Advanced - Experts & Thought Leaders

Advanced has launched a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar exploring how connected technology, cloud-based monitoring and intelligent data are transforming the management of fire detection systems. The new CPD, ‘The Evolution of Smart Fire System Management’, has been developed to help building owners, facilities managers, responsible persons and fire safety professionals understand how digital technologies can improve the way fire systems are monitored, maintained and managed. Fire safety responsibilities The one-hour seminar examines how smart fire system management can provide greater visibility of system status, support faster decision-making and enable users to respond more quickly to events without needing to be physically present at the fire panel. As buildings become more connected and fire safety responsibilities continue to evolve, the CPD explores the growing importance of data-led approaches to fire system management. Topics covered include cloud-based monitoring, real-time notifications, remote access, digital record-keeping and the role these technologies can play in supporting the golden thread of building safety information and helping organizations maintain accessible, up-to-date fire safety data. Fire system management Attendees will gain an understanding of what smart fire system management is, how it differs from traditional fire system monitoring and how connected platforms can be used to manage standalone fire panels, networked fire systems and multi-site portfolios through a single interface. The seminar also explores the benefits this can bring to responsible persons, premises managers, first responders and maintenance providers. The seminar also examines the practical benefits of connected fire system management, including improved safety, reduced administration, faster response times, lower operational costs and sustainability advantages. In addition, it addresses key considerations around cybersecurity, user access controls, audit trails, secure data storage and ISO 27001 compliance. Wider smart building ecosystems Looking to the future, the CPD explores emerging developments including predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and integration with wider smart building ecosystems, helping attendees understand how the next generation of fire system management is likely to evolve. The free CPD is delivered online by members of the Advanced team and is certified by The CPD Certification Service. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of attendance. The seminar is suitable for fire engineers, consultants, system designers, contractors, installers, facilities and building managers, duty holders, responsible persons and anyone seeking to better understand the role of connected technology in modern fire safety management. Advanced now offers a growing portfolio of CPD-certified training modules covering a range of fire safety topics, including fire detection and alarm systems, false alarm management, smoke control systems and BS 8629 evacuation alert systems.

The University of West London (UWL) is benefitting from enhanced fire safety visibility and streamlined system management thanks to the integration of AdvancedLive across multiple campuses. Over the past three years, the University has undertaken a significant investment program to upgrade its fire protection infrastructure. This included systematically replacing legacy MxPro 4 and Kentec systems with next-generation MxPro 5 panels, ensuring consistency across six campuses in West London and Oxford. Faster incident response Most recently, Ruskin College, now part of the University of West London, underwent a seamless upgrade across its historic Oxford estate, which includes five main buildings such as the Rookery, first constructed in 1913. Despite the complexity of integrating newer extensions like the Callaghan Library, the project was completed without disruption, thanks to the adaptability and flexibility of the MxPro 5 platform. With more than 27 Advanced panels installed across education, office, and residential buildings, the University has now connected three of its main campuses to AdvancedLive, with plans to extend the platform further. Using map-based views, facilities teams and security staff gain a real-time overview of their fire system estate, enabling faster incident response and more efficient day-to-day management. Remote access capability For a large and dispersed organization like UWL, the ability to locate alarms or faults quickly across complex buildings has been transformational. AdvancedLive’s intuitive dashboard and remote access capability allow fire isolations, enablements and weekly testing to be managed digitally, eliminating unnecessary site visits and reducing both costs and carbon footprint. The system configuration reflects the unique requirements of each campus: St Mary’s Road Campus operates 13 panels, with Apollo REACH wireless devices deployed within library pods and coincidence detection programmed across third-party systems. Ruskin College Campus features six panels, each building configured with bespoke cause-and-effect strategies, all reporting to central security points. Paragon House integrates four panels with phased evacuation and delays across its 12-storey tower block. Unified management interface Additional campuses, including Cavendish & Century and Drama Studio London, benefit from tailored programming for linked buildings and theatre operations respectively. In every case, AdvancedLive provides a unified management interface for system status, alarms, faults, and disablements. Jason Bennett, Division Manager at Alarm Communication Limited, who led the installation, said: “From both an admin and engineering perspective, AdvancedLive has been extremely positive. The live system view and detailed log make daily management much simpler, while remote access means the facilities team can react quickly and efficiently to any issue. The installation was straightforward, and Advanced’s support throughout the process was excellent.” Sustainable fire system management Salvy Vittozzi, Sales Manager for UK South East at Advanced, added: “The University of West London is a great example of how AdvancedLive can transform fire system oversight across a complex estate. By combining the proven reliability of the MxPro 5 panels with the real-time visibility of AdvancedLive, the University now benefits from a solution that’s not only robust today but also scalable for the future. It’s fantastic to see how this investment is already saving time, reducing unnecessary travel, and strengthening fire safety management.” Looking ahead, UWL plans to expand AdvancedLive connectivity to the remainder of its estate, ensuring consistent oversight and centralized control across all sites. For universities and multi-site organizations, the combination of MxPro 5 and AdvancedLive provides a powerful foundation for safe, efficient and sustainable fire system management.

Advanced has expanded its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program with the launch of a new course focused on smoke control systems and their role in protecting life and property. Titled Smoke Control Systems: Principles, Pitfalls and Protection, the free CPD has been developed to provide consultants, specifiers, fire engineers, installers, facilities managers and other fire safety professionals with a practical understanding of smoke control strategies, system types and compliance requirements. Smoke control systems The module explores the principles of smoke movement and the importance of smoke control in supporting safe evacuation, firefighting access and property protection. Attendees will gain insight into natural and mechanical smoke ventilation systems, smoke exhaust and pressurisation methods, as well as the key components used within smoke control systems. The CPD also examines the standards and regulations that govern smoke control design and maintenance, including Approved Document B, BS EN 12101, BS 7346-8, BS 9991 and BS 9999. Alongside this, the course highlights common design, installation and maintenance pitfalls, helping attendees better understand best practice approaches and long-term compliance responsibilities. Modern fire safety strategies Delivered online by Shaun Scott, Applications Engineer at Advanced, the CPD forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting industry education and improving fire safety knowledge across the sector. Shaun said: “Smoke control systems play a critical role in modern fire safety strategies, particularly in complex and high-rise buildings where maintaining clear escape routes is essential. This CPD has been designed to provide practical, real-world guidance on the principles behind smoke control systems, the challenges involved in their design and maintenance, and the standards that govern them.” Delivering improved compliance “By helping industry professionals strengthen their understanding of smoke control, we can support them in designing better systems and delivering improved compliance, ultimately creating safer buildings.” All Advanced CPDs are certified by the CPD Certification Service, with attendees receiving a certificate of attendance upon successful completion. The new smoke control CPD joins Advanced’s growing portfolio of educational modules, including Introduction to Fire Detection & Alarm Systems, Managing False Fire Alarms: Tools & Techniques, and A Guide to Meeting BS 8629.