Safecility launches Wireless Emergency Lighting through Vodafone’s NB- IOT

Safecility, a specialist in the development and installation of automated emergency lighting, and Sensori Facilities Management have partnered to launch the world’s first commercial NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) enabled wireless emergency lighting system for businesses to streamline building management procedures.

The market-leading solution uses a unique application developed by Safecility that automatically tests critical fire safety systems and streams data over Vodafone’s NB-IoT network, where compliance is tracked from the onsite IoT sensors. Vodafone’s NB-IoT is a low power wide area network (LPWA) technology, designed for scale as it connects millions of devices that have low bandwidth requirements and need in-building penetration, such as emergency lighting sensors. It is a globally applicable technology that turns buildings ‘smart’, ensuring all safety regulations are met in real-time, remotely.

Following the tragedy of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, fire safety procedures were intrinsically re-examined. Lighting is legally required to be tested at least four times per year, a primarily manual task, with a large number of buildings not achieving compliance due to the scale of resources required.

This wireless solution is interoperable with major global vendors, sits securely in the building, and doesn’t require an additional gateway or communications infrastructure. The product is also easy to install and it is anticipated that the technology will create significant efficiencies in building management costs, particularly for companies with expansive property portfolios or large public buildings.

For example, as one of Ireland’s leading providers of facility management services to large businesses such as Astellas, Amazon, and Dropbox, Safecility’s solution can automate the work of Sensori to test and track all of the emergency lighting across the estate. Prior to the new system, a facilities’ team would physically test each unit quarterly to ensure the system was working and fully compliant, taking up significant time and resources.

Following the successful installation of the system within Sensori’s own headquarters in Blanchardstown in October, both Safecility and Sensori FM are launching a new product offering to key customers as a way of implementing ‘smart building’ automation and enhancing safety compliance.

As a start-up, Safecility is outpacing larger established companies due to Vodafone’s early investment in NB-IoT technology in Ireland. As a member of the Vodafone 5G Accelerator Programme in UCD Nova, Safecility were able to build and deploy this technology using Vodafone’s first to market network, providing a two-year advantage over competitors and making it the first of its kind with Sensori FM.

Cian O’Flaherty, Safecility CEO, said: “We’re delighted to see the Safecility system installed and available for commercial use through our partnership with Sensori FM. By law, building owners are legally required to install fire safety systems; however, the frequency of required testing and maintenance of certain buildings of scale is not physically achievable. The requirement to assess all emergency lighting units quarterly is a mammoth task that requires extensive manpower and leads to high levels of non-compliance.  

“Without Vodafone’s investment in NB-IoT and 5G, we would not have been able to accelerate our solution so quickly. We were also able to take part in the 5G Accelerator Programme in UCD Nova, which allowed us to use their testing facilities. As a small business, you don’t get access to the kind of engineering expertise that Vodafone provided us, which was critical.” 

Marc Daly, IoT Country Manager, Vodafone Ireland: “Safecility’s product uses a completely bespoke NB-IoT solution to support significant advancements in building safety, while also helping companies and organisations to streamline their building management processes. NB-IOT is specifically designed for connecting devices with low power and low bandwidth requirements, whilst providing increased penetration, allowing low-cost devices to be rolled out at scale. We’re delighted to have supported such a reputable Irish start-up as Safecility in the creation of this global solution which demonstrates the power of NB-IoT and that supports positive change in becoming a more connected and digital society.”