Sheltered housing upgraded with Aico radio frequency alarm

Aico’s RadioLINK+ based Fire Alarm systems are meeting the differing needs of residents at Hartrigg Oaks,near York.

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), a registered housing association and care provider in York and north-east England, has completed the first phase of an upgrade of the Fire Alarm systems in one of its retirement communities using Aico’s advanced alarms and accessories.

Hartrigg Oaks, near York, is home to around 250 over 60s, living in 152 bungalows and a care home on a 21-acre site. The aim is to empower residents to remain independent.

Aico’s RadioLINK+ based Fire Alarm systems fit well with this philosophy, being simple and costeffective to adapt to meet the differing needs of residents.

The first ten bungalows completed at Hartrigg Oaks are home to hard of hearing residents meaning extra care needs to be taken in developing an appropriate alarm system. Their Fire Alarm systems have been upgraded with Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarms in the hallway, landing and living room; Ei164e Heat Alarm in the kitchen; and Ei170RF Alarm for the Hard of Hearing in the bedroom (with an additional strobe light in the lounge).

Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm is particularly beneficial in this setting due to its fast response time, which provides residents with more time to evacuate. Two sensor types, optical and heat,
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 Multi-Sensor also comes with data extraction technology which provides JRHT with information to help keep residents safer.

A range of Aico accessories has also been installed, all interconnected wirelessly using RadioLINK+ technology. A wall mounted Ei450 Alarm Control Switch in each property 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. Aico’s unique Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface has also been installed to connect the Aico Alarms and Warden Call system.

JRHT Modernisation and Planned Maintenance Manager, Ross Tolmie-Loverseed, comments: “The Aico detectors offered a fully compliant, whole house RF detection system and once installed
and commissioned could be logged and downloaded onto a software package which JRHT could monitor. The RF detection system also provided a competitive, VFM solution, by removing the need for highly disruptive, hardwiring between detectors in occupied properties. The system could also be linked in to the existing Tunstall warden call system at our sheltered accommodation where there was a need for an upgrade.”

www.aico.co.uk