State-of-the-art evacuation system installed at Princess Court

Princess Court, an independent living complex in central Manchester, has enhanced its fire safety systems with the installation of the EvacGo evacuation alert system, as reported by Advanced.

The six-storey building, which provides housing for residents aged 55 and over, already features an MxPro 5 fire panel, also manufactured by Advanced.

This latest upgrade, executed by JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, further strengthens the site’s fire safety measures.

The installation aligns with BS 8629 recommendations, which focus on enhancing evacuation safety in residential buildings.

JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, maintenance providers for Your Housing Group, completed the project.

Chris Keeney, Director at JFN, noted: “The project ran smoothly from start to finish,” highlighting that it also facilitated the company’s BAFE SP207 accreditation.

Comprehensive fire safety upgrades accompany evacuation alert installation

The installation forms part of a broader two-year fire safety project at Princess Court.

According to Your Housing Group Fire Safety Manager, Ruth Woodyatt, this initiative also included replacing external cladding and upgrading passive and active fire safety measures.

Woodyatt stated: “The system has given our residents peace of mind that an evacuation can be initiated and controlled should this ever be required in the future.”

Following the upgrades, Princess Court transitioned to a stay-put evacuation strategy.

Housing sector increasingly adopts BS 8629 best practices

While mandatory for new-build residential blocks over 18 metres in England and Scotland, compliance with BS 8629 is gaining traction across retrofit projects.

Shaun Scott, Emergency Evacuation Systems Application Engineer at Advanced, welcomed the move, stating: “We are encouraged to witness housing companies going above and beyond legal requirements to prioritise safety.”

Advanced systems are designed for bespoke evacuation zone management, providing fire services with precise control during emergencies.

These standalone systems are particularly effective in buildings operating a stay-put policy, enabling swift changes to evacuation strategies during incidents.

Advanced reaffirms commitment to tailored fire safety solutions

Advanced, owned by Halma PLC, has developed its evacuation alert systems to meet unique building requirements, ensuring flexibility and compliance with BS 8629.

The company emphasises ease of use and integration with existing fire safety technologies, reinforcing their role in residential fire safety advancements globally.

Princess Court installs Advanced evacuation alert system: Summary

Princess Court, a housing complex in Manchester for residents aged 55 and over, has enhanced fire safety with the EvacGo evacuation alert system from Advanced.

Installed by JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, this project aligns with BS 8629 recommendations and complements the existing MxPro 5 fire panel at the site.

The installation coincides with broader fire safety upgrades, including cladding replacement and improvements to passive and active fire safety measures.

Advanced’s evacuation systems are gaining adoption as housing providers prioritise safety beyond mandatory requirements.

These systems offer bespoke solutions for controlled evacuations, aiding fire services in emergency scenarios.