Rekindling Reliability: Fire Alarm System Overhaul for a Global Leader in Plant-Based Chemistry

For many years, MJW has partnered with world leader in plant chemistry DRT that develops pine-based ingredients that enable the design of sustainable solutions. One of their Georgia manufacturing facilities has long relied on MJW’s fire protection expertise, as MJW was originally contracted to install both the fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems during the facility’s initial construction. At that time, the fire alarm system chosen by the client was a Simplex platform, which MJW installed, with final commissioning performed by Simplex’s technical team.

As the years passed—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—maintenance on the fire alarm system fell by the wayside. The once-functional system had deteriorated to the point of complete failure, leaving the facility without a critical layer of safety protection. In late 2023, MJW was brought back in to perform an annual fire alarm inspection. During that assessment, the Simplex system was deemed non-functional, and at the client's request, MJW proposed an upgrade to a modern, reliable Edwards EST4 fire alarm system. This solution included the installation of three new EST4 fire alarm control panels, a full suite of addressable fire alarm devices, and updated notification appliances. While the project began smoothly, it soon presented the kind of real-world challenges that come with replacing legacy systems—especially when transitioning between manufacturers.

One of the first major hurdles came during the programming and power-up phase of the new EST4 system. It became clear that much of the existing wiring for the notification appliances was incompatible and would need to be reworked. After careful evaluation, the MJW team determined that installing new electrical conduit, updated wiring, and additional notification devices would not only be more cost-effective but would also improve emergency evacuation notification for the facility in the long run.

Despite these challenges, the project came to a successful conclusion. Once the installation was completed, MJW provided on-site training to both operations personnel and facility management. The client expressed confidence and relief in knowing they once again had a fully functional, code-compliant fire alarm system they could depend on.

Ultimately, this project represented more than just an equipment upgrade—it was a return to reliability and a recommitment to safety for a long-standing partner. Both the client and MJW considered it a strong success, reinforcing the value of maintaining long-term relationships built on expertise, trust, and follow-through.