Project Overview
Fire Alarm System Replacement at Sir Edmund Hillary LEAD Academy, Worksop
Neuro Systems was appointed to replace the fire alarm system at Sir Edmund Hillary LEAD Academy after persistent intermittent faults made the existing equipment increasingly difficult to manage. With building alterations already underway, the academy needed a reliable new system that could support its current requirements and future development.
The complete Honeywell Gent Addressable fire alarm system, including a relocated control panel and integrated lockdown capability, was installed, tested and commissioned within the May half-term break. All work was completed in five days, allowing the academy to reopen safely and on schedule.
HALF TERM DELIVERY
The complete replacement was delivered within a single five-day school holiday window.
ACTIVE BUILDING WORKS
Installation and panel relocation were coordinated around contractors already working on site.
LOCKDOWN INTEGRATION
A site-wide lockdown alert was integrated into the fire alarm system using distinct alert tones.
BS 5839-1 Compliance
The new system was fully tested and commissioned before pupils and staff returned.
1
Week to complete
140
Devices Installed
26
Manual Call Points
8
Alarm Zones
MAY 2025
Completed
The Challenge
A Failing System, Active Building Works and a Fixed Reopening Date
The fire alarm system at Sir Edmund Hillary LEAD Academy in Worksop had been generating persistent, intermittent faults that were becoming increasingly difficult to manage. With the school also planning building works, the decision was made to replace the system entirely rather than continue applying short-term fixes to ageing equipment.
The deadline was non-negotiable. The full replacement had to be designed, installed, commissioned and signed off within the May half-term break, with a working, compliant system in place before pupils and staff returned. Any overrun would mean a school building without a functioning fire alarm.
Persistent System Faults
Intermittent faults were making the existing fire alarm increasingly difficult to manage.
Fixed Reopening Date
The complete replacement had to be operational before pupils and staff returned.
One Week. One Building. Active Building Works.
The project ran from 21 May 2025 with a one-week window to complete all works. During that week, Neuro Systems also had to relocate the main fire alarm panel to accommodate the building alterations in progress, and coordinate the installation around the builders already on site. All phases were completed on time.
The Solution
A Full Replacement, Panel Relocation and Integrated Lockdown System in Five Days
Neuro Systems designed and installed a complete new fire detection and alarm system across the school, built on the Honeywell Gent Addressable platform. The system covers the full single-storey building across eight alarm zones, with 140 devices and 26 manual call points providing comprehensive detection coverage throughout classrooms, corridors, the assembly hall and all ancillary spaces.
The main fire alarm panel was relocated as part of the works to align with the building alterations, requiring careful planning around the existing infrastructure and the active construction team on site.
Integrated Lockdown System
In addition to the fire alarm, Neuro Systems designed and installed a lockdown system integrated directly with the fire alarm panel. Key-operated units positioned throughout the school activate a distinct tone through the fire alarm sounder network. This tone is different from the evacuation signal, giving staff a clear, site-wide lockdown notification without requiring a separate system or additional infrastructure. The academy now has a practical and reliable security capability that is maintained as part of its existing fire alarm contract.
Key Elements of the Installation
The project combined a complete fire alarm replacement with lockdown integration, careful site coordination and ongoing specialist support.
Complete System Delivery
Full fire detection and alarm system design, installation and commissioning to BS5839 Pt1
Control Panel Relocation
Gent Addressable panel installed and relocated to new position as part of building works
Full School Coverage
140 detection devices across 8 zones covering the complete school building
Lockdown Integration
Lockdown system designed and integrated with the fire alarm, using key-operated units to generate a distinct alert tone sitewide
Coordinated Installation
Works coordinated around active building contractors on site throughout the week
Ongoing Engineer Support
Ongoing maintenance and servicing by Neuro Systems’ fully trained Honeywell Gent engineers
Technical Specification
System
Control Panel
Devices Installed
Manual Call Points
Alarm Zones
Additional System
Compliance Standard
Completed
BS5839 Compliance and Future Capacity
The completed system is fully compliant with BS5839 Pt1 and was commissioned and tested before the school reopened. The new platform also gives the academy significant capacity for future expansion, meaning any building works or additional areas added to the site can be incorporated into the existing system without a further replacement.
The Outcome
Compliant, Reliable and Ready Before the Bell
Reliable System Performance
The persistent intermittent faults that had been affecting the school’s day-to-day operations were fully resolved. The academy now has a reliable, addressable system that behaves correctly and is straightforward to manage.
Completed on Schedule
The full replacement, panel relocation and lockdown system integration were completed within the one-week half-term window, with the school ready to reopen on schedule.
Clear Lockdown Alerts
The integrated lockdown system gives staff a practical, clearly differentiated alert capability using the existing sounder network, with no separate infrastructure to maintain.
Ready for Future Expansion
The system has been designed with future works in mind and has the capacity to accommodate additional zones and devices as the school develops. Neuro Systems continues to provide ongoing maintenance and rapid response support under an active contract.
Fire and Security Under One Contract
Following the fire alarm project, Neuro Systems returned during the October 2025 half-term to replace the school’s intruder alarm system after a system failure, completing that works within the two-week break. The academy now benefits from both fire and security systems maintained by a single trusted contractor.
“Neuro Systems provides a fast, reliable service and are always on hand if any issues arise. Engineers are polite and are technically equipped to deal with any issues.”
Shane Cook
Estates Development Manager, L.E.A.D Academy Trust