Worcester Housing Authority

Unlike conventional wired fire alarm systems, WES3 operates as a fully self-contained wireless network. Each unit, whether a detector, call point or sounder,is powered by an internal long-life battery and communicates through a secure radio mesh, automatically routing signals across the network without the need for cabling, drilling or connection to building infrastructure. Devices are addressable and continuously monitored for signal integrity, ensuring immediate transmission of any activation or fault condition to the control base.

This architecture is particularly well suited for environments where the existing fire system is offline or under repair. In Worcester, installing a replacement wired system would have required invasive access to ceilings, risers and electrical pathways that were already damaged by flooding. WES3 was installed without interrupting remedial works and without introducing new dependencies on electrical contractors or materials, both of which were in short supply at the time.

The economic impact was significant. Housing nearly 200 residents across multiple hotels, while providing daily transport and three meals per person, was costing the Authority tens of thousands of dollars per week. By using a temporary wireless solution instead of waiting for a full system rebuild, WHA cut displacement time from several months to just weeks. The cost of deploying WES3 was a fraction of continued hotel expenditure, making the decision not only operationally effective but financially unavoidable.

A wireless temporary fire alarm system like WES3 provides a fully compliant life safety solution during system failures, refurbishments or construction phases — ensuring people stay protected without delaying occupancy. When permanent fire systems fail, WES3 keeps communities safe, secure and at home.