Getting the right Fire Detection System

Red Loft is a team of highly experienced housing and regeneration consultants based in London. The company offers an extensive range of services including sourcing and securing land for housing developments, property development, financial viability and sustainability assessments, plus sales and marketing. Clients include housing associations, local authorities and private developers, ranging from national organisations with large housing portfolios, to first time developers seeking advice.

The Requirement

Securitas Technology was invited by Red Loft to survey one of its main offices on Toynbee Street in Spitalfields, London for a new fire detection system.  A Fire Risk Assessment had not been carried out, so the customer was unsure about the category of system they required. 

To ensure staff safety and compliance with fire safety regulations, Securitas Technology undertook a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment at this property, and at another Red Loft office a few doors away that already had a fire detection system in place.  This enabled us to advise the customer of the exact systems required for each office and suitable fire extinguishers.   

Securitas Technology Fire Risk Assessments

As part of our expert Fire Risk Assessment service, we provide thorough inspection and assessment to ensure you're operating completely within regulation, with instantaneous feedback and guidance.  We provide a thorough list of actions required and steps to take to ensure compliance, with an in-depth checklist of things to consider in the future should you decide to handle subsequent assessment yourself.

The Solution

A BS 5839-1:2017 Category M fire detection system was installed by Securitas Technology in each office.  This category of protection is well suited to smaller premises, such as the Red Loft offices, where the occupants are likely to notice a fire quickly, and is highly cost-effective.

The systems feature manual call points and sounder devices wirelessly linked to a main fire panel.  Whilst wireless systems are more expensive than standard hard-wired versions, they negate the need for cabling so are quicker and easier to install and there is considerably less disruption involved.  This latter aspect was key for Red Loft, as the company had only recently decorated its offices and did not want cables on show or be required to redecorate.  

A highly simple system to use, training was provided by the engineers on completion of the work, which took half a day per system.

Securitas Assure Finance

The new fire detection systems have been financed under Securitas Assure*, a finance solution for customers wishing to benefit from up to date security and fire technology without the risks of ownership and with evenly spread, manageable payment terms.  For Red Loft, this has meant spreading the cost of the systems and the fire extinguishers over four years. 

The existing emergency lighting system that was installed a year ago has also been incorporated into this same Securitas Assure scheme, with Securitas Technology buying it from Red Loft and the renting it back to them to help spread the cost**. This has the added benefit of Red Loft only needing to liaise with one supplier for their safety systems. 

Maintenance, replacement parts, call outs and labour on a wear and tear basis is all included in the Securitas Assure contract. 

Ultimately for Red Loft, they have the peace of mind that comes from knowing they have benefitted from a professional Fire Risk Assessment that has led to a compliant fire detection system in place, protecting their property, people and assets.