Nick Atkinson, National Account Manager for Trade at FireAngel, explores how wholesalers can help contractors and housing providers meet their responsibilities by offering more than just products on shelves.

In the domestic fire detection market, compliance is often viewed as something achieved once devices are installed. But in reality, genuine compliance goes far beyond simply fitting alarms to walls or ceilings. It is a process that continues through testing, commissioning, handover, and ongoing maintenance, and getting each stage right is essential to ensuring life-saving protection and avoiding serious liability.

Compliance journey

For electrical wholesalers, understanding the full compliance journey isn’t just useful, it’s vital to providing the right solutions, advice, and products to customers. In the UK, BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 sets out the recognised standard for domestic fire detection and alarm systems. The guidance applies across social housing, private rental properties, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and new-build developments, providing clear recommendations for system design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

Ultimately, the aim is to ensure systems are reliable, properly installed, and capable of providing critical protection when needed most.

While product selection and system design form the foundations of compliance, there remains a misconception that simply supplying certified devices is enough to guarantee a compliant system. But as wholesalers will appreciate, the products themselves are only part of the picture. The final stages of testing, commissioning, and routine checks are equally important, and they are often where compliance gaps emerge if standards and best practices are not followed.

Even the most advanced detection system depends entirely on correct installation, testing, and consideration of real-world factors. BS 5839-6 highlights the importance of testing and commissioning of detectors using test apparatus as a vital safety requirement, not an optional extra. For wholesalers, that means understanding the wider process and being equipped to support customers with product advice that reflects the realities of working on site.

Testing verifies that detectors respond as intended, that interconnected devices communicate effectively, and that both primary and backup power supplies meet performance standards. However, real-world factors like detector placement in consideration of numerous factors such as proximity to, heating, ventilation, light fittings, walls, beams and the highest point within the protected space can all affect system reliability. If these aren’t addressed during installation and commissioning, even the best products can fall short, leaving housing providers, landlords, and contractors exposed to compliance failures and increased safety risks.

That’s why achieving compliance is a shared responsibility across the supply chain. Manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, and housing providers all play a part. Wholesalers are often the first port of call for product advice, making it essential to have a solid understanding of standards like BS 5839-6 and the role that proper system design, installation, and maintenance play in long-term compliance.

Consistency is key

From a wholesaler perspective, this shared responsibility also extends to what is stocked, specified, and supplied. In a sector where product availability can vary between branches and regions, consistency is critical. Supplying the right products at the right time, and ensuring they meet current standards, helps installers avoid last-minute substitutions that can undermine system design or lead to non-compliant installations.

This is particularly relevant in social housing, local authority and large-scale residential projects, where compliance obligations are closely scrutinised and documentation trails are increasingly important. In these environments, wholesalers are not simply fulfilling orders, but acting as a key link between specification, installation, and long-term system performance.

Compliance doesn’t stop at installation. Over time, environmental factors, alarm tampering, battery degradation, or system interference can all compromise performance. That makes routine testing and maintenance essential, something wholesalers can help reinforce through customer conversations and product recommendations.

For housing providers and landlords, maintaining compliance requires robust processes for ongoing checks, reporting faults, and carrying out repairs. The latest connected technologies, such as those developed by FireAngel, can assist by providing real-time alerts of faults, tampering, or system issues, offering extra peace of mind for residents and property owners. But these tools complement, rather than replace, professional inspections and good practice.

To help strengthen this link between compliant specification and compliant supply, FireAngel has developed its Approved Stockist Scheme, working with selected wholesalers to support best practice across the distribution stage. The initiative is designed to give installers and housing providers greater confidence that the products they are sourcing are appropriate for regulated domestic applications and aligned with current standards.

By working more closely with approved supply partners, manufacturers can help reduce the lack of clarity at the point of purchase and reinforce the importance of correct system design, particularly on more complex projects. This approach also supports wholesalers by positioning them as informed, trusted suppliers within an increasingly regulated fire safety landscape.

High standards

With fire detection and carbon monoxide alarm requirements becoming more stringent across the UK housing sector, wholesalers have an increasingly important role to play. By stocking reliable, compliant solutions, providing technical insight, and promoting best practice, wholesalers can help installers, contractors, and landlords ensure systems meet the required standards from day one and continue to protect throughout their lifetime.

At FireAngel, we understand that compliance is about more than supplying certified products. Our connected technologies and advanced detection solutions are designed to support wholesalers, installers, and housing providers with system monitoring, real-time alerts, and enhanced fault detection, ensuring protection continues long after installation.

Domestic fire safety compliance is not a one-off task. It’s an ongoing process, built on collaboration across the supply chain, rigorous testing, careful commissioning, and long-term system monitoring. Wholesalers are a crucial part of that chain, providing not just products, but the knowledge and support that help contractors and housing providers get it right at every stage.

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With its latest lighting catalogue now out in circulation and new products making their way into the market, Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager, Scolmore Group, puts the spotlight on some of the Ovia commercial floodlights that are proving popular with contractors.

Ovia’s extensive floodlighting collection provides contractors, designers and specifiers with a range of powerful and energy efficient floodlights that are suitable for a wide variety of projects and environmental conditions. Included in the comprehensive lineup are IK10-rated outdoor wall packs, asymmetric floodlights with photocell, robust metal floodlights, IP66 street lighting and solar powered LED floodlights.

Leading the pack

The Inceptor Murus is an LED Wall Pack with CTA switch and a robust IK10 rated housing that makes it ideal in outdoor settings. This IP66 rated fitting is designed to be fast and simple to install and is available in 15W and 25W options and in a choice of standard, photocell and emergency versions. The photocell version can assist with energy saving by allowing the light to turn on and off at set lux levels. Inceptor Murus will turn on when the lux level is below 10-30 lux.

Installation of the Murus is quick and easy, thanks to the Push Fit/Piano Key Terminal Block and the floodlight can be Besa box or trunking mounted. All models include a CTA Switch allowing the product to change colour temperature between Warm White 3000K, Cool White 4000K and Daylight 6000K. It is available in anthracite grey or light grey and comes with a five-year warranty.

TM66

Like many of the Inceptor luminaires, the Murus has been tested and has met the requirements of the TM66 Assured Product Verification Scheme. The TM66 scheme is an innovative initiative developed and fulfilled by the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) and endorsed by CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) and its aim is to advance circular economy practices within the lighting industry. Ovia is working towards making sure all its Inceptor luminaires meet the requirements of the scheme. TM66 testing involves the gathering of thorough evidence to support the specifications of our product range. We use the LIA to verify our TM66 results to ensure we have a consistent and accurate rating.

Edge to edge lighting

Launched just last month is the Sentro – a range of IP65-rated Frameless LED Floodlights designed to thrive in the most demanding environments. With its frameless design allowing edge to edge lighting, the Sentro offers a stylish and contemporary lighting choice.

An ideal solution for lighting large outdoor areas, these versatile luminaires are supplied in a black finish as standard and they are available in a variety of wattages – 10W, 20W, 30W and 50W – in standard or PIR variants. A choice of warm white or cool white colour temperature options is also available with all wattages.

Sentro is the first frameless IP65 rated floodlight that offers a PIR version. The PIR version has a 120-degree PIR detection angle and an 8m detection range and features an override function. The luminaires are supplied pre-fitted with one metre of cable and come with an adjustable and angled bracket for installer convenience.

Solar solutions

As businesses and homeowners continue to deal with the dual challenge of high energy prices and environment pressures, Ovia last year developed a range of solar power lighting solutions, adding a new solar powered LED security floodlight and two solar powered LED street lights to its range. The Zontor solar powered LED streetlight is a powerful 40W or 15W solar panel with advanced LED technology, resulting in an outstanding lumen output (4800 lumen on the 40W model and 1600 lumen for the 14W model.)  It features a slim and modern, patent design and the light can be adjusted. The Zonne solar LED security floodlight has a radiant 8W output, casting a crisp 4000k temperature glow at an impressive 950 lumens. IP65 rated, the Zonne is equipped with an adaptable solar panel that can be easily adjusted.  As a very handy, additional feature, the Zonne fitting can be disconnected and used as a torch.

Finding the right path

Pathfinder is Ovia’s extensive range of powerful and robust, metal LED floodlights that provide a modern solution for retrofits and new installations alike. The range comprises standard floodlights as well as versions with Photocell and PIR sensors. In total the Pathfinder range offers 40 floodlight options from 10W – 300W, with fittings up to 50W available in both black and white finishes and in Warm White and Cool White colour temperature options.

This modern range has high quality LEDs installed, offering 30,000 hours’ (L70) lifetime and 100,000 switching cycles. The design incorporates a prismatic diffuser which produces a more even spread of light. All standard Pathfinder floodlights are IP65 rated, while those with sensors are IP44 rated. The more industrial 100W to 300W range are also IK07 rated. The standard range can be used with remote sensors, PIRs (indoor and outdoor) or Microwave sensors (indoor only) as well as with smart control systems.

Ovia Issue 5 Lighting Catalogue

Ovia’s latest catalogue, issue 5, showcases the company’s comprehensive lighting collection, including the floodlighting range. It can be downloaded from the Ovia website – www.oviauk.com – and from the Scolmore Group app. To get hold of a hard copy, speak to your local area sales manager, or pick one up at one of the trade shows taking place around the country.

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In the fast-changing wiring accessories sector, new features and technologies are always just around the corner. Amy Burley, Global Offering Manager at MK Electric, examines the switchsocket innovations sparking change in 2024.

The humble switchsocket is an essential part of modern life; one that is continually evolving with developments in technology and advancements in mechanical design.

Although the UK had sockets as early as 1885, it wasn’t until April 1919 that a reliable, effective two-pin socket was developed: MK Electric co-founder Charles Arnold patented the Multy Kontact socket and the British Engineering Standards Association soon declared it the new standard. This remained until 1947, when BS1363 was published, and the age of the 13A, three-pin socket began.

Today, access to power is in high demand, whether for plugging in laptops and monitors in commercial offices or charging mobile devices during the morning commute. Time is of the essence for consumers and contractors alike: consumers want convenient access to power, quickly, and contractors want to be able to fulfil the customer needs as efficiently as possible.

This is balanced by a heightened awareness on the need for sustainability. With rising costs and tightening regulatory requirements, businesses are continuously refining their energy management strategies and introducing new technologies, from IoT to metering, to better control energy consumption.

These two driving forces in the electrical market are fostering innovation within socket technology.

Every bar counts

In the past decade we have seen a meteoric rise of switchsockets with integrated USB outlets for convenient charging of portable electronics. From mobile phones and tablets to smart watches and wireless headphones, we all have an ever-growing arsenal of electronics that need charging – and quickly . USB outlets have become very popular in commercial properties such as hotels, cafes and airports as a way of conveniently enhancing consumer experience.

Until recently, USB-A ports were the norm. However, this is now giving way to the improved efficiency of USB-C, which can provide a much higher output.

As of 2023, the European Union has thrown its support behind USB-C as the universal standard for charging portable electronics with the introduction of its common charging legislation. Manufacturers have until the end of 2024 to adapt accordingly, but many have already began adjusting their designs. The most notable example is Apple, who made the shift from its lightning connector to USB-C in its iPhone 15, marking the most substantial change in Apple’s charging technology in a decade.

Switchsockets are likewise adapting, with USB-C sockets becoming more popular. For example, MK Electric has added USB-A and USB-C ports to its most popular wiring device ranges of switchsockets. The range uses power delivery (PD) protocol to rapidly charge devices, and is able to charge iPhones to 50 percent in 30 minutes. Unlike other mainstream wiring device brands, the 30W ‘fast-charge’ version also offers double-pole switching for enhanced user safety.

With this extension to MK’s popular ranges of wiring devices, electrical contractors can fulfil the booming demand for USB-C with a high-quality product that ensures future-proofed safe and rapid charging.

Connecting power

On the commercial front, the trend towards connectivity and IoT has gained pace in recent years. In many cases, this shift has been driven by a need for operational cost control and greater sustainability, with connected device-to-device communication being better to manage equipment remotely, automate processes, and reduce power consumption.

For businesses, managing IoT devices and connected systems usually involves the use of a building management system (BMS) or building energy management system (BEMS).

However, electrical sockets have not historically been integrated into a BEMS. When you consider that the modern commercial property will have hundreds of plug-in devices, it’s no surprise that small power can account for a quarter of a building’s entire energy usage.

2023 saw a dramatic change in the market with the launch of MK Electric’s multi-award-winning Connected Power solution. Developed to meet the evolving needs of commercial installs and designed for improved energy management, Connected Power is the UK’s first BMS-integrated controllable socket.

Comprising smart plug sockets and connectivity hubs, the Connected Power solution allows businesses to gain visibility into their buildings’ energy usage, remotely power down unused sockets and automate functions such as scheduling, grouping and alarms. Data is available down to an outlet level, providing more robust information and control of energy use.

Connected Power sockets have a 25mm backbox like standard BS1363 standard plug sockets, allowing for easy retrofits. Installers can interlink up to 50 sockets, and as many as 50 hubs can connect to a single supervisor or BMS.

In 2024, technology that gives commercial businesses complete control over plug-in energy consumption will no doubt become even more prevalent, and advance further to incorporate cloud control.

Time is money

It’s not just the functionality of switchsocket technology that has been developing recently; the installation process has evolved to become faster, easier, and safer.

Behind the socket, screw termination can be time-consuming, especially when installing multiple. Each needs to be mindfully installed to prevent over- or under-tightening, which could lead to wasted time on call backs and fault-finding.

Inspired by alternatives used in the lighting industry, MK Electric developed Rapid Fix technology, which uses spring-loaded cable clamp terminations that meet the requirements of BS1363 for a safe, secure, and reliable connection that doesn’t degrade over time.

MK Electric has led the way on ease of install with its products for years, from its groundbreaking use of backed out and captive screws and inline terminals to its latest innovation: Rapid Fix technology. Rapid Fix is a further evolution of that, making the install of Logic Plus sockets more efficient. Recently, this innovation was incorporated into MK Electric’s Masterseal Plus range of weather-resistant enclosures, forming an award-winning solution that brings faster install speeds to more projects than ever before.

With a wealth of new technologies abound, 2024 looks set to be an electrifying year for switchsockets. By being aware of and offering these flourishing innovations, wholesalers can play a key role in helping contractors and specifiers meet the changing needs of buildings and customers.

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With wireless technology now seen as the preferred technology for heating and plumbing contractors, Sangamo has seen a rise in demand for the wireless room thermostats it offers in its Choice Plus range.

Contractors can install them more quickly, without the need for hard wiring the thermostat – making them the perfect replacement for older wired thermostats and a great opportunity for contractors to upsell to their clients.

The Sangamo Choice+ wireless programmable room thermostat is designed for controlling heating systems via an electronic sensor. It operates via wireless communication between the thermostat and receiver and is 24-hour or seven day programmable. It regulates and maintains a desirable temperature through the home by calling for heat as the temperature varies through the day. For example, if the temperature drops below the set temperature the thermostat calls for heat from the boiler, heating the radiators until the set point is reached.

It offers a TPI (Time Proportional and Integral) control feature to ensure a maintained temperature by analysis of the heating and cooling periods. In addition, it includes optimum start and delayed stop for additional efficiency, heating and cooling for the time programmed.

These features combine to offer the best in heating comfort and energy efficiency when compared to traditional on/off thermostats.

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