Scalable Potter System for Complex Mixed-Use Application

Project Snapshot

Location: Major Southwest U.S. Metro Area
Facility Type: Mixed-use high-rise — residential, student housing, office, retail, underground parking
Scope: Fully networked fire alarm and integrated voice evacuation across three nodes protecting two towers exceeding one million square feet
Installer: Olympic West Fire & Security (formerly SCOTT Fire & Security)
Potter Systems: IPA-4000V, IPA-100, PSN Series Power Expanders, VM-1000 Voice Modules, DCA-10025 Amplifiers, FFT-1000 Firefighters’ Telephone System, PAD Series devices		 In this large, mixed-use high-rise development spanning residential, student housing, office, retail, and parking, the installing contractor selected Potter fire alarm control panels, distributed voice modules, and networked nodes to unify thousands of devices and synchronized audio under one coordinated platform — enabling controlled programming, faster commissioning, and reliable performance across evolving field conditions.

The Challenge

This mixed-use high-rise deployment required a life safety system capable of matching scale, construction pace, and ongoing design evolution.

  • Two high-rise towers — 22 and 33 stories

  • Over one million square feet of mixed-use occupancy

  • Compressed construction schedules and ongoing design revisions

  • Multi-trade coordination risks and frequent field changes

Installer requirement: A flexible, scalable platform managing thousands of devices, multi-node networking, rapid reprogramming, and zero-compromise code compliance.

The Potter Solution

Three fully networked Potter nodes deliver synchronized protection:

High-Rise Towers

  • Two IPA-4000V Integrated Voice Panels

  • Over 1,600 zones and 4,300+ devices managed

  • VM-1000 Voice Modules and DCA-10025 Amplifiers delivering intelligible emergency messaging

  • FFT-1000 Firefighters’ Telephone Systems with 170 jacks across 25 circuits

  • PSN Series Power Expanders providing consistent notification and auxiliary power

Parking Structure

  • IPA-100 Panel monitoring detection and notification

  • Fully networked to tower systems for seamless integration

Field Devices

  • PAD Series addressable devices offering low current draw, fast installation, and reliable supervision

Installation Approach

  • Three-node architecture networked for synchronized operation

  • Rapid reprogramming support for frequent field changes

  • Commissioning aligned to compressed construction schedules

The Results

  • On-time commissioning despite compressed construction timelines

  • Accelerated programming and testing through intuitive Potter software

  • No nuisance alarms or post-installation service issues reported

  • Seamless communication across three synchronized nodes

  • Fully NFPA-compliant and scalable for future expansion

Installer Testimonial

“We selected Potter specifically for this project — moving away from our previous manufacturer because of the flexibility and reliability of Potter’s platform. The programming tools, system capacity, and engineering support allowed us to meet an aggressive schedule and handle a very large, complex installation with confidence.”

— Scott Hershman, Senior Technical Advisor, Olympic West Fire & Security (formerly Scott Fire & Security)

Why Potter

  • Multi-node scalability for large mixed-use footprints

  • High device capacity and voice integration

  • Programming flexibility for evolving designs

  • Engineering support for complex installations