Fire and security systems in Thatcham

Fortline looks after fire and security systems for businesses, managed blocks of flats and homes in Thatcham and the villages around it. We're based near Newbury, and Thatcham is part of our core area, so our engineers work in and around the town regularly.

Our own engineers install, service and repair fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, door entry and electric gates, and test emergency lighting. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, with a 24/7 emergency line on 01635 938998.

Thatcham's buildings and what they need

Thatcham combines commercial and industrial sites, including the business parks and estates along the A4 and around Colthrop, with large residential areas, newer housing developments and apartment blocks. That mix shapes the work:

• Industrial units and warehouses usually need a fire alarm and emergency lighting serviced to British Standards, often intruder alarms and CCTV for yards and loading areas, and sometimes access control or barriers.
• Offices and shops need certificates their fire risk assessor and insurer will accept, and systems that don't cause false alarms.
• Apartment blocks need their communal fire alarm, emergency lighting, smoke vents, fire doors and door entry checked on a schedule.
• Homes most often need intruder alarms, CCTV and linked smoke detection.

What the rules say, simply

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to almost every non-domestic premises, and to the shared parts of blocks of flats. The Responsible Person, usually the employer, owner or managing agent, has to make sure fire safety measures are maintained.

• Fire alarms: BS 5839-1 recommends servicing at least every six months and a weekly test by the user. See fire alarm servicing.
• Emergency lighting: BS 5266-1 recommends a monthly functional check and an annual full-duration test. See emergency lighting.
• Blocks of flats: the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add duties for buildings with two or more homes, such as giving residents fire safety information and, in taller buildings, checking communal and flat entrance fire doors. See fire door inspections and property managers.

Need a fire risk assessment? Fire risk assessments are arranged via our accredited partner, and we then keep your fire alarm, emergency lighting and extinguishers in line with it. Not sure what your duties are? Our plain-English guide explains them: What does the Responsible Person have to do?

Security for Thatcham businesses and homes

• Intruder alarms: new systems, servicing, monitoring and replacements. Insurers often specify a grade of alarm and a type of monitoring; we'll explain the options in plain terms. Keyholding is available for monitored customers, at extra cost.
• CCTV: cameras and recorders for entrances, car parks, yards and homes, with remote viewing.
• Access control and door entry: fob and keypad doors, video intercoms and door entry for flats.
• Electric gates: servicing, repairs and safety inspections.

Phone line switch-off

If your alarm still dials out over an old analogue line, it may stop signalling when the line is switched off. The deadline is set for January 2027. We can check your system and explain the usual fix. Read more.

Switching to Fortline

You don't need to replace a working system to change contractor. Book a free system health check: we test the systems, review your log books and certificates, and give you written findings. If you decide to switch, our office handles the changeover.

Areas we cover around Thatcham

• Thatcham
• Crookham Common
• Cold Ash
• Bucklebury
• Upper Bucklebury
• Midgham
• Woolhampton
• Brimpton
• Greenham
• Newbury

See also Newbury and Reading.