Parkway Newbury is a new retail and residential development in this celebrated Berkshire town, which offers a wide choice of over 50 shops, cafes, restaurants plus 150 luxury residential apartments.

With over 300 workers on site at any time during the two-year building programme, and a constantly changing building framework, Fire Systems’ designers were presented with a number of special challenges.

An independent wireless fire alarm system was installed in each of the complex’s eight external blocks, interfaced on a wireless network to enable the fire signals from each block to be transmitted back to the security office. The system, based around a single loop Kentec Syncro AS analogue addressable fire alarm control panel, used Argus open communications protocol with Argus wireless detectors.

Timber-framed construction is on the increase, but unlike traditionally built properties, a timber-framed building presents a greatest risk of fire during the construction phase due to large amounts of combustible elements being exposed and unprotected. For this reason, installation of a fire alarm on timber frame construction sites is now a priority.

Wireless fire alarms are quick and easy to install with a minimal amount of wiring. The wireless fire alarm equipment can be relocated very easily with no disruption to contractors on site. It is also very cost effective, as devices can be reused on different phases of the project.