Already an established and highly respected player in the UK fire protection and security industry, ESP is continually looking at ways to improve and develop its existing product offer, and to explore new areas for expansion. The result of its most significant new product development programme to date sees the company enter the fire and safety alarm market and introduce a new name to the sector, with the launch of Espire.
Espire is a comprehensive range of high performance fire and CO alarm products that has at its core quality, reliability and innovation. Sitting as a separate brand under ESP’s growing product portfolio, Espire will benefit from the expertise that the team at ESP has garnered over more than 25 years’ operating in the fire protection and security sector. The new brand will also benefit from a unique position as part of the wider industry-leading Scolmore Group. Espire is supported by Scolmore Group, distributed by ESP.
Safety a priority
With a product category that plays a crucial role in safety, it is imperative that the products are of the highest quality, have undergone rigorous testing procedures and comply with all the relevant standards. As expected with a project of this scale and importance, ESP has invested significantly to create a range of products to meet the company’s exacting requirements. The full Espire collection has been developed from scratch. The project underwent a thorough design process, involving extensive research, prototyping, and detailed refinement to ensure optimal functionality and user satisfaction. To maintain strict quality control measures and product consistency, the factory is subject to rigorous internal audits and measures. It utilises state of the art testing and manufacturing equipment alongside a highly experienced team.
Compliance and sustainability
The range has been designed to assist installers to meet the recommendations of BS5839-6: Code of Practice for the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Domestic Premises, and BS EN 50292: Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises – Guide on the selection, installation, use and maintenance.
All Espire products have undergone a meticulous design, development and manufacturing process at its dedicated factory. To ensure compliance with all relevant standards rigorous testing is conducted at various stages in the production process. Each alarm is tested a minimum of four times on the production line including the sensor, sounder, interface and functional tests, concluding with a final assembly test to ensure all alarms have been thoroughly checked and tested prior to installation All alarms have been tested by 3rd party test houses and certified by LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) and TUV, to meet the relevant product standards – BS EN 14604 for smoke alarms: BS 5446-2 for heat alarms and BS EN 50291-1 for CO alarms. All products in the Espire range come with a five year warranty.
In line with the sustainability targets of its parent company, Scolmore Group, ESP has taken a proactive stance on sustainability by integrating, where possible, eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs across its product line-up. The company has used recyclable packaging material across the entire range, opting for eco-friendly, brown card packaging that is fully recyclable and 100% biodegradable.
A COmprehensive offer
Boasting an array of innovative and cutting edge features, the extensive Espire offer can be broken down into five alarm types:
• Optical smoke alarms.
• Heat alarms.
• Smoke and heat alarms.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms.
• CO and heat alarms.
Plus a range of accessories.
Innovative and cutting edge features
Through its new Espire brand, ESP is committed to equipping homes with trusted and reliable alarms to provide early detection and rapid response to potential threats. The range offers a number of innovative features, some of which are unique in the market:
• Auto-Dimming Power LED (patent pending) – this cutting edge feature combines convenience, visibility and energy efficiency to provide a smarter and more intuitive user experience. With mains powered alarms, when the power LED is required to remain on, the LED will automatically dim during low light levels to reduce distraction and to not cause sleep disturbance.
• Stainless Steel Insect Mesh Barrier (patent pending) – this acts as a physical barrier, preventing insects and other small particles from entering the sensitive components of the smoke alarm, helping to reduce false alarm signals.
• Dust Compensation – all alarms with smoke sensors include an additional feature to reduce false alarms by recalibrating the chamber as increments of dust are collected. If the chamber re-calibrates 4 times or more, the alarm will provide an indication status that prompts action to clean the alarm.
• RF Link - to add additional life safety protection and installation flexibility, the alarms with the RF-Link function can be coded together wirelessly to create a system that sounds all alarms if one is activated. Mains powered alarms also include the function of hardwired interconnect.
• Lock-in base – this provides a secure and fixed point of installation for the alarm head to slide onto. Once the alarm head is installed onto the locking base, a lever engages to provide tamper protection.
• Responsive thermistor – the responsive thermistor design offers enhanced sensitivity, accuracy and responsiveness, ensuring the earliest possible detection of rising temperatures and potential fire hazards.
• 24-hour memory function (patent pending) – for 24 hours after an alarm is triggered, the red LED will flash twice every 40 seconds to help identify the activation. To clear the indication, the Test/Hush button on the alarm is simply pressed. In the event that the memory function has been activated and an occupant has removed the head alarm from the base, the memory will be stored in the alarm for up to 10 days.
The Espire range
The Espire fire and safety alarms are suitable for Grade D1, Grade D2 and Grade F1 installations.
Optical smoke alarms - optical sensors employ an infrared beam to detect the presence of smoke, effectively responding to slow, smouldering fires. The range incorporates the following alarm options:
• Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10 Year lithium battery.
• Powered by mains with 9v replaceable battery.
• Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10 year lithium battery.
Heat alarms – these alarms utilise a thermistor, which acts as a heat sensor, capable of detecting temperature fluctuations. The alarm is activated when the temperature reaches 58°C.
• Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10 Year lithium battery.
• Powered by mains with 9v replaceable battery.
• Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10 year lithium battery.
Smoke and heat alarms - equipped with optical and heat sensors, these alarms are capable of responding to a broad range of fires, from fast flaming to slow smouldering incidents. Intelligent software continuously monitors both sensors at all times.
• Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10 Year lithium battery.
• Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10 year lithium battery.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms – these alarms identify the presence of Carbon Monoxide gas emitted by the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as gas, wood, oil, and coal. They provide an early visual alert of rising concentration levels of carbon monoxide prior to full alarm activation for extra safety. The magnitude of the electric current generated is directly proportional to the level of CO present.
• Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10 Year lithium battery.
• Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10 year lithium battery.
CO and heat alarms – these alarms utilise two distinct sensors to monitor both fire and carbon monoxide (CO) independently and are suitable for kitchen areas equipped with fuel burning appliances like gas boilers or cookers.
• Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10 Year lithium battery.
• Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10 year lithium battery.
The alarms in all five categories above boast a number of key features:
• Compact design, with lock-in base.
• Auto sensor test – the alarms self-checks the sensor.
• 24 hour memory function.
• Hush function, which silences the alarm activation for 10 minutes.
Accessories
ESP has also brought together a collection of valuable accessories to enhance the Espire range. These include RF modules; relay bases; red IP65 strobe with selectable sounder; remote control switches; multi-tool – RF pairing and lock-in base release tool; and flame-retardant alarm masking plate.
Supporting the Trade
Understanding the needs of installers and wholesalers alike is crucial for the success of the Espire range and ESP has developed a robust trade support programme that is designed to help installers and wholesale customers to get the very best from the Espire range of products. As well as a free training and advice facility with product overview training days available, electrical contractors and wholesalers will also have access to a dedicated technical support resource, with a team of experts ready to assist with any technical queries, ensuring smooth installations and customer satisfaction.
Looking Ahead
With a strong focus on reliability, compliance, innovation and sustainability, ESP believes it is poised to make a significant impact on the fire and CO alarm sector with its Espire range. As safety standards and technology continue to evolve, this new name is set to lead the way in protecting lives and properties.