Hochiki Europe delivers next generation fire safety at Willis Aviation Services

Spanning 45,000 m² of hangars, workshops and office space, Hangars 7 and 8 house multifunctional facilities where engineers work with high-value aircraft and potentially flammable materials: a combination that demands uncompromising fire protection.

To meet such demands, Willis Aviation partnered with local life safety specialist Render Alarms to design and install a fully tailored system built around Hochiki’s advanced intelligent detection technology.

At the heart of the installation is Hochiki’s ESP intelligent fire detection system, offering open protocol flexibility and future-proof performance aligned with BS 5839-1 2025. Across office environments, adjustable smoke and heat detectors provide highly reliable detection, while also helping to reduce unwanted alarms: an essential factor in maintaining operational continuity.

In busy workshop areas, wall-mounted sounder beacons deliver clear visual alerts in high-noise conditions, ensuring that warnings are both seen and heard. For the expansive and structurally complex hangar voids, Hochiki’s FIRElink aspirating detection system has been specified. This solution makes use of laser-based technology to monitor large areas efficiently with enhanced sensitivity and reduced maintenance requirements.

Design software

Render Alarms’ installation team also used specialist design software to optimise the aspirating pipe network around the hangar’s structural framework, ensuring complete coverage and compliance.

Luke Render of Render Alarms (lead engineer on the project) commented: “Hochiki’s bases are a game-changer. The sensors effortlessly twist-fit on to the bases, which significantly reduces the install and commissioning time, all without compromising on quality.”

The end result is a robust and intelligent fire safety solution that protects people, aircraft and infrastructure, while minimising disruption and supporting long-term operational resilience. As safety standards continue to evolve across the aviation and industrial sectors, this project demonstrates how carefully specified and expertly installed detection technology can deliver confidence today and adaptability for tomorrow.