Watford Community
Housing has completed the installation of Grade D, LD1 fire detection systems
in two 16 storey tower blocks using Aico Multi-Sensor Fire Alarms and
accessories, wirelessly interconnected with Aico’s award winning RadioLINK+ RF
technology.
Abbey View and Munden
View tower blocks on the Meriden Estate, which recently celebrated their
50th anniversary, are iconic Watford landmarks.
They are part of
Watford Community Housing’s property portfolio of over 5,000 homes located
across South-West Hertfordshire.
Domestic Fire Alarm
installation is guided BS 5839-6:2013 which clearly identifies both Grades of
alarm system to use and Categories of protection. Grade D is the most
common and requires one or more interlinked mains powered alarms, each with an
integral stand-by supply. LD3 and LD2 are the most common categories, but
Watford Community Housing has chosen the highest category, LD1, for the two
tower blocks.
David Wright, Surveying Manager at Watford Community Housing
explains: “Our tenants’ safety and wellbeing is our highest priority. With this
in mind, and due to the known risks around high-rise buildings, we decided that
full detection would be appropriate.”
The decision to
install alarms to the highest category possible was made some time ago, as part
of an organisational review of housing stock. The housing association has
been using Aico alarms for many years: “We believe the products deliver the best
in safety for our tenants,” comments David. “We are also aware of what is
required from a maintenance point of view, helping us to minimise the time
we spend in the properties.”
This was one of the
considerations for Watford Community Housing when specifying alarm types, which
led them to Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm. “We identified these alarms
as a way in which we could protect and future-proof our properties” states David.
“The wireless capabilities and the possibility of being able to potentially
test properties without having to gain entry was a real selling point.
Data extraction was also a real plus for us in making this decision. We were
also looking to address the issue of false alarms and we believe that the dual
aspect of this product will help to reduce nuisance alarms.”
Aico’s Multi-Sensor
Fire Alarm uses two sensor types, optical and heat, to constantly monitor smoke
and heat levels which are processed through intelligent detection software to
provide the best response to all fire types, as well as reducing potential false
alarms; the latter is enhanced through a dust compensation feature.
The Multi-Sensor comes
with two types of data extraction technology. The award winning AudioLINK
enables real time data to be extracted from each alarm directly to a smartphone
or tablet via a free App to create an Alarm Status Report. RadioLINK+ can
extract total system data from a property, for a valuable record of the alarm
system in each and every property managed, which is useful for both asset
management and maintenance purposes. As an added bonus RadioLINK+ data
extraction doesn’t even require access to the property, thus avoiding
disturbing tenants.
Three to four
Multi-Sensors have been installed per flat (depending on the number of
bedrooms), plus an Ei164e Heat Alarm in the kitchen and a wall mounted Ei450
Alarm Control Switch. The Switch allows residents not only to test all
alarms on the system, but also silence them and locate the trigger alarm from a
safe, accessible location.
The devices within
each flat are interconnected wirelessly using Aico RadioLINK+ RF technology
which helped meet tenants’ concerns. “When we consulted tenants,” states
David, “one of their main concerns was that they didn’t want masses of
surface-mounted trunking over the ceiling. RadioLINK allows for minimal
trunking use, which meets our residents’ wishes and also helps to reduce labour
costs.”
A further Aico product
– the Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface - has been installed to provide a dedicated
connection between the Aico Part 6 Fire Alarms in each property and the Part 1
system in the communal hallway. Also benefitting from RadioLINK+ wireless
interconnection technology, the Ei414 did not require any apertures to be made
for wiring which was vital as Watford Community Housing had recently carried
out compartmentation within the fabric of the buildings. A highly
flexible device, the Ei414 will also enable the Part 6 Fire Alarm systems to be
readily interconnected to sprinkler systems which Watford Community Housing is
considering for a later date.
Aico has provided
considerable support on this project, as David comments. “Aico are great!
It’s been said that the RSMs [Regional Specification Managers] don’t sell Aico
products which is true, they’re there as consultants on the products. Chloe’s
[Chloe Vickery, RSM] help has been invaluable in this project”.
Aico, an Ei company,
is the market leader in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All
alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards
and regulations.
