Dynamic FS Completes Fire Alarm Upgrade at Archbishop Holgate School, York
Dynamic FS has successfully completed the design, installation, commissioning, and handover of a new category L2 fire alarm system at Archbishop Holgate School in York — a £145,000 project delivered entirely within the 2025 summer holiday period, ensuring zero disruption to the school’s academic calendar.
Upgrading a Live System Without Disruption
One of the defining challenges of this project was the requirement to install and commission a complete new fire alarm system while keeping the existing system fully operational throughout. With the incumbent system serving as the sole means of fire warning for all building occupants, maintaining its integrity during the works was non-negotiable.
Our engineering team carefully managed the parallel installation, ensuring that at no point was the school’s fire warning capability compromised. The new Advanced MX5000 8-loop addressable control panel was installed and brought online within the summer window before being placed into a structured soak test period — running alongside the existing system from August through to October 2025 to confirm the new installation was operating cleanly, with no false alarms or system faults.
Once the soak test confirmed the new system was performing as specified, the old installation was safely isolated and stripped out in full accordance with BS 5839-1:2025.
What Was Delivered
- Category L2 fire alarm system, fully designed and installed to BS 5839-1:2025
- Advanced MX5000 8-loop addressable fire alarm control panel
- Full commissioning, soak test period, and certified handover
- Integrated lockdown alarm functionality via the fire alarm sounder network, with a distinct tone to allow clear differentiation from the fire alarm signal
A Safer School Environment
The completed installation delivers reliable, code-compliant fire detection across the entire school site, supporting faster emergency response and giving staff and pupils the protection they deserve. The addition of a lockdown alarm capability — fully integrated into the new system — also strengthens the school’s wider emergency response planning.
We’re proud to have delivered this project safely, on time, and to the complete satisfaction of the school. It’s the kind of project that reminds us why getting the details right matters.
