Aico Smoke Alarm Training Benefits Large Housing Association

Paradigm Housing Group, a leading provider of affordable housing in the south-east of England and long term user of Aico alarms, has recently completed the Aico Fire Products Trained Installer Scheme.  The Scheme was established by Aico to provide contractors with the information and training necessary to achieve a successful and effective smoke alarm installation. 

Paradigm owns over 12,500 properties throughout the South, East Midlands and West London.  Its Investment Works, Reactive Repairs, Voids and Decent Homes kitchen departments are all involved in the ongoing upgrade / replacement and installation of Aico Ei160RC series alarms throughout these properties using a team of 16 electricians.  The electricians have all undergone the Aico training scheme to help them keep up to date with the latest relevant regulations and new Aico products, along with a reminder of best practice in smoke alarm installation.

Paradigm has been fitting Aico Ei160RC Series alarms since 2005 due to their exceptionally low false alarm rate and the inclusion of 10 year rechargeable Lithium back-up which, the housing association states, decreases the amount of call outs electricians need to attend from depleted batteries.  Other key features of the alarm range identified by Paradigm include its ease of installation and ability to interconnect with other devices, such as alarms for the Hard of Hearing.  This can be achieved through hard wiring or Aico’s RadioLINK wireless interconnect technology which Paradigm uses when installing new alarms to save on labour costs and unsightly mini-trunking.

Ei166RC Optical alarms are fitted by Paradigm in hall and landing areas and Ei164RC Heat alarms in the kitchen; additional alarms are used in properties that have more doors or beams between alarms.

Paradigm also fits Aico’s Alarm Control Switch in properties with high ceilings (which make the alarms difficult to reach for tenants) or where the resident is less able.  The Control Switch allows residents to quickly identify and Locate the exact unit which has triggered, and simply Test and Silence all the alarms on the system from one, convenient wall mounted location. 

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico is a market leader in residential fire protection in the UK.  All alarms are designed and built in Europe specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations.  For more information, please go to www.aico.co.uk