When carrying out an initial inspection, servicing and maintenance visit covering all fire safety systems and measures for 24 apartment blocks in London, the client made use aware of an issue with one block’s natural smoke shaft.

Apparently, the original dome fitted to the shaft blew off in a storm!

A replacement louvre vent (which is the correct vent to have in this case) had been sat in a storeroom for several months on site awaiting installation.

We contacted the manufacturers Xtralite to confirm the vents specification who were exceptionally helpful. Due to the time that had passed in supplying the vent and the potential damage and weathering to the shaft we agreed that it would be best for an installation team from Xtralite to be assisted by RES engineers.

The replacement louvre vent was successfully lifted into place by a local crane hire company and installation was carried out.

While the crane was on site, during our initial inspection, servicing and maintenance visit our engineers had reported damage to the block’s stairwells AOV dome so this was replaced at the same time as the smoke shafts louvre vent.

With the crane, Xtralite and RES engineers already on site, the damaged dome was very economical to replace.

We again came across this issue during our initial inspection, servicing, and maintenance visit. Straight away it was obvious looking at the buckled window that it should never have been installed.

The reason behind it was that the roof opening for a dome (which you expect to find at the top of a stairwell core) was just the other side of the stairwell cores wall so it must have been put in the wrong place from construction as the lobby to the apartments had an AOV the same as all 8 floors below.

We contacted Xtralites sales and design team who proposed a louvre window as being the best replacement option.

The installation was not without issue as on removing the original windows frame there were not the fixing supports that you would normally expect to find. Xtralite were able to manufacture made to measure brackets for the louvre windows installation.

This caused a short delay but in planning ahead with a local scaffolding company meant we were able to keep the scaffold in place for the duration of the works.

The louvre window was installed by Xtralites installation team assisted by RES engineers who then carried out the cabling works and commissioned the AOV window, fully testing the blocks AOV system.

• Design and installation
• Repair and/or upgrading of existing systems
• Regular checks
• Servicing and maintenance

When carrying out an initial inspection, servicing and maintenance visit covering all fire safety systems and measures for 24 apartment blocks in London, we made the client aware of an issue with a corridor in one of the blocks.

All six floors above had a cross corridor fire door halfway along a long corridor connecting two stairwell cores. Not an issue regarding travel distance under Building Regulations but there were two separate smoke control systems at each end of the corridors, one natural and one mechanical.

So quite important that a dividing fire door was in place!

A site meeting with a local Fire Safety Inspecting Officer confirmed our findings and advice so a new FD30s door set was quickly ordered and installed by our Passive Fire engineers.

Its important to have a premises fire strategy drawing and document, and in this instance on being provided the information by the client the door was in fact missing from the drawings.

So this is how the situation had remained for 9 years until our initial take over service.

At RES we have well trained and experienced engineers who will go that extra mile to help ensure premises are safe and compliant.

After a Fire Safety Inspecting Officers visit to two residential blocks in Canary Wharf, London we were contacted by the officer to discuss missing lobby doors.

Both blocks had been like it for 7 years since construction so with no confirmation being available why two blocks out of 7 did not have ground floor lobby doors, we agreed with the client to install them.

Right: One block had a new FD30 door set installed to match the existing doors by our engineers.

Below: The other block also had a new FD30 door set installed to match the existing doors but also glazed partitioning by our engineers.

RES were invited to tender for the upgrade of the Fire Alarm System at this prestigious theatre venue in Berkshire where we were responsible or the regular servicing of the Fire Alarm and Extinguishers.

The venue needed a number of recommended system upgrades following on from refurbishment to the main bar area and upper floors.

The Mill at Sonning has been entertaining guests for over 30 years and provides a unique dining and intimate theatre experience for over 200 guests at a time.

This historic building dates back to around 1890 and its traditional water wheel which can still be seen and was last used to mill flour in 1969.

Our team of specialist fire alarm engineers were able to install the specified new control panels, optical smoke detectors, call points
and magnetic door retainers.

During the installation careful attention was made to ensure minimal disruption to the premises. For the renovated bar area, wireless devices were used to minimise the need for additional wiring.

RES implemented a performance mode so that if the fire alarm is activated during a live performance, staff members are initially alerted, allowing them to investigate before the general alarm is sounded.

We also linked the sprinkler system to the main fire alarm panel so that if a sprinkler is activated the fire alarm is triggered.

On completion, an Operating & Maintenance Manual was produced for the customer to document the entire fire alarm system.

Our customer now has a fully compliant and functioning fire alarm system which, in the event of a fire, will help to alert staff and
guests.

Work was carried out on time and to budget. RES continue to service and maintain the system, providing total fire safety and peace of mind.

“We have had a fire extinguisher contract with RES for over 25 years. During this time we have found the service to be outstanding.

With this history of service we asked RES to quote for our fire alarm upgrade we found the quote to be competitive. When it came to the insulation of all the new system we found the whole process was completed very smoothly and on time. Best of all is the after sales service, Fantastic!”                       

David Vass, Managing Director

Our customer, St Mary’s School Ascot, invited RES to tender for the upgrade of the school fire alarm system in 2013. RES were already responsible for the servicing and maintenance of the fire alarm system and extinguishers.

Their existing system had a number of flaws which needed to be addressed.

St Mary’s School Ascot is a leading Roman Catholic boarding school for 390 girls.

The site covers 55 acres and contains over twenty separate buildings including a Chapel, Sports Centre, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Arts Faculty, as well as a number of standalone pupil and staff accommodation units.

It may be possible to upgrade the fire resistance of existing doors. Additional notes and guidance is available on Glazing, Hinges and Self Closing doors and devices from RES.

RES provided its tender document containing detailed costings and explanations of the upgrades required.

On acceptance, RES scheduled the works to be undertaken out of term time and within strict timescales and costings.

Replacement panels were installed and networked together in line with our recommendations, along with replacement sounder bases, additional call points and detectors.

Limitations to the way the zones were addressed were resolved by the panel upgrades, increasing the number of zones from 20 to 87, allowing for greater accuracy and speed in the detection of fire and faults across the sites.

At a later phase, RES were also asked to install an integrated Lockdown Alarm for the school using the existing networking and infrastructure. Additional call points were installed at key points and a lockdown “pulse” was enabled using the fire alarm system.

There are now over 2300 fire alarm system devices across the school site including call points, relays, detectors, beacons, sounders and door closers – all working together to create a complete solution.

As the school has expanded and improved its facilities, RES has been able to continually maintain, improve and upgrade the fire alarm system in line with the school’s needs.

RES work closely with the school’s Estate Manager to ensure a programme of maintenance and upgrades is planned and executed, therefore ensuring the utmost safety of pupils, staff and visitors.

“Following a careful review of the marketplace, RES were selected to plan and execute a comprehensive upgrade of our fire detection and alarm system. The upgrade was successfully completed on time and to budget and has undoubtedly made the school environment a safer place for pupils, staff and visitors. Since the upgrade programme, I have been delighted with the prompt, helpful and effective support provided to St Mary’s by RES who are particularly good at understanding and taking into account the challenges of working within a boarding school environment.”

• Design, Installation and Commissioning
• Servicing and Maintenance
• Additional Works
• Fire Alarm System Upgrades
• Fault Finding and Repairs
• Regular Checks

Our customer, Stuart Turner, is a world leading manufacturer of high quality pump and water boosting solutions and has a rich heritage in engineering and innovation.

Their prestigious site in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire comprises a large assembly plant, warehouse, research and training areas as well as a large office space.

RES are required to provide and service all the fire appliances for the site.

Ensuring that the appropriate fire safety equipment is installed and maintained in any environment is of paramount importance and with a manufacturing site there is an increased risk of fire from production equipment, storage and processing.

RES provide our customer over seventy fire appliances on site such as C02, foam and water extinguishers, as well as fire blankets – each appliance is appropriately located per it’s fire usage.

Our BAFE accredited technicians will inspect the appliances on site once a year in accordance with British Standards and Amendments.

RES have provided Stuart Turner with a competitive and compliant fire safety equipment service that meets the specific needs of this prestigious manufacturing facility- helping to ensure the safety of it’s workforce.

Our customer needed to have fire protection equipment installed for a new shopping centre in the South of the UK.

This large, modern leisure mail and indoor shopping centre opened in 1999 and spans over 7600m2.

It contains over a hundred retail outlets on three levels, two multi storey car parks plus various service areas and staff spaces.

RES have provided over 300 fire extinguishers, signage and other serviceable fire safety equipment at various specified locations of this prestigious shopping centre such as public shopping areas, car parks, stairwells, fire exits and also non-public areas such as service areas, electrical rooms, staff accommodation and access points.

RES manage the timely and methodical service of all the fire protection equipment with an annual service visit.

Our engineers follow a detailed service plan to ensure every item is passed for use and a certificate is issued against all of the equipment.

From its opening day, RES has been the chosen partner in the provision of Fire Protection Equipment for this prestigious shopping centre. Our reliable and professional service ensures the site is safe and ready for business, 7 days a week.

Nirvana Spa is a leading luxury relaxation and leisure venue in the South of the UK.

Spanning a large site with multiple interconnected areas it contains five separate pool areas, numerous treatment rooms, saunas, gyms, changing rooms as well as restaurants, kitchen facilities and staff areas.

RES was brought in to manage, improve and service the fire alarm system and other fire protection equipment.

The spa has quadrupled in size over the few past years with additional wings being added phase by phase to accommodate new pool areas, treatment rooms and changing facilities.

RES have continuously expanded the original fire alarm system to accommodate the new phases.

Additional fire alarm system “loops” have been added over time to ensure every space is adequately protected with additional call points and detectors.

Key to the success of the Spa is ensuring a tranquil and holiday-like environment at all times of the day.

RES works closely with the spa to co-ordinate that the maintenance and servicing is carried out “out of hours” with zero disruption
to its customers.

Furthermore, our engineers are trained to leave each site immaculately clean and tidy.

The spa now contains over a hundred fire protection appliances such as extinguishers and fire blankets and over six hundred fire alarm devices such as manual call points, control panels and detectors – all carefully managed and serviced throughout the year by RES.

RES continues to provide Nirvana Spa with reliable and responsive fire protection services to meet their needs.

“Nirvana Spa are delighted with the high level of professional service R.E.S. provide and the fire protection we now have throughout our facilities which gives us a great deal of reassurance”

Neil, Maintenance Director, Nirvana Spa

• Design, Installation and Commissioning
• Servicing and Maintenance
• Additional Works
• Fire Alarm System Upgrades
• Fault Finding and Repairs
• Regular Checks