David BrayLead Fire EngineerDavid BrayLead Fire Engineer
David GaskellManaging Director
Victoria GaskellService & Maintenance Coordinator& Administration
Sam BarnesFire & Security EngineerAbout Optimal
Fire and Security Specialists
in Reading.
A small team. A personal service.
Optimal Fire & Security Ltd is an independent company based in Reading, serving Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Surrey. We support schools and colleges, doctors’ and dental surgeries, hospitality venues, commercial and industrial premises, and residential properties.
We have extensive experience supporting schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with specialist fire alarm servicing and maintenance, and access control solutions tailored to each school’s safeguarding needs and day-to-day routines. We work closely with school teams to balance safety, controlled access and emergency escape requirements.
Our wider services include fire alarm repairs and remedial works, periodic testing of emergency lighting, and the installation of access control, CCTV and intruder alarm systems. From routine checks to security installations and upgrades, we help protect your people and premises.
With Optimal, you work directly with a friendly, hands-on team who take the time to understand your site, offer practical advice and provide dependable ongoing support.
Accreditations & standards
Trust Built on
Doing It Properly.
Our third-party certifications and staff screening support the way we work at client sites.
Certified Security Systems
Intruder alarm systems, access control and visual surveillance systems.
Fire Alarm Maintenance
BAFE SP203-1 for service and maintenance of Grade A fire detection systems.
Industry Membership
Fire Industry Association member, supporting ongoing industry knowledge.
✓
Site-Ready Team
Enhanced DBS checks and BS 7858 security screening for engineers.
A straightforward approach
Protection That Works.
People You Know.
Good systems start with good service.
Practical fire and security support for schools, businesses and organisations across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Surrey. From a planned service visit to a system upgrade, speak directly with the people who know your site.
We design and install security systems, and provide servicing, maintenance, repairs and remedials for fire detection and alarms—with ongoing monitoring and support.
What we do
Fire Alarm Servicing
and Security Systems.
From life-safety systems to everyday site security, we help keep equipment maintained, dependable and easier to manage.
01 Our core service
Fire Alarm Servicing and Maintenance
Reliable fire detection and alarm support, delivered by a local team that understands the importance of keeping your people and premises protected.
- Planned servicing and routine testing
- Fault finding, repairs and remedial works
- Support for schools, healthcare and commercial sites
02 Testing and maintenance
Emergency Lighting Testing
Scheduled testing and maintenance of existing emergency lighting systems, helping you check that luminaires operate correctly and identify faults that need attention.
- Periodic functional and duration testing
- Test-switch operation, including fish-tail keys where fitted
- Clear test records, fault reports and follow-up
03 Site security
Intruder Alarm Systems
Commercial intruder alarm systems, planned servicing and responsive repairs, shaped around your premises and the way your team works.
- New systems, upgrades and takeovers
- Routine maintenance, fault finding and repairs
- Optional alarm monitoring through ARC Monitoring
04 Door security
Access Control Systems
Manage who can enter, where they can go and when. We design, install, upgrade and maintain access control and door-entry systems around your premises and daily routines.
- Card, fob and keypad access with configurable permissions
- Door entry, electric locking and exit interfaces
- Existing-system upgrades, integration and ongoing support
05 Video surveillance
CCTV and Video Systems
Commercial CCTV, video surveillance and ANPR planned around your premises, coverage requirements and the way your site operates.
- New installations, upgrades and takeovers
- IP cameras, recording and remote viewing
- ANPR and tailored camera coverage
Remote Alarm
Monitoring
24/7 fire and intruder alarm monitoring through ARC Monitoring, with agreed keyholder and emergency-service response arrangements.
Explore monitoring ↓Need urgent help with a system we maintain?Existing customer? Call us →
Remote alarm monitoring
Connected Alarms.
A Response That Matters.
Fire and intruder alarm monitoring through our nominated, trusted Alarm Receiving Centre: ARC Monitoring.
When an alarm activates, you need the right people to know. We arrange 24-hour monitoring of fire and intruder alarm systems through ARC Monitoring, whose operators receive alarm signals and follow the response instructions agreed for your premises.
24/7Fire & intruder alarmsAlarm signalling
From your alarm system to the ARC
We use CSL DualCom signalling products to pass compatible alarm signals to ARC Monitoring. Where specified and suitable for the site, dual-path signalling can combine an IP/LAN connection with a radio path. The chosen setup is configured for the system and premises.
About CSL alarm signalling ↗01Alarm systemDetects an event
02CSL DualComTransmits the signal
03ARC MonitoringFollows agreed response
Keyholder Notification
Nominated keyholders are contacted when an alarm signal requires action, following your agreed contact list and escalation arrangements.
Intruder Alarm Response
Choose keyholder notification or monitoring with police response for eligible systems. Police calling requires the appropriate Unique Reference Number (URN) and compliance with applicable response requirements.
Fire Alarm Response
Fire alarm monitoring can include keyholder notification and fire brigade response arrangements, subject to the local Fire and Rescue Service’s policy and the agreed procedures for your site.
Our monitoring partner
ARC Monitoring
ARC Monitoring is our trusted Alarm Receiving Centre and provides the 24/7 monitoring service for connected fire and intruder alarm systems. It is an NSI Gold approved Category II Alarm Receiving Centre. We value our close working relationship with their team and the support they provide.
Emergency-service attendance depends on applicable response policies and the circumstances of the activation.
Who we work with
Our Sectors.
Every site has different needs. From specialist SEND schools to doctors’ and dental surgeries, we take time to understand the people, routines and responsibilities behind each building.
We plan fire and security support around your setting, working closely with your team to keep safety and day-to-day operation at the heart of the solution.
Talk through your site ↗01↗
Schools and Colleges
Safeguarding-aware engineers, planned visits and careful coordination with school and college site teams.
02↗
Specialist SEND Schools
Extensive experience with schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Specialist fire alarm servicing and maintenance, alongside access control solutions shaped around safeguarding, daily routines and emergency escape requirements.
03↗
Healthcare: Doctors’ and Dental Surgeries
Fire and security support for healthcare premises, with visits coordinated around patients, staff and clinical routines.
04↗
Commercial and Industrial
Practical systems for offices, warehouses, manufacturing and mixed-use sites.
05↗
Hospitality
Fire and security systems supported around the needs of busy venues, staff and guests.
06↗
Residential and Property Management
Fire alarm and emergency lighting testing for managed properties, alongside security solutions for residential premises.
CASE STUDY Featured by Aiphone
Mary Hare School.
Access with Understanding.
Newbury, Berkshire
Specialist education
Specialist education
An entrance-control solution built around the communication needs of a school for deaf children.
Security and Accessibility
Mary Hare School needed to manage arrivals across three campus entrances while enabling deaf staff and visitors to communicate comfortably.
From Design to Commissioning
Optimal delivered consultation, design, integration, installation and commissioning of the overall system, bringing the infrastructure and control equipment together.
Clear Communication at the Gate
Aiphone IX | IXG two-way video intercoms allow reception staff and visitors to see one another, supporting lip-reading and sign language alongside controlled entry.
Aiphone’s published case study features the project and credits Optimal’s work.
Let’s talk
Tell Us What Your
Site Needs.
Whether you’re planning an upgrade, arranging maintenance or looking for a compatible product, we’re happy to talk it through.
CALL OUR TEAM0118 967 6194↗EMAIL USservice@optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk↗
BASED INReading, BerkshireServing Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Surrey
24-hour emergency callout
For existing service customers.
Products & supplies
Supplies and Accessories
for Your Fire and Security Systems.
Need a new fire safety compliance logbook, fire alarm test keys, extra access control cards or fobs, or replacement wireless alarm batteries? We can help source the right supplies and accessories for your system. Tell us what you need, and we’ll check compatibility and availability for you.
Ask about an item ↗▤
ACCESS CONTROL
↗Cards, Fobs and Tags
Replacement credentials for supported access control systems.
▱
ACCESSORIES
↗Lanyards and Holders
Card holders, clips and lanyards for staff and visitor cards.
▥
FIRE SAFETY
↗Fire Alarm Logbooks
Useful records for routine checks and system information.
⌁
MAINTENANCE
↗Test Accessories
Selected keys and accessories for supported equipment.
◉
INTRUDER ALARMS
↗Compatible Batteries
Wireless alarm batteries matched to the panel and device model.
Compatibility matters. Before ordering batteries, cards or test accessories, tell us the make and model of your system. We’ll check availability and suitability with you first.
Your questions
Fire and Security Support.
Practical Answers.
Planning maintenance or a security upgrade in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Surrey? Here are some useful starting points.
Which areas does Optimal Fire & Security cover?
We are based in Reading and support premises across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Surrey. Contact our team to discuss your location and the systems on your site.
Do you service and maintain existing fire alarm systems?
Yes. We specialise in fire alarm servicing, maintenance, repairs and remedial works. We also provide periodic testing, maintenance and repairs for emergency lighting. Tell us about your existing equipment so we can discuss the support you need.
Do you work with SEND schools and healthcare premises?
Yes. We have extensive experience with specialist SEND schools, with fire alarm maintenance and access control solutions shaped around safeguarding, daily routines and emergency escape requirements. We also support doctors’ and dental surgeries, schools and colleges.
Can you install access control, CCTV and intruder alarms?
Yes. We install access control, CCTV and intruder alarm systems, and provide ongoing support. We work with commercial and industrial premises, hospitality venues and residential properties as well as education and healthcare settings.
Can you arrange remote fire and intruder alarm monitoring?
Yes. We arrange 24/7 fire and intruder alarm monitoring through our nominated partner, ARC Monitoring. Response arrangements can include nominated keyholders, police response for eligible intruder systems, and fire brigade response subject to local Fire and Rescue Service policy and agreed procedures.
How do I arrange a service visit or discuss an upgrade?
Call 0118 967 6194 or email service@optimalfireandsecurity.co.uk. Our hands-on team will discuss your premises, existing systems and requirements. Our 24-hour emergency callout is for existing service customers.