Skip to content
Modern dark office building with many windows

Commercial intruder alarm systems

We design, install and service commercial intruder alarms. We’ll help you choose detection for your premises, make the alarm straightforward for staff to use and decide how you want to be notified when it activates.

Trusted on sites like these

  • Sellafield Ltd
  • Fulham FC
  • Goodyear
  • Morrisons
  • AFC Wimbledon
  • Reading FC

Choosing your intruder alarm

Cable routes, opening hours and the areas you need to protect all influence the design. These are the main parts we’ll discuss with you.

  • Wired intruder alarms

    Cabled detectors and controls suit projects where cable routes are accessible. In a new build or refurbishment, planning the routes early avoids revisiting finished areas.

  • Wireless and hybrid systems

    Wireless detection reduces the need for new cables. A hybrid system combines wired and wireless devices, which can help when extending an existing alarm. We check compatibility and radio coverage before recommending it.

  • Detection and alarm zones

    Door contacts and movement or shock detectors look for different signs of intrusion. We select them for each space and plan zones so you can set closed areas while other parts of the building stay in use.

  • Monitored intruder alarms

    We can connect your alarm to a 24/7 NSI-approved receiving centre. Its operators contact nominated keyholders or request police response under the arrangement set up for your system.

    Alarm monitoring
  • Keypads and app control

    The people opening and closing your premises need controls they can use confidently. We explain the keypad and any available app functions. Phone alerts and professional alarm monitoring are different services.

  • Intruder alarm servicing

    Regular servicing checks the equipment and highlights faults or changes that need attention. If you already have an alarm, we can assess it for repair, an upgrade or a change of maintenance provider.

    Service and maintenance

An alarm that fits the way you use the building

When the building closes

An empty building needs a clear plan for alarm activations. An audible alarm relies on someone nearby hearing it; monitoring can notify your nominated contacts when nobody is on site. We’ll talk through your closing routine and who needs access after hours.

  • Staff and keyholdersDecide who sets the alarm and who should be contacted if it activates. Keep those contact details up to date.
  • People working lateSeparate alarm areas can give cleaners, tenants and late-working staff access while the rest of the premises is secured.
  • The response you needTell us if your insurer asks for monitoring or police response so we can include the signalling and registration needed.

Often paired with

Buildings that are hard to cable

Finished interiors, thick walls and detached outbuildings can make new cable routes difficult. Wireless or hybrid detection may reduce the work, but it still needs a reliable connection. We check the building before deciding which approach suits each area.

  • Check the radio coverageWalls, distance and device positions affect wireless links. A site survey checks where radio equipment will work.
  • Keep suitable equipmentExisting wiring or detectors may still be useful. We check their condition and compatibility before recommending reuse.
  • Allow for maintenanceWireless devices need battery checks and replacements. Equipment should be reachable for servicing as well as installation.

Faults, upgrades and maintenance takeovers

Repeated false alarms can disrupt work and leave keyholders dealing with unnecessary call-outs. Send us your service reports and tell us what has been happening. We’ll investigate the pattern and check whether the equipment still suits the rooms it protects.

  • Start with the event historyThe zone, time and circumstances of each activation help us narrow down the cause.
  • Review changes to the premisesA new partition, altered room use or different working hours may call for changes to detectors or alarm settings.
  • Changing service providerWe’ll assess your alarm and its records, then coordinate any changes to monitoring or police registration.

Often paired with

Photo: Home Intruder Alarm system (illustrative equipment example), Harrihealey02. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and cropped; adapted image remains CC BY-SA 3.0. Residential example, not a Centurion project.

A specification you and your insurer can check

The design sets out the alarm grade, detection coverage and any monitoring. PD 6662 provides the UK framework for applying intruder alarm standards, including BS EN 50131. Share your insurer’s written conditions before we prepare the specification.

  • The grade and areas to be protected
  • How staff will set and unset the alarm
  • Who receives signals and what happens next
  • System records, certification and maintenance

NSI NACOSS Gold approved

Centurion’s approval covers the design, installation and maintenance of intruder and hold-up alarms. You can check our company listing through the accreditations page.

Expect Warehouse
  • ISO 9001:2015

Planning your intruder alarm installation

Bring any building plans, insurance conditions and existing alarm records to the survey. We’ll use them to explain the work needed and prepare your quotation.

  1. Before you decide

    Survey and design

    We check entry points, room use, cable routes and any existing equipment, then propose the detection and controls you need.

    You get: A system specification and quotation

  2. During the planned works

    Installation and testing

    We agree access with your team, fit and test the equipment, and check the receiving-centre connection if monitoring is included.

    You get: Installed and tested equipment

  3. At handover

    Handover and user instruction

    We explain setting, unsetting and fault reporting, provide the records and apply for police registration where included.

    You get: Certification, records and operating instructions

  4. After installation and ongoing

    Intruder alarm maintenance

    We’ll agree a service programme and record the checks and repairs. Tell us about faults and changes to the building or its connections so we can review the alarm before a small issue becomes a recurring problem.

    You get: Service records and recommended repairs

Intruder alarms we’ve fitted

Questions about commercial intruder alarms

How much does commercial intruder alarm installation cost?

The price depends on the detection coverage, alarm grade, cable routes and equipment your premises need. Keeping suitable existing equipment may reduce the work. We survey the site before quoting and explain the installation cost alongside any ongoing monitoring and maintenance charges.

What grade of intruder alarm does my business need?

The grade depends on the risk and your insurer’s conditions. A building’s size or use alone doesn’t decide it. Ask your insurer for its requirements in writing and share them with us before design starts. We’ll prepare the specification for you to check against your policy.

Does a monitored alarm automatically get police response?

No. In England and Wales, police response needs an eligible system, an approved installer and receiving centre, and a police-issued Unique Reference Number (URN). New systems must meet the applicable PD 6662 and BS 8243 requirements for confirmed alarms. Attendance depends on police priorities and resources; repeated false calls can lead to response being withdrawn. We’ll explain the registration needed for your premises.

How often does an intruder alarm need servicing?

NSI guidance recommends annual checks for audible-only alarms and twice-yearly servicing or maintenance for systems connected to an approved alarm receiving centre. We’ll confirm the programme for your equipment and service agreement, including any permitted remote checks. Report faults when they appear rather than waiting for the next visit.

Can you take over an alarm installed by another company?

Yes, after assessing it. The panel make, condition, service history and access to its programming affect what we can maintain. We’ll explain any repairs or upgrades needed and check the monitoring and police registration before a changeover. A takeover doesn’t automatically mean replacing the whole alarm.

Can an intruder alarm work with CCTV and access control?

Compatible systems can be linked, for example to show CCTV footage associated with an alarm event or coordinate access with setting routines. We’ll check your equipment and what you want the connection to do. Adding cameras alone doesn’t make an intruder alarm eligible for police response.

Are commercial burglar alarms different from intruder alarms?

The names usually describe the same equipment: a system that detects unauthorised entry and raises an alert. When comparing quotations, look at the grade, detection coverage, notification method and response included. Those details matter more than which name the supplier uses.