to have a written Fire Risk Assessment professionally completed by a competent organisation.

Why?

Because as well as providing documentary evidence that your company is acting within the law, having a professional Fire Risk Assessment could help you in any future dealings with your insurance company, or other official or legal body.

Fire alarm maintenance is one of the essential requirements for all business owners no matter what size of premises you are working from. Fire alarms must be tested at regular intervals to ensure they will work properly in the event of an emergency.

Of course, price may be a consideration as you will be working within budgets, so do look for a fire alarm maintenance specialist who is able to offer bespoke pricing and flexible arrangements within the terms of the contract that suits your needs.

A professional fire alarm maintenance company will ensure that your fire alarms and fire equipment is working as it should be, and that their suggested products and systems comply with the latest industry standards.

If you’ve been thinking for a while now your fire alarm system could do with a check-up, then this is the perfect time to do something about it. Contact your online fire alarm specialists now and discover how they can help your business stay safe (and legal).