With digital transformation gaining pace across the sector, housing providers can now redefine how they approach resident safety, asset management and regulatory compliance.
By embracing connected technology, housing providers can reduce their administrative burden, make informed decisions faster and deliver safer, smarter homes. But to do this effectively, housing providers must turn ‘dark data’ into actionable insights.
From fragmented reports to real-time risk
Fire safety compliance has traditionally depended on time-stamped inspections, with alarms checked on-site and updates logged manually. These snapshots quickly become outdated, particularly if residents disable alarms or environmental conditions deteriorate between visits.
With the introduction of the Social Housing Act 2023 and Awaab’s Law, compliance can no longer be a tick-box exercise. An increasing number of housing providers are using technology to monitor environmental risks (incl. damp & mould) as well as to prove that their properties meet fire and carbon monoxide regulations.
Instead of reacting to problems retrospectively, connected technology enables housing providers to maintain a real-time view of the condition and safety of their homes, from the performance of installed alarms to the early signs of environmental risks.
Centralising insight, not just data
The adoption of internet of things (IoT) devices from heat and smoke alarms to water leak detectors and environmental sensors is growing rapidly. But many housing teams face the challenge of ‘data overload’. With each device generating its own feed, teams can become bogged down in spreadsheets and disconnected systems.
A centralised platform such as FireAngel Connected solves this problem by consolidating all device data into a single dashboard. Housing providers can view the status of every alarm across their portfolio, flag properties at risk and access digital compliance records with one click. The system logs installation details, training records and device diagnostics automatically, supporting a full audit trail in line with Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Golden Thread’ requirements.
And thanks to open API integration, this data can be pulled directly into housing providers’ existing asset management systems, eliminating manual inputs, reducing human error and freeing up staff to focus on tenant engagement and high-priority interventions.
Predicting risks before they escalate
One of the most powerful outcomes of connected housing is the ability to proactively intervene, not just respond. Through our patented technology, FireAngel Predict, housing teams can go one step further by identifying properties and residents at heightened fire risk by using analysis of behavioural trends.
Built in collaboration with the UK Fire and Rescue Service, Predict uses algorithms to detect patterns such as repeated alarm triggers at odd hours or devices being removed. These insights enable housing teams to target interventions, check in with vulnerable tenants and resolve risks before an incident occurs, a step change in how we protect residents.
Tailoring protection for the most vulnerable
With one in six adults in the UK living with hearing loss and over 900,000 people affected by dementia, ensuring inclusive safety strategies is critical. Smart home technologies can support independent living while still providing robust protection.
FireAngel’s Home Environment Gateway, which can operate as a standalone unit or integrate with alarms, includes built-in temperature and humidity monitoring, Zigbee connectivity for additional sensors and cellular connection for reliability even without wi-fi.
When deployed, it gives housing providers complete visibility into environmental conditions, enabling the early identification of potential problems such as condensation build-up or under-heated properties. Not only does this improve living conditions, it reduces the long-term cost of repairs, improves health outcomes and supports housing teams in building trust with their communities.
The future of compliance is connected
As the housing sector continues to grapple with resource constraints, legacy systems and rising compliance pressures, embracing connected technology is no longer optional but essential.
By centralising data, enabling proactive decision-making and improving transparency across departments and partnerships, housing providers can remain resilient in the face of future legislation and better protect the wellbeing of the people they serve.
To learn more about how FireAngel Connected and Predict can support your housing team, visit fireangel.co.uk/trade/connected.
John McEwan is the technical director at FireAngel.
