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Quality alarms & service make Aico no. 1 choice for housing group

Aldwyck Housing Group in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire has announced its decision to standardise on Aico Ei208 Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms, based on its positive experience of working with Aico over many years. Aldwyck will be installing Aico AudioLINK™ Ei208 Lithium battery powered CO alarms into 5,200 properties.

Darren Corsby, Asset Manager at Aldwyck, explains the decision “Rather than use multiple different alarms, we wanted to standardise on one alarm type for uniformity across our housing stock. Aico has been a long standing supplier and Aldwyck has always received very good service. We have been more than satisfied with the alarms we have installed in the past; they work well. I have used Aico product for many years, both here and in previous jobs.”

Aldwyck Housing Group will be fitting one Ei208 CO alarm per property where there is a gas supply fitted. This will be done at the same time a new boiler is installed or when an existing boiler is serviced.

The Ei208 is a quality, cost-effective Lithium battery powered CO alarm designed to encourage widespread adoption of this life saving technology. The use of sealed in Lithium batteries largely overcomes the problem of battery removal by tenants as not only are they difficult to remove, but cannot be used to replace batteries in other household devices.

The Ei208 alarms benefit from a highly sophisticated electrochemical CO sensor and rigorous testing for the utmost reliability; each alarm is tested multiple times during manufacture, which includes a test in real CO gas to ensure accuracy.

The Ei208 features Aico’s multiple award winning AudioLINK technology which allows for invaluable real time data to be extracted via the alarm’s sounder to a smart phone or tablet using the free AudioLINK App. The data is displayed in a simple colour coded Alarm Status Report, providing useful information such as any alarm activations – with details of when it occurred, if any background CO has been detected, battery life, alarm sensors status, number of times tested and removed. As the information is generated in real time, should there be an issue then it can be dealt with there and then.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico are tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk.
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Social housing provider upgrades smoke alarms to Aico Multi-Sensors

Northwards Housing in Manchester is undertaking a major smoke alarm upgrade programme across its entire housing stock of 13,500 properties, using Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarms.

Northwards Housing is a not-for-profit ALMO (arms length management organisation) that manages City Council homes across north Manchester. It has been a long standing Aico customer of more than 15 years, fitting Aico’s Ei150 series mains powered optical smoke alarms for most of that time.

An innovator in the industry, Aico continuously develops its alarm technology, including the 150 Series which was originally launched 22 years ago. It has also introduced a number of new alarms and ranges during that time which, with their easier installation, improved aesthetics and increased performance, have superseded the 150, resulting in its discontinuation earlier this year.

Keen to benefit from the latest alarm technologies, Northwards Housing has been replacing its 150 alarms with Aico’s Multi-Sensor over the past few years. With the launch of Aico’s new Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e in 2015, Northwards Housing changed the specification immediately to this latest model.

Alan White, Mechanical & Electrical Manager for Responsive Repairs & Servicing at Northwards Housing, explains the move: “We changed to the Multi-Sensor to give better fire detection and also reduce false alarms such as those caused by burning toast, which can be a nuisance to residents”.

The new Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e will be fitted across 13,500 properties over the next ten years as part of a rolling replacement programme to replace existing 150 Series alarms reaching the end of their lives. Transition from the rectangular 150 series alarms to the circular Ei2110e has been made simple through the use of Ei1516 masking plates which cover any marks left by the previous unit and maintain the aesthetics of a room, as Alan explains: “the installation is uncomplicated and we use the masking plates to cover the difference in design shape”.

Aico’s mains powered Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e, contains two sensor types, optical and heat, to constantly monitor smoke and heat levels, sending and receiving information via its intelligent detection software. This sensor information alters the alarm’s sensitivity and trigger points, automatically providing the best response to all fire types and reduces potential false alarms.

This alarm comes with a host of sophisticated features, including data extraction technology AudioLINK. AudioLINK is an award winning technology that enables real time data to be extracted from each alarm using its sounder directly to a smartphone or tablet via an App to create an Alarm Status Report. The Report displays useful information about the alarm, such as battery life, alarm sensors status, number of times tested and removed; and any alarm activation, with details of when it occurred – all in a simple format.

Northwards Housing specified the new Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e after attending the launch event in 2015. “The ease of fit, the ease of connectivity with other sensors or devices and the data extraction technology are all added benefits of the new Multi-Sensor” explains Alan. “Going forward the data extraction function will allow us to monitor the status of the detector and regularity of testing”.

Northwards Housing will be installing two Ei2110e Multi-Sensors into houses and one into flats, but each property will be risk assessed according to Building Regulations and BS 5839-6:2013 (the standard for domestic smoke alarm installations). Alarms will be hardwired together in each property, but where this is not practical or would result in unsightly mini trunking runs, RadioLINK+ wireless alarm interconnection will be used. RadioLINK+ allows alarms and accessories on the system to communicate with each other using Radio Frequency (RF) signals rather than hard wiring. It comes as a plug in module, which has the added benefit of negating the need for a separate RadioLINK base.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico is tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or email enquiries@aico.co.uk.
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Aico data extraction technologies demo at ‘Homes 2016’ stand H141

Following on from its success at both CIH Housing 2016 and FIREX exhibitions this year, Aico will be exhibiting at Homes 2016, Stand H141, 16-17th November at London’s Olympia. There visitors can see Aico’s market leading smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms, along with working demonstrations of their latest data extraction technologies.

Homes 2016 is the only large-scale housing event in London to bring together local authority, housing association and housebuilder professionals, across residential development, asset management and procurement.

Highly regarded in the social housing sector, Aico specialise in smoke and CO alarms that are built under exceptionally stringent quality controls, for maximum reliability and safety. Aico is also an innovator in the field, having launched a number of unique new technologies of benefit to housing providers including, most recently, data extraction and alarm monitoring. Visitors to Homes 2016 will be able to witness Aico’s data extraction technologies – multi award winning AudioLINK and RadioLINK+ first hand through on stand live demonstrations.

Alarms on display will include the Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e with dual sensors and intelligent software, the new Ei160e Series of smoke alarms and the range of AudioLINK enabled CO alarms.

AudioLINK technology provides individual alarm data in real time which is easily extracted via the Alarm’s sounder – all you need is an AudioLINK enabled Alarm, a tablet/smartphone and the free AudioLINK App. This data is converted into an Alarm Status Report, colour coded to identify the urgency of any issue, enabling contractors on site to take appropriate action. AudioLINK, has been incorporated in to all of Aico’s CO alarms and the new Ei2110e Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm.

Whilst AudioLINK works with individual alarms, RadioLINK+ is a wireless interconnection technology which also enables quick and simple whole system data to be extracted. Data such as the number and location of alarms, details of any alarm activations, notification of alarm removal and information on how long the alarms have been powered is readily available and can be accessed securely from inside or outside a property if access is an issue. RadioLINK+ technology can help with maintenance of asset management records as details are recorded for each individual alarm system.

In addition to alarms, a range of Aico’s best selling alarm accessories will be displayed at Homes 2016, including the Ei450 Alarm Controller and the innovative Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface that provides a dedicated connection between Aico alarms with third party systems and devices such as sprinkler systems, warden call, panel systems and community alarms.

Aico works in partnership with hundreds of local authorities, housing associations, developers, specifiers, contractors and wholesalers, bringing its unrivalled products, experience and expertise to help customers ensure they get the very best fire and CO detection possible. Visit Aico at Homes 2016, Stand H141 to find out more about creating a bespoke alarm system, individual project support and training for installation teams.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, all Aico alarms are designed and built in Europe, specifically to meet UK standards and regulations, under the strictest of quality controls.

For more information please visit Aico at the show or go to www.aico.co.uk.
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Cannock Chase Council maximises tenant safety with Aico CO alarms

Long standing Aico customer Cannock Chase District Council in Staffordshire is in the process of replacing existing Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms across its 5500 properties as they reach their end of life. For speed and efficiency the Council is using Aico’s AudioLINK™ mains powered, battery back-up CO alarm (Ei261ENRC) and the standalone lithium battery powered CO alarm (Ei208), enabling both electricians and gas service engineers to fit the alarms during their planned visits.

Steve Taylor, Electrical Manager at Cannock Chase District Council, comments on this use of mixed powered alarms: “We have used Aico mains powered CO alarms for many years and we will continue to fit these as standard in our properties every time we do an electrical upgrade. However, properties that are not due for an electrical upgrade will not be ignored as our gas service engineers will fit the Ei208 battery alarms where appropriate when they service equipment. The Ei208 is ideal in this instance as it doesn’t require an electrician to fit it, making it a quick fix, plus with a ten year life we know our tenants are well protected.”

Aico’s AudioLINK CO alarms are being used in properties containing gas and solid fuel appliances and open fireplaces.

In bungalows, which are home to older and vulnerable people, the CO alarms are being interconnected with the existing Aico smoke and Multi-Sensor alarms and a wall-mounted Alarm Control Switch, the Ei1529RC. Interconnecting the alarms means that if one alarm on the system is triggered, all other alarms in the same property sound. This ensures the alarm is heard throughout the property, providing the earliest warning – particularly important for older and less mobile occupants.

Interconnection is achieved through Aico’s award winning RadioLINK technology, which allows alarms on the system to communicate with each other using RF signals rather than hard wiring. “RadioLINK is a great, easy fix” states Steve. “We used to experience friction with tenants as they understandably didn’t want us lifting up their carpets and floorboards and disrupting them in order to lay interconnecting cables. With RadioLINK we don’t need to do any of that. It’s also convenient for contractors; they are in and out of a property much quicker.”

The Alarm Control Switch plays an important role here as it allows residents to quickly locate the exact alarm which has detected the fire or CO leak and take appropriate action. The wall mounted Switch is also used to test and silence all the alarms on the system from one safe, convenient location. As Steve Taylor remarks: “We don’t want an 80 year old resident standing on a chair to test their alarm! Being able to access the key features of alarms from a safe height is very important.”

All Aico CO alarms now come with a 10 year life and are fitted with a highly sophisticated electrochemical CO sensor. Each alarm is tested multiple times during manufacture, which includes a test in real CO gas to ensure accuracy. They also come with Aico’s award winning AudioLINK technology. AudioLINK allows for invaluable real time data to be extracted via the alarm’s sounder – all you need is an AudioLINK enabled CO alarm, a tablet or smartphone and the free AudioLINK App. This data is converted into a simple to review and store Alarm Status Report, providing useful information such as any alarm activations – with details of when it occurred, if any background CO has been detected, battery life, alarm sensors status, number of times tested and removed.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico are tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk.
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Berwickshire HA installs cutting edge products from Aico to keep tenants “safe in their homes”

Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) has announced its decision to install sophisticated Aico Smoke and Heat Alarm system solutions to reduce call outs, provide tenants with more control, enable alarm data extraction and connect with external telecare systems.

BHA has 1800 homes in Berwickshire and Berwick-upon-Tweed, from single’s flats and family homes to bungalows adapted for disabled people and sheltered housing for older people. Aico’s new mains powered Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e, will be installed throughout all of these properties over the coming years.

David Gray, Assistant Technical Services Manager at BHA, explains the organisation’s decision to fit the new Aico Multi-Sensors throughout these properties: “BHA have decided to install Multi Sensor alarms as part of our ongoing works and specification. Due to the dual sensors communicating with each other, BHA foresees a reduction in call outs to electricians for alarms sounding when no fire is present.”

The Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm contains two sensor types, optical and heat, to constantly monitor smoke and heat levels, sending and receiving information via its intelligent detection software. This sensor information alters the alarm’s sensitivity and trigger points, automatically providing the best response to all fire types and reduces potential false alarms.

This alarm comes with a host of sophisticated features, including data extraction technology AudioLINK. AudioLINK is an award winningtechnology that enables real time data to be extracted from each alarm using its sounder directly to a smartphone or tablet via an App to create an Alarm Status Report. The Report displays useful information about the alarm, such as battery life, alarm sensors status, number of times tested and removed; and any alarm activation, with details of when it occurred – all in a simple format. AudioLINK is installed in all Ei2110e models as standard.

In addition, Ei2110e alarms also have RadioLINK+ capability. RadioLINK+ goes a step further, enabling whole system data to be extracted, such as the number and location of alarms and Radio Frequency (RF) signal strength between alarms, which can be accessed securely from within or even outside a property if access is an issue. This alarm system technology can also help with maintenance of asset management records as details are recorded for each individual alarm system. RadioLINK+ is also used to interconnect alarms on the system without the need to hard wire them together. It comes as a plug in module, which has the added benefit of negating the need for a separate RadioLINK base.

BHA is keen to make the most of this cutting edge technology, as David states: “BHA intends using the AudioLINK App as well as developing the use of the RadioLINK+ functionality to eventually integrate with our systems here. This will also ensure our staff utilise all our electronic mobile working solutions.”

In addition to the Multi-Sensors, BHA will be installing Ei450 Alarm Controllers to allow tenants to test and silence alarms on the system, plus locate the trigger alarm, all from a safe, accessible location.

Aico’s Fire/CO Alarm Interface, Ei414, will also be installed. “Our intention is to link these systems to any Telecare or adaptation equipment within the property as well as the Fire Detection systems” states David. “We are currently working with Aico on our Sheltered Housing complexes to install these systems.”

The installation work has already begun, starting in BHA’s empty properties, with the aim of bringing them up to the more stringent LD2 category of fire protection. To meet this, Multi-Sensors will be installed in the main living area and will be replacing Optical and Ionisation alarms on exit routes. This will be rolled out to all BHA’s housing stock over time.

“BHA look to future proof our fire detection equipment and liaise closely with Aico on new products available,” comments David. “The service from Aico has been first class and gives BHA the confidence going forward that our properties have market leading products installed. This ensures our customers are safe in their homes.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations.

With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico is tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk.
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Progressive housing association upgrades to AudioLINK CO alarms

First Choice Housing Association based in Penarth, the Vale of Glamorgan is installing Aico AudioLINK Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms throughout all of its properties in Wales and Shropshire.

First Choice is a small housing association founded in 1988 that provides bespoke homes for vulnerable adults, many of whom have additional physical disabilities. It also provides accommodation for respite and emergency intervention services for children and adults with a learning disability.

A forward thinking housing association, First Choice was one of the first in Wales to install CO alarms in all of its properties. That was ten years ago and, with the alarms coming to the end of their lives, the housing association was keen to investigate the latest quality alarms in the market to replace them.

First Choice was invited to visit Aico’s parent company Ei Electronics’ manufacturing facility in Ireland to see the development and production of Ei’s new AudioLINK CO alarm technology, and was duly impressed. First Choice Housing Association Maintenance Manager, Andrew Mouncher, comments: “Together, with one of our Board members Tim O’Connell and our Installer Gareth Selway from Frie-Rite Ltd., we were extremely impressed with this new product and the readings it could deliver via a phone app and email which would be invaluable should the alarm be called into action. From this visit we were convinced this was the right product for our association.”

First Choice opted for Aico’s Ei208 CO alarm with in-built AudioLINK data extraction technology. AudioLINK allows for invaluable real time data to be extracted via the alarm’s sounder – all you need is an AudioLINK enabled CO alarm, a tablet or smartphone and the free AudioLINK App. This data is converted into an Alarm Status report, which is simple to review and store. The Report displays useful information about the alarm and detection levels of CO, and can be emailed or stored in a key location for future reference.

First Choice will now be installing Aico AudioLINK CO alarms throughout all of its properties as a standard specification, with each property containing up to four alarms, depending on the size of the property and the number of fossil fuel burning appliances within.

For First Choice there were a number of key features of the alarms that made them so appealing, including their ease of installation, the ability to interconnect them with other alarms within a property (where required), their value for money and ten year life span, but the most important factor was the AudioLINK technology. Andrew explains: “I have worked in the RSL sector for many years and within this time I have experienced CO detectors activating on several occasions. If I had then the information that I can download for this new generation of CO detectors I am sure all involved would have been better equipped to provide a more targeted response. Coupled with these safeguards is the ability to accurately monitor testing and any unauthorised tampering.”

First Choice was also impressed with the level of service it has received from Aico: “The service from Aico has been exemplary; they have gone to great lengths to ensure the our Association’s satisfaction during the whole process. The visit to the factory confirmed the product was being manufactured by a company that was passionate about innovation and more importantly quality.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. 2015 sees Aico’s 25th anniversary. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico are tried, tested and trusted. Aico have a dedicated team of Regional Managers to support specifications and supply of products. Aico also offer technical support over the phone and an internal sales team to help with any enquiries.

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk.

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