Advanced ESPA Pager Interface enhances fire safety at University of Southampton

Overview of Advanced paging upgrade

Advanced has reported that the University of Southampton has introduced a paging-based fire safety system for deaf and hard-of-hearing users across its multi-campus estate.

The project uses Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels integrated with the ESPA Pager Interface to deliver targeted alerts.

Premier Fire Security and Scope Communications delivered the solution in partnership with Advanced.

According to the Advanced, the installation is designed to provide accessible fire alerts without relying solely on audio alarms.

The system is already in use across the wider estate and is being expanded.

System configuration and campus coverage

Advanced said there are more than 200 of its panels installed at the University of Southampton, including two networks of 30 to 40 nodes and a growing number of extinguishing panels.

The ESPA 4.4.4-compliant Pager Interface links the fire detection network with Scope’s PageTek Pro Mk2 transmitter and EPOCBLUM pagers.

Each building or defined group of buildings is assigned a dedicated pager address.

Only users who have selected a particular address receive alerts for that area, which reduces confusion and supports faster responses.

Pagers can be programmed by users to activate or deactivate locations as required.

Password protection is used to prevent unauthorised changes to pager configurations.

Scope pillow pad and nightstand accessories are used so that alerts can be received at night while users are asleep.

Chris Chance, University of Southampton Contract Manager at Premier Fire Security, said: “We’ve worked closely with Scope and Advanced to create a system that’s not only reliable but incredibly flexible.

“The ability to configure pagers for any location means we can reduce hardware stock and improve coverage across the entire campus.

“It’s a huge step forward in inclusive safety.”

Partner roles and operational alerts

Advanced reported that the installation includes a dedicated paging group for engineers, janitors, security staff and fire marshals.

This group receives diagnostic and fault messages generated by the Advanced network.

Members of the group can also initiate fire messages for defined locations when required.

The arrangement is intended to support operational control and coordination across the estate.

Rob Baker, Head of Technical Support at Scope Communications, said: “This project demonstrates how powerful the ESPA interface can be when paired with our paging technology.

“The system ensures that alerts are both accurate and accessible, and we’re proud to support Premier Fire Security in expanding this solution across the university.”

Future expansion and Advanced perspective

Advanced stated that the long-term plan is to extend the paging solution to all student halls at the University of Southampton.

Under this plan, pagers would be reconfigured so that users can carry them between locations and still receive relevant alerts.

The company said this approach is intended to improve safety, streamline inventory and reduce overall costs.

Salvy Vittozzi, Regional Sales Manager for the South East at Advanced, commented: “This installation is a great example of how our ESPA Pager Interface can be used to deliver tailored fire alerts in complex environments.

“It’s rewarding to see our technology helping to make campuses safer and more inclusive for all users.”

Advanced noted that its wider portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management and reduction systems and emergency lighting.

The company is owned by Halma, which is described as a global group of life-saving technology companies.

Implications for campus fire safety planning

The University of Southampton installation provides an example of how paging can be integrated with existing fire panels to deliver location-specific alerts to deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

Facilities managers responsible for multi-building estates can see how distinct pager addresses for each building or group of buildings support targeted notification.

Fire safety officers and system installers may be interested in how the ESPA 4.4.4 interface is used to connect fire panels with campus paging infrastructure.

The dedicated paging group for engineers, janitors, security and fire marshals illustrates how operational staff can receive diagnostic, fault and fire messages from the same network.

Procurement officers and fire-protection contractors can observe how the University plans to expand the system to student halls, using reconfigurable pagers to control inventory and costs.