Fire & CO Alarms


From concept to certifi cation: the development of a modern alarm range Jake Green, head of technical engagement, Scolmore Group, provides a


detailed insight into the development journey of the Espire range. S


colmore Group company ESP launched the Espire range of high performance fi re and CO alarm products last year, marking the company’s most signifi cant new product development programme to date.


Quality and standards


With a product category that plays a crucial role in safety, it is imperative that the products are of the highest quality, have undergone rigorous testing procedures and comply with all the relevant standards. ESP invested signifi cantly to create a range of products to meet the company’s exacting requirements. The project was guided by a robust design process that began with extensive research to understand user requirements, market trends and technical constraints. Insights from this phase informed several cycles of prototyping and testing, enabling continuous refi nement of the designs until they achieved the desired balance between functionality, aesthetics and user satisfaction.


To maintain strict quality control measures and ensure product consistency, the factory operates under a comprehensive and rigorous auditing system. Regular internal inspections and process evaluations are carried out to verify that every stage of production meets stringent industry standards and regulatory requirements. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing equipment, enabling precise calibration and verifi cation of alarm functions, sound output levels and detection accuracy. Complementing this technology is a highly experienced and qualifi ed team of engineers, quality control specialists and technicians, all dedicated to upholding the


highest standards of safety, durability and compliance.


Rigorous testing procedures All Espire products have undergone a meticulous design, development and manufacturing process. To ensure compliance with all relevant standards rigorous testing is conducted at various stages in the production process.


A variety of specialised testing chambers and rooms have been utilised to conduct a range of tests on the alarms. Smoke alarm testing is carried out in state-of-the-art smoke tunnels to ensure fast and accurate responsiveness to various concentrations of smoke. Heat alarm temperature testing takes place in the alarm chamber, measuring the responsiveness to changes in temperature, with calibration adjusted to ensure correct response times. Carbon monoxide testing is performed using both the alarm chamber and sensor chamber to measure responsiveness to varying CO levels. The decibel ratings of the alarms are assessed in a soundproof room to ensure they meet the required sound levels. Ingress protection, including humidity


resistance, is tested in a dedicated chamber. A radio frequency test room captures the transmission signals from the RF module without interference. Finally, duration tests conducted after manufacture include controlled faults and functionality checks.


Multi-stage testing


Each alarm is tested a minimum of four times during production. These include pre-checks of the components before moving on to the calibration checks of each sensor or sounder. During assembly of the devices the interface and functional tests are also carried out on the production line, concluding with a fi nal assembly soak test to ensure all alarms have been thoroughly checked and tested prior to installation. All alarms have been tested by third- party test houses and certifi ed by LPCB (Loss Prevention Certifi cation Board) and TUV, to meet the relevant product standards – BS EN 14604 for smoke alarms: BS 5446-2 for heat alarms and BS EN 50291-1 for CO alarms.


Wholesaler confi dence


Designed with both installers and homeowners in mind, every product in the Espire range undergoes meticulous multi-stage testing and certifi cation to meet stringent industry standards. For electrical wholesalers, this means a range they can confi dently stock and recommend, knowing it supports compliance, simplifi es installation and off ers homeowners peace of mind. Espire is a prime example of how modern alarm technology, backed by rigorous development and trusted certifi cation, strengthens the product off ering available to the wholesale market, while protecting lives and property.


20 | electrical wholesalerMarch 2026 ewnews.co.uk


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