Siemens has completed a comprehensive fire safety system upgrade across eight facilities operated by the Irish Prison Service (IPS), introducing advanced digital tools to improve reliability, efficiency, and oversight.
The project centred around the deployment of Siemens’ Building X Fire Manager platform, a cloud-based system offering remote monitoring, diagnostics, and management functions. IPS, which falls under Ireland’s Department of Justice, oversees the detention of individuals in remand, immigration custody, or serving sentences.
Smart detection was a key component of the upgrade. Siemens installed Sinteso detectors tailored to custodial settings, capable of distinguishing between genuine fire signals and non-threatening triggers such as dust or steam. These detectors self-test and generate real-time diagnostic data accessible both onsite and remotely, reducing the need for manual inspections and minimising false alarms.
Supporting tools included the Sinteso Connect app, which enables authorised prison staff to monitor system status from any location, aiding rapid decision-making during incidents. A digital eLogbook replaced manual fire event documentation, streamlining compliance tracking.
Central to the upgrade was reducing operational disruption. Remote fault identification and diagnostics allowed engineers to prepare before arriving on site, decreasing time spent in secure areas. A pilot programme showed a saving of 76 contractor escort days—freeing IPS staff to focus on security duties.
The integration of these systems represents a significant shift towards predictive maintenance and digital fire safety management, which both IPS and Siemens described as delivering measurable operational benefits.
