Kentec’s Taktis fire panels protect landmark Cypriot University student accommodation

Award-winning Taktis fire panels, manufactured by Kentec Electronics, a leading manufacturer of life-critical control systems, are protecting students and property at the University of Nicosia (UNIC)’s new state-of-the-art student residences in Cyprus.

The integrated fire system was installed by Kentec Installation Partner (KIP) Glosec Dragon, a Cyprus-based business specialising in the design, installation and maintenance of security, surveillance, hazard prevention and hospitality systems.

The UNIC student residences have been designed to set a new standard in modern student living. They consist of two separate complexes, SIX and TRIANGLE, which provide a multitude of dining, relaxing and entertainment options including a cafe, mini-market, gym, TV rooms and games areas.

Split between six, 12-storey distinctive towers, SIX comprises 307 luxury student residences, and is protected by two, highly-sophisticated Taktis eight-loop addressable fire panels. TRIANGLE complements SIX with an additional 147 modern and spacious rooms, with one six-loop Taktis panel installed.

Across both SIX and TRIANGLE’s fire protection systems are 578 Apollo heat detectors, 530 sounder bases, 94 call points and 339 optical detectors. Three Taktis Vision Repeaters provide information on the status of the fire alarm system in key positions across the residences via large, full-colour, touch-screen graphical displays.

Taktis provides an expandable solution, which includes a full suite of graphics, communications (copper and fibre), analytics and remote management tools. Multiple protocols can be supported on each panel to give installers and end-users maximum choice in their systems’ design, and the scalable nature of the product provides the highest level of futureproofing and networking capabilities.

A 7” full-colour resistive touch screen display and a clear, uncluttered intuitive interface makes it easy to use even for those with minimal or no training, essential in the event of an emergency.

Stathis Ierodiaconou, Managing Director of Glosec Dragon says the business has worked with Kentec for more than two decades and developed a trusting relationship:

“Our experience with Kentec meant we knew Taktis was the right system for the project’s scope and needs. The project required that remote monitoring was possible from one control room to cover both SIX and TRIANGLE residences. It also needed to be an expandable system, which can grow as the development grows.”

With Glosec Dragon also installing and maintaining a suite of other CCTV, wireless access control, intercom, parking and energy-saving systems, Stathis says integration was essential: “Taktis is easy to install, integrates with other systems well and customer feedback has been good.”

Anastasia Christodoulou, Manager, at UNIC Residences, says student safety is paramount: “We required complete assurance that our fire protection system is providing the utmost protection. We were assured that Taktis does just that, and that its advanced integrative capabilities mean a futureproofed and user-friendly system.”

Costas Constantinides, Head of International Development at Kentec, says the Taktis panel with EN54-13 certification was the ideal choice for this development:

“The highly-powerful and sophisticated Taktis panel was chosen to ensure the fire safety system had the required reliability, scale and flexibility to protect large numbers of students at such a prestigious development.”