Advanced fire safety solution supports student housing protection in Kent

Fire safety upgrades completed at Canterbury Student Village with Advanced panels

Advanced has supplied MxPro 5 fire panels to upgrade fire safety systems at Canterbury Student Village in Kent.

The £3.5m project replaced existing fire alarm panels across Cloud Student Homes’ accommodation blocks while buildings remained occupied.

The installation covered Kentish House, Behn Hall and Tallis Court, requiring the previous fire systems to remain active during the replacement to ensure continuous protection for residents.

The networked system provides category L1 protection, covering student suites, bedrooms, plant rooms and high-risk areas.

Collaboration between Endeavour Group and CSS Ltd

Fire engineering consultants Endeavour Group appointed fire safety specialists CSS Ltd to manage the design, supply, installation and handover.

CSS Ltd installed five 4-loop MxPro 5 panels connected to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) for monitoring by fire and rescue services.

The system integrates with existing automatic opening vents (AOVs), lifts and access control systems.

Endeavour Group reviewed the design and functionality to confirm compliance with client requirements.

Industry leaders highlight ease of use and technical support

CSS Ltd Project Director Tony Leck said: “Advanced was specified since it supports an open protocol and offers a powerful solution for the student accommodation.

“It also offers an easy system for customers to navigate and use.

“The panels are proven in the field with CSS Ltd and Endeavour Group using them for a number of years.

“Advanced MxPro 5 panels are about the best on the market along with the tech support received by Advanced on installations.

“Pick up the phone to tech support and within minutes it is all sorted thanks to Advanced’s experienced technical support engineers.”

Leck highlighted features such as the built-in multimeter that measures system voltages and currents in real time to speed commissioning.

The panels are available in four- and eight-loop formats and can support up to 254 devices per loop.

Up to 200 panels can be networked, with compatibility for wired, wireless and hybrid installations.

Future upgrades planned across Cloud Student Homes sites

Neil Parkin, Sales Manager at Advanced, said: “Our MxPro 5 panels are designed to make life as easy as possible, delivering robust protection that offers real peace of mind, all backed up by our highly rated technical support.”

Cloud Student Homes operates 3,500 bed spaces across 21 UK sites and plans to install Advanced panels across its wider property portfolio.

The MxPro 5 system is approved to EN 54 Parts 2 and 4 by FM Approvals and supports multiple detector protocols, including Apollo, Argus, Hochiki and Nittan.

It includes the AlarmCalm false alarm management system, allowing sites to create virtual verification areas and provide trained occupants with an optional verification button.

The panels also feature a building management system (BMS) and graphics interface, enabling connection to multiple PCs for control and monitoring.

Technical and project context for engineers and contractors

Advanced, part of Halma PLC, supplies intelligent fire systems for single-panel installations and large multi-site networks.

The company’s product range includes detection, control, suppression and emergency lighting systems.

The Canterbury project demonstrates how open-protocol, networked systems can support phased upgrades without interruption to fire protection.

Relevance for contractors, designers and accommodation operators

This project highlights how system installers and fire engineers can coordinate complex replacements while maintaining active protection for occupied buildings.

For contractors and consultants, the MxPro 5’s compatibility with multiple detector protocols and hybrid connectivity reduces design limitations and supports phased work in live environments.

For accommodation operators, integration with access, lift and AOV systems provides full-building coordination and centralised alarm management through the ARC connection.

The planned rollout across Cloud Student Homes’ wider portfolio shows growing demand for adaptable, networked fire safety infrastructure in the purpose-built student accommodation sector.