WFP Fire & Security

We're delighted to announce that Scott Wright is stepping into the role of Managing Director! For the last 20 years or so, we’ve been building relationships, putting customers first, and delivering the best value we can while keeping our customers safe and compliant. The initial idea with WFP was to create something that doesn’t cut corners, that is honest and straightforward, and an environment that invests in people and gives them an opportunity to grow in the industry. Which is why we’re delighted to say that Scott Wright, our Contracts Director, will be stepping into the role of Managing Director of WFP Group as of today. It’s a well-deserved move for Scott, who has been instrumental in WFP’s success since he joined the team in 2017 – congratulations, Scott! We’ve been working hard on a lot of things, including the creation of our training room where our Founding Director, Paul Field, will be spending even more time focusing on design training and training in general with our engineers and our team. It means he’ll be focussing on developing our people and building our training facility to ensure that our people have the opportunity to develop into the best engineers and best people they can be. That, in turn, means we can deliver for you and ultimately the benefit will be in the service you receive on each and every visit, call, and job we carry out. It’s an exciting move for Scott and for Paul and it’s one that all of us at WFP are relishing… The future’s bright, the future is WFP, and the next generation of engineers are ready to deliver for you.

One of the biggest projects on our to-do list at WFP for this year is to move away from our paper archive. When we first started 21 years ago, paper was still king and over the years, we’ve migrated everything onto our online systems… And now we’re at the point where we no longer need our paper archive, which meant we had one heck of an admin job to go through and sort every file, worksheet, invoice and copy in the office. It turns out that emptying a room full of every piece of work we’ve ever done is like an admin version of ‘This is your life’. We still keep archives, of course, but they’re unseen digital copies of everything we do for our clients rather than the traditional filing cabinets, which we’re waving goodbye to… We’ve been your trusted safety experts for 21 years and we’re geared up for another 21 and plenty more ahead! Technology develops and needs change, which is why we’re happy to be making the full switchover and ditching our paper archive, but it’s been a nostalgic process. Cloud storage and digital backups are infinitely more secure, and it frees space up in the office for more desks or if Jay gets his way, a pool table. All jokes aside, future-proofing is something we’re familiar with when it comes to your fire, electrical, and security systems, and that’s why we apply the same logic to everything we do. The only question is – does anyone want some filing cabinets?

I had an email drop into my inbox (from one of our biggest suppliers) that caught my attention the other day… ‘I would like to take this opportunity to follow up regarding the status of our static range, which is being prepared for discontinuation’ the first line read. The truth is that while the discontinuation of this specific product only affects a couple of clients, it is a problem that can crop up now and again. But whenever you see the words ‘discontinue’ or ‘obsolete’ there’s bound to be a sharp intake of breath… After all, I’m still mourning the loss of Brannigan’s roast beef and mustard crisps – and that was 5 years ago! For context, this specific email was about an old radio #firealarm system in the ‘Hyfire’ range, which began a discontinuation phase last year, with final sales of the product ending in June 2025. Installations will take place up to November 2025 for any outstanding orders – but it does mean that this product line will no longer be serviced at some point. While this one won’t affect many of our clients, there might be some of you who have the ‘static’ range, so if you think that might be you, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help. It’s something we’ve seen before when we visit new premises and if you’re not sure what it means for you – fear not, we’ve got you covered. If you think you might have any system installed that’s since been discontinued by the manufacturer, the most important thing to do is ensure that it’s regularly looked after. For many systems, #maintenance might mean that the lifespan of the product can be maximised – but without those regular inspections, there’s no way of knowing. It’s why regular #fireriskassessments and #EICRs are mandatory and it’s why our maintenance contracts are designed to be proactive, saving you time, money and hassle in the long run. If you think the discontinuation of any of your fire, security or electrical systems might cause you issues now or further down the line, we’re here to help. After all, planning ahead for any expenditure that might be required at some point off the back of a discontinuation is better than getting a nasty surprise when it comes to crunch time! Simply drop us a message or give us a call on 01277 724 653 and we can discuss the next steps in ensuring your premises and your people are looked after by your trusted safety experts at WFP. (Helpfully) There is no obvious physical way to tell the difference between the old ‘Static’ and current ‘Taurus’ range. However, if you have the old version, we will write to you separately and if in doubt, just call and we’ll confirm which you have.

There's lessons in the security of your car that can be invaluable... even when it feels like a nightmare at the time - if you've got any security requirements you want to chat about, just let us know...

A couple of years ago, my youngest daughter headed down to make herself a sandwich at 3am and unbeknownst to her, started a domino effect that’s ended with us installing a new burglar alarm. She was nocturnal at the time and as she turned the light on in the kitchen, it illumined the garden through the French doors… Where it transpired two intruders had broken into the summer house. In a panic, they ripped the security light from outside the summer house so that they couldn’t be seen - but in doing so, they tripped the electrics, and I woke, bolt upright, when Mel’s alarm went off in the bed. At the time, before she had her Heart transplant (a whole different story…), she was plugged into a machine that kept her heart beating and when the power went, it set off a warning alarm – we had 15 minutes to get it plugged in to the mains or to batteries. Thankfully, after a bit of a mad panic, we sorted it and by the time me and Gaby headed outside, all we could see were two sets of legs scurrying over the back fence. Needless to say, we installed a burglar alarm on the summer house shortly after… which we’re now upgrading. At WFP, we’ve been using Texecom as our intruder alarm suppliers for years but a new entrant to the market a few years ago, Orisec Ltd, caught our eyes last year. And we’ve switched to them this year because of a few reasons, chiefly that their technology is SO advanced, their systems are incredibly simple to use, and they’re hassle-free. They’re easier to install AND easier to use, meaning they’re great for us and great for you both in terms of installation and ongoing use. The keypads are touchscreen, and you can even add your own screensaver, which is great for branding in your premises or even for popping a lovely family photo on at home. On top of that, their burglar alarms even come with a sensor you can attached to your car’s steering wheel that’ll set off your home alarm if someone attempts to gain access without your knowledge. If you want to find out more about how Orisec’s intruder alarms can keep you and your people safe, drop us a message or give us a call on 01277 724 653. Paul

WFP Fire Security and WFP Electrical is thrilled to welcome Emma Taylor as our new Operations Manager. Emma joined our service team in November 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from her military communications background and diverse civilian career, including roles as a tutor, personal assistant, and office manager. ? Her appointment underscores our commitment to nurturing internal talent, as well as leveraging the unique skills of ex-military personnel. ? Emma's reliability, empathy, and client-focused approach align perfectly with WFP's values. Always first in the office, she leads by example and sets a high standard for the team. Beyond work, Emma is a tech enthusiast, Tough Mudder veteran, and Muay Thai participant. Her versatility extends to hobbies like pottery painting and shed construction, reflecting her can-do attitude and willingness to tackle any challenge. ? We're confident that Emma's blend of military discipline, industry expertise, and hands-on approach will drive operational excellence, enhance client satisfaction, and lead our service desk into an exciting new era of efficiency and creativity. We’re excited for what the future holds and we know operations is in safe hands with Emma at the helm.

This week the team have been busy undertaking a communal emergency lighting rewire, all controlled by contactors. In this video our Senior Electrician, Danny runs through how our new set up works… ? You can see the finished install, which is neat and tidy, with a happy customer to boot! Watch to the end to see the emergency switch – after the video, we put the finishing touches to it with labels, metal cable ties, and Unistrut end caps ?? #wfpelectrical ?? ?????? #EmergencyLighting #ElectricalSafety #ElectricalEngineer #LightingInstallation

How good is Paul’s crystal ball? ? I like to tell people that I can tell when their fire alarm system needs to be replaced. It’s not because I’ve been moonlighting as a clairvoyant who specialises in fire safety… Although that would be quite the niche. ? It’s because all electronic products have a designed lifespan. Anyone with a smartphone will know that a couple of years in, everything starts to slow down, the battery life dwindles, and you’re looking at new models again. It’s the same concept with every electrical product, which includes fire alarms. Most have a 10-year lifespan where they’re working to their optimum and after that, they begin to deteriorate. While it may still work after that time, there are no guarantees – the reality is that the performance of your fire alarm system will diminish at an unknown increment after that point. ? And that’s not a spot you want to be in with fire safety. ? Apollo, one of our suppliers, state that the lifespan of their products is 10 years, and they provide a warranty to back it up. ? You understandably want your fire alarm system to last as long as possible – not least because it’s a pure cost to the business. Warranties vary between suppliers and the answer you’ll get on how long they’re supposed to last will vary too… But 10 years is the most commonly recommendation duration to change your system. BS5839-1 (the Code of Practice for Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings) doesn’t define a fixed timeline for components, but what it does do is discuss the importance of a system being maintained regularly with replacement parts still available. The reality is that the only way of being 100% sure of the viability of your fire alarm system is by conducting regular maintenance. If you’ve got a reputable company looking after your system, they’ll be able to recommend when the right time is to change. It might be that you’re getting false alarms and there’s some issues present, or it might be that you’ve had no issues with a system that’s 20 years old… Until then, it’s like Schrodinger’s fire alarm system – you don’t know until it’s inspected and regularly maintained. ? If you want to find out more about our ongoing regular maintenance contracts or if you have a fire safety question or challenge, just hit reply or give us a call on 01277 724 653. Paul

When a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well… And that’s exactly what our engineers have been doing as they conduct a mains upgrade. Rather than just installing the new board and heading out, they’ve taken the time to organise, sort, and arrange the cables so that they’re neat and tidy, and everything is easy to access. It helps them the next time they’re on site, it means everything is easy to find, and it keeps everything looking as it should. It might seem like a small thing, but the small things add up to become big things, and that’s why they always matter.

When a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well… And that’s exactly what our engineers have been doing as they conduct a mains upgrade. Rather than just installing the new board and heading out, they’ve taken the time to organise, sort, and arrange the cables so that they’re neat and tidy, and everything is easy to access. It helps them the next time they’re on site, it means everything is easy to find, and it keeps everything looking as it should. It might seem like a small thing, but the small things add up to become big things, and that’s why they always matter.