An Advanced MxPro 5 fire panel has been installed to provide high-performance fire protection at a newly converted residential development in Padiham, Lancashire.

Victoria Apartments occupies a striking 19th-century cotton mill originally built in 1852. The site has since been transformed into luxury flats, combining modern living with preserved industrial character. As part of the redevelopment, a robust fire alarm system was required to provide coverage throughout the multi-residential building while accommodating the unique structure of the former mill.

1st Look Fire & Security were responsible for the installation, commissioning, and programming of the system. The team selected a next-generation MxPro 5 fire panel from Advanced, configured with four loops to meet the specific requirements of the site and support a flexible, complex system suitable for a building of this size and age.

The system is configured using Hochiki protocol devices, in line with the company’s standard approach when using Advanced technology. The configuration also supports a tailored cause-and-effect strategy, developed by 1st Look’s trained commissioning engineers. A dedicated site configuration has been created to support future maintenance, updates or expansion if required.

Following completion, feedback from the client highlighted the helpfulness, speed, and professionalism of the team on site, noting their clear communication and proactive approach throughout the project.

Damian Symonds, Director at 1st Look Fire & Security, said: “Advanced is our go-to for projects that demand a dependable, adaptable system. The MxPro 5 was a great fit for Victoria Apartments, offering the performance and flexibility we needed, with intuitive setup for our engineers. We also delivered a session for the local fire service, who were very impressed with the system’s capabilities.”

Neil Parkin, Sales Manager at Advanced, added: “The Victoria Apartments project is a great example of how next-generation MxPro 5 panels can deliver modern fire protection in historic settings. With its enhanced configuration features and high loop capacity, it’s an ideal choice for conversions and residential redevelopments of this kind.”

The next-generation MxPro 5 panels offer increased performance, with a more powerful processor, quicker programming, and wider protocol compatibility. Designed to streamline installation and future-proof system design, the panel gives installers and end users a powerful, flexible fire safety solution.

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Sobha S Tower, a prestigious new high-rise development in Dubai, is now protected by an Advanced Axis EN fire system.

Cignetix, our long-term partner in Dubai, was responsible for the supply, programming and commissioning of the solution, which includes an integrated fire alarm system with voice evacuation, fire telephone and smoke management capabilities. The network of Axis EN fire alarm panels, with support for up to 200 nodes, ensures seamless system-wide communication throughout the tower. 

Axis EN panels have provided a fully addressable solution that meets EN54 Parts 2 and 4, delivering rapid response times, robust networking, and reliable performance across all residential and common areas. With its enhanced configuration capabilities and intuitive programming, the system has been tailored to the unique layout and safety requirements of the high-rise. 

Axis EN offers a flexible and future-proof solution for protecting large, high-rise residential developments such as Sobha S Tower.  

Speaking about the versatility of the Axis EN solution, Sunil Kumar Gopalkrishnan, Managing Director at Cignetix, said: “Cignetix is proud to have delivered a fully integrated fire and emergency lighting solution for Sobha S Tower. Working with Advanced’s Axis EN fire system has allowed us to combine powerful technology with our experience in life safety system delivery. The result is a future-ready infrastructure that supports the safety and wellbeing of residents without compromising on performance or scalability.” 

Sasi Kumar, General Manager (MEA) at Advanced, added: “Sobha S Tower reflects the growing demand for high-specification safety systems in luxury developments across the Middle East. Our Axis EN panels provide the ideal foundation for sophisticated installations of this kind, offering powerful networking, extensive configuration capabilities, and ease of integration with wider building management systems. We’re proud to support Cignetix on a project that sets new standards for residential fire safety in the region.”

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Three next-generation Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels have been installed across a multi-building residential development on Westminster Bridge Road, London, delivering reliable protection for residents. 

Located in the heart of London, just minutes from Waterloo Station, the Westminster Bridge Road development comprises three residential buildings, each containing a mix of private flats and houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs).  

The properties share some facilities and services, presenting specific fire safety challenges, particularly around retained gas infrastructure. As a result, carbon monoxide detection was also required to safeguard against potential leaks into occupied areas. 

Integrated Fire Safety Systems Ltd (IFSS) was responsible for all aspects of the fire alarm installation across the buildings. The team designed a Category L2 fire system using three Advanced MxPro 5 single-loop panels, each managing 24 devices including multisensors and detectors. 

To ensure the remote monitoring provider could identify which of the three buildings a fire signal originated from, IFSS configured the system to transmit clear, building-specific information via a GSM monitoring unit. As the panels were not networked, precise configuration was essential to ensure the fire service could respond quickly and accurately in the event of an alarm. 

Wayne Stanley, Project Manager at IFSS, said: “Advanced is my go-to for fire panels. They’re user friendly, easy to install, and look great on the wall. The MxPro 5 is a durable and well-designed panel that gives us the flexibility we need on more complex installations like this one.” 

Salvy Vittozzi, Sales Manager for the South East at Advanced, added: “This project highlights the strengths of our next-generation MxPro 5 panels in adapting to more complex residential layouts. With standalone configuration, CO detection and clear signal identification needed across three separate buildings, the panel’s flexible programming and wide device compatibility provided the ideal solution to meet both  the installer’s and the client’s requirements.” 

The next-generation MxPro 5 panels installed at Westminster Bridge Road offer enhanced performance and flexibility. With a more powerful processor for faster response times, improved configuration options, and expanded protocol compatibility, the system was ideally suited to meet the project’s technical demands, particularly the need for precise, standalone panel configuration. 

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Lucent Square, a new residential development in Leeds, has been equipped with Advanced’s EvacGo evacuation alert system to enhance resident safety and ensure compliance with the BS 8629 Code of Practice.

Covering 54 apartments across six floors, the system features a standalone EvacGo panel located at the main entrance and provides fire and rescue services with a reliable method of alerting residents in an emergency. As part of the fire strategy for the development, the installation of an evacuation alert system was a key requirement to ensure the highest levels of safety.  

S&R Electrical Contracting Services Ltd, responsible for the full installation, selected Advanced’s EvacGo system due to its compliance with BS 8629 and its reputation for reliability. This is the first time the team has installed EvacGo, and, following the completion of this project, they now highly recommended it based on their experience. 

As with all EvacGo systems, the panel at Lucent Square is housed inside a secure STS 205-certified enclosure with a BS EN 1303-compliant lock and key mechanism, ensuring that only the fire and rescue service can access the controls. This minimises the risk of tampering while guaranteeing that evacuation procedures can be implemented efficiently when needed. 

Steve Greenwood, Director at S&R Electrical Contracting Services Ltd, said: “This was our first installation of an EvacGo system, and we were very impressed with its ease of use and straightforward setup. Advanced’s reputation in the industry gave us full confidence in specifying their system for this project, and it has proven to be a great choice.” 

Shaun Scott, Emergency Evacuation Systems Application Engineer at Advanced, said: “We are pleased that our EvacGo system has been chosen for Lucent Square, providing an essential layer of safety for its residents. Evacuation alert systems are becoming increasingly recognised as a key safety measure for residential buildings, and it’s encouraging to see developers prioritising solutions that adhere to best practice.” 

The installation of EvacGo at Lucent Square reflects the growing commitment to ensuring resident safety in high-rise buildings. With evacuation alert systems now mandatory for new residential buildings over 18 metres in England and Scotland, developers and installers are increasingly turning to trusted, compliant solutions such as EvacGo to meet regulatory requirements and provide peace of mind to residents and building managers alike. 

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A Manchester independent living complex is now equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology following the installation of an EvacGo evacuation alert system from Advanced. 

Located in central Manchester, Princess Court is a high-rise building that offers specialist housing for residents aged 55 and over across 50 flats. Constructed in 1993 and managed by Your Housing Group, the development provides low-level support to help residents live independently and safely.

With Advanced’s best-selling fire panel, MxPro 5, already installed at the site, this latest project, executed by JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, aims to further enhance the safety and security of residents across all six residential floors of the building. The EvacGo evacuation alert system, known for its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface, was selected for its advanced features and reliability. When used alongside the robust protection afforded by the MxPro 5, comprehensive coverage and optimal safety measures are ensured throughout Princess Court.

JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, the maintenance service provider for Your Housing Group across its site portfolio, undertook the installation with their team of skilled engineers. These professionals, experienced in working with various manufacturers’ systems, found the BS 8629-compliant EvacGo system exceptionally easy to understand and install. Their positive feedback underscores the system’s user-friendly design and intuitive operation, setting a new standard in evacuation alert systems.

Chris Keeney, Director of JFN Integrated Solutions Ltd, said: “The project for us was one that ran smoothly from start to finish. It was even more satisfactory that it enabled us to achieve BAFE SP207 accreditation, following on from an audit of this system installation and management files. 

“The choice to specify Advanced’s EvacGo evacuation alert system was a natural one. Having extensively used Advanced equipment in our projects, we have developed a profound trust in their products’ quality, reliability, and ease of use. The seamless integration of EvacGo with our existing Advanced systems further reinforces our confidence in Advanced’s capabilities, making it the ideal choice for our clients’ safety needs.”

Ruth Woodyatt, Fire Safety Manager at Your Housing Group, added: “The installation of EvacGo coincided with a two-year long project to replace the external cladding system, upgrade passive and active fire safety measures throughout the building and, following completion of the work, a move to a stay put evacuation strategy. 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, and that their safety continues to our top priority.”

Designed to make it easy to meet BS 8629 Code of Practice recommendations, EvacGo sets new standards in evacuation alert technology, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of residents in various environments.

Installation of evacuation alert systems is mandatory in all new-build residential apartment blocks over 18m in England and Scotland. However, for all other new-build and retrofit projects, complying with BS 8629 is still seen as best practice. As a result, an increasing number of building owners are taking steps to provide an extra layer of protection to residents of developments that aren’t obligated to meet the requirements, such as Princess Court.

Shaun Scott, Emergency Evacuation Systems Application Engineer at Advanced, said: “We are truly encouraged to witness housing companies going above and beyond legal requirements to prioritise safety. At Advanced, we believe that every individual deserves to feel safe in their surroundings, and proactive initiatives like the installation of EvacGo demonstrate a shared commitment to the wellbeing of communities. These actions not only showcase a commitment to residents’ safety but also inspire others to invest in cutting-edge technologies that can make a significant difference in emergency situations.”

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Advanced’s high-performance, fault-tolerant MxPro 5 analogue addressable fire panels are providing industry-leading protection to all areas of the 22-storey building.

5 Aldermanbury Square is located in the City of London with the Eric Parry designed landmark delivering exceptional views across the London skyline. Fire safety and security specialists, Pacific Security Systems Ltd, was contracted to undertake the upgrade of the building’s current Advanced fire panel network. The existing system was an Advanced MX4000 so migrating the system over to new MxPro 5 panels was the obvious solution due to the useful backward compatibility. Since all works had to be completed overnight to ensure the system was fully operational during the day, this compatibility proved essential.

Pacific Security Systems was involved in the design, installation and commissioning of the fire system. 12 MxPro 5 intelligent fire panels were installed along with an Advanced graphics system and a two-stage staff alarm for false alarm management. Advanced’s special build service was also able to design and build a bespoke floor-standing double annunciator that sits on the network via the PENN network device and provides: zonal indication; sounder control; damper status and control; fire phone control; and sprinkler and wet riser indication. The Advanced system is linked to over 3,000 devices including access control systems, dampers, BMS and plant shutdowns. The system uses Apollo protocol and Discovery optical smoke detectors are installed throughout.

Kirk Short, Director of Pacific Security Systems Ltd, said “Advanced’s ability to provide a full package of panels, graphics and special-build service is why we have been specifying and installing their equipment for over 10 years. The MxPro 5 panels provide a powerful platform, comprehensive cause and effect functions, fast network and user-friendly controls and were the ideal solution for 5 Aldermanbury Square. Their backwards compatibility enabled us to upgrade the system overnight while maintaining essential fire protection throughout the refurbishment – no easy feat!”

Matthew Jones, Head of Sales for UK and Ireland at Advanced, said: “We are delighted that Advanced’s fire panels are providing essential fire protection to the RIBA-award winning 5 Aldermanbury Square. 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.”

MxPro 5 is the fire industry’s leading multiprotocol fire panel and is certified by FM Approvals to EN 54 Parts 2 and 4. It offers customers a choice of four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro 5 can be used in single-loop, single-panel format, or easily configured into high-speed networks of up to 200 panels covering huge areas. Ease of installation and configuration, as well as its wide range of peripheral options, make MxPro 5 customisable to almost any application.

The MxPro 5’s stand-out false alarm management capabilities are available as standard. AlarmCalm delivers unprecedented control of verification and investigation delays. By dividing sites up into virtual false alarm ‘building areas’ independent of fire zones, much more precise control of false alarm management and reduction strategies can be achieved, that exactly fit the needs of each part of a building. An optional AlarmCalm button allows trained occupants to verify if they believe a local fire signal is a false alarm too – a highly effective way of eliminating unwanted alarms.

The MxPro 5 BMS/graphics interface allows BMS systems and graphical control PCs to be easily integrated with the MxPro 5 series of fire control panels and remote terminals using a simple RS232 connection. Multiple interfaces can be connected to the network catering for sites requiring control from a number of graphical PCs.

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Built on the site of the former Queens Hotel on Scotland Street in central Sheffield, the 11-storey building comprises 228 one and two-bedroom furnished apartments designed to offer affordable, high-quality rental accommodation. The development also includes shared spaces such as a rooftop garden, communal lounge and workstations, as well as a bookable meeting area that doubles as a cinema room.

In addition to the evacuation alert system, The Ironworks also benefits from robust fire protection of its landlord areas thanks to the installation of Advanced’s flagship MxPro 5 fire panel. Fire and security service provider WPS Fire & Security installed both systems and were involved in the project from the design stage through to commissioning.

The Ironworks forms part of the first wave of high-rise construction to be completed since evacuation alert systems became mandatory in new residential buildings over 18m in England and Wales in December 2022. The amendments to Approved Document B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations also stipulated that these systems adhere to BS 8629 – the code of practice outlining how evacuation alert systems should be designed, installed, commissioned and maintained. This should give residents in buildings like The Ironworks reassurance that if they need to leave the building in a fire, the instruction will be communicated clearly and safely.

Each EvacGo panel is housed inside a STS 205 security-rated enclosure with patented BS EN 1303-compliant lock and key mechanism for exclusive access by the fire and rescue service – ensuring minimal risk of unauthorised use and full compliance with BS 8629. At The Ironworks, the main panel is supported by a sub-panel, with one sounder in each of the 228 apartments to alert residents in an evacuation scenario.

Phil Souter, Managing Director of WPS Fire & Security, said: “It was essential to choose a BS 8629-compliant evacuation alert system to meet the changes to the Building Regulations. Advanced is our preferred fire protection supplier, so we knew we could rely on them to provide a robust solution. The EvacGo was easy and straightforward to install, while also giving our customer the confidence their building fully complies with BS 8629 and the safety of their residents is protected.”

Shaun Scott, Emergency Evacuation Systems Application Engineer at Advanced, said: “It’s encouraging to see the first high-rise residential projects since the implementation of Approved Document B near completion, following an uncertain and challenging few years for the construction industry in the wake of the Grenfell Tragedy. The updated regulations provide much-needed clarity to the sector and it’s positive to see residents move into new high-rise buildings with the confidence that systems like the EvacGo panel are in place to help keep them safe.”

All Advanced evacuation alert systems are custom-manufactured to reflect each individual building’s evacuation zones and have been developed to provide a bespoke solution that allows the fire services to control evacuation floor by floor according to the severity and location of the fire. The guidance states that the evacuation alert control system should be installed where a ‘stay put’ policy is in force, so that it can be used to facilitate a timely and ordered evacuation for all residents. An evacuation alert system is vital to help fire and rescue services inform residents of a change in evacuation strategy during an incident and can be used alongside existing methods of evacuation to improve safety for residents. It must be standalone, with its only function being to assist fire and rescue services in the evacuation of the building.

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