Comelit-PAC’s fire system has been installed by CFS Systems on an 800-room student accommodation complex at Crewe’s new medical health science campus.

The Apollo Buckingham Health Science Campus (ABHSC) offers degrees in biomedical sciences as well as medical foundation and conversion courses for health workers.  The campus is majority owned by the University of Buckingham and Apollo and could have at least 3,000 students at the Crewe site by 2024.

Offering on-campus student accommodation at Booth Hall, the development includes 800 bedrooms, with a mix of communal spaces and facilities, including extended learning zones, meeting rooms and a gymnasium.

CFS Systems carried out a full risk assessment of the site to install the latest fire safety systems, with a nine-panel network and over 2000 devices.

Amanda Watson, Head of Operations at Apollo Buckingham Health Science Campus said: “The University of Buckingham’s Crewe campus offers students the opportunity to gain experience and relevant skills, combining a variety of courses with authentic clinical and laboratory experiences in a multi-professional learning environment”.

“Situated on the grounds of the Crewe campus, the student-friendly town is ideal for both learning and socialising.  Student welfare is a top priority and this includes at Booth Hall, ensuring fire safety and security measures are kept up to date and compliant.  Here, CFS Systems carried out a complete risk assessment and made recommendations, advising us on the best course of action, including installation of Comelit-PAC systems.”

User friendly

CFS Systems selected Comelit-PAC’s specialist fire safety solution, featuring a user friendly touch screen system, installing eight addressable panels, one per block and a new style repeater panel in the main reception area.

Finished in line with Comelit-PAC’s focus on aesthetics, it is fully networkable with the opportunity to expand with a facility or building requirement.

Craig Forster, Operations Director at CFS Systems commented: “If you’re responsible for fire safety in any kind of accommodation – halls of residence, rented flats or privately rented accommodation – there are considerable obligations to do everything possible to minimise the risk of fire”. 

“This includes a great level of responsibility to carry out fire risk assessments, identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring complete fire safety.  We did this at Booth Hall and installed Comelit-Pac, quickly and efficiently, as a system that could accommodate the sheer size of the development and remain simple to use and operate for all students and staff on site.”

Mandy Bowden, Fire Manager at Comelit-PAC concluded: “Fire safety is essential to any premises. In a student accommodation complex, there are special considerations to comply with latest legislation and maintain the safety of students, visitors and all staff”.   

“We worked closely with CFS Systems from training and initial design of the system, paying close attention to the bespoke requirements of Booth Hall.  We ensured the products were delivered quickly, to negate any need for a delay in the installation programme of works.  The result is a high quality, robust fire safety system that complies with latest legislation to offer the essential protection required.”