Hyfire’s Brett Boyd explains how wireless fire detection is helping housing providers achieve fire safety compliance and reduce reliance on waking watch
For housing providers across the UK, fire safety compliance remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector.
As organisations continue to address issues including unsafe cladding, compartmentation failures and inadequate fire stopping, there is increasing pressure to find solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but can be implemented quickly, cost-effectively and with minimal disruption to residents.
The launch of the Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF) by Homes England in April 2026 is designed to help tackle that challenge, providing funding for housing providers to upgrade fire safety systems in buildings where urgent remedial works are required.
According to Brett Boyd, Regional Sales Manager – South East at Hyfire, the fund represents far more than a financial opportunity. “Compliance is at the centre of it all,” he says. “It’s not just about ticking boxes to access the funding. It’s about making sure systems are actually doing what they’re supposed to do, and that’s protecting people.”
The introduction of IMAF comes at a time when many housing providers are seeking alternatives to temporary fire safety measures while remediation projects are undertaken.
In particular, the industry continues to look for ways to reduce reliance on waking watch arrangements, which can be expensive to maintain over extended periods.
“A big driver behind it has been the need to move away from costly measures like waking watch and towards a more cost-effective and more permanent solution,” says Boyd.
For landlords and building managers, compliance is increasingly about demonstrating that buildings are safe while also providing reassurance to residents.
“Being compliant means housing providers can demonstrate that they are meeting their obligations and can safely step away from things like waking watch, which can be both disruptive and expensive over time,” he explains.
“At the end of the day, compliance gives everyone confidence, from the landlords to the residents. It’s the right level of protection that needs to be in place.”
Delivering fire safety compliance without complexity
While funding provides an opportunity for improvement, implementing compliant fire safety systems can still present practical challenges.
This is particularly true in occupied residential buildings, where traditional hardwired installations can create disruption for residents and significantly extend project timescales.
For Boyd, one of the key advantages of Hyfire’s Taurus system is that compliance has been built into the technology from the outset. “Taurus was developed with real-world challenges in mind, so compliance is built into what we do,” he says.
“Our systems are fully certified and designed to align with the standards that sit behind funding schemes like IMAF.”
However, Boyd is quick to point out that technology alone is only part of the solution. “One of our big advantages is our network of approved installers,” he explains. “It means organisations aren’t just getting the technology, but also the right expertise to deliver a compliant solution from start to finish.”
That installer network plays an important role in ensuring systems are delivered correctly and in accordance with the latest requirements.
“Installers understand both the technical side and the compliance requirements, which makes the whole process much smoother,” he says.
The flexibility of wireless technology also helps simplify projects that might otherwise be difficult to deliver.
“Because it’s wireless, it gives a lot more flexibility when designing and installing, particularly in buildings where running cables would be difficult or disruptive.” In many cases, speed can be just as important as compliance.
“It’s particularly effective in situations where a fast upgrade is needed,” Boyd adds, revealing that ultimately the goal is straightforward.
“It’s about making compliance more achievable, helping organisations meet funding criteria without overcomplicating the projects that they’re working on.”
Why wireless fire detection is changing the conversation
Wireless fire detection systems have evolved significantly over the last two decades and are increasingly becoming a preferred solution rather than a specialist alternative.
According to Boyd, the technology has transformed the way retrofit projects can be delivered. “Wireless has been a game changer, especially for retrofit projects,” he says.
“The biggest benefit is the lack of disruption. There’s no need to run cabling through walls and ceilings. Residents can stay in their homes while the system is installed.” For housing providers managing occupied residential buildings, that ability to complete works without requiring residents to relocate can deliver major benefits.
Speed is another important factor. “It’s also much quicker to install, which naturally helps keep costs under control when you look at a whole project,” Boyd explains. “Given the ongoing cost of waking watch, that speed can make a real financial difference.”
One misconception that still occasionally exists within the market is that wireless systems may not offer the same level of reliability as traditional wired installations.
Boyd is keen to challenge that perception. “Modern wireless systems are incredibly robust and perform to the same standards as wired systems,” he says. “There’s no compromise there.” He believes the flexibility of wireless technology is another significant advantage.
“Buildings can change over time and wireless systems can make it easy to adapt without needing major works again in the future.”
Overall, he says, the benefits are clear. “It’s about delivering a safer compliance solution in a way that works for both the building and the people that live in that building.”
Adapting to changing fire safety regulations
As regulations continue to evolve, flexibility is becoming an increasingly valuable feature of fire safety systems. One example is BS 8629, the standard covering evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in blocks of flats.
For many building owners, the prospect of upgrading systems to meet new requirements can raise concerns about cost and disruption. However, Boyd says this is often not necessary with HyFire systems.
“One of the strengths of Hyfire is how adaptable our system is,” he explains. “If a building needs to meet the requirements of BS 8629, it’s often not a case of ripping everything out and starting again. Instead, we can build on what’s already there.”
In many cases, the process is relatively straightforward. “With proper planning from the outset of a project, it can be as simple as changing out the panel, removing the automatic detectors and doing some basic reprogramming of the system.”
The wireless nature of the technology once again provides a major advantage. “Because it’s wireless, those changes can usually be made without major disruption as well,” Boyd says.
“Residents don’t need to leave their homes.” The approach not only helps simplify compliance but also protects previous investment. “Overall, it’s a pretty straightforward upgrade and it helps protect the original investment in the system as well.”
The future of fire safety compliance
Despite the progress that has been made, Boyd believes housing providers still face considerable challenges. “There’s obviously a lot for housing providers to consider and manage at the moment,” he says.
“Things like compartmentation, unsafe cladding on buildings and substandard fire stopping are major contributing factors and they need to be addressed.” While waking watch remains a common response during remediation works, he believes the industry is increasingly recognising the limitations of the approach.
“While they do provide short-term reassurance, they’re not a sustainable solution and can become very costly over time,” he says. “There’s also the human element to waking watch, where it’s not always as reliable as it should be. Having an automatic detection system can sometimes be a more reliable solution.”
Looking ahead, Boyd sees wireless technology becoming even more prominent across the residential sector. “Where wireless was traditionally always used where cabling couldn’t be installed as a must-have solution, it’s now becoming a go-to solution for a lot of people because the technology has improved over the last two decades.”
Future developments are likely to focus on connectivity and visibility, helping housing providers manage fire safety more effectively across their portfolios. “There’s going to be a bigger focus on smarter, more connected systems that can give housing providers better oversight and control.”
At the same time, resident experience will remain central to decision-making. “When it comes to IMAF, it’s important to note that everything will continue to centre around the residents,” Boyd says.
“The improvements don’t come at a cost of comfort or convenience.” For Hyfire, the long-term objective remains simple.
“We believe in providing the right solution,” he says. “It’s not just about putting something in. It’s the right solution for the right application, solutions that meet the highest standards of safety while still being practical and efficient for the environments that they serve.”
