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required, LEAKtrace can also be supplemented with remote indicators, sounders and beacons, and can be linked to solenoid shut-off valves for an automatic first response to a detected leak.


Fire detection: the ESP system Alongside LEAKtrace, Acer Electrical deployed Hochiki’s ESP addressable technology as the foundation for the fire detection system. In total, 33 ESP devices were installed across the pub, each selected to suit the function of the space it was protecting. Intelligent heat sensors were fitted in the kitchen; smoke sensors with adjustable sensitivity were installed throughout the remainder of the building to deliver reliable performance across varying environmental conditions. All sensors were fitted with Hochiki’s


loop-powered base sounders, which fit discreetly beneath each device, deliver an alarm volume of up to 98 dB(A) and are automatically addressed by the fire control panel. This approach simplifies installation considerably and is in line with BS 5839-1, the code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises. At the centre of the system, a Hochiki HFP AP


addressable one-loop panel provides comprehensive fire alarm management from a single control point, tailored to smaller, compact-sized applications. Its user-friendly event log makes maintenance straightforward, allowing the exact location of a fire or fault to be identified quickly. The panel’s open protocol also means the system can be expanded in future if the pub’s needs change.


The result Roland Birk, who runs The Ship Centurion, said: “Our new LEAKtrace and ESP fire system is much simpler and easy to use. The panel’s interface is user-friendly and ensures we can monitor the entire system from one place. The entire system delivers protection from water leaks and fire to ensure that our small business continues to run smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend Hochiki.” The Ship Centurion now has a fully integrated


life safety system that protects the building, its occupants and the legacy the Birks family has built over three decades.


Why water leak detection belongs on every small


commercial specification The Ship Centurion is a useful illustration of a wider opportunity for electrical contractors and engineers. Pubs, restaurants, small hotels, office premises and retail units share a common profile: they have kitchens, plant rooms or basements with pipework that is rarely inspected between service visits. In each of these environments, a slow and undetected leak can go unnoticed for days or weeks, causing damage that far outweighs the cost of early detection. Escape of water is one of the most common and


expensive sources of insurance claims in the UK commercial sector. According to data from the Association of British Insurers, the average cost of commercial escape of water claims runs at £2.5 million per day, amounting to close to £1 billion in insurable losses every year. A single commercial


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panel that is discreet and simple to install, with no requirement for a large multi-zone addressable infrastructure. For those projects where simplicity, speed of installation and a lower cost of ownership are the priorities, it delivers professional-grade detection without unnecessary complexity.


From a specification perspective, LEAKtrace is a natural addition to projects across a range of smaller commercial settings:


• Pubs and bars with basement keg stores or under-floor pipework


• Restaurants and hotel kitchens with high-volume water supply equipment


• Small hotels and guest houses with plant rooms or multiple en-suite bathrooms


loss claim can exceed £1 million, and businesses that are uninsured or underinsured face an average event cost of around £80,000, with potential closure for up to fifty working days while remediation work is completed. For smaller owner-operated businesses in


particular, that level of disruption carries consequences well beyond the immediate repair bill. Suppliers, customers and staff all feel the impact of an extended closure, and the reputational effect of failing to fulfil orders or maintain service can outlast the physical damage itself. For a family business like The Ship Centurion, the basement represented exactly this kind of exposure: a space that, left unmonitored, could have caused disproportionate harm to a business built over thirty years.


Specifying LEAKtrace: what electrical engineers


need to know LEAKtrace is designed specifically for smaller sites and straightforward projects, and it is well suited to the kinds of commercial installations that electrical contractors handle regularly. The system is built around a compact wall-mounted control


• Office premises with server rooms, kitchenettes or comms equipment vulnerable to overhead leaks


• Retail units with stockrooms adjacent to utility areas


The conversation with a building owner or


facilities manager is straightforward. LEAKtrace adds a layer of protection that fire detection cannot provide, and for sites where the consequences of an undetected leak are significant, the case for including it in a life safety or security proposal is clear. For projects that require fully addressable water leak detection with extensive loop coverage and BMS integration, Hochiki’s LEAKalarm system is available for larger and more complex installations. For electrical engineers looking to broaden


the scope of their life safety proposals, LEAKtrace is a product that fits naturally alongside a fire detection package on smaller commercial projects. The technology is proven, the installation is straightforward and the protection it provides is serious.


Learn more about Hochiki’s LEAKtrace system and how it could protect your customers buildings from water damage.


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