From private homes to HMOs: how residential Ajax fire safety fits every project

Every residential property is different and comes with its own fire safety requirements. For example, a single-family home needs fast and clean installation; a house in multiple occupation (HMO) requires clear zone separation; and student accommodation calls for vandal-resistant detectors. Traditionally, meeting those requirements meant choosing different approaches.

Wired systems have long been the default solution. But the limitations are well documented: extensive cabling, costly retrofits, restricted layouts, and hours of labor on even modest jobs. When a building changes use or a tenant moves out, the system often can't adapt without significant rework.

Ajax Residence Line is designed to change that. It is a wireless fire and life safety ecosystem developed for every type of residential property — from a single apartment to a multi-unit complex. The unified ecosystem gives installers the flexibility to design systems for various projects while maintaining the same level of compliance, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

Wireless and fully certified

Can a wireless fire alarm system deliver the same level of reliability and compliance as a wired one? For many professionals, that's the first question when considering wireless fire safety solutions.

Ajax Residence Line answers it with independently verified compliance. The devices comply with EN 14604 and are designed for use in systems configured in accordance with BS 5839 requirements. For projects in North America, the portfolio also includes devices with UL/ULC certificates of conformity.

The foundation of that reliability is Jeweller — Ajax's proprietary two-way radio protocol. It uses encrypted communication, automatic frequency hopping, and delivery confirmation to ensure every event is delivered to the hub. If a detector loses connection, the hub detects the issue and notifies users. The communication range reaches up to 6,550 ft in open space, allowing large residential buildings and campus-style developments to be covered with few or no radio signal range extenders.

Perfect fit for every property type

The core advantage of Ajax is that a single ecosystem can accommodate a wide range of residential projects. The table below shows how Ajax addresses the specific needs of each property type.

Individual houses and apartments

Homeowners expect fast installation with minimal disruption. Wireless Ajax devices require no cables between detectors and the hub. As a result, installation is clean, fast, and leaves no damage to the walls and ceilings. The minimalist device design, available in white or black, blends naturally into any living space.

HMOs and student accommodation

In multi-occupancy properties, knowing exactly where an alarm originates is essential. Ajax supports device grouping, allowing events to be linked to a specific room, apartment, or communal area. Instead of a generic zone number, residents and building staff receive notifications with the precise alarm location.

Ajax also supports interconnected alarm delay. If a detector is triggered in one room, sounders across the building are not activated immediately. This gives monitoring staff time to verify the alarm before initiating a full evacuation, helping reduce unnecessary worry and panic.

Social, sheltered, and supported housing

Social housing presents specific challenges: some residents may be unable to self-evacuate, properties are often managed remotely, and the fire alarm system requires continuous monitoring. These environments are also more vulnerable to vandalism.

Ajax addresses these challenges. Ajax apps allow building managers and service providers to check device states, review event logs, and test the system without being on site. With early low battery notifications, providers can schedule battery replacements in advance, reducing unnecessary callouts and ensuring the system remains fully operational until the planned maintenance visit.

Each device has a built-in tamper button to prevent unauthorized dismantling. Removing the device from its mounting panel triggers an instant push notification on users' smartphones, while the system sends an event to the monitoring company.

Rented housing

For rental and leasehold properties, compliance with fire safety standards is a legal requirement. Ajax provides a certified system that can be centrally monitored and remotely maintained. For installers, this is a straightforward solution: a system that meets BS 5839 requirements, scales across a portfolio of properties, and is managed through a single platform.

The core device: FireProtect 2 Jeweller

The anchor of Ajax Residence Line is the FireProtect 2 Jeweller detector, available in single-sensor and multi-sensor versions, which detect heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide (CO). Power options include replaceable batteries, sealed batteries, and mains supply, with the appropriate choice determined by local regulations and site conditions.

Smoke detection is based on Ajax's patented technology. A dual-spectrum optical sensor measures both the size and concentration of particles in the smoke chamber. The proprietary HazeFlow 2 algorithm then analyzes the collected data to distinguish real combustion products from vapor or steam. This matters in residential environments, where cooking and shower steam are common triggers of unwanted alarms, and where a false alarm can carry real consequences for resident trust and emergency service relationships.

For heat detection, the device uses two A1R-class thermistors located outside the enclosure to minimize detection delays. The thermistors respond to temperatures exceeding +147 °F or a rapid temperature rise within one minute, helping detect fires early.

For carbon monoxide detection, FireProtect 2 Jeweller features a chemical CO sensor with a 10-year service life. At a CO concentration of 300 ppm, the sensor is triggered within three minutes, before the first signs of poisoning appear.

The built-in sounder reaches 85 dB and uses distinct tones for smoke/heat and CO events, which are differentiated from intrusion alarm tones. On a property with multiple alarm types, this prevents ambiguity.

Manual call points

ManualCallPoint Jeweller complements the system. Wall-mounted and protected against accidental activation, the device gives occupants a reliable means to raise an alarm manually. As part of the Ajax ecosystem, ManualCallPoint Jeweller interacts with automation devices, cameras, and MotionCam (PhOD) detectors to speed up evacuation and ease firefighters' access to the building. In the event of a fire alarm, a single press of the button can de-energize the facility, activate emergency lights, and unlock the exits. Within seconds, users receive visual verification in Ajax apps, helping them identify the cause of the fire.

Scalability that matches the project

A key advantage of the Ajax ecosystem is that the hub architecture can be scaled. A system installed in a single apartment today can be extended with additional Ajax devices without any hardware replacement. Groups and automation scenarios can be easily reconfigured through the app as the building's use changes.

The Ajax PRO: Tool for Engineers mobile app handles all commissioning operations, such as adding devices to the system via QR code, configuring, and testing them. Ajax PRO Desktop supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and centralized management across multiple sites. Both apps reduce time on site and the number of visits required over the system's lifecycle.

For properties connected to third-party monitoring stations, Ajax supports SIA DC-09, SurGard Contact ID, ADEMCO 685, and other proprietary protocols.

More than a fire alarm

Fire safety is only one part of residential safety. With Ajax, intrusion protection, fire detection, flood prevention, video surveillance, and automation can be combined within a single ecosystem.

For professionals, this means one system to install, configure, and maintain. For residents, it means a single app that keeps every aspect of the property's security and safety under control, with consistent notifications and a familiar user experience across all devices.

Conclusion

Every residential property has its own fire safety requirements, but that doesn't mean every project needs a different solution. Ajax Residence Line gives professionals the flexibility to design compliant fire alarm systems for private houses, apartment buildings, HMOs, student accommodation, sheltered housing, and rented properties. A single platform, set of devices, and familiar workflow simplify installation, maintenance, and future system expansion, regardless of project size or complexity.