Fire-Lite Alarms Systems Protect Alabama College

Fire-Lite Alarms by Honeywell recently announced the fire protection systems on the Miles College campus in Fairfield, Ala., have been updated by fire alarm and security integrator Protection 1 using Fire-Lite Alarms' MS-9600UDLS addressable fire alarm systems.

Using an existing IP network for fire alarm reporting to Protection 1's central station, the school was able to boost the reliability and response time of fire alarm communications while eliminating the cost of two phones lines per system.

Founded back in 1898, Miles College is ranked as the fastest growing nationwide member of the United Negro College Fund. With an enrollment of more than 1,800 students, 800 of which live on campus, the school recently began a new construction project, which triggered the need for its older campus buildings to meet newer fire code requirements.

To begin the fire alarm upgrades within four specific buildings on campus, the college contracted with Protection 1 to outfit the facilities with all new systems. Knowing the ease of installation and performance track record of Fire-Lite Alarms systems, industry veteran Cheryl Hill, the Birmingham sales manager based in the Protection 1 Pelham, Ala. office, recommended the MS-9600UDLS system for the job.

Each MS-9600UDLS fire alarm control panel offers a capacity of 318 addressable devices on one Signaling Line Circuit. If more points are desired, an optional second loop can be added for a total of 636 addressable points.

"Fire-Lite offers one of the best products out there when it comes to fire systems and we felt it was right for this application," Hill said.

For this install, each of the buildings - Murchison Hall, a men's dormitory; L.H. Pitts Hall, a women's dormitory; Kirkendoll Learning Resource Center, housing the campus library, computer labs and student services; and Knox-Windham Gym - were fitted with stand-alone panels in each facility, along with the additional upgrades of 41 pull stations, 79 addressable smoke detectors, 22 addressable duct detectors and 67 strobe lights.

The monitoring of fire alarm systems throughout the Miles College campus is performed by Protection 1's 24-hour central station which is backed up by 4 additional UL Listed - fully redundant monitoring centers.

Based on Protection 1's recommendation, the college decided to go with an IP (Internet Protocol) communicator, as opposed to traditional phone lines, for monitoring the four facilities' new systems.

"IP offers a safer way to make sure building occupants are well protected," Hill said. "This way the college doesn't have to worry about the fire system going off-line in the event that the phone lines go down."

Consequently, Edward Jenkins, Miles College physical plant director, has an ongoing program to monitor and maintain all security, and fire alarm systems on campus with Fire-Lite systems.

"Such a project falls under deferred maintenance and requires approval by the board, but we're hoping it can be put into the fiscal budget for next year," he said.

Seeing an opportunity to be more cost-effective, the school is seeking to convert away from proprietary fire alarm systems, which can severely limit sources for parts and maintenance. With all Fire-Lite Alarms equipment being non-proprietary and sold through wholesale distributor locations throughout the U.S., the flexibility of the school's new systems can easily accommodate future expansions and upgrades needed for the growing campus of Miles College.

Jenkins is impressed with the fire alarms' immediate notification and Protection 1's same day service.

"We are really pleased with our experience, not to mention the great service," he said.

Happy to see Miles College's new systems up and smoothly running, Hill's confidence in Fire-Lite Alarms products has been reinforced.

"I think the Fire-Lite equipment is ideal for any facility whether it's a college campus, a grocery store, a nursing facility or a restaurant," she said.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities