Apollo News - a Halma PR news blog

Chester House, a Grade II Listed Elizabethan townhouse that is now home to Knowle Library in the West Midlands, has been equipped with XPander – Apollo’s new range of wireless detectors.

Chester House was originally built in the 16th century as two adjacent dwellings, which it is thought were used by local craftsmen as combined workshops and homes. In the 17th century, these dwellings were converted to form a larger building, possibly a farmhouse or an inn. Then, during the 19th century, the building appears to have been divided again into three separate dwellings before being converted back into one building in the 20th century

After being used as an antique shop for many years, Chester House became the property of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in 1972. Following a complete restoration programme, the building opened as Knowle Library in 1975.

When looking to upgrade the library’s fire system in 2008, the Council’s specification called for an analogue addressable automatic fire detection system designed to BS5839-1:2002 L4 while also being sympathetic to the heritage areas of the building. Monument Fire Detection Systems Ltd, who designed, supplied and installed the new fire detection system, recommended Apollo’s XPander range to protect the building’s 16th century vaulted ceiling and exposed beams, which could have been damaged by hard-wired devices.

Easy to install and connect to the fire system via an interface which is wired to the loop, XPander also helped Monument Fire Detection Systems to overcome installation difficulties presented by the extensive vaulted ceiling.

Jim Eccles, Director of Monument Fire Detection Systems Ltd, comments: “XPander’s easy wireless installation made the Knowle Library project achievable within the time scale and ensured that the strict English Heritage requirements – including no obtrusive wiring and no drilling or damage to the structure – were overcome without difficulty.”

The new fire detection system is configured around a single loop Ampac SP1M control panel and programmed to enable a one-out, all-out evacuation.

Apollo technology lies at the heart of an intelligent fire detection system installed to protect Phoenix Court, a new luxury student village in the heart of Bristol city centre.

The specification emphasised the need for minimum unwanted alarms and an open protocol system. Multi-Alarm Systems Ltd. of Bristol won the contract to supply and commission the fire detection system and recommended Apollo’s Discovery range of intelligent fire detectors to meet the client’s criteria.

Built by the UK’s largest student accommodation company UNITE, Phoenix Court is the first part of Bristol’s £500 million Cabot Circus retail and leisure redevelopment to be occupied. At 11 storeys, it is also the tallest building of its kind to be built by UNITE. It is now home to 277 students who attend both Bristol University and the University of the West of England.

The Phoenix Court fire system is designed around a Multi Ifax 12 loop control panel and includes over 700 Apollo Discovery Multisensors and 360 sounder bases, which interface with the building access system, lifts and fire doors. Multi-Alarm Systems recommended the Apollo Discovery range because it has a number of features specifically aimed at reducing false alarms.

Barry Dunn, Senior Technical Engineer at Multi-Alarm Systems, explains: “We identified that the areas of high risk for unwanted alarms were the shower rooms, where steam could give a false reading, and kitchen areas where transient levels of smoke or steam from cooking are common. The Discovery Multisensor is ideal for this type of environment as it is equipped with an optical smoke and heat sensor and features five programmable sensitivity settings that make it extremely adaptable to differing conditions.”

Other features of the Discovery range designed to help eliminate nuisance alarms include automatic drift compensation, a feature that adjusts for environmental conditions such as dust to ensure the detector is not adversely affected, and sophisticated self-monitoring that rejects transient alarms.

The Discovery Multisensor itself uses algorithms to process the signals from its smoke and heat sensors to produce one output on which the decision ‘fire/no fire’ is based. Multisensors can be selected to operate as a smoke detector only, a heat detector only, or as one of three combinations of both. If an ‘in combination’ selection is made, the signals from each sensor are considered in relation to each other. The Discovery Multisensor is certified to EN54 standard in every one of its five operating modes and its reliability in the field in reducing nuisance alarm incidents has been proven over several years.

The Phoenix Court fire detection system is designed to L2 standards and configured to enable a phased evacuation controlled by sensor, zone sector or remote networked panel.

Apollo’s AlarmSense range of conventional fire detection and alarm products is now compliant under the Construction Product Directive (CPD) (89/106/EC). Applicable to any product intended for permanent incorporation in buildings and other construction works, the CPD aims to create a single European market by removing the technical barriers to trade between EU member states through the use of harmonised standards and approvals.

AlarmSense is a range of conventional fire detection and alarm products designed to be connected to the same pair of supply wires, making installation quicker and less expensive. The range was specifically developed to make the design and installation of a fire detection and alarm system easier and more economic for small to medium-sized buildings. It also allows an existing system to be extended or modified if necessary, making it ideal for buildings such as Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The AlarmSense range includes optical smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, a sounder/beacon base and a base sounder. All the products are powered and controlled by purpose-designed control and indicating equipment and incorporate features that help reduce false alarms.

The new XPander range of wireless intelligent fire detectors from Apollo is designed for use where wired detectors are either impractical or undesirable. Only available to companies who have had their engineers trained by Apollo in the use of wireless detectors, the XPander was developed to enhance the capabilities of Apollo’s existing XP95 detector range. It comprises an interface, an optical smoke detector, a multisensor smoke detector, heat detector types A1R and CS, a  wireless base, a manual call point, a sounder and a sounder beacon.

Using the XPander is very simple – the devices are simply connected to an XP95-compatible control panel via an interface which is wired in the loop. No special adjustment or programming is required: once connected, the XPander devices are recognised by the control panel as another detector connected to the system. Up to 15 devices can be installed per interface, with up to five interfaces per loop.

The detectors are conventional in that they report ‘normal’, ‘fire’ or ‘fault’ states to the radio base, which transmits the information to the interface. The radio bases and signalling devices are addressable and use a pre-set analogue value to report via the XP95 protocol. The bases can also indicate if battery power is low, if a detector is dirty or been tampered with and if signal strength is low.

“The XPander range owes a lot to Apollo’s policy of listening to its customers,” says Paul Smith, Apollo’s Head of Marketing. “Apollo is now able to offer a simple solution for both existing and new systems, minimising the need for costly cables and associated disruption.”

The brand new website of Apollo Fire Detectors has been launched - supporting Apollo’s ambitions for growth and reflecting the new corporate identity.

With an enhanced layout and structure, the new website looks modern and fresh, is easy to navigate and contains details of Apollo’s full product range. Downloadable product literature and access to approvals certificates is also available from every page.

An advanced search function allows customers to find exactly what they are looking for in just one click and because the new website was designed deliberately without flash animation, it can be accessed on a range of devices wherever you are in the world.

Michelle Agius, Sales & Marketing Director at Apollo Fire Detectors, comments: “The new website is a fantastic addition to the Apollo offering and will be central to delivering an unrivalled experience for our customers. It offers extensive technical backup and information on the whole product range and is informative and easy to use. I am confident that it will be a popular resource with our customers.

“Over the next few months, exclusive log-in sections for Apollo’s partners and dedicated websites for it’s overseas offices will be added to the online resource - making it a truly customer facing website.”

To view the new website and try it out for yourself, please visit www.apollo-fire.co.uk .

Theater Marianske Lazne – a 353-seat venue 150km west of Prague in the Czech Republic – is the first European building to be equipped with Apollo’s new range of XPander wireless fire detectors.

Euroalarm Ltd, who supplied the new fire detection system, recommended XPander specifically to protect the decorative stucco walls in the theatre, which might have been damaged by hard-wired devices. The new XPander devices form part of a larger intelligent fire detection system protecting back-stage, the dressing rooms, ticket office and café.

Construction of the theatre in the spa town of Marianske Lazne began in 1865 in the neo-renaissance style. However, war in 1866 stopped all building and it was not until August 1868 – with the performance of Offenbach’s operetta “The Beautiful Helen” – that the theatre was inaugurated. During the 20th century, the theatre went through many changes, including being rebuilt with an art nouveau appearance in 1905. More recent renovations at the theatre required a fire system upgrade sympathetic to its heritage.

The client’s specification called for an appropriate fire protection response for the heritage areas of the theatre, plus a solution to nuisance alarms being caused by the multi-use nature of the building. Euroalarm was able to select the perfect Apollo products to match these differing requirements, as Vlastimil Krátký, senior engineer, fire detection systems, at Euroalarm, explains:
 
“All Apollo intelligent fire detectors use the same open digital protocol, making them forwards and backwards compatible. This makes our job so much easier, as it widens our choice of fire solutions. In this case, we were able to specify the new wireless XPander range for the heritage locations at the theatre, so we didn’t compromise the appearance of the theatre, alongside more established devices like XP95 for combating false alarms being caused by smoke during performances and steam in the café. Thanks to Apollo, we were able to offer the client the most appropriate fire detection solution for their needs.”

The new XPander range of wireless fire detectors is designed for ease of installation. Devices are connected to the fire system via an interface which is wired to the loop. No special adjustment or programming is required. Once connected, the XPander devices are recognized by the control panel simply as another detector connected to the system.

The fire detection system at Theater Marianske Lazne incorporates approximately 80 XPander and XP95 devices in all, configured around a single loop control panel and programmed to enable a one-out, all-out evacuation. It is designed to EN54 standards.

An Apollo-based intelligent fire detection system has been specified to protect IKEA Belfast, the first store to be built by the Swedish retail chain in Ireland. The fire detection system incorporates in excess of 400 Apollo XP95 devices and was supplied, installed and commissioned by Belfast-based Ashdale Engineering.

At 29,000 square metres, IKEA Belfast will be one of the retailer’s flagship stores and will stock the full product range, totalling 9,500 items. The client specified an open protocol fire detection system designed to L1 standards. Ashdale Engineering recommended two Advanced MX4004 panels to govern over 400 Apollo XP95 optical smoke detectors, manual call points and 35 interface devices, configured to operate a phased evacuation.

Ashdale Engineering was also responsible for supplying and installing a Signet PA/VA system, which includes a link to allow communication with disabled people during an emergency.

John Richardson, Technical Sales Engineer for Ashdale, comments: “We have used Apollo products for many years and regularly recommend them to meet our client’s specifications. The installation, design and implementation phases of the IKEA Belfast project went very smoothly, allowing us to finish ahead of schedule. This was undoubtedly aided by the expert and efficient service delivered by Apollo and is a credit to all parties concerned.”

Andy Turner, Apollo’s Sales Manager for Ireland, comments: “This is a significant project for both Apollo and Ashdale. We are delighted that IKEA has chosen our fire detection technology to protect people, products and premises at its new store in Ireland.”

Goodenough College in central London - home to more than 600 postgraduates from over 90 countries – is the first building to be equipped with Apollo’s new range of XPander wireless detectors.

ERIF UK, who designed, supplied and installed the new fire detection system, recommended XPander specifically to protect the antique decoration in the College’s libraries, which might have been damaged by hard-wired devices. The new devices form part of a larger intelligent fire detection system that protects the whole site, which includes function rooms, study areas, libraries and student living quarters.

Goodenough College was founded in 1930 to provide students coming to London from countries across the (then) British Empire with a collegiate life along Oxbridge lines. It continues to offer this opportunity to students from around the world to this day. Situated within the Grade II Listed houses on the north and south sides of Mecklenburgh Square in Bloomsbury, the College required a fire system sympathetic to its heritage.

The client’s specification called for an appropriate fire protection response for the heritage areas of the site, plus a solution to nuisance alarms in the College’s accommodation blocks, caused by a number of sources, including steam in the bathrooms and smoke in the kitchens. ERIF was able to select the perfect Apollo product to match these differing requirements, as Denis Kelly, Marketing Manager at ERIF UK, explains:
“All Apollo intelligent fire detectors use the same open digital protocol, making them forwards and backwards compatible. This makes our job so much easier, as it widens our choice of fire solutions. It meant we were able to specify the new wireless XPander range for the heritage locations at the College, so we didn’t compromise the interiors, alongside more established devices like the Discovery Multisensor for combating false alarms in the accommodation blocks. This meant we were able to offer the client the most appropriate fire detection solution for their needs.”

The new XPander range of wireless fire detectors is designed for ease of installation. Devices are connected to the fire system via an interface which is wired to the loop. No special adjustment or programming is required. Once connected, the XPander devices are recognized by the control panel simply as another detector connected to the system.

The Discovery Multisensor has a number of features specifically aimed at reducing false alarms. Incorporating an optical smoke sensor and a heat sensor, it uses algorithms to process the signals to produce one output on which the decision ‘fire/no fire’ is based. Each multisensor also has five panel-selectable operating modes that allow sensor sensitivity to be matched to local environmental conditions.

The fire detection system at Goodenough College incorporates approximately 1,200 Discovery and XPander devices in all, configured around five Advanced control panels and programmed to enable phased evacuation block by block.

Apollo Fire Detectors has triumphed twice at the Business Excellence Awards, run by the newspaper local to its headquarters in Havant, The Portsmouth News. Fighting off stiff competition, Apollo made it through to the final round and, for the first time in the history of the awards, won both the Business of the Year and Exporter of the Year categories.

Awarded in recognition of outstanding performance and sustainable growth, the wins reflected Apollo’s consistency in achieving excellent results in the UK as well as the  more than 100 countries it exports its smoke and heat detectors to.

Danny Burns, Apollo’s Managing Director, commented: “I am delighted with the award wins – specifically that Apollo’s strengths and successes have been recognised by the wider business community. We work very hard to reinforce our position as the partner of choice for world class fire solutions and these awards are testimony to our success.”

Measuring just 39mm x 39mm x 20mm, the new Mini Switch Monitor from Apollo Fire Detectors is a miniature interface with an entirely new housing ideal for installation in equipment with limited spaces. It can also be mounted within enclosures such as manual call points.

The unit is designed to monitor the state of one or more single-pole, volt-free contacts and reports the contact status to Apollo-compatible control panels. It can also be fitted onto a standard 35mm DIN-rail using a twist and click motion (patent applied for) and has a short-circuit isolator as standard.

The Mini Switch Monitor can be used as either an interrupt or non-interrupt device, the former meaning it can be used where a priority response is required – in particular for monitoring either an individual or a zone of conventional manual call points. As well as ‘normal’, ‘fault’ and ‘alarm’ states, the unit also provides a ‘pre-alarm’ state, allowing the investigation of a potential alarm so as to prevent false alarms from occurring.