A new applied research project is tackling key manufacturing challenges in the automated assembly and testing of fire prevention devices — with a focus on occupant safety, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
This collaborative initiative brings together Generator at Sheridan’s Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing (CIM) and Mircom Group of Companies, a Canadian leader in life safety and fire detection technology, to create smarter, greener production systems that support both industrial competitiveness and community safety.
At the heart of this project supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) through SONAMI is a dual mission: to improve production efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By automating the assembly of fire prevention controllers, the project aimed to reduce energy consumption, minimize material waste, and streamline processes to support a more sustainable manufacturing model. The automation also targets repetitive, labour-intensive tasks, reducing the physical strain on workers and lowering the risk of workplace injuries. Fire prevention systems are vital components in modern building infrastructure, directly tied to occupant safety and building code compliance. However, the manual assembly of these devices can be time-consuming, inconsistent, and resource-heavy — all factors that can increase production costs and limit scalability.
Automation at its finest
Through automation, the project addressed these issues by introducing precision, repeatability, and scalability to the assembly process, while also lowering the overall environmental footprint. This approach leverages advanced manufacturing technologies, such as smart sensors, robotics, and data-driven process controls, to ensure high-quality output and efficient testing procedures. The work was carried out by a CIM team consisting of students and researchers.
These innovations not only optimize energy usage but also contribute to more affordable products — making advanced fire safety solutions more accessible to building developers and end users. The project’s outcomes are expected to support Mircom’s efforts to scale manufacturing operations while maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability that the life safety sector demands.
“Mircom’s collaboration with SONAMI and Sheridan College’s Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing was instrumental in advancing our automation capabilities. Working alongside their expertise in innovation helped us to streamline our life safety device assembly and testing processes. This enabled follow-on industrial automation at Mircom. We had measurable gains while fostering the next generation of automation talent. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the partnership.”
— Mervin Naidoo, Vice President, Operations, Mircom Group of Companies
Ultimately, this research addresses broader industry trends — where manufacturers are under increasing pressure to innovate not only for performance, but also for environmental and social responsibility. By delivering a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and worker-friendly production system, this project helps set a new benchmark for fire safety manufacturing in Canada and beyond.
As building codes tighten and the need for sustainable infrastructure grows, this work demonstrates how applied research, industry collaboration, and technological innovation can converge to support both public safety and a greener future.
About FedDev Ontario
For over 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.