Fire detection at Kingfisher House

North Shields based Kingfisher Care Home, part of the Amicura Limited portfolio, is a new dementia specialist care home presenting a traditional purpose-built design, a selection of open plan living areas and a stimulating lifestyle programme.

As part of the refurbishment programme, and to achieve latest fire regulations, KJ Fire Safety installed Comelit’s stylish addressable Atena touch screen control panel on a four-loop solution to control fire detection systems across the complete site.

Ruth Field, estates director of Minster Care Group, said: “Having an effective fire alarm system is absolutely vital at a residential home, and dementia care specialist home, where evacuation can be extremely complex and literally every second matters.  

“As the responsible agent, we had to ensure we worked with the right partner to ensure all aspects of fire safety was accommodated. The recommendation from KJ Fire Safety of Comelit’s new Atena control panel was its user-friendly capability and touch screen panel. In training, staff have commented on its ease of use, providing peace of mind that we can act fast in an emergency situation.”

Comelit’s Atena is an addressable fire alarm panel with 1 to 4 loops and maximum coverage of 96 zones. Up to 250 devices can be connected to every loop. The information for the system status is visualized on a touch sensitive graphic display and LED indication for zones and troubles. 

By utilising a two-staged alarm procedure in regards to evacuation and implementing an effective day / night mode function, Comelit’s addressable panel is able to manage potential nuisance alarms effectively, whilst safely evacuating residents and staff in the event of a genuine fire scenario. 

Nigel Thomas, managing director KJ Fire Safety Ltd, added: “Care homes have some pretty unique requirements when it comes to fire safety. By their very nature they’re places where dependent and often very frail individuals live and keeping them safe and secure is paramount.  

“As we demonstrated at Kingfisher Care Home, the starting point for keeping new residents safety was to carry out a fire risk assessment, in line with latest legislation, checking all aspects of fire safety were fit for purpose.  We made recommendations on a new fire system, choosing to install Comelit as a user-friendly system that has excellent training and support capability.”

Mandy Bowden, Comelit Fire BDM concluded: “Kingfisher Care Home is a showcase residential centre where fire and security arrangements must be balanced with the need to create a welcoming and caring environment. Comelit’s fire panel range is an innovative, stylish example of solutions available that are simple to install, cost effective and enhance fire safety on site, without imposing on the care home facilities.”

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