Question 1

Are your security officers SIA-licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All MSS-FM security officers hold current SIA licences. SIA licensing is a legal requirement for front-line security work in the UK and ensures every officer has passed identity checks, a criminal record check, and relevant security training.

Question 2

Do you provide security services UK-wide?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSS-FM is based in Southampton but provides security guarding, waking watch and site security services across the UK, including Southampton, Brighton, Manchester, London, Portsmouth and surrounding regions.

Question 3

Can you provide short-notice security cover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We understand that security gaps can arise at short notice due to contractor no-shows, emergencies or last-minute site requirements. Contact us on 07480 800895 to discuss urgent deployment.

Question 4

How do I request a security quote?

Accepted Answer

Simply call us on 07480 800895 or complete our online quote form. Tell us the site type, location, hours required and any specific risk requirements. We will come back to you promptly with a clear, no-obligation proposal.

Question 5

What is waking watch and when would our building need it?

Accepted Answer

Waking watch is temporary patrol cover used while fire safety arrangements cannot rely on the usual alarm or evacuation strategy — for example during faults, phased works or when simultaneous evacuation is required. Patrols, hazard observation and clear logs support responsible persons until permanent measures are restored. It complements professional fire risk advice; it is not a substitute for fixing underlying systems.

Question 6

Do you work as a subcontractor for FM companies or main contractors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly support facilities management firms and construction teams that need dependable security cover and straightforward paperwork. We aim to match your reporting expectations and keep deployment and handovers practical for site and contract managers.

Question 7

What does construction site security include beyond "a guard on site"?

Accepted Answer

Typical duties include gatehouse presence, access control, vehicle and visitor checks, perimeter patrols, delivery monitoring, plant and materials deterrence, incident logs and clear shift handovers. The exact brief is agreed around your site risk, programme and hours.

Question 8

How do you document incidents and shift activity?

Accepted Answer

Officers record access events, patrol activity and incidents in line with the site brief. Written logs and handover notes give you an audit trail suitable for insurance and stakeholder reporting where required.

Question 9

Can you supply insurance details for our tender or site induction?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSS-FM operates with insurance in place. Contact us with your procurement or site requirements and we will provide the documentation your team needs.

Question 10

Where does MSS-FM prioritise coverage in the UK?

Accepted Answer

We provide UK-wide security guarding and waking watch. Southampton is our base; we also support Brighton, Manchester, London, Portsmouth and other regions regularly. Call us to confirm availability for your postcode and timeframe.

Question 11

Do you offer dog handler or K9 security?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dog handler security can be arranged for sites where a visible deterrent and patrol presence needs to go beyond standard guarding. Tell us your site type and risk profile so we can propose suitable cover.

Question 12

What is emergency or short-notice security cover?

Accepted Answer

It is deployment when cover is needed urgently — for example contractor no-show, a break-in, alarm failure or an unexpected gap on rota. Call 07480 800895 with your site location, hours and risk so we can advise on the fastest option.

Question 13

Are your security guards SIA-licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All MSS-FM security officers hold current SIA licences. This is a legal requirement for front-line security work in the UK and ensures every officer has been identity-checked, criminal-record-checked and trained to industry standards.

Question 14

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We provide security guarding services across the UK, with current activity in Southampton, Brighton, Manchester and London. Call us to discuss coverage for your specific site location.

Question 15

Do you offer short-term or rolling contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with clients on both long-term contracts and short-term or emergency requirements. We understand that security needs can change quickly, so we aim to be flexible.

Question 16

Will I receive incident reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our officers complete written shift reports and incident logs for every assignment. These can be provided in whatever format your site or organisation requires.

Question 17

Can you provide overnight or weekend cover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide security cover across all shifts — days, evenings, nights and weekends — to match your site's operational requirements.

Question 18

When is a waking watch required?

Accepted Answer

A waking watch is typically required when a building's fire alarm system is impaired — for example due to a fault, planned maintenance, hot works or simultaneous evacuation requirements in high-rise residential buildings. Requirements are usually determined by the local fire authority or responsible person.

Question 19

How often do operatives patrol?

Accepted Answer

Patrol frequency is agreed with the client and responsible person based on the building's risk profile. Common intervals range from every 15 to 30 minutes, with clear timed logs maintained throughout.

Question 20

Can you provide waking watch at short notice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We understand that waking watch requirements can arise suddenly. Contact us on 07480 800895 to discuss urgent deployment.

Question 21

Do your operatives support evacuation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our fire operatives are trained to raise the alarm, communicate with residents or occupants, and support evacuation procedures in the event of an incident.

Question 22

Do you cover construction sites outside of Southampton?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide construction site security across the UK. We have experience covering sites in Southampton, Brighton, Manchester, London and surrounding areas.

Question 23

Can you provide out-of-hours and overnight cover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Overnight and weekend cover is a core part of our construction site security service. These are the highest-risk periods for theft and trespass.

Question 24

Can you cover a site for a specific phase of a project?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work flexibly with project timelines and can provide security for a specific phase, from ground break through to practical completion.

Question 25

Will the site manager receive shift reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide written shift reports and access logs after each shift, so the site manager always has an accurate record of what happened on site.

Question 26

What types of sites are dog handler teams suited to?

Accepted Answer

Dog handler security is well-suited to large construction sites, industrial premises, vacant or void properties, distribution centres, and any site where a strong deterrent is required for out-of-hours cover.

Question 27

Are your dog handler teams trained?

Accepted Answer

Our dog handler security teams are trained professionals. Please contact us to discuss specific handler credentials and accreditations relevant to your site requirements.

Question 28

Can you deploy dog handler teams at short notice?

Accepted Answer

We can often accommodate short-notice requirements. Contact us on 07480 800895 to discuss availability.

Question 29

Can your officers manage goods-in procedures?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our officers can be briefed to manage goods-in access control, check delivery vehicles and maintain a log of inbound deliveries and collections.

Question 30

Do you provide overnight warehouse cover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Out-of-hours and overnight guarding is one of the core services we provide for warehouse and distribution clients.

Question 31

Can you work around our shift patterns?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are flexible and can structure cover to align with your operational shift patterns and handover times.

Question 32

Are your officers suited to professional office environments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Officers deployed to office and corporate environments are selected for their professional conduct and communication skills, not just their security capability.

Question 33

Can you cover out-of-hours and overnight office security?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide out-of-hours and overnight cover for empty office buildings, business parks and corporate premises.

Question 34

Will patrol visits help with my vacant property insurance?

Accepted Answer

Documented security patrols are often a requirement of vacant property insurance policies. We provide written patrol records that can be supplied to your insurer as required.

Question 35

How often do you visit a vacant property?

Accepted Answer

Visit frequency is agreed based on the property's risk profile and insurance requirements. We can accommodate daily, multi-weekly or weekly patrol schedules.

Question 36

What types of vacant properties do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We cover vacant residential properties, commercial premises, industrial units and development sites. Contact us to discuss your specific property situation.

Question 37

How quickly can you deploy emergency security cover?

Accepted Answer

Deployment timescales depend on location and availability. Contact us immediately on 07480 800895 and we will advise on the fastest available response for your location.

Question 38

Can emergency cover transition to a longer-term contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Emergency cover can transition to a rolling or fixed-term contract once the immediate requirement has been established. We are happy to support you through that transition.

Question 39

What types of client use your emergency cover service?

Accepted Answer

Our emergency cover service is used by FM companies, construction project managers, property managers, warehouse operators and businesses who have an immediate security gap to fill.

Security Services FAQs

Questions from buyers & site teams

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Security Services FAQs

Questions from buyers & site teams

LicensingAre your security officers SIA-licensed?

CoverageDo you provide security services UK-wide?

AvailabilityCan you provide short-notice security cover?

ProcessHow do I request a security quote?

Waking watchWhat is waking watch and when would our building need it?

ProcurementDo you work as a subcontractor for FM companies or main contractors?

ConstructionWhat does construction site security include beyond "a guard on site"?

ReportingHow do you document incidents and shift activity?

InsuranceCan you supply insurance details for our tender or site induction?

CoverageWhere does MSS-FM prioritise coverage in the UK?

Specialist securityDo you offer dog handler or K9 security?

Emergency coverWhat is emergency or short-notice security cover?

LicensingAre your security guards SIA-licensed?

CoverageWhat areas do you cover?

ContractsDo you offer short-term or rolling contracts?

ReportingWill I receive incident reports?

AvailabilityCan you provide overnight or weekend cover?

ComplianceWhen is a waking watch required?

ProcessHow often do operatives patrol?

AvailabilityCan you provide waking watch at short notice?

ScopeDo your operatives support evacuation?

CoverageDo you cover construction sites outside of Southampton?

HoursCan you provide out-of-hours and overnight cover?

ContractsCan you cover a site for a specific phase of a project?

ReportingWill the site manager receive shift reports?

SuitabilityWhat types of sites are dog handler teams suited to?

AccreditationsAre your dog handler teams trained?

AvailabilityCan you deploy dog handler teams at short notice?

OperationsCan your officers manage goods-in procedures?

HoursDo you provide overnight warehouse cover?

ContractsCan you work around our shift patterns?

SuitabilityAre your officers suited to professional office environments?

HoursCan you cover out-of-hours and overnight office security?

InsuranceWill patrol visits help with my vacant property insurance?

FrequencyHow often do you visit a vacant property?

PropertiesWhat types of vacant properties do you cover?

SpeedHow quickly can you deploy emergency security cover?

DurationCan emergency cover transition to a longer-term contract?

SectorsWhat types of client use your emergency cover service?