The University of Southampton has made significant advancements in fire safety by installing a new paging system specifically designed to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
This pioneering initiative utilises Advanced's MxPro 5 fire panels, coupled with the ESPA Pager Interface, to offer targeted fire alerts, significantly enhancing accessibility and safety across its multi-campus estate.
Innovative alert systems replace traditional audio alarms
To address the limitations of audio-based fire alarms, particularly for individuals with hearing impairments, the university has deployed more than 200 Advanced panels. These include extensive networks and an increasing number of extinguishing panels.
Scope’s pillow pad and nightstand accessories are used, guaranteeing users receive alerts even while asleep
The integration of the ESPA 4.4.4-compliant Pager Interface enables precise, location-specific alerts via Scope's PageTek Pro Mk2 transmitter and EPOCBLUM pagers.
Each building or group of buildings triggers unique pager addresses, ensuring recipients receive only the relevant alerts. For enhanced nighttime safety, Scope’s pillow pad and nightstand accessories are used, guaranteeing users receive alerts even while asleep.
A dedicated paging group for enhanced operations
Chris Chance, University of Southampton Contract Manager at Premier Fire Security, explained the system's reliability and flexibility: “We’ve worked closely with Scope and Advanced to create a system that’s not only reliable but incredibly flexible.”
The implementation also includes a dedicated paging group for key personnel like engineers, janitors, security, and fire marshals. This group receives both diagnostic and fault messages and can initiate alerts for specific sites, thereby improving operational control and coordination.
Expanding safety and efficiency
Rob Baker, Head of Technical Support at Scope Communications, emphasised the ESPA interface's capabilities, stating: “This project demonstrates how powerful the ESPA interface can be when paired with our paging technology."
The future vision is to expand this paging system across all student residences, allowing for easy reconfiguration of pagers across campus. This not only increases safety measures but also optimises inventory and cuts costs.
Adaptive fire alerts tailored to community needs
Salvy Vittozzi, Regional Sales Manager for the South East at Advanced, underlined the system's adaptability: “This installation is a great example of how our ESPA Pager Interface can be used to deliver tailored fire alerts in complex environments.”
By merging Advanced’s established fire panel technology with Scope’s pioneering paging solutions, the University now enjoys a highly adaptable and inclusive fire safety network, prepared to evolve with the campus's needs.
Advanced's contribution to intelligent fire systems
Advanced remains at the forefront of intelligent fire system development and manufacturing, with its solutions deployed globally — from single-panel setups to large, multi-site networks.
The company's offerings cover a comprehensive range of fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, and other critical safety solutions. Advanced is part of Halma PLC, a group with a mission of fostering a safer, cleaner, and healthier world through life-saving technology.
The University of Southampton, a multi-campus estate with a research institution, has recently enhanced its fire safety provision for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through a pioneering paging system installation.
Advanced’s MxPro 5 fire panels, integrated with the ESPA Pager Interface, form the core of the new solution delivered by Premier Fire Security and Scope Communications, providing targeted alerts and improved accessibility across the university.
Traditional audio alarms
With over 200 Advanced panels deployed across the site, including two networks of 30–40 nodes and a growing number of extinguishing panels, the university required a solution that could deliver precise, location-specific fire alerts to individuals without relying on traditional audio alarms. The ESPA 4.4.4-compliant Pager Interface from Advanced provided the ideal bridge between the fire detection system and Scope’s PageTek Pro Mk2 transmitter and EPOCBLUM pagers.
The system is configured so that each building or group of buildings triggers a distinct pager address. This ensures that only relevant alerts reach the end user, reducing confusion and improving response times. Users can manually program their pagers to activate or deactivate specific locations, with password protection for added security. For nighttime safety, Scope’s pillow pad and nightstand accessories ensure that alerts are received even while users are asleep.
Dedicated paging group
Chris Chance, University of Southampton Contract Manager at Premier Fire Security, explained: “We’ve worked closely with Scope and Advanced to create a system that’s not only reliable but incredibly flexible. The ability to configure pagers for any location means we can reduce hardware stock and improve coverage across the entire campus. It’s a huge step forward in inclusive safety.”
The installation also includes a dedicated paging group for engineers, janitors, security, and fire marshals, who receive diagnostic and fault messages from the Advanced network. This group can also trigger fire messages for specific locations, enhancing operational control and coordination.
Enhancing operational control
Rob Baker, Head of Technical Support at Scope Communications, added: “This project demonstrates how powerful the ESPA interface can be when paired with our paging technology. The system ensures that alerts are both accurate and accessible, and we’re proud to support Premier Fire Security in expanding this solution across the university.”
The long-term vision is to roll out the paging system to all student halls, allowing pagers to be reconfigured for use anywhere on campus. This approach not only improves safety but streamlines inventory and reduces costs.
Delivering tailored fire alerts
Salvy Vittozzi, Regional Sales Manager for the South East at Advanced, commented: “This installation is a great example of how our ESPA Pager Interface can be used to deliver tailored fire alerts in complex environments. It’s rewarding to see our technology helping to make campuses safer and more inclusive for all users.”
By combining Advanced’s robust fire panel technology with Scope’s innovative paging solutions, the University of Southampton now benefits from a highly adaptable, inclusive fire safety system, one that’s already being expanded to meet the evolving needs of its diverse community.
Intelligent fire systems
As a pioneer in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems, Advanced products are specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. The Advanced portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management and reduction systems, as well as emergency lighting.
Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
