A smarter fire alarm solution for student accommodation

Both Aspen Lodge and Willow Lodge provide student accommodation, making minimising disruption to residents a key consideration throughout the fire alarm upgrade.

Traditional fire alarm maintenance can require engineers to access individual bedrooms to carry out routine testing. Across large residential buildings, this can create significant logistical challenges, particularly where rooms are occupied.

The installation of Honeywell Gent Self-Test technology provides a more efficient approach to routine fire alarm testing.

Routine testing can be carried out remotely, reducing the need for engineers to enter individual student rooms during every maintenance visit. This enables essential testing activities to be completed efficiently while supporting the required level of fire safety assurance.

Where physical access or visual inspection is required, these activities can be planned separately and scheduled when room access is more readily available.

The result is a less intrusive fire alarm maintenance strategy that supports both the University’s operational requirements and the experience of its residents.

Category L2 fire alarm systems for university accommodation

The upgraded systems were designed to Category L2 standards, providing comprehensive life-safety protection across the accommodation buildings.

Category L2 fire alarm systems are designed to provide automatic fire detection in areas of a building where fire could present a particular risk to occupants, in addition to detection along escape routes.

For student accommodation, reliable fire detection is particularly important because buildings can be occupied around the clock and may contain large numbers of residents who are unfamiliar with the building’s layout.

The upgraded fire alarm infrastructure provides the University with a modern platform for managing fire detection and life-safety requirements across Aspen Lodge and Willow Lodge.

Remote fire alarm monitoring and improved system visibility

A key element of the upgrade was the integration of the new fire alarm systems with an online management portal.

This provides improved visibility of the fire alarm systems across both buildings and allows relevant system information to be accessed remotely from the University’s Security Lodge.

Greater visibility enables the University’s teams to monitor system information more effectively and respond more efficiently to maintenance requirements.

By bringing fire alarm system information into a more accessible digital environment, the project provides a stronger foundation for ongoing fire alarm management, maintenance planning and operational oversight.

Improving fire alarm maintenance efficiency

The project was not simply a replacement of existing fire alarm equipment. It provided an opportunity to consider how the systems could be managed throughout their operational life.

For student accommodation, where access to occupied bedrooms can be challenging, Self-Test fire alarm technologyprovides significant operational benefits.

The upgraded solution helps to:

• Reduce the need for routine access to student bedrooms
• Minimise disruption to residents
• Support efficient routine fire alarm testing
• Improve visibility of fire alarm system status
• Enable more effective maintenance planning
• Support ongoing fire safety management
• Provide a more flexible and future-ready approach to system management

Combining modern fire alarm technology with improved maintenance processes creates a more efficient approach to managing fire safety in student accommodation.

Delivering a future-ready fire alarm solution

Smartec’s work at Aspen Lodge and Willow Lodge demonstrates how modern fire alarm technology for universities and student accommodation can provide benefits beyond the initial installation.

By replacing the existing Ziton systems with Honeywell Gent Self-Test fire alarm systems, the University has modernised its fire safety infrastructure while introducing technology designed to support more efficient ongoing testing and maintenance.

The Category L2 fire alarm systems, Self-Test functionality and online management capabilities provide greater flexibility for future testing, maintenance and system management.

The result is a modern fire alarm solution designed to support the University’s operational requirements while providing a resilient platform for the future.

Improving fire safety without compromising the resident experience

Fire safety in student accommodation presents a unique operational challenge. Fire alarm systems must provide reliable life-safety protection, while testing and maintenance activities need to be carefully managed around the day-to-day lives of residents.

The upgrade at Aspen Lodge and Willow Lodge demonstrates how technology can help address both requirements.

By reducing the need for routine room-by-room access and improving remote visibility of the fire alarm systems, Smartec has helped create a less intrusive fire alarm maintenance strategy while providing the University with enhanced oversight of its fire safety infrastructure.

A resilient foundation for ongoing fire safety management

The successful completion of the project has modernised the fire alarm infrastructure within both residential buildings and strengthened the University’s approach to ongoing fire safety management.

The project demonstrates Smartec’s ability to combine specialist fire alarm expertise, modern technology and practical project delivery to develop solutions focused on safety, reliability, compliance and operational efficiency.

For the University of Roehampton, the upgrade provides modern fire alarm infrastructure designed to support Aspen Lodge and Willow Lodge and their residents for years to come.

Looking to upgrade fire alarm systems in student accommodation?

Smartec provides specialist fire alarm design, installation, commissioning, upgrades and maintenance for universities, student accommodation and other complex occupied buildings.

If your organisation is looking to modernise an existing fire alarm system, improve testing efficiency or reduce disruption during routine maintenance, Smartec can develop a solution around the operational requirements of your building.