Drax Technology worked with University of Exeter to manage the safety and security systems across the large campus.
University of Exeter
Sector: Education
Capacity: 25,000 students
Site Size: 100 acres
Location: London, UK
Solutions: AMX & SmartWatch
About
University of Exeter is a leading public research institution in the United Kingdom, known for its world-class academic programs, cutting-edge research, and vibrant student life. With multiple campuses and a diverse range of facilities, the university caters to over 25,000 students and staff across academic, residential, and administrative buildings. The campus is a blend of modern and historic structures, all requiring rigorous safety and operational management.
What was the brief?
As the university’s estate has expanded, managing the safety and security systems across such a large area has become increasingly complex. One key aspect of this is the fire and critical alarm system, which had been in place since the early 1990s. The aging infrastructure presented significant challenges, including outdated technology and maintenance difficulties, making it harder for the university to ensure the safety of its students, staff, and facilities. This drove the need for a comprehensive modernisation project to integrate cutting-edge technologies while maintaining continuity with existing systems, improving response times, and ensuring compliance with modern safety standards. The solution had to be resilient, scalable, and capable of handling a variety of alarms, from fire to intruder and panic alarms, across the entire campus.
What were the challenges?
Modernising the system without interrupting operations.
Ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Addressing network failures and ensuring a resilient power backup system.
Facilitating seamless integration with the University’s broader IT ecosystem, including work order and emergency communication systems.
Overcoming building-specific issues such as installing external aerials and repositioning fire alarm panels.
What was the solution?
Drax Technology’s AMX software was installed across five key locations at the University, connecting via the University’s IT network with a failover 4G system for redundancy. Managed switches, dual SIM-dual modem 4G routers, and PSU standby batteries ensured resilience against outages. As our technical partner on this project, Alarmtec facilitated the hardware installation, overcoming challenges with building layouts by repositioning panels and installing external aerials. The new system offered real-time monitoring, instant alerts, and centralised control of all alarms. Integration with the University’s broader system allowed for seamless operations and emergency communications.
What products were used?
AMX & SmartWatches
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