Hybrid Fire Alarm System for Modern Apartment Blocks.

Hybrid Fire Alarm System for Modern Apartment Blocks.

Customer Requirement

RES were asked to install a new fire detection and alarm system for a number of residential apartment blocks in the South of UK.

Our customer, a property management company, had undertaken a detailed Fire Risk Assessment outlining the requirements and specifications needed.

Solution

As outlined in the Fire Risk Assessment, RES planned and installed a Category L5 fire detection and alarm system using hybrid technology – with both wired and wireless devices.

RES was also able to link the new fire alarm system to existing Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) devices.

With hundreds of flats, split across five blocks, care and attention was needed to liaise closely and directly with each and every resident, via our dedicated ‘Resident Liaison Officer’.

A HAES Elan Panel 5400 was installed in each of the five blocks and linked to the specified EMS FireCell wireless devices such as smoke and heat detectors via EMS Fusion Radio Loop modules.

Care and attention was taken to ensure any necessary cabling was set within neat, tidy and compliant trunking throughout each block.

The Result

RES was able to complete the works within a 7 week period, both on-time and on-budget.

The system was fully tested before it was signed off by one of our BAFE registered engineers, ensuring full compliance of the Fire Detection and Alarm System, ensuring peace of mind for the residents.

RES also provided the necessary fire alarm zone charts and operation and maintenance manuals containing all certificates, drawings, product, service and user information.

Handover and a demonstration was carried out on a Saturday morning, providing an opportunity to meet the residents and answer any questions they had.

Download Case Study

Fire Stopping for Local School.

Fire Stopping for Local School.

Customer requirement

Our customer, a modern local school catering for up to 290 students provided our passive works supervisor with a comprehensive Passive Fire Protection Survey report that had been carried out on their premise. Following a survey sampling the work specified in the report by our supervisor, a detailed fire stopping quotation was provided and duly approved.

Our certificated technicians to the BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Stopping scheme commenced a four week program installing over 200 items of fire stopping around the school.

By using the detailed plans and specification of works provided, our technicians ensured all the fire stopping required was identified together with the correct product installation.

Solution

Our technicians worked on each installation using QuelSelector, Quelfire’s fire stopping installation detail selector tool, there by ensuring the correct fire stopping products and processes were used for each installation.

Dependant on the fire stopping required, RES used a range of products from Quelfire, a leading manufacturer of third-party certified and experts fire containment products.

Quelfire offer a range of pipe collars, graphite sealant, QF2 fire protection compound, ablative coated fire batt and HPE sealant. These products are specifically designed and tested to work together in a Quelfire Firestopping System.

At this specific location on a fire compartmentation boundary there was a large gap with power distribution cables running through it.

Fire batt, intumescent and graphite has been used to rectify the fault. On completion a BM-Trada Q-Mark label has been placed to document the work undertaken.

One of our engineers adds a final application of QHPE QuelStop HPE Intumescent Graphite Sealant around a cable tray.

This is a high expansion intumescent acrylic based graphite sealant used to maintain the fire rating of walls and floors where they have been penetrated by services as part of the QuelStop Fire Batt System or direct to the substrate.

All firestopping is marked with a BM-Trada Q-Mark label which documents the fire resistance, the date of installation and the products used.

The labels also contain a QR code which links to our certification for fire stopping.

Result

Following our extensive fire stopping works, the customer can now be rest assured that in the event of a fire, the compartmentations are now up-to standard and meet the recommendations of the most recent fire risk assessment.

Download Case Study

BM-TRADA Logo

OUR FIRE STOPPING SERVICES

Replacement fire rated flat front doors

Replacement fire rated flat front doors.

Customer requirement

Our client, SBA Property Management approached RES Fire to quote for the replacement of six flat front doors at a property in Surrey.

The original doors, some with glazed panels above the doors were considered in the premises FRA not to offer sufficient fire resistance to support the premises ‘stay put’ fire safety policy, hence the recommendation by the assessor to replace the doors and glazing with compliant fire resistant installations.

RES Fire attended the property to take precise measurements of each doorset (door and frame) and glazed panels above to provide a quotation for the
project including the options that were available to leaseholders regarding the style and finish of doors as well as the glazed panels.

Once leaseholder options were confirmed and the quotation approved, RES set about ordering the doorsets complete with panels and scheduled in the installation based on the manufacturers confirmed delivery date.

BM-TRADA Logo

Solution

RES Fire chose Sentry Doors, a leading manufacturer of fire doorsets, to provide the fire doorsets and fire resistant panels as they are extensively tested and approved under the BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Door Manufacturer Scheme.

RES Fire are a certificated company to the BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Door Maintenance, Fire Door Installation, and Fire Stopping schemes.

Each doorset was supplied by the manufacturer as a complete doorset (door and frame) including all door furniture (ironmongery) such as locks, fire rated hinges and door closers.

During the installation RES Fire were audited on-site by BM TRADA as part of the Q-Mark schemes’ regular ongoing assessment requirements.

The audit covered both the doorset installation and the surrounding fire stopping work around the newly installed doors.

A rigid process and documentary evidence for fire doorset installation has to be adhered to in order to comply with the schemes high standards.

These include completion of “Records of Installation Activities”, labelling and plugging of the doors, taking photographic evidence as-well as providing product technical datasheets for the specific doorsets installed. Nothing can be missed.

Fire stopping installation between the new frame and wall
Fire stopping installation between the new frame and wall
Following the fire stopping audit, new architrave was installed around doorsets
Following the fire stopping audit, new architrave was installed around doorsets

When installing a new doorset it is essential that not only is the frame correctly fitted to the surrounding walls but also all gaps and holes are suitably fire stopped to the required fire resistance as per the manufacturers installation instructions.

Our certification to both the Q-Mark fire door installation and fire stopping schemes means our technicians follow strict installation procedures, ensuring a projects high level of workmanship.

Both the BM TRADA installation and fire stopping audits were passed without any reported issues.

The result

The flats residents now have complete peace of mind in the knowledge that their flat front door installation is compliant to the premises stay put policy, providing a minimum of 30 minutes of fire resistance in the event of a fire.

The property management company and leaseholders are completely confident in the knowledge that the Q-Mark approved doorsets specified have been correctly and competently installed by Q-Mark certified technicians.

The completed doorsets now have a high quality paint finish giving the communal stairwells a uniform, modern and stylish feel.

“RES Fire have provided a professional fire door installation for the leaseholder’s and residents, and we are very happy with the end result”

– SBA Property Management

Download Case Study

 

Fire Door Installation.

Fire Door Installation

Customer requirement

RES were asked by a prominent local solicitors to install a replacement fire rated flat front door at a prestigious apartment complex on behalf of a client. The specification for the door was provided by the managing agents for the premises. The door needed to be 30 minute fire rated, be glazed and have all the required door furniture installed. Following a detailed quotation with exact dimensions and specification, we were given approval to proceed with the installation.

RES Fire - Fire Door Works
RES Fire - Fire Door Works

Our solution

Our BM-Trada trained engineers set about removing the existing door and frame
carefully.

The replacement door comes as a complete certfified doorset, ready for installation. Our engineers carefully marked out the fixing positions, ensuring a compliant installation to the manufactuers specifation.

All doorset fitting and fixtures were pre installed from the manufacturer – ensuring the integrity of the fire door to it’s 30 minute fire rating.

Any minor gaps around frame were expertly filled using a fire rated sealant.

RES Fire - Fire Door Works
RES Fire - Fire Door Works
RES Fire - Fire Door
RES Fire - Fire Door

The result

The flat now has a perfectly fitting, safe and compliant FD30S flat front door, expertly fitted by our technicians.

Client testimonial

“We were extremely happy with the service provided by RES Fire. James Hill was our point of contact and was friendly, professional and efficient. Our options were explained clearly and we are very pleased with the results for our client.

We will continue to use RES in future.”
– A local solicitors firm

Emergency light servicing for logistics warehouse.

Emergency light servicing for logistics warehouse

The Challenge

RES recently undertook an annual (3 hourly) emergency light service of a large logistics warehouse to BS 5266-1:2016. With over 200 emergency lights on site, covering over 120,000 square ft – ensuring each and every light was serviced was paramount. The site is used by our customer for contract logistics of hi-tech equipment for healthcare, industry and retail.

Our Solution

Using our service management software, Uptick, our BAFE accredited engineer was able to identify each and every light around the premises. The engineer set about disabling the power to the lighting around the premises in sections.  

When the time was right, a visual inspection was carried out on each and every emergency Light, from emergency exit lighting, to internal spot lights and downlights. 

Over 200 emergency lights were checked and any failures were identified whereby the light was no longer illuminated within the three hour time required. 

Using Uptick, remarks were identified against failed items, along with a photo of the device and the corrective action required – which is in most cases involves a replacement device. All the service data is immediately available to Uptick in the cloud. 

Once the emergency light duration test was completed, the power was restored to the lighting around the premises.  

The Result

A service report was generated in Uptick, and sent to the customer from Uptick. The report details all the passed and failed items in a clear, colour coded format. 

A defect quote can be created in Uptick to cover the failed items and sent to the customer for quick approval.  

Once approved, a task can be created for the remedial work, thus resulting in fully functional and compliant emergency lighting. 

RES Fire have BAFE accreditation to SP203-4 Maintenance (servicing) of Emergency Lighting Systems. 

The BAFE Emergency Lighting Systems scheme is evidence that RES Fire are competent to deliver maintenance services for customer emergency lighting systems. On going assessments by BSI (certification body) will ensure RES Fire engineers continue to comply to the BAFE SP203-4 scheme requirements.  

BAFE schemes for emergency lighting, fire detection and alarm systems and portable fire. equipment provides customers with complete peace of mind when it comes to their premises life safety systems. 

tiny-bafe-id-logo-small

Wayfinding Signage for High Rise Residential Buildings.

Wayfinding Signage for High Rise Residential Buildings

The Challenge

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (made under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) made it a legal requirement from 23 January 2023 for all high-rise residential buildings* in England to install Wayfinding Signage in their buildings.

This includes clear markings identifying floor and individual flat numbers.

*As defined by The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 as a building at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys.

Responsible persons may wish to consider installing such signage in any other existing multi-occupied residential buildings and it is a legal requirement for all new multi-occupied residential buildings above 11 metres (including those existing buildings undergoing relevant material alterations), to have signage installed.

Existing duties under the Fire Safety Order will make sure that this signage is maintained throughout the life of the building.

As a supplier and installer of fire safety signage RES have been auditing two premises who knew they were going to fall under the new regulations and also by premises responsible persons who want to ensure that they are doing as much as possible regarding fire safety in their premises.

Our Solution

Following on from the audits, RES followed up with signage recommendations and a quotation to install the correct signage for the premises.

One such premises was a prestigious apartment block in Knightsbridge, London where both high-quality finish brass effect signs were installed in the reception and on the main stairwell with Jalite photoluminescent signage being installed on both secondary escape stairwells, lower ground floor as well as parking areas.

Photoluminescent signage is advisable as The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended that in all high-rise buildings “floor numbers be clearly marked on each landing within the stairways and in a prominent place in all lobbies in such a way as to be visible both in normal conditions and in low lighting or smoky conditions”. As in the event of a fire, photoluminescent signs will assist the Fire and Rescue Service in navigating their way round a building; even when visibility is low.

Alternatively, if an alternative type of signage is required to fit in with an existing fire safety signage system, RES can supply and install them for you and it is recommended that a ‘black out’ test is carried out on communal lighting to ensure all fire safety signage and equipment can clearly be seen under the installed emergency lighting system.

The Result

Our customer premises’ wayfinding signage now complies with the Fire Safety
Regulations, giving peace of mind to the Responsible Persons and residents alike.

For further details on fire safety signage audits and maintenance or to ensure your premise emergency lighting is fit for purpose please call RES on 0800 731 0727

For HM Government Wayfinding Regulations goto:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022/fact-sheet-wayfinding-signage-regulation-8

Download Case Study

 

Wireless System for Prestigious London Apartments.

Wireless System for Prestigious London Apartments

Customer Requirement

Our long-standing customer, a property management company, asked RES to specify a new Fire Detection and Alarm System for the communal areas of a prestigious set of apartments overlooking Hyde Park in London, with the capability to interlink to the individual apartments’ fire detection and alarm systems.

This period property, comprising of seven flats split and set over six floors, had an existing wired system which did not provide adequate detection and could not be upgraded or extended.

Our Recommendation

Due to the nature of the property, with thick walls and ceilings and a high-quality finish with its’ period features, a Wireless System was determined as the perfect solution. RES proposed to install an EMS FireCell solution, using a Taktis Control panel and vision repeater panel.

The EMS FireCell solution is one of the most advanced fire detection systems available.

A Category L2 system was specified for this installation in accordance with BS 5839:-1:2017

Installation & Commissioning

The RES engineers initially set about removing the existing detection, and then moved on to installing the controls panels, radio cluster communicators, automatic detection and alarm devices. Over 100 devices were required to cover the various stairwells, corridors, and communal areas.

RES provided the necessary Fire Alarm Zone Chart and Operation and Maintenance Manual containing certificates, drawings, product, service and user information.

The Result

By using a Wireless system, RES were able to pre-program and unobtrusively install the new Fire Detection and Alarm System with speed and ease.

The project took just a few day’s and the resulting system provides a modern and reliable system that is fit for purpose.

Download Case Study

Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection and Alarm System for HMO.

Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection and Alarm System for HMO

Customer Requirement

Our customer, a property management company asked RES to provide a quotation for a replacement Fire Detection and Alarm System following a renovation of a residential property in Reading, Berkshire. The property contained five bedrooms over three stories.

Our Recommendation

RES specified a BS5839:1-2017 Category L2 Fire Detection and Alarm System, providing Automatic Fire Detection to be installed in the
required areas of the building using a Hochiki Ekho hybrid wireless system.

The Hochiki Ekho system is a new generation of Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection allowing for simple installation, self configuring mesh network technology with robust and secure device communication.

Installation

RES were able to install and commission the fire alarm system in a single day. Comprising over twenty devices including the Fire Alarm Control Panel, Detectors, Call Points and Emergency Lighting.

RES also provided the necessary Fire Alarm Zone Chart and Operation and Maintenance Manual containing certificates, drawings, product, service and user information.

RES was able to utilise a state of the art hybrid wireless system to efficiently deliver a robust Fire Detection and Alarm System.

Download Case Study

Wireless Fire Detection and Alarm System for Residential Property.

Wireless Fire Detection and Alarm System for Residential Property

Requirement

Our client, a local property developer was in need of an affordable, reliable and suitable Fire Detection and Alarm System for a three-storey residential property in the town being converted into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) – for the rental market. Due to the premises being a 3 storey HMO our client manager Johnny Adey provided a detailed quotation to BS 5839-1:2017.

An BS5839:1-2017 L2 category system was required to cover escape routes, rooms opening on to escape routes and high risk areas

Solution

An EMS FireCell wireless system was selected as the best possible solution for this property. The EMS FireCell fire detection platform is renowned for it’s ease of installation, commission and service.

RES installed a Syncro AS Control Panel connected to wireless optical smoke detectors, wireless A1R heat detectors, wireless combined sounder devices and wireless call points in the relevant points within the property, in accordance with BS 5839-1:2017.

Completion

The system was fitted within one working day, with minimal disruption to the premises due to the nature of the wireless devices being installed. The system was fully tested before it was signed off by one of our BAFE registered engineers, ensuring full compliance of the Fire Detection and Alarm System.

Our office team then produced an Operations and Maintenance manual and a clearly labelled Zone Chart for Installation by the fire alarm panel at the entrance of the property.

Download Case Study

Intelligent Hybrid Fire Detection & Alarm System for School.

Intelligent Hybrid Fire Detection & Alarm System for School.

Customer Requirement:

Our customer had acquired a victorian property which needed to be converted from a residential premises to an educational facility. RES were asked to propose the design of a suitable fire alarm solution. Being of listed status, the solution needed to be in harmony with the heritage of this building, with its thick walls, high ceilings and complex layout.

The Solution

Our Technical Director Jon Toomey specified that a hybrid fire detection and alarm system be installed. This would comprise of a wired part of the system in the basement area, linked to a wireless part of the system throughout the remainder of the property where the heritage needed to be retained.

An Advanced Go fire alarm control panel was selected, which would be linked to the wired devices directly, and the wireless parts of the system via translator modules. A Hyfire Taurus wireless solution was chosen for it’s ease of design, installation and setup.

There are many benefits of using wireless fire alarm solution over a conventional wired solution such as scalability, cost effectiveness, ease of installation and eliminating the need for installing complex cable networks throughout a building.

The Hyfire solution offers powerful new TauREX software which is used to virtually setup and configure the fire alarm system using drag and drop functionality – reducing the time needed to commission the system on site and ensuring overall system performance and reliability.

The installation was supported by a Hyfire representative who was on site and able to provide backup assistance and guidance during the works.

The Result

Over one hundred devices were successfully installed to plan around the property including call points (with safety covers), smoke detectors, heat detectors and sounders, thus ensuring the safety of staff, students and parents whilst on the premises.

The entire system was fully tested and certificated by our BAFE registered engineers.

The project was delivered on time and on budget.

Download Case Study