Project Profile
Largest networked digital EWIS installation in the Southern Hemisphere
Project details
Project: Networked digital EWIS Design, install and commission
Location: Sydney
Builder: Precise Fire
Client: The Star
Date: 2026
Services: System Upgrade, Fire services
Overview
Precise Fire, in partnership with FireSense and Gloe Fire, delivered a landmark multi year upgrade of The Star Sydney’s Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS) and Fire Indicator Panels (FIPs).
This project—completed within a live, 24/7 entertainment environment— resulted in the largest networked digital EWIS installation of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Project background
The Star Sydney required a full transformation of its ageing analogue fire systems to a new, fully digital platform. The upgrade needed to be delivered with zero unplanned outages, despite the site’s continuous operation and heavy public use.
The project partnership included:
Precise Fire – system design, staging strategy, installation leadership
FireSense – manufacturer of the new digital EWIS platform, programming and technical onboarding
Gloe Fire – installation partner delivering cabling, strobes/VAD replacement and fibre backbone works
WSP design consultants
The Star - operations team.
“The collaborative effort uplifted the venue’s life safety infrastructure to meet modern standards, improved operational resilience, and set a new benchmark for digital EWIS deployment in Australia”.
Geoff Moore
General Manager
Project Delivery
Ensuring Continuity on a Live, High Traffic Site
Working within a 24/7 precinct required meticulous staging. Precise Fire coordinated the upgrade over two major stages and five phased sequences, aligned with occupancy patterns and high traffic periods.
To maintain uninterrupted performance: Temporary batteries were installed to sustain the legacy EV3000 system during cutover.
FireSense, Precise Fire and Algotech developed and tested duplicate FIP trips prior to deployment, allowing full verification of activation sequences.
Extensive testing was conducted at FireSense’s Baulkham Hills facility, including panel behaviour, intelligibility, amplifier centre performance, and witness testing with all stakeholders.
This approach ensured seamless system continuity throughout the transition.
Delivering a Transformational System Upgrade
The new FireSense digital EWIS—released only six months prior to deployment—delivered a major technology uplift, meeting AS1670.4:2018 and introducing modern diagnostics, improved monitoring and enhanced system intelligence.
Key outcomes:
Installation of a fire rated fibre backbone spanning the entire venue
Integrated network of 14 panels, including 7 satellite locations
Replacement of more than 1,500 strobes and VADs
Reduced impedance and optimised circuit designs
More efficient future battery sizing and long term reductions in energy consumption
Precise Fire’s engineering team reverse engineered and redesigned the venue’s Cascade Matrix, developing a modern double knock logic sequence. FireSense programmed this into the new digital platform, improving safety and reducing nuisance alarms.
