Case Study: Stirling Council

05-12-2018

As councils and housing associations across the country continue to review and improve their fire safety provisions in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there has been a growing need to install wired smoke detectors in residential buildings.  With this requirement adding to the financial burden of already overstretched local councils, one council has found a solution that is not only proving cost-effective, but is also saving on the time and labour required to install the necessary products.   

Stirling Council has been working with Scolmore Group to source products that offer a cost-effective and efficient solution to meeting its safety requirements.  The council is now in the process of installing a range of products from across Scolmore’s portfolio in all 7,000 of the social housing properties that the council has under its remit.   These include the Click Smart Switch Supply to Permanent Conversion Pack, the Inceptor EVO Bulkhead with emergency and microwave sensor, as well as the Mode range of switches and sockets.

The rolling programme to upgrade the properties will see two of the Click Smart conversion packs installed in each property.  This will allow speedy and damage-free installation of smoke detectors to the new LD2 standard within dwellings.  The packs provide a retrofit smart solution to allow independent control of the lighting circuit, whilst still supplying a smoke detector with constant power.  It eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly channelling and potential lifting of floorboards for access and then the necessary effort to restore everything back to normal. 

As well as adding a smoke detector, the conversion pack can be used to provide a solution where emergency lighting is required.  It facilitates the ability for a permanent live supply to power an emergency light whilst retaining control of an existing light fitting.  A key switch can also be incorporated to allow for emergency light periodic testing.

As part of the upgrade, the emergency and microwave sensor versions of Scolmore’s Inceptor EVO bulkhead are being fitted throughout the properties.  This has allowed the council to opt for one fitting to solve a number of installation requirements.  EVO offers a 3-hour emergency function in the event of a power failure, and features a microwave sensor with 8 seconds to 20 minutes time adjustment.  Their IP65 rating, robust housing and anti-tamper screws were also key features when the council’s electrical team leader was selecting these products.

At the same time as providing solutions for the fitting of smoke alarms and emergency lighting, Scolmore products have also been selected for the replacement of switches and sockets in each of the homes.  The Mode range of ergonomic electrical accessories was chosen by Stirling Council for its extremely competitive price, sleek appearance and flexibility.  The council also cited the range’s antimicrobial certification and 20 year no quibble guarantee as key factors.

Liam Wilkie, Electrical Specialist at Stirling Council, comments:  “Stirling council made the decision to move to Scolmore for a number of reasons.  Scolmore produce a very good quality range of products that are not only more reasonably priced than others we were looking at, but they offer superb reliability.  They are quick and easy to install and our tenants love the look of the stylish switches and sockets.  We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Scolmore for many years to come.”

With the upgrade under way and due to take place on a rolling basis over the next six months, Stirling Council is also giving consideration to incorporating access control, emergency lighting and CCTV solutions from Scolmore Group Company, ESP.   This would bring the added advantages that come from sourcing all products from under one roof – being able to benefit from the expertise and support that the Scolmore Group can offer.