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Sustainability Policy – ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd

Objective

ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd is providing a sustainability policy that not only covers the environmental impacts of the business but also includes other areas that affect the sustainability of the company moving forward. This includes the mitigation of risks, as well as improvements and engagements that could affect the company, its staff, customer service, local businesses, and charities.

Policy Aims

We will endeavour to:

  • Include all environmental actions of the business as documented in the company Environmental Policy.

  • Consider other areas of the business where we believe provide risk mitigation and consideration for the long-term health of the business and the stakeholders.

  • Ensure that all these areas are communicated to all interested parties.

Environmental Considerations

All the environmental considerations below are contained separately in the company Environmental Policy.

Travel

Due to the nature of the business, travel is a large part of everyday activity. Where possible, we will reduce the impact of travel as follows:

  • Promote the use of online meetings wherever possible where it is not vital that we meet stakeholders face to face.

  • Use public transport at every opportunity. All non-engineering trips to London are now via public transport.

  • Vehicle share to meetings and where site locations allow, advise Engineers to vehicle share.

  • Utilise EVs and Hybrid vehicles for middle and upper management and Surveyors. (Due to the geography of the business areas covered, it has been decided that EVs are not currently suitable for Engineers until the national infrastructure improves).

  • Maintain all vehicles in accordance with the manufacturer’s service schedules to maintain efficiency.

Waste & Recycling

We will use the following guidelines to reduce the impact of waste and improve recycling:

  • Use both internal and external recycling bins as well as standard waste bins.

  • Think before we print out any document or drawing—does it need to be printed?

  • Keep any scrap paper that could be used for internal printing.

  • Recycle all printer toners and cartridges.

  • Ensure all site waste is correctly disposed of, taking into consideration recycling.

  • Minimise the use of paper in the office through our new company-wide software system (installed in 2024), which will hugely reduce the use of paper.

  • Direct Engineers to use the new Service software so 95% of all call dockets are currently electronic. Small Service daywork quotes are now sent directly to the customer via the new system, negating any paper use.

  • Complete more of the company’s quotes through the Uptick software system, reducing the amount of paper being printed for quote files.

  • Recycle all batteries and electronic waste through local approved WEEE licensed companies, in accordance with the EU directive for electrical & electronic waste 2012/19/EU.

  • Dispose of all scrap metal and cable through licensed contractors.

  • Give priority to recycled products where suitable for the business.

Energy

We will reduce the amount of energy used using the following actions:

  • Convert all lighting in the office to LED (completed in 2024).

  • Commence the installation of room lighting sensors instead of switches, which are sometimes left on.

  • Monitor HVAC for correct and efficient use.

  • Utilise our mostly cloud-based IT infrastructure so PCs can be switched off at night.

  • Complete an annual review of utility providers and consider low or carbon-neutral suppliers.

  • Ensure taps are turned off at all times when not used.

Suppliers & Purchasing

We will monitor the supply chain and review suppliers to ensure their environmental aspirations meet ours. This will be done by:

  • Evaluating and giving priority to the most environmentally effective product or equipment.

  • Bulk buying where possible to reduce the number of deliveries.

  • Questioning suppliers’ environmental aspirations during annual review meetings.

  • Working with local suppliers wherever possible to reduce the impact of travel and energy.

Current Examples of Local Procurement:

Supplier Type Distance
Specialist printing Within 2 miles
Battery supplier Within 1 mile
Some security items Within 1 mile
Main equipment supplier Within 10 miles
Branded clothing supplier Within 6 miles

Monitoring

We will maintain a culture of review, improvement, and communication as follows:

  • Communicate the policy annually to all staff and ask them for feedback or suggestions on improvement.

  • Review the policy annually and include any changes.

  • Send the policy to other stakeholders.

  • Publish this policy, along with the Sustainability policy, on the website.

  • Provide staff with training where necessary and include them in the environmental process.

Other Sustainability Considerations

Supply Chain Management

We will continue to review and work with our suppliers to ensure their environmental policies align with our own, but also to ensure they provide the best commercial and financial support to our business. We will monitor this by:

  • Holding annual review meetings to discuss all aspects of the service they provide, ensuring we are kept up to date with market trends, new products, and innovations.

  • Carrying out regular market reviews to ensure we are getting the best service and advice.

  • Working with industry-accredited suppliers.

  • Working with local suppliers where possible.

Corporate Governance

The company will continue to work in accordance with our ISO9001:2015 accreditation to ensure a culture of continual improvement to all aspects of the business. This will be enhanced by:

  • Ensuring the structure of Directors and Management are all aligned to the continued success and stability of the company for a long-term future for staff and customers.

  • Engaging all Directors, Management, and staff with the company’s core values: Positivity, Respect, Ownership, Unity, and Delivery.

  • Continuing to work to gain and retain industry accreditations including BAFE, SSAIB, ISO9001:2015, Chas, Constructionline, and Safe Contractor.

  • Utilising expert consultants within the business in areas including Human Resources, Health and Safety, ISO9001:2015, as well as Accountants and Solicitors.

  • Operating financial controls to ensure a safe and long-term outlook.

Employee Care

We consider our employees to be the most important aspect of the business. Where possible, we try and consider how the employee experience can be improved and enhanced. Some of these areas include:

  • Implementation of a free External wellness program providing £150-£200 of dental and optical treatment per year. This also provides a range of in-patient costs, a remote GP service, and various types of support and counselling.

  • An additional day off for birthdays.

  • Occasional additional gifts, drinks, and meals.

  • A full Christmas party that includes partners and accommodation.

  • Rewards for long service, including generous financial rewards and ongoing additional holidays (up to a week per year following 15 years of service).

  • An annual bonus.

Inclusivity

We operate as a fully inclusive business without prejudice and welcome all persons regardless of gender, colour, race, religion, or social standing.

Future Resource

We look to the future to see where we can mitigate risk and build good sustainability. These actions include:

  • Directors purchasing the office building to ensure long-term stability.

  • An ongoing program of apprenticeships to bring on our own trained Engineers.

  • An annual review of the risk register and completion of a SWOT analysis.

  • Good practice financial investment and control.

Social and Community

We feel it is vital to engage with the local community and wider social networks, as well as giving some time to charity. We believe that by giving our time and expertise, we will have a greater standing in the local and business communities, which will serve the company to become stronger in business and value. Some areas where we engage are:

  • Marketing our business on our website and social platforms to show our services and completed projects, proving we are a strong, reliable, and proficient company that will attract future work.

  • Attending networking meetings to engage with local business networks, drive local business, and reduce future travel liabilities.

  • The installation of a CCTV system which covers our building and affords some coverage to our neighbouring businesses.

  • The installation of a defibrillator in 2024 for our staff and the local business community.

  • Working with nominated charity partner Wessex Cancer Trust.

  • Working with Maggie’s in Southampton, a cancer support charity, where M.D. Andy Burridge works on the Fundraising board to assist with events.

  • Supporting Selsey Lifeboat (where our Business Development Consultant, Max Wiseman, is a Coxswain) by offering support with free security systems.

Responsibility

Managing Director Andy Burridge has overall responsibility for the application and communication of this policy to ensure the culture of environmental consideration and ongoing sustainability are continually reviewed.

This policy will be reviewed annually. The next review is due in August 2025.

Andy Burridge, M.D.

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