C-TEC’s integrated ZFP CAST and CAST-PRO systems deliver efficient, low false alarm fire protection for a major mixed use regeneration project
C-TEC’s integrated fire detection technology is playing a central role in the transformation of one of Greater Manchester’s most ambitious regeneration projects. A network of ZFP CAST fire panels and CAST-PRO combined detection and alarm devices has been installed during Phase One of The Cotton Works, a £250 million redevelopment of the historic Eckersley Mills site in Wigan.
Led by property development specialists The Heaton Group, the six year project will convert the disused 17 acre mill complex into a vibrant mixed use destination. Once complete, The Cotton Works will comprise 817 new build apartments, a hotel, office space, retail units, restaurants, and leisure facilities, creating a new urban quarter while preserving the site’s industrial heritage.
Protecting a Complex Mixed Use Environment
The first phase of development is now approaching completion, with Mill One set to open shortly. The five storey building will house a food hall with six independent restaurant operators, flexible office and co working space under the Weave Coworking brand, and a rooftop bar. The Three Mills pub, located within the complex, has already opened to the public.
Given the scale and diversity of occupancy across Mill One, the fire detection and alarm system required a solution capable of supporting multiple risk profiles while maintaining consistent performance and minimising unwanted alarms. To meet these demands, leading life safety specialists Solid State, working on behalf of JD Engineering, installed a networked C-TEC ZFP CAST system with integrated CAST-PRO devices throughout the building.
CAST-PRO combines heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide detection, an audible sounder, and a visual alarm device into a single unit. This multi function approach reduces the number of individual components required, simplifies installation, and supports faster commissioning, particularly valuable on large, fast moving construction programmes.
Installation Efficiency Under Tight Programme Pressures
For installers working under tight deadlines, installation efficiency was a key benefit. Paul Turner, Installation Manager at Solid State, highlighted the practical advantages of the system during the project delivery phase.
“CAST-PRO is excellent and using it has cut our second fix installation times substantially,” he said. “That’s important when you have tight deadlines to meet on site. Performance wise, the devices are powerful and designed to offer the highest levels of protection from false fire alarms, which is an essential feature in a mixed use building of this size.”
False alarm management is a critical consideration in environments that combine hospitality, office space, and public access areas. Cooking fumes, variable occupancy levels, and extended operating hours can all increase the likelihood of nuisance alarms if systems are not carefully specified. The integration of multi sensor detection within CAST-PRO supports more intelligent fire decision making, improving reliability without compromising safety.
The ZFP CAST panels provide the system backbone, enabling flexible configuration and future scalability as further phases of The Cotton Works progress. This adaptability ensures the fire system can evolve alongside the wider development, supporting long term asset protection and regulatory compliance.
