Why Now is the Time for an Upgrade and How Sciens Can Help
At Sciens, we understand the critical importance of keeping your fire alarm systems up-to-date and fully operational. As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and longevity of your facility’s fire protection systems, we are strongly encouraging customers to upgrade from the outdated Edwards EST 3 fire alarm panels to the more advanced and reliable EST 4 from Edwards. Below, we outline the primary reasons we recommend the change and the steps needed to migrate to the new system.
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Why Is the Upgrade to EST 4 So Important?
First introduced in 1997, the Edwards EST 3 has been a trusted solution for many years, but at the end of 2023, Edwards made a crucial decision to phase out this technology and replace it with the EST 4. While the EST 3 once offered everything businesses needed, parts for this older system are now being discontinued, so it’s become an increasingly difficult panel to maintain and repair. What was once a gradual transition has now become an urgent push for facility managers and property owners to upgrade their systems before it’s too late.
Now is the time to upgrade, especially for buildings that are still running on EST 3 or older panels. While Edwards had been supporting the EST 3, their shift towards the EST 4 makes it essential to move forward. As the EST 3 system nears its end of life, relying on an outdated system that cannot be serviced or repaired may potentially expose your building to unnecessary risks and maintenance delays.
What’s New with EST 4 and Why Does It Matter?
The EST 4 is Edwards’ latest fire alarm panel, designed with functionality and cost-efficiency at its core. The great thing about upgrading to the EST 4 is its backward compatibility, allowing you to reuse many existing components from your current EST 3 system, including panel cabinets and internal parts. This results in a much more affordable transition compared to switching to an entirely new manufacturer.
The EST 4 delivers significant technical improvements over the EST 3:
- Faster downloads for quicker system updates and diagnostics
- Color touchscreen display for improved user interface and navigation
- Remote connectivity enables our technicians to troubleshoot from a distance
- Self-test capabilities for proactive system monitoring
- IPv6 networking technology for enhanced communication speed and reliability, faster than EST 3’s 485 network
- Connectedsafety+ – A platform for gathering performance data from disparate systems, equipment, and sensors, so you have a single source for making assessments and informed decisions.
- Enhanced Cyber Security– The EST4 system provides levels of protection and the flexibility to deploy in a manner that can mitigate cybersecurity threats.
- Smart network learns failure patterns in 30 seconds and restores after just 15 seconds of continuous activity
- Multicast routing capabilities based on unique source reverse path forwarding vs. EST 3’s token ring network
- Advanced messaging – monitors heartbeat messages from nodes across the network vs. EST 3’s separate network and audio wiring
This is why we urge all clients, whether or not we initially installed your system, to consider upgrading to the EST 4.
Why this matters for your building: These modern features allow our technicians to address updates and troubleshoot issues before they become larger problems, leading to faster responses and fewer system failures. Your fire alarm system becomes more reliable and functional around the clock.
Since you can retain most existing wiring, devices, and even panel cabinets, we minimize both downtime and installation costs during the upgrade. Your building experiences minimal disruption while gaining access to cutting-edge fire safety technology—all without the hassle and expense of switching to a new brand.
Is Upgrading Now Necessary?
No one ever wants to gamble with safety, and the clock is ticking for those still operating with EST 3 systems. As Edwards moves forward with their push to sunset the EST 3, parts will become harder and harder to source. At Sciens, we want to maintain your fire alarm system while it’s in peak condition. By upgrading to EST 4 now instead of later, you ensure that your system will be supported with up-to-date parts, software, and technology that won’t jeopardize the safety of your property and people.
Upgrading to the EST 4 system now will prevent you from scrambling for a solution when the EST 3 parts finally run out. With most upgrades being capital expense projects, it’s essential to plan ahead and budget accordingly. This is where Sciens can help. Whether you initially worked with us or not, we’re here to assist with budgeting, planning, and executing the upgrade to the EST 4 system in a cost-effective and timely manner, so reach out to us here for a quote.
EST 4 is a Proven Solution for Many Facilities
We’ve seen significant success with this upgrade campaign among our existing clients, and we want to extend this opportunity to those who have not worked with us in the past. Many buildings we’ve worked with are already experiencing the benefits of upgrading to the EST 4, including reduced downtime, improved system reliability, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their fire alarm system is future-proof.
Let Sciens Help You Make the Upgrade
Whether you’re dealing with an EST 3 system that’s starting to fail or simply want to keep your building’s fire protection running at its best, upgrading to the EST 4 is the right choice.
Timing your upgrade matters: since EST 4 upgrades require a 100% system retest anyway, scheduling your upgrade during your annual inspection saves time and money by combining these services.
We’re here to assist you every step of the way, whether it’s an initial consultation and budgeting questions, or a high-touchpoint installation across multiple campuses.
Don’t wait until it’s too late: contact Sciens today to learn more about how we can help you make the smooth transition to the EST 4 fire alarm panel.
For more information, visit our EST 4 Upgrade Page.
