Fire and Security Systems
for
Higher Education
- Estate-Wide Visibility & Compliance Confidence
- Clear Audit Trails for Safeguarding & Investigations
- Controlled Access for Students, Staff & Contractors
Fire and Security Systems for Higher Education
As the trusted security partner for Oxford University, we install and maintain reliable fire and security systems that keep campuses safe, compliant and protected.
- Estate-Wide Visibility & Compliance Confidence
- Clear Audit Trails for Safeguarding & Investigations
- Controlled Access for Students, Staff & Contractors
Complete Fire & Security Management for Your Campus
Your campus spans multiple buildings with different access needs. Student ID cards, staff permissions, contractor access, visitor management – all running simultaneously. Scheduling maintenance around term time can be a nightmare. One system failure affects hundreds of people.
Since 1993, Chris Lewis Group has been delivering fire and security systems for universities and colleges in Oxford, across Oxfordshire and well beyond. We install, maintain and manage campus-wide systems that coordinate across your buildings – with vacation-period scheduling, faster support and proper documentation when you need it.
- Up to 10-Year Warranties
- 4-24 Hour Response Times
- 90%+ First Time Fix Rate
Fire, Security & AV Solutions for Every Part of Your Campus
Campus-Wide Smoke
Detection & Fire Protection
Addressable fire alarm systems with detection tailored to different building types. Zone-based coverage for lecture halls, laboratories, accommodation and admin buildings. Networked systems link multiple buildings with centralised monitoring. Automatic docs and compliance records ready for inspections.
Campus Surveillance & CCTV
HD CCTV coverage for entrances, car parks, bike storage and vulnerable areas. Remote viewing lets estates teams monitor multiple sites from one location. Systems designed to enhance student safety and provide evidence when incidents occur.
Campus Access Control
& Identity Management
Control access across campus buildings, laboratories and accommodation with cards or mobile systems. Manage permissions for students, staff, contractors and visitors. Integrate with student ID cards for seamless building access. Perfect for campuses with multiple buildings and user groups.
Access & Security for Student Accommodation
Secure residence halls and reduce lockouts with video intercoms that double as card readers, routing calls to staff, verifying residents with video and audio, and unlocking doors via smartphones or student ID cards.
Fire & Security for Labs
& Specialist Facilities
Enhanced VESDA fire detection for laboratories and specialist teaching spaces. Access control restricts entry to authorised users only. Environmental sensors and inert gas suppression systems account for hazardous materials storage and specialist equipment protection.
Sensitive Installation for Libraries & Study Spaces
Fire detection and security systems that protect buildings and collections while remaining unobtrusive during study periods. After-hours access control for 24/7 study facilities. CCTV for security without compromising student privacy.
Smart Lecture Theatres, Presentation & Audio systems
Create engaging, reliable learning environments with smart presentation and audio systems designed for modern lecture theatres. Deliver clear sound, seamless content sharing, and intuitive controls that support in-person, hybrid, and recorded teaching.
Higher Education
Case Studies
See how we’ve solved fire and security challenges for educational institutions like yours.
Balliol College
Read more
Campus Fire, Security & AV Brands we Install
We partner with industry-leading manufacturers to deliver reliable, future-proof systems. Our accreditations and training ensure expert installs and ongoing support.
Our Higher Education Install Process
Installs scheduled around academic terms. Everything tested before we leave. No disruption to lectures, exams or student accommodation.
All Your Campus Fire & Security Documentation in One Place
All compliance paperwork in one place. Service logs, certificates and invoices accessible anytime. Perfect for insurance reviews, regulatory inspections or audits.
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View All Your Buildings
Complete overview of every campus building and system
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Asset-Level Reporting
Catch system faults before they become problems
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Track Maintenance
See upcoming service visits and completion status
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Log New Faults
Report any issues with devices directly through the portal
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All Your Paperwork Sorted
Access service logs, compliance certificates, and invoices at any time
You're in Good Company
Let's Get Your Campus Fire, Security & AV Sorted
Related Services
FAQs
What fire and security systems do higher education institutions need?
It depends on your campus size, number of buildings and facility types. Most campuses need: networked fire detection across multiple buildings with centralised monitoring, campus-wide CCTV for common areas and car parks, access control that works with student ID cards, and specialist systems for laboratories and accommodation. Student housing requires compliance with HMO regulations. We assess your specific campus and recommend what makes sense for your institution.
How do you minimise disruption during install?
We schedule installs around your academic calendar, typically working during vacation periods, reading weeks or evenings for minimal impact. Our experienced engineers work efficiently and clean up thoroughly. For larger projects, we phase the work building by building to avoid disrupting your entire campus at once. Critical areas like exam halls are prioritised for completion before exam periods.
Can your systems integrate with student ID cards?
Yes. Our access control systems integrate with most student ID card systems, letting students use their existing cards for building access. This eliminates the need for separate access cards and makes permission management simpler as students enrol or leave. Systems can be programmed to grant access based on course requirements, accommodation allocation or timetabled activities.
Do you offer maintenance contracts for educational institutions?
Yes. Maintenance contracts take ongoing management off your plate. We schedule regular servicing automatically – you don’t chase us, we chase you. 24/7 technical support means problems get solved any time, including during exam periods. Remote diagnostics fix many issues without site visits, reducing disruption. With 98% on-time maintenance and 90%+ first-time fix rate, your systems work reliably without constant attention from your estates team.
Can you work across multiple campus buildings?
Yes. Our networked systems link multiple buildings with centralised monitoring from your estates office. View fire alarm status across all buildings from one platform. Manage access control permissions campus-wide. Monitor CCTV from multiple sites remotely. Perfect for universities and colleges managing large estates with diverse building types, all controlled from a single point.