It’s essential for all business premises to have a fire detection system in place, as enforced by current UK fire alarm regulations. This means that you need a system that will easily detect a fire and will alert any people within the building. But how much will that cost you? Keep reading as answer the question… how much do commercial fire alarm systems cost?
How much your commercial fire alarm system will cost depends on several factors. These include the type of fire alarm system, the size of your premises, the number of detection elements (sensors & alarms) within your system, as well as if you choose to have your fire alarm system monitored or unmonitored.
For an accurate quotation, get in touch with your installer. However, on average a commercial fire alarm system can range anywhere from £1,500 for a basic system in a smaller premises, to over £25,000 for a full, high-tech, integrated system in a large or complex building. The final price is highly dependent on a mandatory site survey to assess the required British Standard BS 5839-1 system category and the necessary coverage, a point we cover in more detail in our guide on how to choose the right fire detection system for your business.
There are several types of fire alarm systems available and which type you choose will depend on what is the most appropriate for your company, sector, and your site needs. At BusinessWatch, we’ll work with you to decide the best option for your business. Options include:
Conventional Fire Alarm System – Made up of zones, this system will tell you within which zone of your site an alarm has been activated in. This is typically the most cost-effective option for smaller, less complex environments like small offices or retail units.
Addressable Fire Alarm System – Each device has its own address, so when triggered you will know exactly which alarm is sounding and will find a potential fire much quicker. This is the preferred solution for larger or multi-site organisations, such as those in the leisure or healthcare sectors, where rapid identification of the fire’s precise location is critical for evacuation and response.
Wireless Fire Alarm – No need for phone lines, a radio signal is transmitted to and from the devices, throughout the premises. This option is often chosen for premises where running cables would be disruptive, expensive, or impossible, such as heritage buildings, or for businesses that need flexible fire detection, like temporary structures. For a deeper dive into the pros and cons of this option, see our article on Wired vs. Wireless Fire Alarm Systems: Which is Better for Your Business?
You will also need to know which category of fire alarm you require, which is specified within a fire risk assessment. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which has been further strengthened by the Building Safety Act 2022. This new legislation mandates that all businesses, regardless of size, must record their fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full, ensuring greater accountability for the Responsible Person (RP). Therefore, don’t skip carrying it out! Get an instant quote for a fire risk assessment with us today.
The size of your business premises will determine the type of fire alarm system you will need, as well as the number of devices within it. All of which will determine the overall price of your fire alarm system. Therefore, the larger your premises—whether a sprawling farm complex or a multi-storey office block—the more area you need to cover and the more costly your fire alarm system will be. Factors like high ceiling voids, the number of floors, and the building’s age and construction all add layers of complexity and cost to the installation and design process.
It is up to you how simple or complex your fire alarm system is, however the more complex it becomes with the addition of more detection elements, the more it will cost. Types of detection elements you can include within your fire alarm system to increase its level of fire safety include:
There is also the option to integrate your fire alarm system into your access control, to have full control of all your safety and security systems. Modern integrated systems also offer IoT-enabled sensors and analytics, which monitor environmental changes like temperature and air quality, moving fire protection beyond simple detection to a form of predictive maintenance for your entire premises.
Having your fire alarm system monitored will increase the overall cost, but it will also improve the overall safety to your site, employees and visitors. In situations when there is a fire out of hours, the fire alarm system monitoring provider will be able to instantly action the fire brigade. If the system was unmonitored, it could go unnoticed and cause severe damage.
A monitored system can also reduce false fire alarms, saving your business valuable money and time. In the year ending September 2024, the UK government reported that Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England attended 254,041 false fire alarms, with the majority being caused by apparatus faults. This staggering figure—the highest since 2011—underscores the necessity of reliable detection methods. A monitored system can utilise remote visual verification to confirm a genuine emergency, drastically cutting down on unnecessary call-out fees and freeing up FRS resources for genuine incidents. For many businesses, particularly those operating 24/7 or those managing hazardous materials, a monitored system is a fundamental component of their business continuity plan.
If you’re interested to see how much the monthly cost of a monitored system would be with us, click here to get a free, no-obligation quote.
When budgeting for a commercial fire alarm system, it’s vital to look beyond the initial installation price. The long-term cost of ownership includes mandatory biannual servicing, routine maintenance, and system upgrades, as detailed in the British Standard BS 5839-1. Choosing a system with easily accessible components and reliable manufacturer support can significantly reduce lifetime expenses. Furthermore, a non-compliant or poorly maintained system poses a severe financial risk. Fines for breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can be unlimited, and in the event of a fire, poor maintenance can lead to insurance claims being contested, which is why we stress the importance of how fire safety impacts your commercial insurance premiums.
Investing in a quality, certified system from a trusted provider not only safeguards lives but acts as a robust financial protection against legal and insurance liabilities.
There are therefore many factors that influence the cost of a commercial fire alarm system. The best way to price up the entire cost of the system is to request a quote.
At BusinessWatch, we’ll provide you with a completely free quotation with absolutely no-obligation to use our services. Fill out our online form or call us on 0330 094 7404.
