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The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is a major academic medical campus located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Spanning more than 84 acres and approximately 5.2 million square feet of facilities, the campus supports critical clinical, research, and educational operations.
In 2016, the UAMS facilities team faced a growing challenge with their aging fire and life safety system serving the clinical areas of the campus. The existing Honeywell FS90 system had been installed by a service provider that was no longer in business, and the equipment was no longer supported by the manufacturer. When issues occurred, the facilities team was forced to rely on remote assistance from third-party providers and had no access to reliable onsite service.
To ensure patient safety and maintain operational continuity, UAMS needed a modern fire alarm system that their team could manage internally while also providing dependable local support. Just as importantly, they wanted to avoid future vendor lock-in and the cycle of planned obsolescence that had left them unsupported.
Computrols distribution partner Williams Mechanical was selected to execute the fire alarm retrofit across approximately one quarter of the UAMS campus. Beginning in April 2016, the team replaced the legacy FS90 system with eleven Computrols CSimon fire alarm control panels, each backed by Computrols’ lifetime warranty.
The project also included integration with a new Evax voice evacuation system and the replacement of most field devices, while retaining existing pull stations, horns, and strobes where appropriate.
Throughout the implementation, Williams Mechanical worked closely with the UAMS facilities team to ensure the system’s programming aligned with NFPA life safety codes while remaining intuitive for daily operation. Sequences were structured so engineers could clearly understand system logic and easily disable individual components when needed during ongoing construction or renovation projects.
With the new system in place, UAMS gained a modern, reliable fire alarm platform capable of protecting patients, staff, and visitors across critical clinical facilities. Just as importantly, the system gives the campus engineering team the ability to manage and operate the fire alarm system in-house, eliminating the dependence on outside technicians that previously slowed response times.
The project also established a strong support network for the campus, with local service provided by Williams Mechanical and remote manufacturer support from Computrols. Together, this solution provides UAMS with a long-term, maintainable life safety system designed to support the campus for years to come.