Enhancing Resident Safety During Major Refurbishment Works

Delivering temporary wireless fire safety solutions for Silva Homes

Who Are Silva Homes?

Silva Homes is a housing provider responsible for delivering safe and secure residential environments for its residents across multiple properties and developments. During a major renovation project involving a multi-tenant residential block, Silva Homes required a temporary fire safety solution capable of protecting residents while managing operational and financial pressures throughout the construction period.

Overview

Drax Technology partnered with Silva Homes to improve resident safety during a large-scale refurbishment project by implementing a temporary wireless fire alarm system. Using the EMS FireCell wireless fire alarm system, Drax Technology delivered a rapidly deployable solution that eliminated the need for costly Waking Watch wardens while providing reliable fire detection and alarm reporting throughout the renovation process. The solution significantly improved resident safety and generated substantial cost savings over the duration of the project.

Their Challenge

Silva Homes required a reliable temporary fire alarm system to maintain resident safety during extensive refurbishment works. The project also involved significant expenditure on Waking Watch wardens, creating operational and financial pressures over the expected duration of the works. They needed a solution capable of replacing the Waking Watch provision while adapting to the changing conditions of a partially occupied building under construction.

The Solution

Drax Technology designed and installed a fully wireless temporary fire alarm system tailored to the specific requirements of the refurbishment project. The EMS FireCell system was selected for its flexibility, speed of deployment, and suitability for complex live environments. The installation included a 3G connection to the Alarm Receiving Centre, enabling automatic fire event reporting and a strict escalation process for alerting the fire brigade when required.

The complete system was installed within just three days, delivering immediate operational protection across the residential block. Following installation, the Waking Watch provision was removed within two days due to the effectiveness of the new temporary fire safety system.

What Drax Delivered

A temporary wireless fire safety solution designed to improve resident protection while reducing operational costs during refurbishment works.
  • EMS FireCell Wireless Fire Alarm System

    Installed a fully wireless temporary fire alarm solution across the residential block.

  • SMaRT Cube & SMaRT Connect Deployment

    Completed installation and commissioning within three days to minimise disruption and accelerate protection.

  • Automatic Fire Event Reporting

    Integrated a 3G connection to the Alarm Receiving Centre for real-time alarm reporting and escalation.

  • Waking Watch Replacement

    Provided a compliant alternative to costly Waking Watch wardens.

Outcomes

At a Glance

Drax Technology partnered with Silva Homes to deliver a temporary wireless fire alarm solution during a major residential refurbishment project. Using the EMS FireCell system with Alarm Receiving Centre integration, the solution improved resident safety, eliminated the need for Waking Watch wardens, and generated approximately £490,000 in operational savings over 16 months while supporting ongoing fire protection throughout the construction process.

Looking to achieve similar control across your buildings?
See how Drax Technology can support your approach to compliance and operational oversight through real-time visibility, structured reporting, and centralised control across complex estates.

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