Hochiki Europe delivers future-proof fire protection for office conversion

The five‑storey former office complex has been transformed into 78 quality homes for the social housing market alongside retail and commercial units as part of a key initiative led by the Rightacres Property Company Limited.

The mixed-use development required a fire safety solution capable of integrating the aforementioned residential, retail and commercial spaces, each of them with different operational and aesthetic requirements.

Hochiki Europe's ESP Addressable range, installed by P.E.S. Fire and Security and specified by Huvo, was selected for its “flexibility, scalability and open protocol design”.

Tailored design, seamless integration

In order to accommodate evolving internal layouts and future commercial tenants, the system has been designed to allow reconfiguration of alarm zones and sounder activation without rewiring.

Critical safety features include special heat detectors for apartment entrances to safeguard main corridor escape routes, with direct operation of Automatic Opening Vents.

The ESP solution is integrated with building management systems, sprinklers, pumps, access control and solar PV, thereby delivering a unified and co-ordinated fire strategy.

Devices were selected to blend discreetly into the newly refurbished interiors, in turn preserving the design intent of what is a high-profile conversion.

Layout changes

Commenting on the project, P.E.S. Fire and Security’s managing director Martin Truscott observed: “Hochiki’s ESP range made installation remarkably easy, and particularly so when it came to the continual changes to the layout. This flexibility allowed us to adapt to the project’s evolving requirements without needing a complete redesign of the overall system wiring.”

Designed to minimise disruption and deliver consistent performance in a busy environment, the system also reduces false alarms, which essential in a mixed‑use development with varied occupancy and use.

By enabling the re-use of the existing structure, the project aligns with environmental, social and governance principles, maximising resource efficiency, while also delivering a safe and secure affordable housing project.

The Scott Harbour project demonstrates the adaptability of Hochiki Europe’s ESP Addressable range and, over time, will also demonstrate its reliability.

As a result of close collaboration, Hochiki Europe has realised a robust, flexible  and future-proof fire detection solution.

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