Advance Fire & Security Systems
Advance Fire & Security Systems (AFASS) is a privately held UK fire and security integrator, founded in 2008, that supplies, installs, and maintains fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and remote monitoring for commercial, residential, and construction-site customers across Northern England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersNorth Shields, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Advance Fire & Security Systems does
Advance Fire & Security Systems (AFASS) is a privately held UK fire and security systems integrator founded in 2008 by Martin Brown and Chris McKenzie, both former employees of Chubb and ADT. The company supplies, installs, and maintains fire alarm systems, intruder/burglar alarm systems, CCTV surveillance, access control, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and provides 24-hour remote monitoring and PAT testing services. Its product portfolio spans fixed and PTZ CCTV (including military-grade mobile CCTV towers with 4G wireless and up to 21 days of battery), biometric and proximity access systems scalable to 1,000+ doors, and the proprietary ProControl+ smart-device application for integrated control of security, video, and access systems. Bespoke temporary-site offerings — Site Minder, Rapid-Cam, portable Fire Evacuation Systems linkable to 480 units, and First Responder Trolleys — target construction, civil engineering, and demolition customers.
The business operates from a single headquarters at Mandale Park, North Shields, and services Northern England including Newcastle, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Durham, Tees Valley, Leeds, Yorkshire, Carlisle, and Cumbria. Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time system installation, recurring maintenance and servicing contracts (including emergency lighting, PAT testing, and fire extinguisher servicing), recurring 24-hour remote monitoring, and rental of temporary security equipment for construction sites. Pricing is bespoke and quote-based, with multi-year contracts typical, and the go-to-market is direct sales initiated via free fire and security assessments. Customer segments include commercial businesses (primary), domestic/residential, and the construction industry vertical.
The company carries an extensive accreditation stack for a regional SME: SSAIB registration for intruder alarms and CCTV (UKAS product certification), ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2016, CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline membership, and Firetech commissioning/installer status. These accreditations are core to AFASS's positioning for regulated commercial and public-sector procurement. There is no public evidence of outside investment, M&A activity, or AI/ML capabilities.
Advance Fire & Security Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Advance Fire & Security Systems
- Legal name
- Advance Fire & Security Systems
- Website
- https://afass.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Advance Fire & Security Systems (AFASS) is a privately held UK fire and security integrator, founded in 2008, that supplies, installs, and maintains fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and remote monitoring for commercial, residential, and construction-site customers across Northern England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Advance Fire & Security Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fire and Security Systems Services
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fire Alarm & Life Safety Systems Integration (BPAKAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fire Alarm Systems (Design/Install/Service/Monitoring) (BPABAHAA), Fire Alarm Monitoring & Dispatch (BPAKAFAC), Fire Protection Systems Contracting (Sprinklers, Alarms, Suppression) (IMAFALAD), Fire & Life Safety Services (Inspection/Testing/Sprinklers/Alarms) (IMAIAAAI), Fire Alarm Systems (Inspection/Testing/Monitoring/Service) (IMAIAJAC)
Keywords
Where Advance Fire & Security Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Shields
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Advance Fire & Security Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- System Installation: Supply and installation of bespoke fire and security systems including fire alarms, burglar alarms, CCTV systems, and access control systems for commercial and domestic properties.
- Maintenance and Servicing: Ongoing maintenance contracts for installed systems including emergency lighting testing, PAT testing, and fire extinguisher servicing.
- Remote Monitoring: 24-hour monitoring services for fire and security systems with remote monitoring capabilities.
- Temporary Security Solutions: Rental and installation of temporary security solutions for construction sites including CCTV towers, access control, and fire evacuation systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing tailored to customer requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels1 record
Advance Fire & Security Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Advance Fire & Security Systems supplies, installs, and maintains fire alarm systems, burglar/intruder alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and portable appliance testing (PAT), together with 24-hour remote monitoring services. The company delivers bespoke fire and security solutions to commercial and domestic properties across Northern England, with specialized temporary site security offerings (Site Minder, Rapid-Cam, First Responder Trolleys) for construction, civil engineering, and demolition sites.
Product overview
Advance Fire & Security Systems (AFASS) offers a comprehensive portfolio of electronic security, fire prevention, and intruder detection products and services for both commercial and domestic properties. The core offering includes fire alarm systems, burglar alarm systems, CCTV surveillance, access control, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and 24-hour remote monitoring. The company specializes in bespoke solutions with products ranging from basic fixed cameras to advanced PTZ CCTV towers, biometric access systems controlled via the ProControl+ smart device platform, and specialized temporary security solutions like Site Minder and Rapid-Cam for construction sites. Fire safety products encompass various extinguisher types and fire detection systems compliant with BS5839 standards. The portfolio is unified by the ProControl+ platform which enables integrated control across security, video, and access systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ProControl+: An advanced smart device application for providing users with total control over their properties, used for standalone security or video systems as well as fully integrated solutions.
Products and services
- Fire Alarm Systems Fire detection and alarm systems for early warning and emergency response in commercial and domestic properties, including BS5839-compliant detection.
- Intruder and Burglar Alarm Systems Intruder detection and alarm systems designed to deter unauthorized entry and protect premises from theft, with SSAIB certification.
- CCTV Systems Video surveillance solutions including fixed, zoom, and joystick-controlled cameras with local DVR/NVR recording and cloud-based off-site recording options, typically recording for up to 30 days. SSAIB certified for CCTV systems.
- Access Control Systems Property access control systems including numbered keypad, card swipe, proximity sensors, and biometric recognition (fingerprint and retinal) with centralized computer control for up to 1000+ doors. Bespoke systems are compatible with over 60 payroll systems and include CSCS card integration for construction sites.
- Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Testing service for handheld electrical appliances to ensure workplace safety compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
- Emergency Lighting Safety lighting systems with regular maintenance checks ensuring functionality and legal compliance for commercial premises.
- Fire Extinguishers Supply and maintenance of various extinguisher types including water, foam, powder, CO2, wet chemical extinguishers, and fire blankets for different fire classes.
- Remote Monitoring Services 24-hour monitoring services for fire and security systems with remote surveillance capabilities.
- Fire Detection Systems Comprehensive fire systems including heat and smoke detection, flame detectors, smoke beams, air sampling, wire-free systems, automatic door/ventilation controls, and audio/visual warning systems compliant with BS5839.
- Fire Brigade Signalling Systems Automatic alerting systems that signal fire emergency services when fire detection is triggered.
- Site Minder Temporary Security Temporary security solutions for construction, civil engineering, and demolition sites, designed for flexible deployment from one week to one year, including CCTV towers with viewing platforms and Ceptor towers.
- Rapid-Cam Mobile CCTV Towers Mobile CCTV towers with PTZ cameras, infrared capability for HD footage, up to 21 days battery power, and 4G wireless technology for temporary site surveillance.
- Mobile CCTV Unit Self-contained mobile CCTV unit combining 7 metres of military-grade metalwork with integrated PTZ infrared cameras, on-board battery packs, 4G wireless technology, and smartphone-enabled remote monitoring with live audio challenge capability to intruders.
- Fire Evacuation System Portable fire evacuation system with simple installation and mobility, supporting up to 480 linked monitored units on a single system with high-tech software access from compatible devices.
- First Responder Trolleys Three mobile response trolleys equipped to handle fire, spillages, and first aid situations on construction sites.
- ProControl+ Smart Application Advanced smart device application providing total control over properties; used for standalone security or video systems as well as fully integrated solutions across access, video, and security systems.
- Service and Maintenance Contracts Ongoing maintenance contracts for installed systems including emergency lighting testing, PAT testing, fire alarm servicing, and intruder alarm servicing, with 24-hour assistance.
Companies that use Advance Fire & Security Systems
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Advance Fire & Security Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Advance Fire & Security Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Advance Fire & Security Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- First Response Group: UK provider of fire, security, and facilities services including fire alarm installation, CCTV, access control, and manned guarding. Comparable as a multi-service fire and security installer with national coverage and a mix of one-time and recurring revenue.
- Tecserv UK: UK-based independent fire and security systems integrator specialising in design, installation, servicing, and monitoring of fire alarms, extinguishers, intruder alarms, CCTV, and access control. Closely comparable in product mix, accredited installer status, and service-led model.
- Banham Group: London-based security specialist offering intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, fire systems, and locksmith services to residential and commercial customers. Comparable in product mix and integrator-led service model; AFASS's domestic/security offering runs in parallel.
- Secom plc: UK-based fire and security systems installer offering design, installation, monitoring, and maintenance of intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, and fire detection for commercial and residential customers. Highly comparable in service mix, SSAIB-equivalent accreditations, and recurring maintenance/monitoring model.
- CSL Group (Critical Software & Logistics): UK provider of fire and security connectivity solutions, including dual-path signalling for fire and intruder alarms and managed monitoring services. Relevant peer around the alarm monitoring and connectivity layer underpinning AFASS's remote monitoring revenue stream.
- Pointer (Pointer Ltd): UK provider of fire detection, security, and energy management solutions with design, installation, servicing, and monitoring capabilities. Comparable in fire and security systems integration, BAFE/SSAIB-style accreditations, and recurring maintenance revenue.
Broad incumbents
- Mitie Security: Large UK facilities management and security provider offering electronic security systems, fire safety, and monitoring as part of a broader integrated facilities portfolio. Overlaps in fire alarm and security systems but bundles them with broader FM services.
- Marlowe Fire & Security: UK fire and security division of Marlowe plc, providing integrated fire safety, electronic security, and compliance services to commercial customers. Comparable in core offering but operates at substantially larger scale through acquisition-led consolidation.
- Chubb Fire & Security: National UK fire and security systems provider and one of the two companies where AFASS's founders previously worked. Key incumbent competitor offering fire detection, suppression, intruder alarms, CCTV, and monitoring at scale across all UK regions.
- ADT (UK): Major UK and global provider of intruder alarms, fire detection, CCTV, and monitored security services for residential and commercial customers. Direct overlap in product offering; the founders' other former employer and a benchmark for monitoring-led recurring revenue.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Advance Fire & Security Systems social profiles
Digital presenceAdvance Fire & Security Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Advance Fire & Security Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Advance Fire & Security Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Advance Fire & Security Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Advance Fire & Security Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Advance Fire & Security Systems
What does Advance Fire & Security Systems do?
Advance Fire & Security Systems supplies, installs, and maintains fire alarm systems, burglar/intruder alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and portable appliance testing (PAT), together with 24-hour remote monitoring services. The company delivers bespoke fire and security solutions to commercial and domestic properties across Northern England, with specialized temporary site security offerings (Site Minder, Rapid-Cam, First Responder Trolleys) for construction, civil engineering, and demolition sites.
Is Advance Fire & Security Systems a public or private company?
Advance Fire & Security Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Advance Fire & Security Systems founded?
Advance Fire & Security Systems was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Advance Fire & Security Systems based?
Advance Fire & Security Systems is headquartered in North Shields, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Advance Fire & Security Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. System Installation is the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Servicing, remote Monitoring and temporary Security Solutions.
Who are Advance Fire & Security Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are First Response Group, Tecserv UK, Banham Group, Secom plc, CSL Group (Critical Software & Logistics) and Pointer (Pointer Ltd). Broad incumbents are Mitie Security, Marlowe Fire & Security, Chubb Fire & Security and ADT (UK).
Does Advance Fire & Security Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Advance Fire & Security Systems.
What industry is Advance Fire & Security Systems in?
Advance Fire & Security Systems's product category is Fire and Security Systems Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAGAF, Fire Alarm & Life Safety Systems Integration, with a secondary code of BPABAHAA, Fire Alarm Systems (Design/Install/Service/Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 56162.