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 inter-connected with Aico’s RadioLINK+ RF product.
Abbey View and Munden View tower blocks on the Meriden Estate, pictured, are Watford landmarks. They are part of the housing association’s property portfolio of over 5,000 homes across south west Hertfordshire.
Domestic fire alarm installation is guided BS 5839-6:2013 which identifies grades of alarm to use and categories of protection. Grade D, the most common, requires one or more inter-linked 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 says: “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. David says: “We believe the products deliver the best in safety for our tenants. 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 the housing body when specifying alarm types. David says Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm was identified as a way to protect and future-proof properties. “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.”
The 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 also reduce potential false alarms through a dust compensation feature. The Multi-Sensor comes with two types of data extraction. The AudioLINK enables real time data to be extracted from each alarm to a smartphone or tablet via a free app to create an alarm status report. RadioLINK+ can extract system data from a property, for a record of the alarm system in each property managed, useful for asset management and maintenance. RadioLINK+ data extraction doesn’t require access to the property.
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 to test alarms, and silence them and locate the trigger alarm.
The devices within each flat are inter-connected wirelessly using Aico RadioLINK+ RF. David recalls: “When we consulted tenants, 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 as a dedicated connection between the Aico Part 6 Fire Alarms in each property and the Part 1 system in the communal hallway. Also fitted with RadioLINK+, 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. The Ei414 will also enable the Part 6 Fire Alarm systems to be readily inter-connected to sprinkler systems which Watford Community Housing is considering.
As for support on this project, David says: “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.”
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