Chapin Homes for the Aging Purge System Retrofit (Queens, NY)

Published November 26th, 2025 by Secure IT Securities Corp.

Chapin Homes for the Aging is a fully occupied 4-story nursing home in Queens, NY. Their smoke purge system had failed due to a 30-year-old legacy fire alarm platform. Secure It Securities was hired to retrofit the system, restore purge fan control, and deliver a first-time FDNY inspection pass while protecting residents and maintaining daily operations.

Quick Facts (use as a sidebar or horizontal stat bar):

Facility: Chapin Homes for the Aging (Nursing Home)

Location: Queens, NY

Project Type: Fire Alarm Purge System Retrofit

System Installed: Kidde VM-1 Fire Alarm Control Panel

Timeline: Nov 15, 2023 – Jun 4, 2024

FDNY Inspection: Passed first visit (Jun 26, 2024)

Estimated Savings: ~$75,000 vs. prior bids

The Challenge

Chapin Homes was operating on an Edwards 5800 fire alarm system that was more than 30 years old. The purge sequence essential for rapidly clearing smoke from targeted areas was no longer functioning.

In a nursing home environment, this isn’t optional. Residents have limited mobility, and staff need systems that perform instantly and predictably in an emergency.

The client needed:

A full replacement of outdated purge controls
Reliable smoke purge activation by zone
A clean FDNY filing and acceptance path
Work performed safely in an occupied healthcare setting
Prior contractor proposals were expensive and lacked the system expertise to execute the retrofit confidently.

Our Solution

Secure It Securities engineered and delivered a full purge system retrofit from design through final sign-off.

Scope of Work

Field survey and system assessment
Engineering of purge sequencing and fan control logic
CAD shop drawings, riser diagrams, wiring details, and calculations
FDNY filing and approval management
Removal/abandonment of failing legacy equipment
Installation of new Kidde VM-1 panel and field devices
Full purge fan integration and programming
Pre-test, final FDNY inspection support, and end-user training
OSHA-compliant safety practices throughout the project

Devices & Equipment Installed

33 relay modules
33 input modules
14 smoke detectors
Purge key switch
LED + switch module
Mid-size Kidde VM-1 control panel
Full purge fan activation architecture

Programming Highlights

We built a purge sequence that allows staff to activate individual or grouped fan zones instantly. Custom correlation groups and activation logic were implemented to ensure smoke exhaust responds within seconds to any affected area.

Challenges Solved During Execution

While accessing fan units for relay installation, we uncovered a hidden failure:

One purge fan unit had severe corrosion and water damage and required replacement.

Catching this early prevented a future breakdown that would have compromised system performance during an emergency.

Results

The upgraded purge system restored high-speed smoke exhaust control and achieved full compliance.

Outcomes

Passed FDNY acceptance on the first inspection visit (June 26, 2024)
Zero violations upgrade completed proactively
Approx. $75,000 saved vs. competing bids
Purge response time: targeted zones clear in 5–10 seconds
Improved system stability and reduced trouble conditions

Impact in One Sentence

We transformed a failing 30-year-old purge setup into a fast-acting, code-compliant system that protects every resident and cleared FDNY on the first inspection.

Client Feedback

“I hired the fire alarm expert to do my job great job Secure It.”

The Director of Facilities emphasized the value of specialist-level execution, responsiveness, and the confidence that the system would perform under real emergency conditions.

Why This Matters

Healthcare and residential care facilities require life-safety systems that work immediately, without hesitation. This project shows how a legacy purge system can be modernized safely, affordably, and without disrupting daily operations when handled by a true fire alarm specialist.