Hochiki: Tailored Life Safety Solution for Five-Star Complex in Sofia
Smart Tower is a mixed-use development in Sofia, Bulgaria, comprising two connected blocks with 17 residential floors, 7 levels of commercial space, and 4 underground parking levels. Spanning over 60,000sqm and housing approximately 1,152 occupants, the project required a comprehensive, multi-technology fire detection solution capable of operating reliably across a highly varied building environment.
Central District LTD appointed Sectron to take full accountability for the design and installation. Project managers Spas Stankov and Spas Stoyanov led the work, supported by engineer-designers Elena Pencheva and Dobrinka Tsvetkova.
Spas Stoyanov reflected on the partnership: “We have a great relationship with Hochiki, using their products for over 30 years. Their compliance with local fire regulations and advanced sensing technology guaranteed Smart Tower had a fire system that is highly reliable and, most importantly, reduces false alarms for occupants.”
For the main building areas, 2,887 ACC-EN multi-sensors were installed as part of an addressable fire system using Hochiki’s ESP intelligent range. Combining a thermal element with a photoelectric smoke chamber, each device detects both heat rise and smoke presence. The open-protocol ESP platform also supports long-term cost efficiency by consolidating multiple product ranges onto a single panel.
Aesthetic integration was a specific requirement given the modern interior of both blocks. Dobrinka Tsvetkova explained: “Hochiki’s ESP sensors came in multiple variants including ivory, black and white, which gave us the flexibility to meet Smart Tower’s need for consistent aesthetics. We chose white to reflect the clean environment across all spaces.”
For the residential floors, Hochiki’s conventional CDX range provided the solution: 342 SOC-E3N optical smoke detectors and 171 DCD-AE3 heat detectors across the apartments. Hochiki’s CHQ I/O modules ensured continuous monitoring and integration between both systems, with faults in conventional zones reported directly to the addressable control panel.
The 4,600sqm underground car park required a different approach entirely. Higher airflow and exhaust fumes make standard point smoke detection ineffective here. Hochiki’s Linear Heat Detection Cable provided a localised solution suited to the environment. Elena Pencheva noted: “The open-protocol capabilities provided ultimate flexibility when integrating multiple tailored solutions.”
Spas Stankov concluded: “All systems were easy to install, minimising disruption to residents. Compliance was fully met and we are confident that all occupants are protected for the long term.”
For specifiers and installers working on large or mixed-use developments, Smart Tower shows what Hochiki’s open-protocol architecture can do. To discuss your next project, talk to your local team or visit the Hochiki website to learn more about this project in Bulgaria.
For over 100 years Hochiki has led the way in the design and manufacturer of innovative life safety solutions. Its leading edge commercial and industrial fire detection and emergency lighting products have acquired global acceptance as the benchmark for high-integrity and long-term reliability.
With global group sales turnover exceeding £400m, Hochiki is a wholly independent, multinational, publicly listed company with over 2000 employees working across six manufacturing plants, 38 sales offices and 14 subsidiaries. Its ongoing commitment to manufacturing innovation ensures customer satisfaction and its production facilities in Japan, the USA and Europe offer international continuity in quality, service and supply.
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