Project Overview
In 2024, Preventia Security undertook the task of installing a state-of-the-art fire alarm system at the newly constructed Battle Creek High School in Spring Hill, TN, part of the Maury County Public School District. This 300,000-square-foot facility is now protected by an advanced fire safety system, designed and installed to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Dave Hall, Director of Facilities for Maury County Schools, highlights Preventia’s decade-long partnership with the school district, overseeing fire systems in 22 schools. Hall’s trust in Preventia Security made them the obvious choice for this critical project, emphasizing their commitment to service and safety.
Choosing Preventia Security: A Decade of Trust
When tasked with selecting a provider, Hall’s decision was straightforward. “I told them to use Preventia Security,” Hall explained, underscoring the longstanding relationship and reliability of Preventia. One key requirement for the project was that the monitoring service company needed to be within 40 miles of downtown Columbia, TN, a specification Preventia easily met.
Hall praised Preventia’s prompt service and exceptional customer support. “Austin Dillehay worked heavily on this project and had to check over 300 devices. They never found many errors,” Hall noted. Preventia’s team went above and beyond, working outside of regular business hours when necessary.
Project Execution: Overcoming Unique Challenges
The planning phase for the fire system installation was intricate and ongoing. As Austin Dillehay, a key technician on the project, explained, “Initial job planning took careful focus to make sure every minor detail was accounted for in order to minimize surprises later.” Due to the system’s size, the project required two of the largest fire alarm panels Fire-Lite produces to manage the building’s vast network of devices.
Connecting the devices to each panel in a way that allowed for proper programming proved to be a challenge, especially during the wiring phase. Another challenge arose from the need to ensure the two systems would communicate with each other seamlessly, providing an easy-to-operate system for the school’s staff. “The planning phase never really ended until the job was done,” Dillehay noted, underscoring the meticulous effort needed to complete the system before the school year began.
System Components and Integration
Preventia Security installed a robust fire alarm system, featuring two 1000-point fire alarm control panels, several power supplies, and a voice evacuation system supported by remote amplifiers. “These components power and control over 1,300 fire alarm devices throughout the building,” Dillehay explained. Although the system does not integrate with other safety systems within the school, it works in conjunction with the HVAC system to ensure proper air handling in the event of a fire.
Preventia also refined the zone lists, making them more specific and accurate. This improvement ensures that, in the case of an emergency, the fire department can quickly identify the exact location of an alarm.
Collaboration and Communication: Keys to Success
Dave Hall emphasized Preventia’s high level of communication throughout the project, crediting strong relationships with Preventia managers for the project’s success. “Their level of service and communication is very high,” Hall stated. This open line of communication enabled quick responses and efficient problem-solving.
Dillehay added that while there weren’t many modifications from the original design, a few significant adjustments were required. “One change required us to add over 50 detectors, another required an extra circuit to be run through the whole building,” he explained. Additionally, there was a need to program a control panel not originally part of the fire alarm system but necessary for integration. These challenges were managed with precision and careful planning.
Impact and Long-Term Benefits
Since the installation, the system has been tested regularly through monthly fire drills, and it has performed well with only minor issues reported. Hall shared that the system is easy to maintain, with dust being the primary long-term concern. Preventia Security will continue to provide maintenance, ensuring the system remains fully operational.
Looking ahead, Hall noted that there are plans to update fire systems in two additional schools in the district, reinforcing Preventia’s commitment to long-term safety.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and Future Expansion
Reflecting on the Battle Creek project, Hall emphasized how rapidly the high school was constructed—just 14 months for a 300,000-square-foot building. “Ben, Austin, Amanda, and the entire Preventia team served us so well during this project,” Hall remarked, also acknowledging RG Anderson General Contractors for their role in the project’s coordination.
Preventia Security’s work at Battle Creek High School is a testament to their expertise in large-scale fire system installations. With a decade-long partnership with Maury County Schools, Preventia continues to demonstrate its commitment to community safety, ensuring schools are equipped with the best possible fire protection systems for years to come.