Specifying fire safety technologies for the future, today

James King, Connected Homes Director at FireAngel, explores how IoT and AI technologies are enabling social housing providers to obtain digital data that offers full transparency.

As the government’s legislative response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of the building industry and its practices following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Draft Building Safety Bill represents and proposes a significant change in approach, which places resident safety and building suitability at the centre of all design, construction and maintenance processes.

In line with the learnings of the Hackitt Report, the draft Bill demonstrates the importance of building information that is transparent and accessible by all relevant individuals throughout the entire lifecycle of the building.

It also expresses the importance for this ‘Golden thread’ of data to be continuously updated and reviewed to create a digital record that generates a visible audit trail of information, which can be actioned upon at any time to ensure the continued compliance and safety of the building.

As the very principles of the Draft Building Safety Bill and the cultural changes they promote are founded upon this ability to obtain accurate intelligence, which can be constantly evaluated to drive a successful cultural step change in approach, social housing providers should use this as the starting point when evaluating their current fire safety policies.

Having to adopt a completely alternative approach to their fire safety practices, one that places the ability to capture necessary building information at its very core, may initially present itself to many housing providers as a significant project that will require substantial expenditure and internal resources to successfully implement throughout their entire housing portfolio.

However, by deciding to undertake this work in order to follow the values outlined within the draft Bill, social housing providers can also be presented with the opportunity to cost-effectively future proof their complete housing stock, whilst simultaneously streamlining their approach to asset and audit management.

By implementing systems that comply to a Category LD1 Specification and facilitate the wireless transmission of building information, social housing providers can achieve long term reductions in overheads, as the digital data supports the stratification of risk, identifying any changes in building or resident behaviour, as and when they occur. As a result, this enables resources and costs to be applied in the most proficient way.

It also ensures each property/tenant receives the highest possible level of protection available, further supporting long term cost savings, as providers are successfully mitigating against any potential changes in legislation, because their properties are already compliant to the highest possible standard.

Connected technologies, such as devices that are Smart RF compatible, are one of the most cost-efficient and effective methods currently available to social housing providers looking to upgrade their fire safety provisions, in line with the recommendations promoted throughout the Hackitt Report and Draft Building Safety Bill.

Connected systems that utilise Smart RF technology can facilitate the wireless interlinking of up to 50 mains-powered and battery powered smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms onto a secure private network, simply by adding a Smart RF Radio Module into each alarm.

This is particularly useful for projects where hardwiring isn’t feasible, as the network can be quickly extended wirelessly, whilst also offering the opportunity for additional safety products to be added to the system at a later date. The flexible nature of the technology also enables providers to tailor the fire safety provision to meet their unique requirements, offering further cost saving benefits.

The wireless interlinking of these alarms not only achieves the highest level of protection available by adhering to a Category LD1 Specification, it also supports remote real time monitoring by communicating vital information from each device in every property.

This can be achieved through the activation of a connected cloud-based gateway, which wirelessly sends data from every alarm to designated mobile or smart devices, instantly notifying relevant individuals if an alarm has sounded, sending optional real time updates regarding its status.

The transmission of this data is continuously updated to deliver vital information regarding each alarm, including diagnostics, device history, replacement dates and network health. This provides all relevant individuals with a comprehensive overview of the potential fire risk each property currently presents, allowing any changes in risk to be immediately analysed and acted upon.

As the Bill looks to achieve a new standard for building safety throughout the social housing sector, providers can take a proactive approach to the level of protection they provide residents through the provision of connected technologies that can facilitate the continuous communication of essential building data, in addition to successfully future proofing an entire housing portfolio for years to come.

The wireless interlinking of alarms achieves the highest level of protection available and supports remote real time monitoring

FireAngel, fireangel.co.uk