Cottsway Housing is to upgrade its fire alarms at more than 3,500 of its homes with a solution by Aico.

Cottsway Housing choses Aico

The housing provider is replacing its current systems which are reaching their recommended replacement dates. 
The alarms, many of them older models by Aico, will gradually be replaced and upgraded to the manufacturer’s Multi-Sensor by Cottsway's repairs team.

Colin Walker, fire safety officer at Cottsway Housing, said: "I have gone with the Multi-Sensor as I believe it will increase the confidence of our residents to the effectiveness of smoke alarms due to its reliability and functionality." 
 

The Multi-Sensor has been designed to monitor both smoke and heat.

Existing Cottsway Housing properties typically feature three to four alarms and an Aico alarm control switch.  However, properties that have since been identified as high fire risk will be fitted with additional alarms, using Aico's Radiolink system. 

Radiolink works by allowing mains powered smoke and heat alarms to be wirelessly interconnected through radio frequency signals.  If one alarm on the system is triggered, a signal will be sent out by the RadioLink base underneath the alarm and should cause every other alarm in the property to sound.

The Multi-Sensor also has a memory feature which allows Cottsway Housing electricians to identify the exact alarm that triggered the entire system, which also works after it has stopped sounding. 

Aico said: “Part of [the ]service includes access to the Aico fire products trained installer scheme, which Cottsway Housing's electricians have benefitted from.

“Cottsway is now arranging with Aico to deliver training to its assets and development team to give them a better understanding of the type of alarms being installed and the legislation requirements.”