Hochiki delivers life safety solution for Admiral Lord Nelson School

The project saw SFA Fire & Security appointed to upgrade the school’s existing fire detection system, delivering end-to-end design and installation using Hochiki’s FIREbeam Xtra and ESP open protocol technology. The flexible solution has been designed to meet the varied demands of specialist teaching spaces, including science laboratories, food technology rooms, sports facilities and a large glass-fronted atrium.

Key challenges included working within a live educational environment and delivering effective detection across open and high-ceilinged areas where traditional point detection would have been impractical. These challenges were overcome through careful planning, holiday-based installation and the use of Hochiki’s FIREbeam Xtra for reliable long-range smoke detection.

Combined with an addressable fire control panel, the system’s open protocol architecture allows for easy maintenance, precise device monitoring and the rapid identification of incidents, while a strategic mix of heat sensors and multi-sensors reduces false alarms across specialist rooms.

Naomi Fell, project director at SFA Fire & Security, commented: “Hochiki’s reliability and open protocol flexibility made it easy to integrate a future-ready system, even within the tight deadlines specified. It’s a solution the school’s management team can trust for years to come.”

The end result is a robust and adaptable life safety system that supports the school’s day-to-day operations, while in parallel future-proofing its fire protection strategy.