intelliclad showcase pioneering external fire detection system to Building Safety minister, Lord Greenhalgh

The system uses smart sensors which are fitted inside the cladding system and are connected to a control system that, in the event of a fire, alerts all residents via sounders, a unique smartphone app and the main alarm system within the building.

Each sensor is aware of its exact location and can therefore provide precise data as to where on the façade a fire is located. Intelligent cloud-based technology allows residents and Fire Services to monitor the situation in real-time.

The system was founded by Darron Brough, who has over 30 years’ experience working with facades as the Managing Director of Metalline; the only UK cladding fabricator offering both rainscreen and insulated spandrel panels that are A1 fire rated.

The intelliclad system has been third-party tested by the Fire Protection Association (FPA) with impressive outcomes. The results suggest that if smoke from a fire enters the cavity from a window, vent, or external fire source, then the sensors in the cavity can sense and alert first responders minutes before the combustible material starts to catch fire and spread across the building. The application of intelliclad sensors to the cavity of a combustible external façade was deemed highly effective for safeguarding residents living in high-risk residential buildings.

Leading facade fire engineering firm, FR Consultants Ltd, consulted on the development of the unique alarm system and funded one of its first installations. Managing Director, Dorian Lawrence says ‘It has been proven that, within just a few months, the cost of a Waking Watch surpasses the cost of installing a suitable alarm system. We are pleased to have consulted on the development of intelliclad, who share in our mission to make Britain’s buildings safe, whilst also providing a more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective solution for residents in high-risk buildings that may otherwise have needed a Waking Watch.’

The system has been endorsed as having as having ‘considerable benefits for building safety’ by Fire Engineer and Grenfell Inquiry Contributor, Frances Maria Peacock; who will be speaking on fire dynamics in tall buildings at the Tall Building Fire Safety Conference in May this year.

In a report outlining its benefits and technical efficiency, the Chartered Architectural Technologist and Fire Engineer said: ‘intelliclad is the first alarm system which can be successfully used in conjunction with the ground-breaking research carried out as a result of Grenfell, which looked at the relationship between building design and fire spread.

‘For many buildings, remediation lies a long way in the future and in the meantime, residents find themselves unable to sell their flats and facing financial ruin as building owners pass the costs of safety improvements on to them.

‘intelliclad cannot fall asleep or get distracted by, for example, television in the way that human beings which make up the waking watch can.’

intelliclad is now in place in several buildings across the UK. Meeting at one such building in Croydon, Lord Greenhalgh spoke with Darron Brough and his son, Ryan Brough, Head of Operations at intelliclad, as well as Fire Engineer, Frances Maria Peacock, about the benefits of the system, after which he stated, ‘I’ve enjoyed learning more about the system and would encourage more innovation of this nature such that safety risks in more buildings can be mitigated.’

In January, the Government announced a further £27m to fund the capital costs of fitting alarm systems for buildings that require a Waking Watch. As the intelliclad system is compliant with BS 5839-1 L5, it is eligible to be used in line with this new Waking Watch Replacement Fund, making installation even more accessible. Applications for funding are open until 28^th March 2022.

To learn more about the intelliclad system, visit https://www.intelliclad.co.uk/

More about the Waking Watch Replacement Fund: https://www.frconsultants.co.uk/waking-watch-fund