ACCESSIBILITY; SAFETY & SECURITY 113
persons are often used in hospitals to accommodate stretchers and equipment.
Understanding fi refi ghting lifts Firefi ghting lifts are a critical requirement in buildings where fl oors are more than 18 metres above, or more than 10 metres below, the point of fi re service access. These lifts are purpose-built to help fi re and rescue teams reach fi re affected areas quickly and safely during an emergency.
While they are similar to evacuation lifts,
fi refi ghting lifts include additional safety features tailored for use by emergency services. These can include integrated connections to fi re detection systems, in-shaft ladders, rescue trap doors and communication systems that continue operating during a fi re.
They must be powered by an independent emergency power supply and are typically designed to carry between eight and 13 people, though larger capacities may be specifi ed depending on the building’s layout and fi re strategy. Retrofi tting lifts for evacuation or
fi refi ghting use in existing buildings, especially older high-rise buildings, can be a complex challenge. Whether an upgrade is
feasible depends on several key factors, such as the building’s ability to accommodate fi re-resistant waiting areas, dedicated emergency power supplies and protected lift shafts. In many cases, a full site inspection is essential to determine how the building can be adapted to meet the strict safety standards required for compliant lift upgrades.
Improving accessibility and safety When selecting a passenger or platform lift, both design and accessibility should be carefully considered. Controls should be installed at accessible heights and may include braille and tactile buttons to support visually impaired users. All lifts must be equipped with two-way emergency communication in case passengers become trapped. Standard systems typically include an emergency call button, speaker and microphone. Collaborating with a qualifi ed lift specialist during the planning and installation phases is essential to ensure the lift meets regulations and standards.
Graham Mears is general manager at Stannah Lifts
MxPro 5 delivers reliable fi re protection for Royal Marine hotel
T
he Royal Marine Hotel, County Dublin, has completed a signifi cant upgrade of its fi re alarm system with
the installation of Advanced’s MxPro 5 fi re panels. The hotel comprises guest accommodation, bar and restaurant areas, a pool and spa, underground car park, kitchens and plant rooms. Its previous fi re alarm system was removed as it was no longer meeting the operational needs of the site, with ongoing reliability issues and false alarms causing disruption for guests and staff. A modern, networked solution was required to improve performance and provide greater control. TEE Fire Safety Solutions were appointed to carry out the upgrade. As the system was networked, all fi ve panels had to be replaced on the same day to maintain continuity and minimise disruption. The new installation is based on Advanced’s MxPro 5 analogue addressable fi re panels, providing a robust and scalable platform well suited to the
Reducing false alarms was a key objective of the project. Using the MxPro 5’s advanced confi guration capabilities, TEE Fire Safety Solutions implemented a tailored false alarm management strategy, including verifi cation and hold times designed specifi cally for hotel operations. Heat detectors, manual call points and linear detection were excluded from false alarm management to ensure full responsiveness to genuine alarms. A staged alarm strategy has also been programmed,
demands of a live hospitality environment. The system includes a combination of eight-loop, four-loop and two-loop MxPro 5 panels, supported by a fully functional repeater panel. All panels are networked using standard network cards and confi gured across seven network nodes, with a total of 1,813 devices programmed throughout the site.
allowing reception,
management and maintenance sounders to activate initially before escalating to a full evacuation if the alarm is not cancelled by trained staff. The
installation also provides a
future-proof platform, with plans already in place to add an additional single-loop panel to support a forthcoming extension.
0345 894 7000
www.advancedco.com
ADF APRIL/MAY 2026
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
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