Our team was working around the clock this summer, upgrading the fire alarm systems in multiple schools across Salisbury and Weymouth. 

The old conventional systems have been replaced with brand new Advanced MX Pro 5 Addressable panels. The MxPro 5 series is a user-friendly control panel that consists of the latest dual flash-based microprocessor technology. The panel has high resolution, high contrast, graphical LCD display and tactile keypad that provides a simple select & click programming aid for easy engineer configuration and simple end-user operation.

We have also installed additional automatic detection to ensure the schools adhered to the required L2 fire category standards, including voids and lofts. We installed separate lockdown buttons in the reception areas, and programmed the specific output groups for those devices,  using the MxPro Config Tool.  This means that, when operated, they will  sound a different tone, ensuring staff know to begin their inhouse lockdown procedures. 

Other summer projects included installation of automated vehicle and pedestrian electric gates, video intercom and PC based IP access control systems to improve the safety features and safeguarding procedures in schools, helping to supervise and precisely control access to and from the school.

Such fire safety and security improvements in schools, academies and educational settings ensure their legal compliance and duty of care.

We cannot imagine a better job satisfaction than knowing we are doing our bit to keep our next generation safe

In this beautiful location we installed a new CCTV system, including VCA (video analytics).  Driven with artificial intelligence for false alarm management, the VCA is monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre for the Police and a keyholder response. 

This historic site in a rural area, with specific aesthetics requirements, has a vast landscape.  There was no line of sight to link the cameras, across three gates, that were 0.7 miles apart. We used only IP cameras for the job, so we had to introduce multiple long-range cabling converters to make the system work. 

As the rural location limited the available broadband capabilities, we introduced a CCTV grade dedicated 4G router to facilitate good and reliable access for the customer, as well as monitoring station connections. 

Later on, we added the system arming schedules, defining expected times for the staff to set the CCTV at the gates and alert the keyholders in case of late/early setting. We also installed IP speakers for remotely interacting with visitors on site.  

In addition, we took over a now obsolete EMS 5000 wireless fire alarm system for maintenance and monitoring, which at the time of take-over had 98 various faults with various devices (approximately 300 devices in total). Our expert knowledge of various fire safety systems allowed us to identify and eliminate multiple issues related to battery packs and radio connectivity.

A small ARC-monitored GALAXY intruder alarm system was installed to protect the recording equipment when the site is unmanned. 

Having linked the fire alarm to the intruder alarm’s communicator for ARC monitoring, we backed up that monitoring device via CCTV inputs to identify any issues that might arise on this communicator and vice-versa. Now, all systems are monitored independently, but also continuously, and look after each other’s status. This, in line with scheduled arming alerts, significantly reduced the chances of misuse of this rather complex setup. 

What began as a CCTV improvement order first turned into an overall upgrade project, before then becoming an all-inclusive multidiscipline maintenance contract, of all the fire and security systems on site.  

This grade A office space and highly secure insurance business turned out to be a logistically-interesting job, with a busy 150-people call centre, and international headquarters in another building which held infrastructure to support all the online activities. 

We adjusted our working hours to fit their busy schedule and prepared as much as possible in advance.  This preparation ensured the work on site was completed as quickly as possible, minimising any disruption and also protecting our staff from getting too tired on the job. 

As a part of the maintenance job, we identified issues with the fire alarm and started the upgrade programme, from an aged fire alarm panel (80 devices with new Advanced MX PRO5) over the weekend. This year another replacement fire alarm panel is due to be installed, linking both, and another ARC communicator will be removed to further save costs. The added plus of upgrading? Losing all the standard issues that come with an ageing system: old sensors failing to detect or, more commonly, becoming too sensitive; manual call points breaking down during weekly tests; the system going into fault, and more! 

The access control system was significantly improved and all the wireless handles that were originally installed, without thought about the amount of footfall through certain doors, were changed over for hardwired versions, with touch free exit units to minimise the spread of germs. From three previously hardwired panels, the total has risen to 23 panels over the past couple of years.  

In this exciting project we completely upgraded the L2 grade fire alarm system with slight improvements for compliance, including rewiring where needed and linking three buildings (3x Advanced MX PRO5 panels - the same as at Stonehenge Visitor’s Centre, just a newer version!). With 8 loops in total, fault tolerant network cards, and approximately 300 devices, works were completed in under 10 working days, over the school holiday in spring. 

Our successful delivery of the fire alarm project – on time and within the quoted budged – meant that the school felt confident in asking for our services again later that summer. This time we took over the intruder alarm, CCTV, access control and video intercom systems, the emergency lighting, fire curtains and disabled refuge systems. This multidiscipline maintenance contract proved to be successful and beneficial for both sides. As we now have full control and ultimate responsibility for any fire and security failures and faults, the school can feel secure knowing they have expert support at all times. On our side, because no other contractors are involved to potentially delay completion of certain jobs, we have no restraints or delays if things need to get done – we can just enjoy direct and open conversation with our customer.

Having BAFE registered fire extinguishers, service engineers on board enabled us to take over and update their firefighting system, in compliance with current British Standards. We created a new asset record system with up-to-date drawings and a matching associated list. These improvements enable the school’s weekly and monthly tests and fault reporting to be very efficient, and ensures our remedial actions and scheduled maintenance visits are smooth and without any surprises. 

A challenging environment meant that extra safety measures had to be introduced and therefore links between the access control, intruder alarm and CCTV systems were created to enable zoom per trigger and other smart features. This included out of hours CCTV to support the intruder alarm, employing VCA (video analytics) to cover the inner yards outside when the alarm is set.

Over the past three years, the CCTV has grown from the original 23 cameras to 68 cameras; access control has improved from 9 to 19 doors; and the intruder alarm is linked between three buildings to eliminate the need for multiple ARC transmitters (saving around £1,000 annually – effectively ensuring the whole new intruder alarm system has already paid for itself).

A new evacuation plan was introduced during the second year, which gave us the opportunity to facilitate a smart fire alarm multizone evacuation strategy.  This meant we could utilise delayed sounders per floor and input/output units activations, plus varying sensor sensitivity (time and day of the week dependant), which completely eliminated false fire alarm activations. 

The systems’ upgrades that we implemented, and the future planning we devised to suit the annual school budgets, dramatically decreased the call outs from once or twice a week to once in three months. The customer has recently asked us to expand our services and system implementation to include all electrical work, besides our current fire and security contract.