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Since the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into force in October 2006 guest houses and hotels in the Southwest have had to bring their Fire Protection up to scratch and Argos Fire Protection Services, one of the first companies in the Southwest to be BS EN ISO 9001-2000 accredited, have regularly chosen detectomat’s RCP 6B Wireless detect, wire free, fire detection system as the best solution for the job.
Small business owners, particularly those in the tourism industry, recognise the inconvenience of installing conventional fire alarm systems, which require time and labour to install and cause a lot of disruption and mess to a business which accomodates customers 24/7. Steve Oliver of Argos says “Having considered various options, the choice of the detectomat wireless system was an easy one for our many tourism customers throughout the Southwest.”
The detectomat Wireless detect system includes optical smoke detectors with integral sounders, break-glass call points and heat detectors. The most important factor in Argos’ recommendation of the detectomat system is that hotels and guest houses do not have to inconvenience their customers. Whereas a conventional system may take 10 days to install, the detectomat system takes only 10 hours. A definite bonus in, for example, country house hotels and Cornish cottages is that there is no need for the installation of wiring which would damage solid walls and decoration. And because all the detectors have integral sounders, the Wireless detect system does not require the installation of separate sounder circuits. Furthermore, because there is no need for cabling, labour costs and mess are kept to the minimum. In summary, hotel and guest house owners are delighted with the financial savings.
Polraen House Hotel near Looe in Cornwall is a case in point. An 18th century hotel where a great deal of costly decoration had recently been done, the last thing Gill Bridges needed was mess and disruption – a wireless system which had to be compliant with the Act at an affordable cost was just what she was looking for. Argos thoroughly explained how the system worked and she was not encouraged to overpurchase. In the event there was a completely seamless changeover and Gill has recommended the Wireless detect system and Argos to many other small hotels.
Similarly, Duncan Burton of Deganwy Guest House in Looe in Cornwall was delighted both with the service received from Argos and the detectomat system. “I’ve already recommended the system to other similar businesses because there was no need to disturb guests or close off any rooms during the fast installation. I confess to being sceptical at first because the quote for the system was so much lower than others I received, but I have been very pleasantly surprised.”
detectomat’s Wireless detect system has also been in place in the Camilla House Hotel since summer 2007. Simon Chapman already had an old fashioned system which did comply with the regulations but for peace of mind he felt a new system should be installed. “Argos installed it during Camilla’s busiest period within only one day, meaning that no business was lost and none of my customers was in any way disturbed.”
There is vast potential for replication in hotels and guest houses throughout the UK. Indeed, detectomat’s Wireless detect system is ideal for any business where disruption would cause a loss of business and continuity, including HMOs, retail premises and small factories and workshops.
Argos was selected because of their many years experience and good relationships with the Fire Services, who see the detectomat system as a cost effective solution. They also give the customer complete reassurance with rigorous service visits every 6 months in accordance with British Standards.
This project demonstrates the clear benefits from using radio wire-free fire alarms to provide fire protection in businesses where fast installation and minimum disruption is essential.