Fire alarm system upgrade — Bedford VA Medical Campus.
Fire alarm systems were upgraded across 23 active hospital buildings at the Bedford VA Medical Campus. Alares provided comprehensive design and construction administration to ensure the upgraded systems met the latest NFPA codes and VA Design Guide standards.
Project overview
This project demonstrates Alares' expertise in designing and managing fire alarm system upgrades in a hospital setting — site investigations, high-quality design and strict safety and compliance standards.
Design services
- Complete construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates and project phasing plans
- Coordination with New England Engineering for electrical, communication and fire alarm system design
- Site visits and construction-period administration to ensure compliance and quality
System upgrades
Upgrades affected buildings 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 33, 61, 62, 70, 78A, 80, 81 and 82.
- Fire alarm notification devices upgraded to speaker-strobes throughout
- Replacement of fire alarm signaling devices in accordance with NFPA codes and VA Design Guide
- Notification and signaling devices added in code-required areas
- Fire alarm panels upgraded to addressable systems
- Fiber and copper connections replaced and standardized
Challenges and solutions
Site investigation across 23 active buildings
Coordinated closely with each department, adhering to VA infection-control protocols. Conducted thorough review of as-built drawings and confirmed conditions on-site.
Multi-stakeholder coordination
Regular communication and a collaborative approach kept VA staff, contractors and design consultants aligned throughout an active medical campus.
Change-order mitigation
Required the contractor to submit a pre-construction survey report documenting existing conditions — eliminating the risk of claims for unforeseen circumstances.
Key outcomes
- Enhanced safety and code compliance. Upgraded systems across 23 buildings met NFPA and VA Design Guide standards.
- Accurate documentation. Comprehensive investigations ensured seamless design and construction.
- Collaborative success. Close coordination enabled efficient execution with minimal disruption.
- Improved functionality. Addressable systems provide enhanced reliability and ease of maintenance.
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