Fridley High School faced a critical issue with its failing fire alarm system, with the City Fire Marshal mandating the installation of a new system before the start of the next school year. Failure to comply would result in the school being unable to operate.

Design Tree stepped in to provide a comprehensive solution, starting with clear communication with the fire marshal to assure them that the project was underway. Our team delivered a swift turnaround, completing a holistic retrofit of the school's fire and security systems in just two months (from December to February). This rapid design process involved extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure all needs were met.

Construction is currently in progress, scheduled for a "summer slam" to take advantage of the school's summer break, with the new system set to be operational before the new school year begins. The new fire alarm system designed by Design Tree includes advanced features such as voice-over speaker alarms that communicate pre-recorded messages for various emergency conditions. This includes an amber light system for active shooter scenarios and a blue light system for storm take shelter occurrences, among other specialized alarms.

The system is also future-proofed, with plans to integrate the school's alarm system into a central monitoring security system for district-wide security. The system can be accessed via a cloud site, and a command center has been designed to tie all the systems together, enabling remote control of doors and other critical functions.

Design Tree's rapid response and innovative design ensure that Fridley High School will meet the fire marshal's requirements and enhance the overall safety and security of the school.