Fire Panel Upgrades and Detector Upgrades

The contract covers the replacement and upgrade of the National Oceanography Centre's fire alarm infrastructure, including the replacement of fire alarm control panels, repeater panels, backup batteries, power supplies, and field devices across the Main Building and associated estate buildings. The works also include modifications to fire alarm loops operating near capacity, together with full testing, commissioning, and certification of the upgraded system.

The programme is intended to address ageing and end-of-life equipment, improve system reliability and resilience, reduce maintenance requirements, and ensure continued compliance with fire safety standards.

The contract has been directly awarded due to the critical nature of the fire alarm system and the requirement to maintain continuity, compatibility, and operational resilience throughout the upgrade programme. The appointed supplier has extensive knowledge of the existing fire alarm infrastructure through ongoing maintenance and support activities across the estate. Maintaining continuity with the incumbent supplier minimises operational, technical, and life-safety risks associated with upgrading a live life-safety system, whilst avoiding the additional cost, delay, and disruption that would arise from appointing an alternative contractor.