A Manchester independent living complex is now equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology following the installation of an EvacGo evacuation alert system from Advanced.
Located in central Manchester, Princess Court is a high-rise building that offers specialist housing for residents aged 55 and over across 50 flats. Constructed in 1993 and managed by Your Housing Group, the development provides low-level support to help residents live independently and safely.
With Advanced’s best-selling fire panel, MxPro 5, already installed at the site, this latest project, executed by JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, aims to further enhance the safety and security of residents across all six residential floors of the building. The EvacGo evacuation alert system, known for its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface, was selected for its advanced features and reliability. When used alongside the robust protection afforded by the MxPro 5, comprehensive coverage and optimal safety measures are ensured throughout Princess Court.
JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, the maintenance service provider for Your Housing Group across its site portfolio, undertook the installation with their team of skilled engineers. These professionals, experienced in working with various manufacturers’ systems, found the BS 8629-compliant EvacGo system exceptionally easy to understand and install. Their positive feedback underscores the system’s user-friendly design and intuitive operation, setting a new standard in evacuation alert systems.
Chris Keeney, Director of JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, said: “The project for us was one that ran smoothly from start to finish. It was even more satisfactory that it enabled us to achieve BAFE SP207 accreditation, following on from an audit of this system installation and management files.
“The choice to specify Advanced’s EvacGo evacuation alert system was a natural one. Having extensively used Advanced equipment in our projects, we have developed a profound trust in their products’ quality, reliability, and ease of use. The seamless integration of EvacGo with our existing Advanced systems further reinforces our confidence in Advanced’s capabilities, making it the ideal choice for our clients’ safety needs.”
Ruth Woodyatt, Fire Safety Manager at Your Housing Group, said: “The installation of EvacGo coincided with a two-year long project to replace the external cladding system, upgrade passive and active fire safety measures throughout the building and, following completion of the work, a move to a stay put evacuation strategy. The system has given our residents peace of mind that an evacuation can be initiated and controlled should this ever be required in the future, and that their safety continues to our top priority.”
Designed to make it easy to meet BS 8629 Code of Practice recommendations, EvacGo sets new standards in evacuation alert technology, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of residents in various environments.
Installation of evacuation alert systems is mandatory in all new-build residential apartment blocks over 18m in England and Scotland. However, for all other new-build and retrofit projects, complying with BS 8629 is still seen as best practice. As a result, an increasing number of building owners are taking steps to provide an extra layer of protection to residents of developments that aren’t obligated to meet the requirements, such as Princess Court.
Shaun Scott, Emergency Evacuation Systems Application Engineer at Advanced, said: “We are truly encouraged to witness housing companies going above and beyond legal requirements to prioritise safety. At Advanced, we believe that every individual deserves to feel safe in their surroundings, and proactive initiatives like the installation of EvacGo demonstrate a shared commitment to the wellbeing of communities. These actions not only showcase a commitment to residents’ safety but also inspire others to invest in cutting-edge technologies that can make a significant difference in emergency situations.”
All Advanced evacuation alert systems are custom manufactured to reflect each individual building’s evacuation zones and have been developed to provide a bespoke solution that allows the fire services to control evacuation floor by floor according to the severity and location of the fire. The guidance states that the evacuation alert control system should be installed where a ‘stay put’ policy is in force, so that it can be used to facilitate a timely and ordered evacuation for all residents. An evacuation alert system is vital to help fire and rescue services inform residents of a change in evacuation strategy during an incident and can be used alongside existing methods of evacuation to improve safety for residents. It must be standalone, with its only function being to assist fire and rescue services in the evacuation of the building.
As a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems, Advanced is committed to creating a safer future. A reputation for performance, quality and ease of use see Advanced products specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. The Advanced product portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management and reduction solutions as well as emergency lighting.
Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
