Fire safety regime at Booth Hall shaped by Comelit-PAC and CFS Systems

The ABHSC is majority owned by the University of Buckingham and Apollo and could be welcoming at least 3,000 students at the Crewe site by 2024.

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

As part of the Duty of Care and responsibility to students and staff at Booth Hall, CFS Systems carried out a full risk assessment of the site with a view towards installing a fire safety system featuring a nine-panel network and over 2,000 devices.

Student welfare

Amanda Watson, head of operations at the ABHSC, said: “The University of Buckingham’s new Crewe campus offers students the opportunity to gain vital experience and relevant skills thanks to the combination of a variety of courses and authentic clinical and laboratory experiences, all delivered in a multi-professional learning environment.”

Watson continued: “Student welfare is a top priority for the University of Buckingham and this includes at Booth Hall. That being so, fire safety and security measures must always be kept up-to-date and compliant. With this in mind, CFS Systems conducted a complete risk assessment process and subsequently made several recommendations, advising us on the best course of action. That included the installation of the Comelit-PAC fire system.”

Comelit-PAC’s specialist fire safety solution features a user friendly touch screen system. Eight addressable panels have been installed (ie one per block), while a new repeater panel now resides within the main reception area.

The solution is fully networkable and can be expanded if facility or building requirements should change at any point in the future.

Minimising the risk

Craig Forster, operations director at CFS Systems, informed Fire Safety Matters: “If you’re responsible for fire safety in any kind of accommodation – be it a student hall of residence, rented flats or privately rented accommodation – there are considerable obligations to do everything possible in order to minimise the risk of fire.”

Elaborating on that theme, Forster stated: “This includes carrying out fire risk assessments, identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring complete fire safety. We’ve addressed all of these areas at Booth Hall and installed Comelit-PAC’s solution to accommodate the sheer size of the development. It’s simple to use and operate for all students and staff present at the site.”

Mandy Bowden, fire manager at Comelit-PAC, explained: “Fire safety is essential at any premises. In a student accommodation complex, there are special considerations to be taken into account around compliance with the latest legislation and maintaining the safety of students, visitors and staff.”

Bowden continued: “We worked closely with CFS Systems on the initial design of the system, paying close attention to the bespoke requirements of Booth Hall. We then ensured the products were delivered quickly in order to negate any need for a delay in the installation programme. There was also a good degree of training on the system. The end result is a high quality and robust fire safety system that complies with the latest legislation and, in parallel, affords the essential level of protection required.”

*Further information is available online at www.comelitgroup.com