Kidde Fyrnetics Slick® smoke and heat alarms provide discreet fire safety measures integrated with interior design for a major development of luxury apartments overlooking London’s Hyde Park.

The Lancasters was originally an elegant parade of magnificent stucco-fronted houses built in the mid 19th Century. The interior fabric was so badly damaged by the building’s 1970's conversion to a hotel that the internal structure was completely renewed. At the same time, the listed frontage of one of the longest and tallest Victorian residential terraces was retained and restored. Seventy seven apartments have been designed around the grandeur of the original architecture, adding back interior features such as high ceilings, ornate cornicing and fireplaces.

Smoke and heat alarms were selected to minimise impact on the carefully designed interiors and to match developer Northacre’s aim of providing a unique fusion of traditional architecture with brand new design and cutting edge technology. James Bevis of M&E Consultants Mecserve explained: “Interconnected smoke alarms were located extensively throughout each apartment in living rooms and bedrooms, with heat alarms in kitchens, based on the Code of Practice BS:5839-6. Generally, they are positioned in line with recessed downlights to appear as unobtrusive as possible. To this end, I specified Kidde’s Slick range as the most aesthetically sensitive devices on the market, particularly as the designers - Nilsson Architects - were concerned to reduce the prominence and size of these essential devices.”

With a matching family appearance, Slick® interconnectable, optical and ionisation smoke alarms and heat alarms are circular in shape to avoid alignment problems. Integral rechargeable lithium batteries provide 6 months continuous backup in the event of mains failure. For major developers, third party certification is essential, particularly in such a critical area as fire safety, and Slick® is still the only range of fast-fit rechargeable smoke and heat alarms guaranteed for 10 years. And all Slick® alarms are BSi Kitemarked to reinforce the consistent quality provided by the world’s largest manufacturer.

James Bevis added: “The fire safety strategy at The Lancasters was for each apartment to be ‘self-contained’, so that the interconnected alarms in any one apartment do not trigger alarms anywhere else in the building. Each alarm system is interfaced with the Building Management System so that kitchen extract, apartment gas supply and fan coil units cease upon alarm. The concierge is alerted and can investigate further.” A Slick relay pattress accessory is available to operate remote devices and Building Management Systems.

More information on smoke, heat and CO alarms can be found in a new guide - ‘FIRE & CO SAFETY IN HOUSING’ - available via: www.smoke-alarms.co.uk