Robert Moore is the operations director at DMIntegrated in Airdrie. Accreditations for the fire and security business include NSI 9001, Fire Gold, Nacoss Gold, 45001, BAFE Fire, CHAS, construction line, cyber essentials, TSA, Safe Contractor and BM Trada.
What would be a typical project for you?
DMi undertakes a vast and diversified range of projects across various sectors, which can involve single disciplines such as fire or security, or multidisciplinary, encompassing fire, CCTV, intruder, access, and disabled refuge.
Do you have any ‘go to’ technology/manufacturers?
We are a Gent System integrator for fire and promote this technology; however, we continually work in collaboration with all our supply chain partners to provide our valued customers with the information on the latest technology solutions that fit their requirements and budgets both now and in the future. This ensures that the solutions we provide will continue to meet or exceed their expectations and remain maintainable throughout the lifecycle.
What is the best thing about working this industry?
I enjoy the challenges of meeting the client’s specifications and expectations by delivering high-quality solutions and installations. I have always taken great pleasure in seeing the DMi contracts we are currently working on, or have worked on, throughout my tenure at the company.
Is NSI certification beneficial to you?
DMi recognised that when establishing our fire and security business, we would require full accreditation from a well-known industry governing body that had been established for several years. There were a few options available to us, however we selected the highest award, NSI Gold, for both fire and security.
When we were reviewing our options, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) was widely recognised as the main certification body for the UK security sector. We verified before making our decision that they would audit and closely monitor all of their approved companies in order to ensure that as members, we maintain the high standards required to achieve the certificate in the first place.
In achieving and maintaining NSI Gold, we recognise the ongoing work and high standards required to pass the stringent auditing processes that NSI conducts throughout the year; however, for our business, this allows us to achieve the highest accreditation, which in our industry is recognised by consultants, insurance companies, and the majority of our client base, placing us in a position to participate in a large number of tenders and works as an accredited Gold member of NSI.
Do you think there is an engineer skills shortage? Any trouble recruiting?
DMi recognises there a skill shortage in the industry and we continue to take on apprentices each year to fulfil roles within the business; we are fortunate that we retain the majority of them once they complete their apprenticeship and attain engineer status. The costs of high-quality engineers would appear to be driven by external organisations such as large FM providers, making it challenging for a SME company to retain or match engineer pay.
Read the full interview in the May 2024 edition of PSi magazine
