A Case Study on Transforming University Housing Fire Safety with Edwards Signature Optica Detectors 

In a dynamic environment like university housing, it is virtually impossible to maintain optimal fire safety without any interference. This case study describes how Edwards Signature Optica smoke detectors were installed at a large public research university in New Jersey to enhance fire detection abilities while eliminating nuisance alarms. 

The Problem of Repeated Nuisance Alarms in Student Housing 

Constructed in 2004, this three-story multi-student housing complex has more than 100 apartments. This building has the specific problem of repetitive nuisance fire alarms, almost always set off by students engaged in some sort of cooking fire. These weekly—and sometimes daily—evacuations unnecessarily disrupt life for the students and can potentially lead to liability. There have been more than sixty nuisance fire alarms between September 2018 and April 2019. 

The Solution: Upgrading to Edwards Signature Optica Detectors 

To help alleviate the situation, the university partnered with an Edwards Strategic Partner and selected more than 100 of the company’s new Signature SIGAOSD Optica smoke detectors. The installation, which took place in April 2019, was rapid and did not disrupt activities on location. New detectors were put in place where old ones were located with no additional hardware or programming changes needed. The new Optica detectors are built to differentiate between real fires and nuisance alarms caused by cooking and other benign sources, and they are UL-certified to the very latest standards. 

Results: False Alarms Have Reduced Significantly 

The results were immediate and impressive. Between the date of installation in April 2019 and November 1, 2019, there were no reported nuisance alarms from the areas using Optica detectors. By contrast, the areas on the second floor that relied on older-style detectors were still sending in false alarms, making evident the better performance and superior reliability of the Optica units. Personnel from Edwards even went so far as to validate the performance of the detectors as the data was reviewed and UL-listed aerosol smoke tests were performed to demonstrate their capacity to provide reliable and accurate fire detection. 

Leading the Way in Fire Detection 

In September 2018, Edwards also became the first multi-criteria smoke detector manufacturer certified to the UL 268, 7th edition standard. The new Signature Optica detectors truly discriminated between the various types of fire for enhanced protection and drastically reduced false alarms. This helps prevent business interruptions and gratuitous emergency responses—very valuable additions to any fire safety system. 

Partner with BEC for Advanced Fire Safety Solutions 

Building Electronic Controls, Inc. is committed to providing your state-of-the-art fire safety needs.  With offices in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, Orange County, Northern California, and Southern California, BEC stands ready for you when you need professional help to implement state-of-the-art fire detection technology, including the Edwards Signature Optica smoke detectors.  

Have you got any questions? Are you interested in finally upgrading your building’s fire safety infrastructure? Contact BEC today and let our experts guide you toward smarter, safer, and more efficient fire safety solutions.