In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Luke Norcross-Evans, Product Development Executive at Aico, and get the lowdown on the alarm system market.

Q. What alarm systems and detector technologies are currently proving popular in the UK market?

Interlinked alarm systems remain a leading choice, with RF, hard-wired and hybrid options providing full-property coverage and flexible installation for both new builds and retrofits.

Multi-sensor alarms combining smoke and heat detection are increasingly preferred for their fast, reliable response and reduced false alarms, forming a core part of Aico’s range.

There’s also growing interest in connected solutions, such as our HomeLINK technology, which allow landlords and housing providers to monitor system performance and plan maintenance more efficiently.

Q. What is HomeLINK and what benefits can it offer to residents and landlords?

HomeLINK is the technology behind Aico’s Connected Home Solution, designed to link together multiple, in-property, life safety devices like our fire and CO alarms and environmental sensors into one single connected system to create a clear overview of the compliance and the health of a home.

For residents, it offers peace of mind. The main benefit is reassurance that their home is being monitored for risks that aren’t always visible, like poor indoor air quality or early signs of damp.

For landlords, the real value is evidence and actionable insight. Instead of reacting to complaints, they can proactively use data trends to spot patterns, prioritise interventions, and demonstrate compliance with safety standards.

 Q. What are the key factors behind the surging popularity of environmental sensors?

The growing popularity of environmental sensors is being driven by a heightened focus on indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing, alongside the increasing need to monitor damp and mould risks to ensure legislative compliance.

A key factor of course is the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which is accelerating the need for social landlords to identify and address hazards within strict timeframes. This is naturally pushing the adoption of sensors that can provide early warning of conditions that lead to damp and mould.

Advances in connected technology also enable real-time data and remote monitoring, supporting a more proactive, data-led approach to compliance and resident safety within property management.

Q. How has the ability to access real time data helped to improve visibility for alarm system end users?

The ability to access real-time data has significantly improved visibility for alarm system end users by providing immediate insight into the status and performance of devices across a property or portfolio.

Users can receive instant alerts to activations, faults or maintenance issues wherever they are, enabling faster response and reducing the possibility of systems being left inoperative and the serious risks associated with it.

Overall, it allows for remote diagnostics and maintenance planning, minimising unnecessary callouts and improving efficiency with faster response times. The real-time data supports a more proactive, transparent approach to system management, enhancing safety, compliance and user confidence.

Q. How are modern fire safety solutions able to better integrate with connected home systems?

Modern fire safety solutions are increasingly designed to communicate seamlessly with connected home systems, allowing alarms, CO detectors, and environmental sensors to work together as part of a single ecosystem.

Technologies like RF interlinking and cloud-based platforms enable connected devices to share data in real time, triggering alerts, notifications, and automated responses across the property.

Integration also extends to property management and monitoring platforms, giving landlords and housing providers a unified view of multiple safety systems. This connectivity allows for faster responses, proactive maintenance, and a more intelligent, data-led approach to home safety.

Q. What are Aico’s aims and objectives for the next 12 months?

Over the next 12 months, Aico is focused on continuing to raise standards and sharing genius across the housing and fire safety sectors, supported by further innovation in our current technologies and services.

A key priority is advancing our connected home solutions and data-led insights, alongside continued investment in education and professional development.

This includes expanding our range of CPD certified and City & Guilds-assured training programmes and qualifications, covering areas such as connected home technology and developments in CO detection. These courses provide industry-recognised accreditation and support improved competence across the sector.

Alongside this, Aico will continue to strengthen partnerships, sustainability initiatives and community engagement, with a clear focus on delivering smarter, safer, and more connected homes.

Find out more about Aico here

Catch up on previous ‘Face to Face’ articles here

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