A fire system by Comelit-PAC, the specialised access control division within Comelit has been installed on Booth Hall, an 800-room student accommodation complex serving Crewe’s new medical health science campus.

Featuring a user friendly touch screen system, the solution was selected and installed by fire safety and security firm CFS Systems.

Eight addressable panels were installed, one per block, together with a new style repeater panel in the main reception area.

Finished in line with Comelit-PAC’s focus on aesthetics, its design is fully networkable, with the opportunity to expand with a facility or building requirement.

Craig Forster, Operations Director at CFS Systems said: “If you’re responsible for fire safety in any kind of accommodation – halls of residence, rented flats or privately rented accommodation – there are considerable obligations to do everything possible to minimise the risk of fire”.

“This includes a great level of responsibility to carry out fire risk assessments, identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring complete fire safety. We did this at Booth Hall and installed Comelit-Pac, quickly and efficiently, as a system that could accommodate the sheer size of the development and remain simple to use and operate for all students and staff on site.”

“Fire safety is essential to any premises,” added Mandy Bowden, Fire Manager at Comelit-PAC added. “In a student accommodation complex, there are special considerations to comply with latest legislation and maintain the safety of students, visitors and all staff”.

Comelit-PAC worked closely with CFS Systems from training and initial design of the system, paying close attention to the bespoke requirements of Booth Hall. Bowden explained further, “We ensured the products were delivered quickly, to negate any need for a delay in the installation programme of works. The result is a high quality, robust fire safety system that complies with latest legislation to offer the essential protection required.”

Fire safety, education and duty of care

The Apollo Buckingham Health Science Campus (ABHSC) offers degrees in biomedical sciences as well as medical foundation and conversion courses for health workers. The campus is majority owned by the University of Buckingham and Apollo and could have at least 3,000 students at the Crewe site by 2024.

Offering on-campus student accommodation at Booth Hall, the development presents 800 bedrooms, with a mix of communal spaces and facilities, including extended learning zones, meeting rooms and a gymnasium.

As part of the duty of care and responsibility to students and staff at Booth Hall, CFS Systems carried out a full risk assessment of the site to install the latest fire safety systems, with a nine-panel network and over 2000 devices.

Amanda Watson, Head of Operations at Apollo Buckingham Health Science Campus said: “The University of Buckingham’s Crewe campus offers students the opportunity to gain experience and relevant skills, combining a variety of courses with authentic clinical and laboratory experiences in a multi-professional learning environment”.

“Situated on the grounds of the Crewe campus, the student-friendly town is ideal for both learning and socialising. Student welfare is a top priority and this includes at Booth Hall, ensuring fire safety and security measures are kept up to date and compliant. Here, CFS Systems carried out a complete risk assessment and made recommendations, advising us on the best course of action, including installation of Comelit-PAC systems.”

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